by Mike Dorning
President-elect Barack Obama suffered the first blow to his Cabinet today as Commerce Secretary-designate Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew from consideration, citing an investigation of a company's business dealings with the state government he leads.
The New Mexico governor said in a statement released this afternoon that he was withdrawing because the investigation would have "forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."
"A pending investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico state government promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months," Richardson said, without further identifying the subject of the investigation.
A federal grand jury in Albuquerque has been investigating how Beverly Hills, Calif.-based CDR Financial Products won state contracts that generated more than $1.5 million in fees after donating $100,000 to political organizations affiliated with Richardson.
The probe is part of a national investigation of "pay-to-play" practices in the municipal bond market, in which financial companies make political donations to office-holders in order to be considered for government business.
Richardson asserted that he had "acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact."
Obama said in a statement that he accepted Richardson's withdrawal "with deep regret."
"It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time," Obama said.
The withdrawal of a Cabinet nominee comes as Obama travels to Washington today for the start of pre-inaugural talks with legislative leaders.
Comments
First of many poor choices to cause Obama trouble-
Hillary has a shelf-life of about 18 mos, Emanuel will probably get sucked into Blago's vortex, he's not going down alone, believe it.
Eric Holder at Justice is another gem, he pardoned lowlife Clinton supporter Marc Rich simply to help his own career, nothing to do with "justice".
And before Eric Holder was President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be attorney general, he was Gov. Blagojevich's pick to sort out a mess involving Illinois' long-dormant casino license.
Blagojevich and Holder appeared together at a March 24, 2004, news conference to announce Holder's role as "special investigator to the Illinois Gaming Board" -- a post that was to pay Holder and his Washington, D.C. law firm up to $300,000.
Holder, however, omitted that event from his 47-page response to a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire-- an oversight he plans to correct after a Chicago Sun-Times inquiry.
I guess he'll fit right-in, LOL
ardon of lowlife Clinton supporter Marc Rich simply to help his own career, nothing to do with "justice"... now this:
Before Eric Holder was President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be attorney general, he was Gov. Blagojevich's pick to sort out a mess involving Illinois' long-dormant casino license.
Blagojevich and Holder appeared together at a March 24, 2004, news conference to announce Holder's role as "special investigator to the Illinois Gaming Board" -- a post that was to pay Holder and his Washington, D.C. law firm up to $300,000.
Holder, however, omitted that event from his 47-page response to a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire made public this week -- an oversight he plans to correct after a Chicago Sun-Times inquiry, Obama's transition team indicated late Tuesday.
I guess he'll fit right-in, LOL
ardon of lowlife Clinton supporter Marc Rich simply to help his own career, nothing to do with "justice"... now this:
Before Eric Holder was President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be attorney general, he was Gov. Blagojevich's pick to sort out a mess involving Illinois' long-dormant casino license.
Blagojevich and Holder appeared together at a March 24, 2004, news conference to announce Holder's role as "special investigator to the Illinois Gaming Board" -- a post that was to pay Holder and his Washington, D.C. law firm up to $300,000.
Holder, however, omitted that event from his 47-page response to a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire made public this week -- an oversight he plans to correct after a Chicago Sun-Times inquiry, Obama's transition team indicated late Tuesday.
I guess he'll fit right-in, LOL
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | January 4, 2009 3:08 PM
Karma bites.
Bye-bye, judas.
Posted by: Bemused | January 4, 2009 3:10 PM
Yet another Corruptocrat bites the dust.
This story about Obama's nominee Richardson has been "out" for at least 2 weeks. The Swamp has censored mention of the Richardson investigation until now--just as David Axelrod would want.
Posted by: Change You Can Believe In | January 4, 2009 3:23 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if Blago took a cue from Richardson's behaviour and would step aside as well so we can get the people's business done?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 4, 2009 3:26 PM
This is what we need to be digging....
How the US sent $12bn in cash to Iraq. And watched it vanish
Special flights brought in tonnes of banknotes which disappeared into the war zone
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/feb/08/usa.iraq1
Posted by: Bill | January 4, 2009 5:22 PM
I've never seen so many people involved with Obama under investgation...and Richardson's not even from crook county.
Change we can believe in?..ha!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 4, 2009 5:23 PM
"This is not the Bill Richardson I knew."
BHO
Posted by: Change You Can Believe In | January 4, 2009 6:31 PM
Another under the bus...a Hispanic too...love that line... Dem's use of "country first"...let us review it's potential...Hillary "the mall developer aka foundation fundraiser" Clinton...Eric "pardons/forgot gov. Rod's choice to investigate Il. gambling corruption" Holder...Ray "Cellini" LaHood...Chris "Countrywide" Dodd...Jessie "#5" Jackson Jr....Charley "forgot my taxes/million $$ name my school" Rangle...Bobby "race card" Rush...Barney "Freddie & Fannie are sound " Frank...the list grows...hang tough Gov.Blago...at least in your case it's "me first". When you finally go completely under the bus, you rat'm all out..."country first" you say...we"ll buy that. Gotta love it.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 4, 2009 6:43 PM
he lost his credibility in Wen Ho Lee case. Now, more problems arise to haunt him. It is good that he is resigned. Otherwise, there will be more skeleton coming out of his closet which can be more embarrass to him and his family later.
Sec of Commerce is a very honorable position which Mr. Richardson is not suitable to hold.
Posted by: keith | January 4, 2009 7:11 PM
For sure- More chages to fololw-
Posted by: Inky | January 4, 2009 7:30 PM
"...The Swamp has censored mention of the Richardson investigation until now..."
Of course. And where are all of the Obama supporters now? As I recall, The Swamp and the likes of Flo and Bill R. were frothing at the mouth about the non-scandal story about Palin wanting to fire a state trooper who liked to drive drunk and taser small boys. Uh, hey Flo - what does the Richardson pick say about Obama's judgment? (We won't even start again with Obama's judgment with Rezko, Wright, Emil, and Urkel). There's just no shame found from the Swamp or their fellow Obama supporters who blog on with such hateful, hypocritical gusto. I actually want Obama to be a good president, but none of this should surprise anyone - if you were paying attention.
Posted by: Bemused | January 4, 2009 7:44 PM
What a wonderful imagination you have Bubba Porter; did you dream that all up while hugging your teddy bear last night? Small minded folks looking for scandal. This is just a molehill, guys (and bitter Bemused).
Posted by: Flo | January 4, 2009 8:06 PM
"This is just a molehill, guys?"
You're right Flo...Federal Grand Jury investigations on Obama appointees are just dreamt-up.
Don't go out tonight Flo, it's windy, and we don't want your tin foil hat to fly off.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 4, 2009 8:42 PM
Richardson asserted that he had "acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact."
Wait for the facts, Bemused.
As for the Palin story, she was found to have violated Alaska ethics laws. You just dislike Richardson because he endorsed Obama and not Hillary. I suggest you grow up.
Posted by: Flo | January 4, 2009 9:10 PM
I am an Obama supporter and I'm right here watching the rightwingers hoping against hope that Obama will somehow become embroiled in this alleged scandal. Well folks, you're going to have a good, long wait because this Richardson investigation in no way involves Obama and as much as you would like it to be different, Richardson is innocent until proven guilty.
Posted by: Quippy | January 4, 2009 9:36 PM
Bemused, this story is different than you suggest. This is another guilt by association plot by you, and not something that Obama has done personally. That is the difference between Obama and Palin....two potential POTUSes. Richardson is not a potential POTUS as sec. of commerce....so that is the difference.
I still come from the opinion that 90% of politicians are corupt to some degree or another on both sides of the isle. I just think the dems are less corupt, and on a smaller scale than the pugs, which have corruption, wasteful spending, and deception down to an artform. i.e. Richardson's latest scandal....maybe a few hundred thousand dollars in perks to a private company, Blago.....maybe a million or so for himself, Clinton.....can't keep his pistol holstered, Bush.....5 TRILLION in national debt. Does anyone see the pattern of what truly matters in the mud, or is mud just mud to you pug idiots? I could bring up maybe a dozen points of SERIOUS pug scandal/ waste/ fraud that affects you and I both (such as pug deregulation of the banking industry), but it is hard to do this with the dems.
Yes, a week digging in AR for quartz was a fun holiday vacation in case you were wondering where I was. Hope the holidays was well for you all too.
Posted by: Xcellentform | January 5, 2009 12:29 AM
Poor, Flo, still suffering from Palin Derangement Syndrome. The Governor was completely exonerated by the agency that had the legal authority to investigate and issue discipline. Funny, if she was guilty, I don't recall reading about impeachment hearings. Good points, xcellentform, but "guilt by association" is hardly a defense to a poor vetting process. You don't invite someone in your cabinet who is being looked at for "pay to play," especially in these times.
Posted by: Bemused | January 5, 2009 8:25 AM
Flo & the Liberal gang....Home Depot has a sale on shovels...these "molehills" are start'n to look like the prairie dog patch next to Devil's Tower. ..better stock up.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 5, 2009 8:37 AM
Ya gotta love the baseless glee spoken by the rabid. One has the nerve to tell us to get a shovel. As if we didn't have one already from living under the horse manure dished out daily by the Bush administration and the republicans. I suggest you start dishing it out louder cause it seems most of the country has gotten used to the playbook.
Posted by: bill r. | January 5, 2009 2:43 PM