Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary (Updated w/Obama statement)

[ProSense]

Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary

The New Mexico governor cites pending investigation of business dealings

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."

He said he plans to continue in his role as governor. "I appreciate the confidence President-elect Obama has shown in me, and value our friendship and working partnership. I told him that I am eager to serve in the future in any way he deems useful. And like all Americans, I pray for his success and the success of our beloved country."

Obama's statement:

It is with deep regret that I accept Governor Bill Richardson's decision to withdraw his name for nomination as the next Secretary of Commerce.Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of Commerce Secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office. 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. Although we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision, I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration.

[ananda]

1. So why are ever much dirtier Reeps still in their jobs?

Hmmmm......

[greenman3610]

2. Good. Hate to see him go, but we don't need the distraction

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I am really sorry to hear this...

He's a good man, and an intelligent one...

But I think, given the current situation he's in, that this is a very smart move, both for him and for Obama...


Damn.

[LWolf]

4. What company?

If it's enough to cause him to withdraw, I'd like to know more.

I wonder how this will play with those who were unhappy that Obama did not include MORE hispanics in his cabinet?

[merh]

14. here you go

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/12/15/grand_jury_investigation_into.html

[LWolf]

28. Interesting.

So is this an authentic example of "pay to play?"

[merh]

29. Richardson says no

Whatever it is, the investigation will complicate his confirmation process.

[LWolf]

31. I hope not.

Richardson is one of the few centrists I have any respect for.

[merh]

40. I've never trusted him

He took jobs on the boards of oil corporations after he served as Energy Secretary. One of the corps is run by a very dirty group of folks connected to the PNAC bunch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Richardson

[LWolf]

46. My take is pretty narrow.

He was one of 3 of the original pack of primary candidates, none of whom made it past January, that got education right.

I'm a teacher, and that was important enough for me to place him higher on my personal ranking.

That, and I thought he was better on Iraq than most.

Those are 2 issues, though, and don't reflect his entire record.

Thanks for the info!

[merh]

47. He has strong points

but once I realized he sat on the boards of major oil corps after being Energy Secretary I lost any trust I had in him. I realize that people have to work after serving but that just doesn't sit well.

[LWolf]

48. You are correct.

That doesn't sit well.

[rug]

5. Will he grow his beard back now?

[BlueCaliDem]

15. I've got to admit. It looked sexy on him. ;-) n/t

[Endangered Specie]

6. Talk about taking one for the team...

with Blago/Burris et al, he figures Obama doesn't need ANY more dirt, even if its just a handful.

Good man, sad to see him go, maybe in 2012!

[glowing]

7. Sounds like a rat that's been caught.. that statement sounds a lot like

a repug that gets caught with his pants down in some unusual place. He wouldn't have resigned if it doesn't mean its going to get nasty... AND you know what, I don't care... I don't care which side of the aisle you sit; if you are a crook and a scumbag, you need to go down. I just wish it went both ways much better.. hopefully, Obama will fix that. The days of govt officials being corrupt and above the law have got to be over in order for us to rebuild this nation.

[firedupdem]

8. I like him but I'm glad he's good enough to step away if whatever

he's being investigated for will cause a distraction.

[Grateful for Hope]

9. This is so disappointing

I think Richardson is making the right move for the sake of the Obama administration, but, I think he would have excellent in this position.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. Why.....Some sort of FBI investigation into pay to play donor?

[dkf]

11. Yikes...is this as out of the blue as it seems to me?

What happened to the vaunted Obama vetting process?

[Medusa]

21. Doesn't work so well

if the participants aren't 100% honest I guess. He may have mentioned this and perhaps at the time they didn't think it would be that much of a big. I guess it is.

[dkf]

26. Makes me wonder about Hillary.

Ugh.

[Metric System]

38. Of course it does.

[Beacool]

51. Was there any doubt?

:eyes:

[Rebubula]

49. Pray tell...

...WHY?

Do you REALLY think that Mrs. Clinton is going to resign or is under investigation?

Or are you simply positing (in a VERY Nixon-ian manner) this because of your dislike for the future SOS?

I would guess the latter...

[Thrill]

12. MSM already out with the BS. "This is MAJOR BLOW to Obama" lol

[ErinBerin84]

25. lol. Who said that?

Well, this gives them something new to chew on. Whatevs.

[Thrill]

34. The anchor on MSNBC.

[ErinBerin84]

35. (I meant, which one).

I just turned it on and forget what this one's name was. Was curious if it was the anchor or one of the pundits. Yeah, they'll be going crazy over this this week. Even the Blago thing was starting to bore them.

[Thrill]

44. The really cute blonde. The one, that use to be a model

I don't know her name

[dkf]

13. DKOS has more...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/1/4/1314/34429/291/680076

here's a Washington Post article on the controversy from December:

A federal grand jury is investigating whether a financial firm improperly won more than $1.4 million in work for the state of New Mexico shortly after making contributions to political action committees of Gov. Bill Richardson (D).

The probe focuses on whether the governor's office urged a state agency to hire CDR Financial Products. The probe is in a highly active stage at a time when President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Richardson as his nominee for secretary of commerce, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.

In the New Mexico case, the FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating how CDR, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., won lucrative fees from the New Mexico Finance Authority in 2004 soon after donating $100,000 to two Richardson organizations.

..............

From 2003 to 2004, CDR Financial gave $75,000 to Sí Se Puede, which paid for expenses at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. CDR's president and founder, David Rubin, also gave $25,000 to Moving America Forward, which funded Richardson's efforts to register Hispanic and American Indian voters.

Rubin was generous to Obama's campaign as well, giving $29,000 to help elect the senator to the White House. Yesterday, the Obama transition office declined to comment on the development.

[glowing]

18. Sounds pretty standard to me, unless we should look into the actions

of Bush Co and Haliburton, KBR, or Blackwater.. this is rather normal fair.. looks like the Bush admin is going after Dems for what they do themselves. Hopefully, with Obama in charge, everyone will be held to the same standards.

[dkf]

20. Well I'd like it if this sort of thing was very unusual.

I hope it will be soon.

[glowing]

24. Me too, then we can get the fascist grip off our country and give a fair

shake to real democracy and human interest instead of corrupt, oops I mean corporate interests.

[onefreespiritedchick]

16. Breaking news on MSNBC.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28493919/

[natrat]

17. like anything in current american politics the sleazy underbelly will appear soon

in the form of yet another conservative piece of crooked shit as the next contender for the position-i'm shocked i tell ya i'm shocked

[ErinBerin84]

19. crazy

[PresidentObama]

22. This really stinks. Richardson would have done very well.

But I understand his decision, and respect him for getting out of the way so he isn't a distraction.

Your day will come, Governor!

[saracat]

41. There are many reasons Richardson wouldn't have passed the vetting.

I am amazed the other stuff didn't surface earlier. I like the guy but he would have been a PR disaster. He makes Cisneros look like an "angel".

[Cha]

23. The country's loss is

New Mexico's gain. Gov Richardson doesn't want to jeopardize anything and is thinking of the Obama Biden Team getting off to the best start possible.

[quakerboy]

27. Why the fuck is it

that Democrats get caught with their hand in the cookie jar at inconvenient times, and Repubs only get cought when its pardon time?

Better yet... Why the fuck cant politicians keep their shit on the straight and narrow?

[ShortnFiery]

30. No, both sides are corrupt. We have to own up to this and CLEAN up our own party.

I really like Bill Richardson, the man, but we can't make excuses for him. If this was not SERIOUS he would have remained in contention.

I hope he's proven "not guilty" but it was his personal call to withdraw from consideration.

[grantcart]

32. MSNBC pundit offered Harold Ford Jr as a possible candidate

I think that is a great choice - then we would never have to hear that stupid SOB speak again, no one cares what the Commerce Secretary is saying.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

33. He is oing the right thing eom.

[alcibiades_mystery]

36. But Blago's the Big Villian, right?

At least there IS a Grand Jury in the Richardson case...:eyes;

[redstate_democrat]

37. As usual, the kneejerkers on DU are ready to convict Richardson and throw away the key based on an

allegation.

[janx]

43. Yeah, some do.

Why is that? :shrug:

[Kdillard]

39. Too bad I think he would have done a good job. However

he is doing the right thing.

[ClarkUSA]

42. After this blows over, he'll make a great special envoy to the Middle East.

Just wait until Hillary finds out. Eat your heart out, James "Judas" Carville.

[DCBob]

45. That is a shame. I really like Richardson.

But I suppose this is better than an ugly lengthy confirmation.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. me2 - he was my first choice before O - sad news

[gblady]

52. Classy statement....

as usual, from O.

[Alcibiades]

53. There were always doubts about Richardson

When he was being considered for the Obama VP slot, folks were saying "the problem with Richardson is that he doesn't vet well" without being specific, and there was talk about women who are not his wife. Looks as if there may be other issues as well. I hope he stays on in New Mexico, as he should still have a bright career.