January 5th, 2009 // comments (0)

Richardson Backs Out Of Position

WASHINGTON (AP) – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama’s commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract.

Richardson’s withdrawal was the first disruption of Obama’s Cabinet process and the second “pay-to-play” investigation that has touched Obama’s transition to the presidency. The president-elect has remained above the fray in both the case of arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the New Mexico case.

A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson’s political activities won a New Mexico transportation contract worth more than $1 million. Richardson said in a statement issued by the Obama transition office that the investigation could take weeks or months but expressed confidence it will show he and his administration acted properly.

“I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process,” Richardson said. “Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done.”

Richardson will retain his position as Governor of New Mexico, of course, but it looks like we’ve found the reason why Obama was hesitant to name him to a more important cabinet slot.

Related:

• December 2, 2008 -- Richardson Wins The Door Prize
• January 7, 2010 -- CHRISTMAS ATTACK REVIEW
• January 5, 2010 -- C-SPAN VS. OBAMA
• December 31, 2009 -- AGING BARACK OBAMA
• December 29, 2009 -- OBAMA BETTER THAN JESUS
• December 28, 2009 -- OBAMA AMBULANCE UPDATE
• December 28, 2009 -- OBAMA PERSONAL MATTER
• December 28, 2009 -- OBAMA ON IRAN PROTESTS
• December 21, 2009 -- OBAMA PLAYS SANTA
• December 15, 2009 -- INSIDE OBAMA’S CABINET