Bill Richardson withdraws from Commerce Secretary nomination.
Bill Richardson withdraws from Commerce Secretary nomination.
NBC News reports:
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 Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.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’ Andrea Mitchell. “But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.”
A federal grand jury is investigating whether a California firm, CDR Financial Products, won a lucrative contract from the state of New Mexico after it contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by Richardson. The grand jury probe was “in a highly active stage” at the time Obama nominated Richardson.
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.
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Let’s ask Lt. Gov. Diane Denish how she feels about not moving up into the Gov’s office, at least not until the indictments come down and Bill has to resign.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pmYou wont see this in the main strem US media:
ObamaShortChange has been SILENT! Not one manifestation from the incoming US president. What the US/Israel/UK is doing is a gross WAR CRIME! One more to the endless list of War Crimes perpetrated by criminal governments. Obama’s silence is complicity! Please, don’t give me that BS of ‘one president at a time’… If there will be REAL CHANGE, Obama should be saying something about hte violence, to say the least!
January 4th, 2009 at 1:48 pmI think it’s cool that Richardson is withdrawing his name, even if it comes to nothing, rather than dragging this into the Obama administration.
Well done, Bill.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:49 pm#2 — We posted that video on TheZoo this morning. It is VERY graphic.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:51 pmChuck Feney Says:
Let’s ask Lt. Gov. Diane Denish how she feels about not moving up into the Gov’s office, at least not until the indictments come down and Bill has to resign.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I know her. She’s patient. she’ll be okay with it. Her time’s a-comin’, as they say hyar-bouts…
I feel sorry for Bill, really, cuz he hadda shave that beard…It REALLY improved his look…well, he can grow it back again, back “home” in Santa Fe (oh, yeah, he’s a carpet-bagger…he comes from a BIG money rural mexico family–latifundia folks…)
January 4th, 2009 at 1:56 pmRepublicans can learn something from this: Don’t let your personal ambitions get in the way of doing what’s right for everyone else. Smart move, Governor.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:56 pmZooey Says:
#2 — We posted that video on TheZoo this morning. It is VERY graphic.
Hi Zoo. I’m thankful in this case that I don’t have a high-speed internet connection. Have you locked your stomach in place and watched it?
January 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pmGeorge Bush is still the president, #2. What is he doing right now to quell the violence in Gaza? Oh that’s right! Not a damn thing except waving his pompoms around!
January 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pmMcWars Says:
Hi Zoo. I’m thankful in this case that I don’t have a high-speed internet connection. Have you locked your stomach in place and watched it?
January 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Hi, McWars. I could only get through about half of the video. The carnage is horrendous, and starts out showing terrified children running toward the bodies. That was enough to get me crying. What finally got to me even more than the carnage, was the sounds. The shocked, screaming, and grieving voices of the people in that street; the way they touched the faces of the dead and said quick prayers.
It makes me wonder why the Palestinians aren’t lobbing MORE rockets into Israel.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:06 pmHi, McWars. I could only get through about half of the video. The carnage is horrendous, and starts out showing terrified children running toward the bodies. That was enough to get me crying. What finally got to me even more than the carnage, was the sounds. The shocked, screaming, and grieving voices of the people in that street; the way they touched the faces of the dead and said quick prayers.
That is exactly how the media should have been covering the Iraq carnage the last 5 1/2 years. Those who want the conflict should have the carnage rubbed in their faces. Why are those with “beautiful minds” always getting their way?
January 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pmI’m sorry to see Richardson go.
He was qualified to do just about any job in government.
This cloud has a silver lining though namely that Obama could pick an even better candidate.
However I have a hard time imagining someone much better than Mr. Richardson.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pmThank you for that account, Zooey. What war slogan will Israel think up to disguise the suffering of innocents, ala “War on Terror”?
January 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pmNYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg reported Bush & Obama legitimized Israel’s current acts. He told Ynet News during a visit to Israel.
The NYT has a piece on Richardson’s resignation.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/richardson-reportedly-withdraws-from-cabinet-appointment/?hp
Pay for play, sad.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pmI feel sorry for Bill, really, cuz he hadda shave that beard…It REALLY improved his look…well,www.makkale.blogcu.com , he can grow it back again, back “home” in Santa Fe (oh, yeah, he’s a carpet-bagger…he comes from a BIG money rural mexico family–latifundia folks…)
January 4th, 2009 at 2:32 pmAnother step in America’s descent into a banana republic. Republicans perfected pay for play for the last eight years, only they controlled the Just Us Department. Thus, no investigations.
But they have a few more weeks to targe the Blue Team.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pmMcWars Says:
Why are those with “beautiful minds” always getting their way?
January 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Because they have all the power.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pmLet’s see what the Media has to say when Richardson is cleared of any wrong doing. I respect his position as he doesn’t want to stop the progress of the Obama/Biden team by having this matter be the target. I hope Obama puts him in a high position when this case is finished. It is strange for a Political person to put the interest of the American people first as that hasn’t been done in a long time. Well Nixon did put the people first by resigning before he was impeached.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pmRichardson in his official statement:
Geez, let’s not deep fry Richardson as a “pay for play” corrupt politico before the investigation is complete. Being spineless about this is just going to make this easier for the likes of captain dumbass (Morrisey) and his first mate Michelle, along with the rest of the wingnuts.
I know this sounds like a “republican” talking point, but it could be that the company that has “done business with New Mexico state government” was both generous to his campaign and qualified. It could also be that Richardson is doing the right thing in openly cooperating with the process of this investigation, knowing that a glitch free installment of the Obama administration is important enough for him to withdraw his nomination.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pmYo what the hell are you on?
January 4th, 2009 at 3:17 pmDefine win/won. Thanks…
January 4th, 2009 at 3:18 pmSorry to see Richardson withdraw his name as Commerce Secretary but he is doing the right thing to not taint Obama’s Administration. And I do hope that when Richardson is cleared from this matter that his talents are utilized in some capacity in the Obama Administration.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pmHippie_crusher Says:
Oh and just bye the way, have you losers noticed that we’ve won the war in Iraq?
There was no war declared, white boy. General Petraeus stated himself, this isn’t a conflict in which you take up the hill for the victory parade.
Describe what anybody won out of this invasion. Describe your so-called victory to the maimed and exiled women and children.
Last, describe the GOP victories in 2006 and 2008 — whoops, nevermind.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pmHippie_crusher — don’t forget your Playstation memory card. Wouldn’t want to lose track of the progress your making on any one of your Tom Clancy video games, leading to victory of course.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pmand when done explain this win thing, might you also point to just on hippie ever “crushed” ny thee? See I sort of think you might be FOS but I am willing to give you the opportunity to prove me wrong.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:40 pmAnd the taint you speak of?
January 4th, 2009 at 3:40 pmRight. Because bombing Israeli cities for 8 terrible years, three of them AFTER Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza Strip, is not a war crime. What bunch of hypocrites.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:45 pmThat means my Congressman might be under investigation. The time frame of Rep. Mike Conaway’s donations from the Albertine brothers coincided with his pushing an earmark benefiting one of their firms. The Albertines are also lobbyists.
January 4th, 2009 at 4:04 pmZooey, I admire your warmheartedness. However, to quote the story:…”The grand jury probe was “in a highly active stage” at the time Obama nominated Richardson”. And I have some concern that the investigation was active during Richardson’s run for the presidency. Shades of Edwards! What would have been the outcome should Richardson have been nominated? I am appalled at the self-centeredness of the political ranks.
January 4th, 2009 at 4:06 pmAlledged Hippie Crusher,
January 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pmMight you provide any sort of supporting evidences of the broad statements you make in comments 30 and 31?
Thanks I’ll check back in a spell. Oh and I am still interested in hearing about any hippies you feel you ever “crushed”. I had a super crush on a sweet hippie chick but I didn’t crush her. Instead I was polite to her.
30, 31…Nothing projects like a Republican…
January 4th, 2009 at 5:13 pmand all of this from someone who has looked the other way while the most crooked, corrupt administration commits its crimes…
January 4th, 2009 at 5:14 pmI voted for McKinney. I was a Democrat for 25 years. I have alwways despised Republicans.
So far Obama’s cabinet as not having many new ideas. I am not impressed with his choices : too status quo.
Re-investigate 9/11 NOW!
January 4th, 2009 at 5:35 pmand JK, you offer nothing to this site except mindless GOP talking points and projection…The ones trying to blame the Democrats or the liberal gotcha media (Gee, they finally added another adjective, how many brain cells did y’all kill straining to do so?) are not who you think they are…I’ll give you a hint…It’s not the Democrats…
January 4th, 2009 at 5:47 pmwe’re not blaming the Republicans for anything, we’re asking them to live up to their mantra of personal responsibility…but the only thing you GOP trolls seem to do is look the other way when it comes to GOP scandals, but try to create a scandal where there might not be one such as Blagojevich and Obama…Let’s wait and see what happens with Richardson…
January 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pmHi John Kerry.
January 4th, 2009 at 6:17 pmI was just gonna have the leftover New Years Pork and Kraut but for you I will do up some sushi rice for this really nice yellowfin I have. I will admit I am light on the pickled ginger. Might you be able to pick so up on your way or are you still too afraid…
At what point do I have to just declare the pretend John Kerry “Pussy For Life”?
January 4th, 2009 at 6:18 pmHi pretend Hippie_crusher
January 4th, 2009 at 9:34 pmWhy try to link Richardson to Blago? And why evidence of any hippie crushing? I think you are full of shit. If you think you can crush a punk bring it…
why should be what
January 4th, 2009 at 9:35 pmHas anyone ever heard Obama referred to as “The Messiah” by anyone other than jealous right-wingers?
January 4th, 2009 at 9:47 pmNo ralph. No.
January 4th, 2009 at 9:53 pmHas Gov. Bill Richardson just been “Siegelman’ed”?
January 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pmFunny, the Washington Post article doesn’t once mention who replaced David Iglesias as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico.
(AP, 1-26-08):
“A veteran federal prosecutor has been named the new U.S. attorney for New Mexico by a panel of federal judges.
Greg Fouratt, 42, was sworn in Friday in Dallas. He had been in Oklahoma to argue a case.
The president normally appoints the U.S. attorney, but after determining that presidential action was not imminent, a majority of judges on the U.S. District Court in New Mexico voted to exercise their authority to make the appointment, Chief Judge Martha Vazquez said in a statement Friday.
Fouratt grew up in Roswell and graduated from Roswell High School and New Mexico State University. He spent six years as a U.S. Air Force officer and then attended law school and became a federal prosecutor. He has remained in the Air National Guard.
He replaces interim U.S. Attorney Larry Gomez, who filled in after David Iglesias was asked to resign.”
Well, at least we all now know who replaced David Iglesias as the U.S. Attorney for New Mexico after the honorable Mr. Iglesias was fired for refusing to politicize investigations and prosecutions for the benefit of Karl Rove and the Republicans.
And Mr. Fouratt’s resume looks impressive (BTW, I served in the USAF)…until one realizes that many current U.S. District Courts have been packed with right-wingers during the malevolent Bush/Cheney years and that the Bush administration probably figured they’d face a battle getting Iglesias’ replacement through the Democratic-controlled Senate, so the Bush administration turned to their political appointees on the U.S. District Court for New Mexico to get the job done.
Thus, my question stands: Has Gov. Bill Richardson been “Siegelman’ed,” especially as we are just getting word out of Alaska that Republicans in Gov. Sarah Palin’s administration “slow-walked” an investigation into her future mother-in-law’s illicit drug activity until after the November election.
Typical corrupt Republican mentality: “fast-walking” any investigations and prosecutions of Democrats, both actual (few) and specious (legion), while “slow-walking” investigations and prosecutions of Republicans, both actual (legion) and specious (few), even though the most popular corrupt Republican strategy is to completely block any investigations and prosecutions of Republicans from ever happening in the first place.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:46 amWriting about the carnage in Gaza Mcwars wrote:
That is exactly how the media should have been covering the Iraq carnage the last 5 1/2 years. Those who want the conflict should have the carnage rubbed in their faces.
Good point but of course it would never happen because this type of footage doesn’t make you want to go out and buy a new car or plan a vacation to Disney World.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:22 amClassy way to handle it. If he gets cleared, he can be reconsidered for something else at a later date.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:26 amGOOGLE:
BENJAMIN FREEDMAN SPEAKS: A JEWISH DEFECTOR WARNS AMERICA
http://fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/history/zionism/news.php?q=1228947965
January 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm