MyDD :: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretary-designate

Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretary-designate

by Nathan Empsall, Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 01:40:20 PM EST

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 Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.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

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."

So much for no drama.

Update [2009-1-4 14:57:45 by Todd Beeton]:President-elect Obama's statement (via e-mail):

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.

Tags: Bill Richardson, New Mexico, Barack Obama, Commerce (all tags)

Permalink :: 47 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (2.00 / 2)

"So much for no drama"? That shit happens is inevitable. That the disposal is handled quickly and quietly: that's no drama.

by jlmccreery on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 01:54:30 PM EST

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (2.00 / 3)

It strikes me as drama because Richardson is a big name and it's related to an investigation. Whether he did anything or not or is to blame or not, it's still drama. Now, if this was a lesser-known name, like Solis Doyle or Duncan, or if it weren't investigation-related, it would be less of a story.

Ever heard of a Blue Moose Democrat?

by Nathan Empsall on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:25:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

EXACTLY! (none / 0)

This IS NO DRAMA. If there is a problem, than rectify it quickly and move on. Better that Richardson was NOT nominated for Secretary of State which would have been this withdrawal a MUCH BIGGER DEAL since there are so many foreign policy crisis going on right now.

Also, by withdrawing NOW instead of during a Senatorial hearing this will now be a one or 2 day story particularly since there are so many problems going on right now.

AGAIN THIS IS NO DRAMA.

by puma on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:06:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (none / 0)

I wonder what made Edwards and bill Richardson run for president , if they are proven ( not yet in BR's case) to have indictable offenses.

what did they think they were doing to this country had they actually won and were president when all this crap came to light?

by MumbaiBurns on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:24:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws (2.00 / 1)

I will say that I love the way this has been handled. Quickly and with as little drama as possible.

It is a shame though, I loved that spot for Richardson.

Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America

by JDF on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:06:45 PM EST

and I would be happier with him (2.00 / 3)

at State or Transportation--didn't like Richardson on economic issues nearly as much.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:20:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws (none / 0)

you mean releasing this information on a Sunday afternoon while the playoffs are abound :)

by MumbaiBurns on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 05:17:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's an idea: (2.00 / 3)

How about an LGBT nominee for Commerce? It would be a nice change from the Rick Warren crap. Not that I'm holding my breath.

by johnny longtorso on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:09:08 PM EST

Re: Here's an idea: (none / 0)

I think there is an LGBT on the Energy/Environment team.

Not that two is too many, just saying I believe there is representation.

by Trowaman on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:30:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's an idea: (2.00 / 1)

Nancy Sutley, "Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality". Not a cabinet-level post, which is what I'm talking about. Obama has found places for Latinos, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, and women in his cabinet, but no gays. I can't imagine there are no qualified LGBT people out there.

by johnny longtorso on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:43:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's an idea: (none / 0)

I LOVE that idea. Frankly- not holding my breath. Not sure if Obama cares about LGBT issues more than he cares about not upsetting the Religious Right- sadly. He has a very VERY spotty track record on these issues- which is extremely frustrating....

by easyE on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:23:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson (2.00 / 1)

Am I being a conspiracy theorist if i think this might have been an easy way for Richardson to get out of doing a job he didn't really want?

by liberalj on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:17:51 PM EST

he could have said no a month ago (2.00 / 1)

if he really didn't want this job.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:21:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: he could have said no a month ago (none / 0)

It would of fed into the Obama snubs Richardson story and made it worse if he refused the post a month ago. Obama had to offer Richardson something, lots of people weren't happy that it was only commerce and for Richardson to turn it down then would of embarrased Obama.

I don't know the inner workings of Richardson's mind, i just guess that he's not that upset about losing commerce.

by liberalj on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:41:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson (2.00 / 2)

I doubt Richardson had anything to do with the timing of the FBI investigation. And as politically incompetent as he may be I can't imagine he would see withdrawing under the cloud of a criminal investigation as preferable to taking a job he didn't love.

You do have to ask what was up with Obama's "vetting" operation, this investigation has been going on since last summer. Maybe they were too busy trying to find something on Clinton.

To me this demonstrates the problem with Obama's goo-goo rhetoric. Richardson is not a bad guy, and so far he is being investigated, he has not been convicted or even indicted for anything. He may not have done anything illegal or different from things Obama or any other cabinet nominees have done. But the investigation gave the Republicans a cudgel he does not want to fight against, so he withdraws.

by souvarine on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:49:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If he's innocent (none / 0)

it's a minor cloud. And taking a job you don't want for four years is a major commitment.

by Neef on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:25:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It struck me that way too n/t (none / 0)

by Neef on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:23:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (2.00 / 1)

I've never been all that impressed with Bill Richardson, honestly. He was sloppy and bumbling during his 2008 POTUS campaign, and this isn't the first time he's been tainted with scandal.

He seems to be a pretty good governor, but I'm not that upset that he won't be part of the Obama administration. I do appreciate the fact that he's a good team player and is stepping aside before this turns into a total fiasco.

by JK47 on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:25:11 PM EST

Yes... (2.00 / 1)

Hopefully, the third time will be the charm in finding a scandal-free Commerce Secretary.

Want to defend marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how!

by atdleft on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:27:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

3rd time? (none / 0)

The first name floated was someone who took her name off the list as possibilities. There wasn't any scandal there at all.

by puma on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:22:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hopefully (none / 0)

Obama is savvy enough to try to get a Repub senator from a state with a Dem Governor.

That means Voinovich, Snowe, or Collins.

Corporatism and Islamism are the greatest threats to civilizations' future.

by ClintoniteNoLonger4McCain on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 08:28:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as C (2.00 / 1)

Why would they name him in the first place? They had to have known about the investigation--it came out literally hours after his nomination was announced. This was a sloppy, and poor choice by Obama.

Anyone with an "FBI investigation" anywhere near them should NOT get a cabinet appointment, whether the investigation clears them eventually or not. Perception is reality. Everyone in politics should know that by now.

by need some wood on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 02:39:53 PM EST

I don't think the FBI investigation happened (none / 0)

until AFTER Richardson was announced.

by puma on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:09:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't think the FBI investigation happened (2.00 / 2)

According to the Washington Post article from December the investigation began in the summer, long before the November election:

The U.S. attorney's office in New Mexico also declined to comment on the investigation, which began in the summer. Several Finance Authority board members have publicly confirmed being interviewed by the FBI. Paul Kennedy, an attorney for Richardson's former chief of staff, David Harris, confirmed that his client had been interviewed by the FBI in the summer but declined to comment further.

by souvarine on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:24:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks (none / 0)

Well it was dumb to put him as Commerce Secretary since he was under Federal investigation so that was a mistake.

The Obama team IS going to make mistakes. Everyone does. The important thing is how they respond to them. It appears that this response was swift and happened BEFORE the Senate hearings and before Obama became the president so I consider this swift.

I think the reason why this happened quickly was that the Senate hearings were coming up and Richardson and Obama team decided that this would NOT be a good thing to happen while Obama is trying to get his administration off the ground.

by puma on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:27:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thanks (none / 0)

Eh, I don't know that it was dumb. Anyone in a position of power will attract controversy, it may be that this investigation turns up nothing substantial. I think they made a calculation that Richardson was a good choice despite some problems, but then this issue is got too much press.

Overall Obama has run his transition very smoothly, I've been impressed and I did not support him in the primary. I also like the way he is sticking to the "one president at a time" line, which has the effect of hanging most of our troubles around Bush and the Republican's necks. I'm desperate for Obama to become president and start tackling these problems, but he is probably smart not to take responsibility until he has actual power.

by souvarine on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:39:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Obama people said that he hadn't been (none / 0)

forthright about the investigation. Personally, I'm savouring this moment - what goes around comes around and it couldn't happen to a better sleazy, women groper, sexual harrasser, hypocrite and fat opportunistic Judas!

by suzieg on Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 06:27:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (2.00 / 2)

I am really enjoying this news regarding Bill Richardson. I don't think I am enjoying this as much as the Clinton are....but nonetheless.....this revelation is karma with a side of justice served.

I will never forget the actions of March 21 2008.

Karma does exist and that makes me feel good.

by newmexicodem on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 03:16:58 PM EST

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (none / 0)

Pffft. This has NOTHING to do with Karma. Your whining about the 'actions' of last spring are nothing more than sore losership.

Howard Dean is my go-to guy

by lojasmo on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 05:52:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As if Obama would want to be around (none / 0)

a man who sold the Clintons down the tube simply for his own political advancement - he knows very well that the man has no morals or loyalty but to himself! He's well rid of him, for good and must be giving himself a great sigh of relief!

by suzieg on Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 06:31:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: As if Obama would want to be around (none / 0)

And yet Obama offered him the cabinet position. Strange.

Howard Dean is my go-to guy

by lojasmo on Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 10:23:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Proof! (none / 0)

I guess that's the point of this diary. And it certainly is proof, finally!

1st Law of Obamadynamics: For every action, there is a greater than equal criticism. In advance.

by QTG on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:11:35 PM EST

Re: Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretar (1.00 / 2)

lol

by moscow on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 04:14:46 PM EST

wapo-Kaine to Head dnc (none / 0)

just saw this on wapo:
Kaine to be DNC Chair
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con tent/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401139. html?hpid=topnews

by art3 on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 05:08:20 PM EST

Thankyou TT (none / 0)

At last this site has some moderation back. And I mean moderation, rather than lickspittle enthusiasm. Kudos.

by zerosomgame on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 05:13:44 PM EST

Political hit? (2.00 / 1)

Bush US attorneys have a history of political hit jobs and leaking info to cause political damage.

by bakho on Sun Jan 04, 2009 at 05:35:36 PM EST

This is part of the new administration (none / 0)

This was really about the fact that Franken was scheduled to win, and Obama wants a filibuster proof majority.

Richardson used the whole bonds issue as a cover story. The reality is that the political calculus of having +two+ senators for one cabinet seat appt. was too great of a thing to pass up - with Richardson back to NM, Obama will hunt down a republican senator from a state whose governor is a democrat - the appointment made will be for a democratic party - and the senate will have a filibuster-proof majority.

Which means Franken will be seated with only one defect from the currently shattered, liberal-inundated, non-conservative, big spending GOP.
Which should be easy enough given the ties to all the lobbyists they have right now.

The system is slowly being dismantled piece by piece and the lobbyists haven't even figured out its happening.

Gotta love Bill for this one. Only a diplomat could make a deal with the devil like this.

by Trey Rentz on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 11:00:40 AM EST

The lobbyists are not shaking in their boots on (none / 0)

the contrary, they have their own people very well placed in Obama's administration!

by suzieg on Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 06:33:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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