Bill Richardson

A beardless Bill Richardson has announced his withdrawal as Barack Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary. A grand jury in New Mexico is currently looking into charges that Governor Bill Richardson awarded a state contact to a company that made donations to his campaign. This comes after allegations that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich participated in "pay-to-play" in regards to Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Said President-elect Barack Obama: "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 ... Read Full Story

Gov. Bill Richardson has officially withdrawn himself from consideration to be commerce secretary in the new Obama administration due to the ongoing investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract in New Mexico. 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. President-Elect Obama said he accepted Richardson’s withdrawal with ... Read Full Story

After what has been notably a smooth transition, the would-be Cabinet put together by President-elect Obama suffered its first hiccup today with Bill Richardson withdrawing his name from becoming the next secretary of Commerce. The withdrawal was sparked by a federal grand jury investigation that is underway in Richardson's home state of New Mexico into whether a financial services company won state contracts after its CEO contributed to a political committee controlled by the governor. Richardson emailed a statement saying, "I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process." Obama accepted the withdrawal "with regret" ... Read Full Story

Former democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson has withdrawn as President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for commerce secretary, sources in the transition office tell NPR. The source confirmed reports from MSNBC that New Mexico’s governor is withdrawing from the confirmation process — and says a full statement will be released shortly. The reason reportedly involves a pending investigation into a company that has done business with the state of New Mexico. In comments posted on NBC’s Web site, Richardson says “My administration has acted properly in all matters and this investigation will bear out that fact.” He goes on to say that he has concluded that ... Read Full Story

« Rearview Mirror: Looking Back at the Week on Towleroad | Main | Al Franken to Be Certified Winner in MN; Coleman to Challenge » 01/04/2009 New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has declined Obama's nomination as Commerce Secretary because of a grand jury investigation in his home state : "The grand jury has been investigating 'pay-to-play' allegations concerning a New Mexico state contract awarded to a California firm that has contributed to three political committees formed by Richardson, The Associated Press reported last month. A source close to Richardson told Politico, 'There are too many unanswered questions and while he thinks the results of ... Read Full Story