Shoulda Kept The Beard: Bill Richardson Withdraws As Nominee For Commerce Secretary Amidst Possible Controversy

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 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."

Que alleged escndalo. Obama later went on to refute allegations that his choice for Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton, had been fathered by Darth Vader. Richardson Withdraws Name as Commerce Secretary-Designee [Washington Post]