Jan 4, 2009

Gov Richardson withdraws from commerce secretary post

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (pictured) is withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary.

Richardson withdrew 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.

The Obama transition team was caught flat-footed on the Richardson impropriety. One wonders why Richardson agreed to accept a post he is unqualified for even without the cloud of his “pay-to-play” scandal back in New Mexico?

The media worked hard to elect Barack Hussein Obama. The Richardson fiasco is a reminder that the media will need to work even harder to gloss over Obama’s miss steps once he occupies the oval office.

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