ABC News: Obama Team Feels Richardson Wasn't Forthcoming About Investigation

Sources tell ABC News that officials on the Obama Transition Team feel that before he was formally offered the job of commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was not forthcoming with them about the federal investigation that is looking into whether the governor steered a state contract towards a major financial contributor.

Once the investigation became more widely known through national media reports last month, sources tell ABC News, the Obama Transition Team realized the FBI would not be able to give Richardson a clean political bill of health before the new administration is ready to send his nomination up to the Senate for confirmation.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[FirstShirt]

It just keeps getting better:

Spitzer
Edwards
Blogo
...and now Richardson.

Keep them coming democrats.

2010. republicans retake Congress

[QuestionEveryone]

Isn't the Obama administration responsible for vetting? It looks like they didn't do any with Richardson, they would have found this out outright..

[FirstShirt]

They had to wait for the election...hispanic vote, you know.

[jpmdevildog]

Ties to an extraterrestrial energy company have resulted in Governor Bill Richardson removing his name for consideration as future Commerce Secretary.

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/politics/alien-energy-burns-richardson/

[AnnfromCA]

I do not understand this excuse. The public knew about Richardson's federal investigation prior to the appointment.

[FirstShirt]

Come on. The Clintons were incensed at his duplicity. Don't think they didn't know?
This is pay back...big time.

[SabrinaFair]

This is a shame. Somewhere, Bill Clinton is laughing.

[AnnfromCA]

yup.....and it's a hearty laugh.

[FirstShirt]

And, his staff is already placed in the new administration. It is a reunion. so much for change.

[Coinyer101]

richardson is being thrown under the bus for the clintons. case closed. the new clinton administration doesn't tolerate a 'judas'.

[Hank10303]

This is as inaccurate a statement as anyone can make. Clearly Richardson didn't reveal all that he should have to the transition team. Clearly Obama thought there may be more to come than what was public knowledge which is the reason Richardson wasn't offered the VP, UN post or Sec of State. Also clearly had he been a serious contender during the primaries this would have come out earlier and been more damaging.

[Yman]

That's gotta be one BIG bus ....

How much room can be left under there?

Too funny ....

[Pegi]

I don't understand this. This supposedly has been public since August. I would think if there was anything to it, Pres. O would have eliminated him right from the start. I like Richardson a lot. He is more than qualified and I think this is a bunch of bull - I wish O would have stuck it out with him. All these pols have skeletons in their closets, it just depends on whose door gets opened on any given day. Hang in their Mr. Richardson, you have a huge base of supporters who think you are more than qualified for any post!!

[gorgol]

I wanted Richardson to be Secretary of State...
"WHEW"....

[SparkyDash]

This is a sad day for Richardson and Obama, as for many others. Too sad...

If the worst has indeed happened I wonder if PE Obama will consider Dean or Hagel?

[Carolab]

This is part of a national Federal investigation begun in fall of 2006 into municipal bond derivatives fraud. Richardson wasn't the only one involved in this and New Mexico was only one of several states.

http://www.populistamerica.com/u_s__criminal_probe_rattles__2_trillion_municipal_bond_market

[JZ735]

Judas Richardson got a big dose of what goes around, comes around...you pay for your betrayals, one way or another...teach him a good lesson.

Obama camp, in typical fashion, is now throwing him under the bus...I have no sympathy for Richardson, but this move by Obama camp is tacky.

[chedet]

So hillary is jesus now huh?

[duze]

The Obama camp is not throwing him under the bus. Learn something. Unless the FBI is satisfied with your background check, you cannot be confirmed for any office in the administration.

As far as what goes around comes around. Hillary is stuck to the bottom of the bus.
Her tattered past doesn't qualify her to get on the bus. Bills activities (to say the least) should have ruined her chances to get or do anything. It should be interesting to see how her background check comes up. If Hillary gets through, it all fake posturing.

[TIMLHOWE]

UNDER THE BUS!UNDER THE BUS!UNDER THE BUS!UNDER THE BUS!

[TIMLHOWE]

UPDATE to O-Bots im denial from Jake Tapper,

"Obama Team Feels Richardson Wasn"t Forthcoming About Investigation Before Being Offered Commerce":

It sounds like Obama and Richardson had a LOT of telephone calls this weekend. It also sounds like Richardson"s "camp" is unhappy because they believe that Richardson has been "forthcoming," but that Obama"s team did not see it that way:

Sources tell ABC News that officials on the Obama Transition Team feel that before he was formally offered the job of commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was not forthcoming with them about the federal investigation that is looking into whether the governor steered a state contract towards a major financial contributor.

Here"s why, writes Tapper:

Once the investigation became more widely known through national media reports last month, sources tell ABC News, the Obama Transition Team realized the FBI would not be able to give Richardson a clean political bill of health before the new administration is ready to send his nomination up to the Senate for confirmation.

The governor spoke with the president-elect several times over the weekend, their last conversation being Saturday, when Richardson told Obama he was withdrawing his name from consideration
-----

translation : O to Obots - we're now mad at and dont like Richardson. Now we call him a Clintonite.

[LazarusLong]

Did you read the article ?

"...President-elect Obama did not ask Richardson to withdraw his name from consideration, sources from both camps say, but the fact that the confirmation seemed untenable in the short term was apparent to everyone involved."

[MizLiz]

It's a wonder anybody lasts in politics these days. I wonder how many wonderful leaders we're missing out on because they did something stupid 30 years ago.

[sextonfan]

My sentiments exactly! And it's something that has become pervasive in our culture--I feel suffocated by the moral police, and I'm not a politician! I'm not an nihilist or anything. It's just that things aren't always so black and white...

[SparkyDash]

such a sad day for Mr. Richardson...

[TIMLHOWE]

UNDER THE BUS!

[Camis]

bummer. i like him a lot. at least he had the courage to take this stand NOW instead of causing problems later.
hope he stays in public service, he's one of the good ones. (i think)

[TIMLHOWE]

he's done, dead, history...

and Obama's the one who has slayed him.

under the bus he goes!

[drsmc41]

I thought that was the purpose of being "vetted." Gosh, we are good at the blame game.

[duze]

drsmc41, Vetted is a term used for "investigation" that's what the FBI was doing when they found out about Richardson.

[TIMLHOWE]

god -look back - one cant be allowed to taint
"the one"

under the bus!

[ECB]

Too bad - I like this guy.

[Tommygun264]

Read over Obama's acceptance - he clearly leaves a door open for Richardson should the Grand Jury fail to indict him. Besides, it's only a matter of time before Clinton and Obama part ways - I'm not ragging on her, I just can't see her holding her tongue and faithfully doing President Obama's bidding for very long without her head exploding.

[luvobama]

I don't see it that way at all. Hillary is going to do a great job. Obama is going to run his administration like he did his campaigns. Pretty much flawlessly. No drama. The only drama will be media created. As it has always been.

[renatam]

I agree completely.

[TIMLHOWE]

hohoho!

you people are soooo funny!

in 48 hours he will be soo under the bus that you will be speaking of Judas with the same contempt you give to Blogo!

Of course hes gonna take the blame - and you guys will start referring to him as a Clintonite!!

But you will do the O-turn and under the bus with Bill!

Hey self delusion is what the Obama campaign support has been about since 1/07. Its been its strongest weapon!

As it is with all personality cults!