Bill Richardson Speaks Out On Withdrawal (VIDEO)

At a press conference in Santa Fe, Bill Richardson addressed his decision to withdraw from nomination as President-elect Barack Obama's Commerce Secretary. He said he did not want to delay the confirmation process. Richardson has become caught up in a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors. The New Mexico governor would not answer questions about the probe, including whether he had hired a lawyer. Watch:

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Richardson also gave a statement on the matter Sunday:

"For nearly three decades, I have been honored to serve my state and our nation in Congress, at the U.N., as secretary of energy and as governor. So when the president-elect asked me to serve as secretary of commerce, I felt a duty to answer the call. I felt that duty particularly because America is facing such extraordinary economic challenges. The Department of Commerce must play an important role in solving them by helping to grow the new jobs and businesses America so badly needs.

"It is also because of that sense of urgency about the work of the Commerce Department that I have asked the president-elect not to move forward with my nomination at this time. I do so with great sorrow. But a pending investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico state government promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact. But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process. Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done.

"So, for now, I will remain in the job I love, governor of New Mexico, and will continue to work every day, with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, to make a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans. I believe she will be a terrific governor in the future. 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."

Comments

[joeblow69]

sorry my asse, more like ur sorry u got caught!! hey , go stand on a street corner, maybe get picked up to cut grass is in ur future!!

[Palemoon]

Well, I used to like Mr. Richardson alot, but if these charges are true, that will definitely tarnish my opinion of him.

And of course, that now throws the seat of commerce secretary into turmoil. Obama can't appoint anyone now because now this seat is tainted. And I'm sure Reid will block any attempt to seat someone in place of Richardson because of the stigma of criminal wrongdoing hanging over this seat, which is no different than the stigma attached to the seat in Illinois. Who would have thought that it would be the Dems crippling their own President right from the start?

[proudloudlib]

Really? The seat is tainted? How did you get there from here?

[Palemoon]

I guess you didn't bother to read the article where it says...

"Richardson has become caught up in a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors."

Now, explain to me how that is any different than what Blagojevich is being accused of? And Richardson withdrew himself from consideration based on the fact that he is under investigation into criminal wrongdoing.

[plages]

Just another corrupted political greedy person! Should the results of this investigation turn against Governor Richardson, will he then step down?

[Petey131]

Did you have the same question regarding Bush/Cheney and cronies? Humm, I wonder.

[DontJustFollow]

Corruption is corruption.

That said - he has done wonders for New Mexico and we were sad to see him move on. Hopefully this is just a knee jerk reaction to all the heat Obama and Emanuel were taking over the whole Blago scandal.

Both parties need people like Richardson that work outside the usual partisian boxes.

[Grlcajun]

...my thoughts exactly

[DinSea]

In a world where corruption is the rule rather than the exception, it's easy to be cynical. But I have seen some things that Gov. Richardson has done that were very honorable and compassionate. Things that did not get much press. Things that were humanity walking in step with those "better angels".

Let's not judge him without cause. Let's applaud those honorable things and encourage more people to find their better angels.

[SpringDoc]

Best post ..so far. Well said and Thanks.

[mellene]

Unfortunately for Americans, I think 99% if not 100% of politicians are corrupt and worse than used car salesmen. We let our political figures get beyond trustability when campaign finance became a part of electing people to office.

[lizziekw]

Quite true but no one will take on campaign finance reform in any real way. That's not to say we give up on it but I have no idea what to do.

[glockman]

"Quite true but no one will take on campaign finance reform in any real way." That's because we keep voting for the same people.

[arspar183]

it's a shame when good competent people get derailed by scandal. I'm thinking of John Edwards and the role he would have, could have played in Obama's adminsitration too.

[Professor73]

It is all about trust and integrity. Unlike Edwards that got caught with is pants down, I hope that Richardson is innocent. Unlike most of my liberal associates, I think people are innocent until proven guilty. However, if he is found guilty, he should get the book thrown at him.

People in political office should have to live to a much higher standard then others. When they betray that trust, they should be thrown to the bottom of the barrel and never allowed to seek public office again.

[edwarvir]

Bill you are a great guy. You did the right
thing for the Country right now. When this fiasco
blows over hopefully you will come back.

[Alaskan1970]

AMEN... I truly like Bill Richardson. Pray that he is not guilty of anything and Barack gives him a bigger position. Sorry, I do not agree with post giving kudos to Carvelle. Carvelle's remarks re:Hillary not being endorsed by Richardson were hateful, cruel and not worthy of a human thoughts.

[colonpowwow]

Oh, please. I thought we were the reality-based contingent.

Richardson's "patriotism" or "valor" has nothing to do with it. The only reason Richardson is withdrawing his name from a much sought after cabinet post is because he knows there is a smoking gun linking him or a top aide to the contractor and the favor at issue.

I don't know about you, but my name's not colonpollyanna!

[libcrusader]

This is just another Rebug witch hunt!! Bill shouldn't back down from this!!!

[glockman]

So when the republicans are involved in a scandal, all the "facts" must be true. But when it's a democrat, it's always a lie?

Is that what you're saying?

[DontJustFollow]

you must be new around here

[libcrusader]

Yes, that's what I'm saying...don't you listen to the MSM...they are never wrong...and neither was Dan Rather...

[lizziekw]

As a Clintonista I had a problem with Governor Richardson's betrayal. I had some harsh words and hard feelings towards him. When he was tapped for Commerce it was all lovey-dovey for Richardson around here. Now he's in trouble and too many posters are turning on him like a pack of wild dogs.

Loyalty is more important in politics than most other things. Richardson didn't have it for the Clintons, who gave him his career outside of the House. Apparently some of his "supporters" here don't have it for him. I questioned his ability to be loyal to President-elect Obama and I was wrong. He withdrew swiftly instead of dragging it out while the press and the Republicans had a feeding frenzy. It demonstrated his willingness to take the hit himself before it hit the President-elect. Well done to Bill Richardson for that, it's exactly what we want in the people who will be working with and serving President Obama.

Richardson's a decent enough guy. I always liked him before he betrayed the Clintons and felt pretty sorry for him this weekend. I certainly wouldn't kick him while he's down. He's the nation's most prominent Latino politician and we're not finished with him. I hope he grows the beard back and chills out until this Grand Jury thing is over.

[Sabreen60]

I think it's mostly re-thugs and tr0//s who are eating his flesh.

[hjfraser2002]

Yeah they even smell a hint of a scandel and they swarm like a school of pirhanes

[lizziekw]

That's a fair point, you may well be right. If so, my bad. There are also plenty of people who are still supporting him around here. I guess I just read through a few too many "hit him when he's down!" posts and went off on a rant.

Sorry.

[DontJustFollow]

naturally - same ones eating Blago and the joker with all the money in his freezer - it's a re-thug thing ...

LOL

[GeorgeP922]

Kills me, I love Biden but it was a dam shame that Bill Richardson was not VP.

A bit of advice to you Kleenex carrying DLC Dems, kick out stale toast Kaine, and have Richardson run the DNC.

[QuestionEveryone]

Your kidding right?

[missjabez]

Things don't seem to have gone too well for Richardson since he shaved his beard. Now he looks disgruntled, which I suppose he is entitled to be.

[AtomicMan]

Blago needs to take some notes here on the 'valiant' and 'right' thing to do in a scandal

[GeorgeP922]

Difference is, Bill is patriotic.

He puts his governments, president's, political party and above all the people's priorities above his glory.

Something Blago, Burris, and Lieberman WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND.

[Faithtoo]

I think you should leave Burris out of your assessment as he has done nothing wrong.

[DontEvenThinkIt]

Nope the difference is Bill is part of the Obama team and he has no choice to back out now or make the President-elect look bad.

Blago, well this guy has an arrogance gene that should be studied. He is going down, he knows it, and he is the top guy in the state so he won't be bringing anyone else down.

Poor Burris, he looks like a kid in a candy shop. Problem is he should know that if he was ever considered a viable candidate for the senate seat, he would have been on the tapes with Blago or his people.

He says he knows Illinois better than anyone else so he should know the people of Illinois don't want the present governer to appoint anyone to that senate seat.

[Professor73]

GeorgeP922 - please tell me that you weren't serious.

[hankandted]

I think you need to take a look at the record. One article www.gregpalast.com

It has been hard for me to bite my tongue, because there were so many Richardson supporters out my way. But the record is long.

[panchovilla]

Do not ever bite your tongue. Truth will set us free.

Being a Latino (and Mexican by background), I liked the idea of Richardson at the Commerce Department. But we need clean hands. Having said that, let's wait for the justice system to do its job (or wait until we have evidence that the justice system didn't do its job in the case) before we, regular people, find Richardson guilty as charged.

By the way, I shall use this chance to say that support for Obama should not entail that we attack those who criticize Obama if the criticism has merits. I find it disturbing the way people react to Paul Krugman's well-argued criticism of Obama on his NYT column. Friends don't let friends do stupid things. Let's do our part to abolish group think.

[DontJustFollow]

here here