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

[jamesjm]

In the great state of New Mexico, Governor Richardson pushed Payday Lending Companies to target the poor, uneducated and disadvantaged - prospering enormously throughout New Mexico with little regulation. To those not familiar, Payday loan companies give loans made against paychecks and insidiously charge unheard of high interest rates (Fastbuck Co. - $25 finance charge PLUS a 650% ANNUAL RATE). These and many other New Mexican store front loan companies are lined up next door to Walmarts, Home Depots, food stores etc. They pray on anyone disadvantaged and strapped families including our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and their struggling families.

One could negotiate a better loan rate with the Mafia than these storefront predatory lending syndicates...

Richardson should be investigated for ethics violations for allowing these loan sharking business' to proliferate and thrive.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7176533

or Google Richardson payday loans, New Mexico

[cookieD]

I live in SC and we have the same problem with payday loan companies. They are everywhere and no one is doing anything about this. I wonder who is getting kickback here????

[JudgeCCrater]

Interesting. Even here in socially regressive Ohio we recently managed to turn the clock back on Payday interest rates.

[Palemoon]

Payday lenders are a blight on Georgia too. And it's interesting that the Governor allows it. Originally it was pawn shops here that used to take advantage of people. But then the pawn shops got into the business of payday lending and title pawns. Essentially, getting something for pennies. Even a brand new car.

One of the more dubious companies here in Georgia is one called TitleMax. In their commercials they use the typically beautiful, successful looking people. And they all do this jingle about "I got my title back with TitleMax!", lol. Nevermind the fact they don't tell you how they lost their title in the first place. To me that's fraudulent advertising. TitleMax does not buy your title from someone else, in order for them to have your title, you have to go to them to get the payday advance.

And Sonny Perdue condones it. Back during Gov Barnes days, he tried to clamp down on this and severely restrict how they do business after so much outcry was being raised about it. The GOP legislature here largely blocked every attempt since it was election time and Perdue used that against him as an issue.

Anyways, Perdue and his staff made a payday lender commercial that started airing on tv. In a nutshell, it basically was a holding hands type thing asking people to be responsible in how they use these companies. Putting the burden of responsibility onto the disadvantaged and desperate.

[DontJustFollow]

this is the same logic used against ANYTHING that is not good for you if abused.

What ever happened to personal responsibility? If we stop always taking a victim mentality we will go a long way in helping our country come back to what it used to be.

If you can't afford the interest, don't take the loan!!!

[Titus Pullo]

His only crime was being caught; all pols take payoffs.
Sorry now, but not too sorry then to accept pay-to-play money.

[Rachel36]

Somewhere a Clinton, no two Clintons are laughing their asses off and thinking 'payback's a bitch'.

[Trittydi]

They're BOTH laughing.
*

[mitsie]

For g*d sakes, will you please stop focusing your attention on the Clintons, that is old news and alot of the info is false.

[Faithtoo]

Why would the Clinton's laugh? If I can recall correctly Barack Obama is president and Hillary is not. Richardson backed a winner!

[jahseff]

Don't worry Bill. At least you can always grow your beared back. If you must be a rebel, be a rebel with a cause. Thanks for the endorsement and the work you put in for O. Hope to see you cleared.

[Trittydi]

He's as corrupt as the day is long. The Obama moves were a shrewd gamble.
*

[hjfraser2002]

Got any proof?

[NMDEM61]

Phild2 is so very correct!! This is the result of a terribly damaged Justice dept. Where are you David Eglesias????

[HelixScanr]

Sounds like something a guy would say about sex. "my premature withdrawl comes with much sorrow" he he

[FDRJFKLBJ]

Democrats and Republicans - they're both thugs.

Stop believing in your fairy tales. This entire Republican vs Democrat thing is just a show. Political theater.

[hamchunk]

Hellz-ta-tha-YEAH!! Of course, when I express these sentiments on here, I get slammed . Good to see someone else shares my view.

[Titus Pullo]

All that and worse. Bush almost had it right when he famously said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and those are ones you want to concentrate on."

Change 'some of' to 'easily half of' and you've got it.

I can't for the life of me understand why more people haven't figured this poorly played charade out. It's amazing how easily people are blinded by, as you say, theater. I think it goes back to TV and cult of personality; all of that led to idolization and the creation of malleable avatars for public consumption.

[Trittydi]

If DC fell into the ocean tomorrow I wouldn't care. Well - I'd throw Obama a life-preserver and keep my fingers crossed.
*

[glockman]

I agree with your assessment. But you left out one glaring point: the utter and complete ignorance of the American voter.

[glockman]

Finally! Someone else here who gets it. Aside from both parties being full of thugs, they're also the same political animal.

And I thought I was the only one out here.

[luvly56]

I' am soo sadden that Bill Richardson has withdrawn from his position as commerce secretary. I feel that he cares a lot for the United States and did not want to delay any of the neccessary actions that must be taken to get our country back on track. But Bill Richardson is a good man. I dont feel that he's done no more wrong in lies than the crooked Republicans has done for years. As for as I am concern every one of the Republicans is dying to bounce on anyone that is in Obama committe because they are jealous and are very poor loosers. In every political race there is always someone who is not what the they are cut out to be and thats only because there are no perfect person on this earth. People need to stop looking for a spotless society. The Republiucans havent been able to give us that in over 8 years

[hamchunk]

"I feel that he cares a lot for the United States..."

He cares for Hispanics more, though. At the expense of everyone else.

[Trittydi]

Not hispanics - money. See www.gregpalast.com
*

[Sparty1]

Well it may seem that way b/c he's the Governor of a predominantly Hispanic state. Oh and he just happens to a bi-racial Hispanic man.

[Maddowrulesok]

this is a gift for him, if he uses it. And use this time to hire a dietician, and personal trainer. Seriously.

[jtj]

Where is the beard? Oh, you do not need hispanic votes anymore so you shaved.

[nogimmicks]

It is funny that Bill R., Blago etc are being blamed and criminally investigated for the very system that supports and is being practiced by ALL the politicians in the United States. It is just that those "investigations" are conveniently launched against a select group of ones who do not want to fall in line.

[VPN]

Why are there NO Republicker Governors being investigated by the Booo$h Appointed Federal Prosecutors, they all participate in the same pay to play system, a very legitimate question, IMO.

[hjfraser2002]

Preditory investigations. A K R0ve play.

[Seattlelite]

Sad to hear this, I give Richardson allot of credit for bowing out. He knows the republicans would have a field day with this. I bet his stepping down took the wind right out of their sails.

[dphilip]

You democrats are giving us all the ammunition we need that' much is for sure....

[Sparty1]

Oh please. If it weren't for the fact that you guys were in control of the Congress, you would've had a lot of problems trying to get your idiotic pics appointed. At least Richardson had the smarts to bow out before hand since you guys are so hellbent on showing your party-first/country-never stripes.

[cariintexas]

" You Democrats are giving us all the ammunition we need" What, so you can send another 196,000 weapons to Iraq and they are lost as soon as they get there. Good thing dreams are free.

[hjfraser2002]

You repubs are making up all the ammunition.

[TIMLHOWE]

bowing out? havent you read - he was tossed out and under the O bus.

[bazokbros]

I wonder how the Latino groups that were disappointed that Bill Richardson didn't get the Sec of State gig feel about this? Maybe this is an example about hiring someone for a position based on race or gender trumps the actual person's ability and character.

[milo h minderbinder]

Or maybe Richardson WAS chosen for his ability and character, and the investigation will show he did nothing wrong.

Time will tell.

[TIMLHOWE]

well then the One acted unfairly...do you dare to criticize the One?!

[Faithtoo]

Just where in all of this did you get the notion that Richardson was not qualified for the job????? Actually he is better qualified than Hillary for Sec of State. You should stop trying to play the race card. You're not good at it.

[SpringDoc]

And... he's more experienced for the presidency than Obama and Hillary combined experience.

[Opt1musPr1me]

I am trying to figure out what Leon Panetta brings to the intelligence table? From what I see nothing.

[TIMLHOWE]

Northern CA pick...a Pelosi pal

[lizziekw]

My favorite thing about him is that he was at HEW under President Nixon and pissed Nixon off so much that Panetta had to resign. Nixon's deal with southern Republicans was that he would not enforce Civil Rights laws. Panetta insisted on doing it anyway and eventually it cost him his job.

As a former Chief of Staff to President Clinton, and a good one, Panetta brings a lot to the table. He knows how to keep his mouth shut and he knows what information is useful to a president. He's also interested in respecting the law - not something all of our CIA chiefs have practiced. God only knows what those Buch/Cheney freaks have been ordering/allowing the CIA to do - we don't know. I think Panetta won't put up with any "rendition" nonsense or try to hang on any longer at Guantanamo for trumped up "security" reasons.

He's big on saving the oceans and has been against off-shore drilling since the 70's. Unrelated to the CIA, I know, but I think he's a pretty good guy.

[hapiday]

I wouldn't worry too much about the righties and what they think they are going to be whining and sniping for the next 4 years. A dog barks, you can't stop it because that's a dog's nature. If the economy doesn't get any better quite a few righties will be in the unemployment line. I don't think they will be yapping so loudly there. In the mean time what is it we as Americans can do to straighten out our home economics? We have the opportunity to use these blogs to network and help each other.