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

[Jazzman323]

There sure are a lot of scandal and Obama hasn't even taken office yet--Richardson, Blagojevich, Emmauel, to name a few.

[markusmarkus]

Wrong!
Nothing has been proven - there have been no convictions - of any of these people.

Compared to booooosh, Obama is the driven snow.

[Jazzman323]

The Blago situation is pretty serious, if every Illinois Democrat is asking for his resignation. Richardson doesn't involve Obama, but didn't he know about the investigations when he nominated Richardson?

[Monrocsol]

Driven snow with purple lips!

[Grunty1]

Richardson isn't a part of the adminstration
Blago's prosecutor has already cleared Obama *and Emanuel* of any wrongdoing.

Another tr0ll shoots and misses the entire court.

[KrystynM]

Yawn. This line is getting tired.

[vjoseph]

Yep

[Wiserone]

Scandals? How is any of that actual scandals?? I mean, do you equate it on the same level of actual scandlas as a Scooter Libby, Gonzales, Rove or Cheney?

[Montanan4Obama]

Remind me again how any of these me equate to a "scandal" for Obama?

[shanghaislim]

.....And this BUM wanted to President? What would have happened if he had won the nomination or been named Obama's VP choice like many suggested?

[Monrocsol]

Edwards = Richardson

[luvapetadopt]

What I do not understand is, Bill had to have known when he accepted the nomination, that there would be some type of investigation into his career and personal life. Why accept if you think even for a second, your past will be questionable.

This just reminds me of John Edwards.

I really like both of these guys...how very sad.

[Ishmael1]

Before we rush to judgment, remember this grand jury investigation is being conducted by the US Attorney they replaced David Iglesias with.

As a New Mexican, I think Obama and the Nation lost a good, experienced man who would have done wonders at Commerce. If people are attacking his job performance, I would advise them to consider the following:

1. The RailRunner Mass Transit Project was just completed from Belen, where I live, 175 miles through Albuquerque to Santa Fe ahead of time and under budget.

2.The tax increase initiatives for the new Spaceport were approved by voters in 2 of 3 counties bordering the site near Truth or Consequences bringing private firms into the space launch business. The Spaceport construction plans were also approved and will begin in the next year.

3. Also in Belen, Signet Solar recently announced plans to construct a photovoltaic Solar Panel manufacturing plant bringing over 200 green manufacturing jobs to my town.

4. New Mexico has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the current recessionary/depressionary environment.

So we'll keep Gov. Bill, thank you very much. when the rest of the nation gets a clue, we'll gladly loan him back to you.

Oh, yeah. I met him at a Los Lunas rally during the campaign and told him my Obama spiel. He shook my hand and told me I was very eloquent. My wife thinks I should ping on his office about a job.

[SammyD]

just curious. Does the state of New Mexico have a positive balance in state funds? If no, what is the amount of the current deficit?

[Ishmael1]

Yes we do. When gas was selling for $4/gal, Richardson banked much of the surplus from New Mexico oil and gas production into a rainy day fund and now has supplemented the budget so no shortfall in funding or services. There is also new windfarm development going on east of the Monzano mountains about 50 miles from here. He also had the NM DOT go through very bridge and overpass after the Minnesota bridge collapse to retrofit and strengthen them all. Because of the work I and thousands of others did in the campaign, we now have an all-Democratic Congressional and Senate delegation.

[SantaFeConservative]

Darn! Now we're stuck with him for another 2 years.

[MideastDove]

I hope the investigation comes up empty.

[jrfunkenstein]

In the wake of what's happening in Illinois, any O appointment or nomination now has to be scrubbed down to the molecular level; too bad, as BR was as instrumental as anyone in O's victory, especially among Hispanics, and would have served well in Commerce.

None of that is nearly as important apparently, as the MSM finding ANY hint of impropriety to yoke O with.

Sad.

[apoyo]

He'll be back. On the O team.

[Wiserone]

Yeah, he MIGHT be back but it will be 'behind the scenes' as Richardson has always operated while saying not.

[Coinyer101]

folks have already convicted him. if i were him ,i would have never wanted to be in another clinton administration anyway.

[hominidx]

Yeah, who'd want to be in an administration that helped America recover, improved our standing in the world and protected our rights? What losers!

[Coinyer101]

they also left the door open for bush to loot our treasury. you proud of that ,too?

[vjoseph]

You had me until that Clinton third term b s.

[robXdion]

It seems Obama is giving everyone that thinks he "owes" them exactly what they want so they can learn how they really don't need it.

[hominidx]

That doesn't make sense.

[robXdion]

Some of these people that helped Obama with their endorsements pressured him for spots in his cabinet even though they knowingly has pending investigations and trials. Nevertheless, the wanted a position. If Obama turned them down, public opinion would be damaging and it would've ruined professional relationships as well. So by giving them what they wanted they're allowed to reach their own conclusions about their suitability for office. Richardson's legal hangups were well-known by the pundit class for a while now. But can you imagine the outrage from latinos if Obama hadn't made the appointment? This is political chess.

[apoyo]

I think he means be careful what you wish for.

But, BR will be OK, just a little late to the party.

[conscioushope]

Huh?

[happypup]

Translation please.

[whoknew---]

Okay, a little confusing...

Did you post at the wrong article?...

Or is a grand jury investigation an avenue for learning more stuff?

[robXdion]

Everyone that needs a translation of my apparently difficult to grasp meaning, see below:

Some of these people that helped Obama with their endorsements pressured him for spots in his cabinet even though they knowingly has pending investigations and trials. Nevertheless, they wanted a position. If Obama turned them down, public opinion would be damaging and it would've ruined professional relationships as well. So by giving them what they wanted they're allowed to reach their own conclusions about their suitability for office. Richardson's legal hangups were well-known by the pundit class for a while now. But can you imagine the outrage from latinos if Obama hadn't made the appointment? This is political chess.

Many of us interested in politics already knew about Richardson's legal troubles and where this would lead. But Obama had to make the offer to either appease an early endorser and the latino community. Richardson had no business being picked. Most people knowing his past saw this. But it would've been damaging for Obama not to make the effort.

[Wiserone]

So, based on your logic(??) there were NO OTHER LATINO'S to choose from for the cabinet post?? Huh???

[vjoseph]

I am with you on that.