Transition: Richardson's out

First reported by NBC’s Andrea Mitchell, Bill Richardson yesterday withdrew his nomination as Commerce secretary. The Washington Post says that Richardson “becomes the first political casualty in Obama's Cabinet, and his withdrawal marked the first visible crack in what had been one of the smoothest presidential transitions in modern history.” The New York Times adds, “People familiar with discussions between the two men said that while the president-elect did not press Mr. Richardson to step aside, neither did Mr. Obama try to talk him out of it.” Obama released this statement: “It is with deep regret that I accept Gov. Bill Richardson's decision to withdraw his name for nomination as the next secretary of Commerce… It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time. Although we must move quickly to fill the void left by Gov. ... (link)