And the Democratic Circus plays on
QandO — Under a cloud of suspicion, Bill Richardson withdraws from the Commerce Secretary nomination: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News’ Andrea ...

Richardson Withdrawing As Commerce Secretary Nominee
Daily Kos — Per MSNBC: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the ...

Heh: Richardson Withdraws Commerce Secretary Nomination
JammieWearingFool — Maybe he can resign as Governor of New Mexico while he's at it. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable ...

Bill Richardson Withdraws From Appointment To Be Commerce Secretary
Ace of Spades HQ — Bill Richardson Withdraws From Appointment To Be Commerce Secretary Hope, Change and Corruption! New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also ...

Adios! Bill Richardson drops out as Commerce Secretary
Michelle Malkin — [image] Looks like the chickens of Bill Richardson’s pay-to-play scandal have come home to roost. Let it be the first of many ethics-tainted nominations to go down in flames. Adios, Bill. NBC reporting: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.“Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that ...

Richardson Out
Talking Points Memo — ... Richardson bowing out as Commerce Secretary nominee, says NBC. The reason? Has to focus on the investigation from his time as NM governor. ...

Richardson Throws Himself Under the Bus
Little Green Footballs — ... Bill Richardson is bailing out of the Obama administration: Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary. ...

Bill Richardson withdraws as Obama's Commerce Secretary
RIGHTWINGSPARKLE — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. ...

Bill Richardson withdraws from Commerce Secretary nomination.
Think Progress — NBC News reports: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. “Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact,” he said Sunday in a report by NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell. “But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have ...

Richardson Withdraws Nomination To Be Secretary Of Commerce
TPM Election Central — ... Bill Richardson has announced that he is withdrawing his nomination to be President-Elect Obama's Commerce Secretary, due to an investigation of a political donor who has done business with the state of New Mexico, leaving the Obama cabinet-in-waiting now short by one member. ...

Bill Richardson withdrew himself from the Secretary of Commerce job
AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth — The story is just unfolding: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable ...

Obama Transition Hits Big Bump
A Blog For All — Former Clinton Administration official and current Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from contention to be Barack Obama's Secretary of Commerce . "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process." He said he plans to continue in his role as governor. "I appreciate the confidence ...

Bill Richardson Withdraws As Commerce Secretary Nominee
Swampland — ... NBC is reporting: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable ...

Richardson Drops Bid for Commerce Secretary
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), tapped last month by President-elect Obama to serve as Secretary of Commerce, "has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state," reports NBC News. ...

Richardson Reportedly Withdraws From Cabinet Appointment
The Caucus — NBC News and The Associated Press are reporting that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name as the commerce secretary nominee because of an investigation and that President-elect Barack Obama has accepted.“Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact,” according to a statement read by NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell. “But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.” According to The Associated ...

Richardson Out
Oliver Willis — ... Bill Richardson won’t be commerce secretary, citing the investigation going on into business dealings between New Mexico and a company with ties to him. I’m sure the media vultures will jump all over this, oh well. ...

Burris Update: Harry Reid, Emperor!
Stubborn Facts — ... In the meantime, it seems that Obama's pick for Secretary of Commerce, Governor Bill Richardson, is pulling out, citing a pending investigation of business dealings. ...

Richardson withdraws from Secretary of Commerce. Hastily.
RedState: Conservative News and Community — I have no idea why Ace doesn’t have the flaming skull up on this one: Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary New Mexico governor cites pending investigation of business dealings New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. “Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters ...

Video: Richardson withdraws from Obama Cabinet
Hot Air » Top Picks — ... It didn’t take long for Barack Obama to have his first brush with scandal in his administration. In fact, he managed to do that before taking the oath of office. Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination as Commerce Secretary after a federal investigation into pay-for-play in New Mexico went public ...

Maybe Obama Could Sell the Eggs…
The Sundries Shack — ... The Obama administration has suffered its first corruption casualty , even before it’s taken over. Bill Richardson, the P-E’s would-be Secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name from consideration due to a pending investigation into his company’s dealing with New Mexico. Richardson was Governor of that state, and also held two different positions within the Clinton administration. ...

Richardson Withdraws Commerce Secretary Nomination
Stop The ACLU — Who would have ever thunk Obama would get so many stings from the shadows of Chicago politics and Clinton administration appointments? I wonder how many scandals can come up before the Inauguration. I’m sure its already a record. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.“Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this ...

Bill Richardson: Out Before He’s In
The Moderate Voice — ... Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination as President-Elect Obama’s Secretary of Commerce due to an ongoing investigation of his business dealings. ...

Democrats = Corruption
Daily Pundit — Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary - Politics- msnbc.com New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. “Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact,” he said Sunday in a report by NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell. “But I have ...

Where are you goin', Billy boy, Billy boy
Wizbang — I question the timing. As the Blagojavich kerfuffle festers in Illinois, Obama's choice for Commerce Secretary - who's currently being investigated for influence peddling - suddenly decides to fall on his sword? More likely a tanned, rested, and ready Obama returned from Hawai'i and forced Richardson to walk the plank. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state. A federal grand ...

Bill Richardson Withdraws from Consideration for Commerce Secretary
Weekly Standard Blog — ... contracts for campaign contributions. NBC News on Sunday reported that Richardson, who is the governor of New Mexico, denies any wrongdoing but the investigation won't be finished before he has to go to Senate confirmation hearings. Richardson denies wrongdoing, but doesn't want to delay the Commerce Department's work while he's under investigation, he said. Obama issued a statement saying he accepted Richardson's decision with "deep regret." More details on the allegations Richardson is facing: A person ...

BREAKING NEWS: President-elect Obama’s Cabinet Down One
PoliPundit.com — BREAKING NEWS: President-elect Obama’s Cabinet Down One [image] Barack Obama, who campaigned on promising the American people the most ethical, open and transparent Administration ever, if elected, is going to be looking for a new Secretary of Commerce, now that his first choice, Bill Richardson has withdrew his name for the position due to an ongoing investigation: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that ...

How Will Media Report Richardson's Commerce Sec. Withdrawal?
NewsBusters.org - Exposing Liberal Media Bias — The Obama administration suffered a possibly embarrassing setback Sunday when the president-elect's choice for Commerce Secretary withdrew his name for consideration. Given the ongoing love affair media have with Barack Obama, it's going to be very interesting to see how this gets covered in the next 72 hours. Interestingly, it appears the news was broken by Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC (video embedded below the fold). The following comes from an MSNBC.com report published minutes ago (h/t NBers Blonde and R D Helm): ...

Richardson withdraws as Commerce nominee
Democratic Underground Latest Breaking News — ... the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process." A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a New Mexico state contract worth more than $1 billion. Richardson said in a statement issued by the Obama transition office that the investigation could take weeks or months but expressed confidence it will show he and his administration acted properly. Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28493919 Things that make you go, Hmmm.

Stuff to Talk About, Seriously
The Mahablog — Bill Richardson is withdrawing as Commerce Secretary nominee. I’m very sorry about that. John Cole, on Little Lulu: “So much hate, so little time.” From the famous plastic turkee to ducking shoes — Frank Rich looks back on the Dubya Years. Finally, let’s talk about the word “serious.” There’s a thoughtful post by Peterr at firedoglake about Munib Younan, now the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). Peterr met Bishop ...

Richardson Withdraws Nom For Commerce Sec
Hotline On Call Part Deux — ... NM Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from nomination as the next Commerce Department secretary. NBC News first reported that Richardson, a 2008 Democratic candidate for president, cited a pending investigation into a business that has won contracts from the state -- and that appears also to have contributed generously to the governor's political committees. ...

Richardson Withdraws as Commerce Secretary Nominee
PoliGazette — ... Breaking News: Governor of New Mexico and former Democratic candidate for president Bill Richardson will withdraw as commerce secretary. ...

Richardson Is Out as Commerce Secretary
Tennessee Guerilla Women — ... Bill Richardson will not be Obama's Secretary of Commerce. Today Bill "Judas" Richardson withdrew his name from consideration due to an ongoing investigation into "pay to play" politics that could jeopardize his senate confirmation. ...

richardson...no va
skippy the bush kangaroo — wow. is this another "pay for play?" new mexico gov. bill richardson on sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be president-elect barack obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract. - sfgate  and msnbc ...

Richardson interruptus
TigerHawk — Bill Richardson has withdrawn from consideration for Herbert Hoover's old job, Secretary of Commerce, on account of a whiff of scandal. Glenn Reynolds ...

1/5: 2009, Off To A Rocky Start
Blogometer — ... is giddy: "[T]his merits the popping and munching of copious amounts of popcorn. Too bad Illinois Democrats didn't change the law and mandate a special election when they had the chance to, eh? They could have saved everyone a lot of headaches -- most especially, members of their own party in Washington, DC." RICHARDSON: Another Dem Scandal? Conservative bloggers are buzzing about the news that NM Gov Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination to be Obama's Commerce Sec.: RICHARDSON II: Gone, Billy, Gone Liberal bloggers had varied reactions to the news that Richardson ...

Firm Behind Richardson Withdrawal No Stranger To Controversy
TPMMuckraker — ... It's too soon to say where might the federal investigation into CDR Financial Products -- which led to Bill Richardson's withdrawal this weekend as Barack Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary -- might be heading. ...

Obama’s transition problems
RedState: Conservative News and Community — ... Obama appointed a Secretary of Commerce, Bill Richardson, who had to withdraw his name after it turns out that he gave state contracts to donors. ...

Obama to Nominate Cheney for HHS
Firedoglake — ... Look at the progression of big nominee glitches. First there was Richardson. Then came Geithner, Killifer, and Daschle. Then we discovered that Judd Gregg's former staffer Kevin Koonce has an Abramoff problem. Some would see this as inept vetting, but I detect something more devious going on. I think Obama is setting things up to nominate Cheney as his new HHS Secretary, so as to get a full and complete investigation of the man who thus far has avoided anything approaching an inquiry into his conduct over the last eight years. ...

Captain Unaware
Moonbattery — ... he had invested in two speculative companies backed by some of his top donors right after taking office in 2005. He was unaware that his own aunt was living in the US illegally. He was unaware that his own brother lives on pennies a day in a hut in Kenya. He was unaware of the AIG bonuses that he and his administration approved and signed into a bill. He was unaware that the man he nominated to be his Secretary of Commerce was under ...

Source: Richardson Probe "Was Killed In Washington"
TPMMuckraker — ... into an alleged pay-to-play deal that derailed New Mexico governor Bill Richardson's bid to be commerce secretary? Well, it's looking like the governor and his top aides will avoid charges. ...