|
Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from his nomination as U.S. commerce secretary, citing concerns about the timing of a federal grand jury investigation involving his administration in New Mexico. President-elect Barack Obama said in a statement Sunday that he accepted Richardson's decision to withdraw.
Stories from Albuquerque Journal archive 
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, By Michael Coleman, Journal Washington Bureau, Role of Inquiry in Gov.'s Confirmation Unclear
Sunday, October 19, 2008, By Mike Gallagher and Colleen Heild, Journal Investigative Reporters, GRIP Deal Pays $1.4M — But Where's the Contract?
Friday, August 29, 2008 GRIP Contract Probed
Richardson, whose second term as governor extends to 2010, said he planned to remain "for now" in the governor's office in Santa Fe. He also said he was confident that the grand jury investigation ultimately will find that his administration acted properly in connection with CDR Financial Products. The California firm received New Mexico financial service business and made political campaign contributions to two political action committees established by the governor. Richardson has not been identified as the target of any federal probe. But the governor said in a statement issued by the Obama transition office that he was concerned the investigation would force delays in his confirmation hearings for commerce secretary by the U.S. Senate. He said the nation's ongoing economic problem would make delay in the confirmation of a new commerce secretary untenable. News of the withdrawal broke abruptly Sunday. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish had been preparing to succeed Richardson in the governor's office once his confirmation as commerce secretary came from the Senate. In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Denish said: "Governor Richardson postponed taking a position in the administration to ensure that President Obama and the American people face no delays in getting to work to fix our ailing economy, and the President-elect said he looks forward to Governor Richardson joining his administration in the days ahead. In the meantime, Governor Richardson and I will work together, as we have over the last six years, to tackle challenges at home, to craft a workable budget with the legislature and to strengthen our economy to make sure that every New Mexico family has the opportunity to succeed."
Senate confirmation hearings on Richardson were expected to begin within the next couple of weeks before the Senate's commerce committee. "It is with deep regret that I accept Governor Bill Richardson's decision to withdraw his name for nomination as the next secretary of commerce," Obama said in prepared statement emailed to the Journal by his transition office on Sunday. "Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of commerce secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office," Obama said. "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 Governor Richardson's decision, I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration." Richardson, in a statement issued by the president-elect's office, said, "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," Richardson said in the statement. "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 Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, to make a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans," Richardson said. "I believe she (Denish) 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." Richardson himself was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination throughout 2007, but dropped out of the running after the Iowa caucuses in January 2008. He later endorsed Obama and then campaigned for him around the country. Richardson, 61, is the nation's only Hispanic governor and was first elected in 2002. He previously served as a congressman from Northern New Mexico for 14 years and then as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary under President Clinton. He was confirmed by the Senate for the energy secretary post in 1998. More recently, he was widely believed to have been under consideration by Obama for vice president and secretary of state, but Obama ultimately said he would nominate Richardson for commerce secretary after his inauguration on Jan. 20.
|
View Comments
