Legal Commentary

Richardson Out As Commerce Secretary Nominee

By Big Tent Democrat

NYTimes:

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico confirmed in a statement released Sunday afternoon that he has withdrawn his name as the commerce secretary nominee, citing a pending “investigation of a company that has done businesswith New Mexico state government.”

What's the investigation about? From a 12/19 NYTimes article:

A federal grand jury in New Mexico is investigating accusations that Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration gave lucrative contracts to a California financier because he contributed heavily to the governor’s political action committees, a person familiar with the grand jury proceedings said Thursday.

Pay for play. In any event, I never cared for Richardson myself so no tears shed from me. It SHOULD explain to some observers why the smart political move for Dems is to separate themselves from corrupt pols as much as possible - see Blago/Burris. But it probably won't.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 04, 2009 (boomark / email).