With the American presidential inauguration two weeks away, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn as President-elect Barack Obama’s commerce secretary nominee.
Richardson cited the distraction of an ongoing federal investigation in New Mexico’s capital of Albuquerque. Allegations surround a California company -CDR Financial Products- that contributed money to Richardson’s political activities and won a New Mexico state contract.
In a joint-statement released by Obama’s office, Richardson’s explained that he asked Obama “not to move forward” with his nomination.
“I do so with great sorrow. But a pending investigation of a company that has done business with [the] 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.”
Obama’s statement expressed his acceptance of Richardson’s withdrawal with “deep regret,” but commended his decision.
“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’s statement read. “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.”
One of the Democratic Party’s most prominent Hispanic politicians, Richardson becomes the first big-name figure to drop out of Obama’s cabinet.
The governor contested vied against Obama in the democratic presidential primaries last year, but withdrew after performing badly in the first few rounds of state voting.
Richardson insists he will retain his position as governor. In the nineties, he served as United States ambassador to the United Nations and as energy secretary in former President Bill Clinton’s administration.
Tags: barack obama, Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson, United Nations
Richardson contested along with Obama for the the Democratic primary election. Had he won the primary and the presidential general election, would he be withdrawing at this stage from being the president of the United States, when the swearing in is just days ahead?
Right from the word go, Obama had been the best and the most qualified candidate for this job. Let us not forget the torpedoes that sank John Edwards’ political career as well. Obama fought all manners of character assassinations to get this far, But none was big enough to stop him. It is a pity Bill Richardson will not be able to make it along with Obama.