Richardson's e-mail

[RB TexLa]

For nearly three decades, I have been honored to serve my state and our nation in Congress, at the U.N., as Secretary of Energy and as governor. So when the President-elect asked me to serve as Secretary of Commerce, I felt a duty to answer the call.

I felt that duty particularly because America is facing such extraordinary economic challenges. The Department of Commerce must play an important role in solving them by helping to grow the new jobs and businesses America so badly needs.

It is also because of that sense of urgency about the work of the Commerce Department that 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. 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. I believe she 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.


Thank you for your past and continued support.

I look forward to putting this matter to rest and in the meantime I am preparing for the upcoming New Mexico legislative session.

All my best wishes,



Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico

[YOY]

1. He really dissapointed me.

I liked the guy. Thought he might be a good candidate in 2016.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

8. Disappointing, but not out of the ordinary for NM politics.

As an early supporter of Richardson, I was concerned that at some point the chickens might come home to roost, and now it appears that they have. A pity. He was, and probably still is, a good man. But that doesn't absolve him of responsibility for this debacle.

[riverdale]

2. He is guilty as hell

If there was really no impropriety, he wouldn't be resigning.

[RB TexLa]

3. He's not resigning

[SoxFan]

5. He isn't resigning

Read the damn message.

he is withdrawing his name from consideration as Commerce Secretary. The confirmation process would be frozen in place pending the completion of the investigation, and Richardson (correctly) believes that it would be foolish to leave a key economic post vacant during a near-depression.

[TheWraith]

6. He's not resigning, he's withdrawing from nomination.

And while that would usually be evidence that there's a "thing" there, in this case it might be simple pragmatism: an investigation, even one that comes up clean, is going to take months, which could derail the Obama transition and first hundred days.

[no limit]

4. I really can't believe he is involved in this shit

He always seemed like one of the cleanest politicians out. But the fact there is a company that donated 100k to him and then got a bunch of contracts in New Mexico is something he will not be able to put behind him. I'm extremely disappointed in him.

[SoCalDem]

9. It costs a LOT to run for office, and people who give LOTS of money

expect something in return..otherwise they would not donate that money in the first place..

It's shit like this, that means we HAVE to change the way politicians run for office.. They have to be given a TV channel where they can clue the people in about their ideas without having to pay for it..

Paid advertising probably accounts for MOST of what they spend, and if they were limited to a specified time that campaigns could take place, combined with free airtime, they would not NEED to raise so much money, and big-buck donors could be eliminated once and for all..

A politician's FIRST and most important "job" is getting elected.. without being elected, nothing else matters, so of course most will do "whatever it takes" to get elected, and then "deal with" the problems later, if they surface.. It;s what MOST of them do..some get "caught", but many do not..

[no limit]

10. I doubt he needed the money that badly

everyone knew his run at president wasn't very serious, we need this back in 2004 when most people were thinking that this is what he was preparing for. And he did not need to run any ads in new mexico to be reelected, he got over 60% of the vote.

I agree with you that the way things are done needs to change. But I don't think this is an excuse for these people to cling on to.

[SoCalDem]

11. Politicians ALWAYS "need" money..even when they "don't"

Money is a way of keeping score...a way to see who reallllllly wants you to win vs people who might vote for you because they like you..

[Hannah Bell]

12. family history

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4771159

[Horse with no Name]

13. Make no mistake. He is filthy.

One of the reasons I want to hurl every time I see him.
He was Secretary of Energy under Clinton. First job after that? CEO of Valero Oil. Nuf said without even delving into the election fraud he covered up for "someone".

[MazeRat7]

7. I wish he would have "stayed the course"...

Jeezzz, if this were a pug they would completely ignore it. I give Richardson kudos for realizing this would be an issue however backing out seems a little to "meek" for my taste. I think he would have ultimately been confirmed.

Sure he is involved (at least on the surface with no facts in my pocket), but look at the numbers, and the players. Is this really a "big deal"??? :shrug:

His resume is impressive, he thinks with his "own" brain, and frankly I don't know one player (ours or theirs) that does not have their hands dirty.

Maybe he really didn't want the job, I don't blame him.

Maybe he would much rather be the governor of NM than the Commerce Secretary? As governor his actions/policy can help/hurt people directly. In a wonky job like Commerce Secretary, your vision gets translated via bureaucracy down several levels and when implemented may be nothing like what you intended.

Guilty? Most likely. Willing to play the "telephone game" vs. actually making a difference, thats not even a real choice. Maybe that is the message between the lines of what he is saying.

Just a thought. I wish he would have stuck it out. Our loss.

Peace,
MZr7