New Mexico governor Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name from consideration for the position of Secretary of Commerce. Apparently, a grand jury is investigating a potential pay-to-play scheme involving a California company that won a contract with the government of New Mexico.
“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.”
I have to say that I heard rumblings both during the primaries and during the vetting for potential vice-presidential picks that Bill Richardson had too many dubious business connections and would prove an embarrassment if he wound up on the ticket. He is, of course, innocent until proven guilty, but this hardly comes a surprise to me. I applaud Richardson for doing what Governor Blagojevich refused to do, which is putting the party and the country before his own personal ambition.
The next question will be who Obama will select as Richardson’s replacement. Any ideas?