On December 15, 2008, I published a story about Bill Richardson's "pay-to-play" scheme involving a federal investigation into donations made to California-based CDR Financial Products Inc. The investigation comes after the company made a $75,000 donation to Richardson's campaign and was then rewarded with a $1 billion contract for a transportation system with the state of New Mexico, the state Richardson governs.
It seems the scandal may really be heating up as Richardson has just announced the withdrawal of his name as Secretary of Commerce in Obama's cabinet. Richardson said he is withdrawing because "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 has said about Richardson's withdrawal "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. It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet 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."
Put the nation first? If this is what Obama thinks is putting the nation first I feel we may be in for a very bumpy 4-8 year ride
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