Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Richardson not going to Washington
New Mexico governor Bill Richardson is keeping his day job. Selected by Barack Obama to be his commerce secretary, Richardson withdrew his name from consideration due to a grand-jury probe focusing on if his office urged a state agency to hire a political donor.
“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,” Richardson said in a released statement.
Looks like Obama’s transition team isn’t all knowing and perfect because the grand jury has been going on since August and a few Democratic operatives, all off the record of course, have hinted they had concerns about Richardson from day one.
This mess was dealt with rather quickly but that makes sense. Obama can only be associated with one pay to play scandal.
While we are on the topic of embattled Illinois governor Rod R. Blagojevich, isn’t the man with the hair brilliant? He picks Roland W. Burris, a career pol, to take Obama’s vacant Senate seat. Now Senate Democrats have to explain why they are barring the door to a black guy whose only taint is being picked by Blagojevich. Ohh the racial drama is just too much! Don’t go crazy. It’s filled with nutty hubris but it is entertaining.
Must give credit where credit is due. Word is that Dr. Sanja Gupta may be nominated as the next Surgeon General.
If so, it will be an absolutely amazing appointment. Finally, a man that will bring back honor and science to the role of Attorney General!
Kudos to Saint Obama if this comes to be.
Coty, you are believing spin from Blago?
Though Reid is certainly crazy, the not seating of Burris has nothing to do with race. Reid will be the one negotiating a “compromise” in order to allow Burris to possibly be seated. The Dems apparently do not want Burris to run for office (and lose) in 2010. He has made statements that he does intend to run.
Wow Dems showing backbone with Burris, how about showing some real backbone and dump the Mormon
coward Reid who cannot stand up against republicans. What has happened to innocent until proven guilty? Reid needs to be the one not seated as he takes a stand to stop one Black from being in a snow white senate.
Dave W.,
You heard correctly. Here is his bio:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/roland_burris/index.html?inline=nyt-per
Sincerely,
James
Agreed, the Burris issue is absolutely not a race issue. The Dems actually showed some backbone and made statement weeks ago regarding this. The Dems noted that anyone (note that – anyone) appointed by the pool of cess that Governs Ill would not be seated. Judging by how the Dems cave to everything, my bet is a deal is worked.
James, perhaps I dreamt this, since nobody is talking about it. Didn’t Burris run for senate repeatedly and lose? I think if true, the people of IL would have an issue with his appointment regardless of the Governor’s problems or his skin color.
I find it sad we have to watch this play out as a race issue. Clearly that is why he was picked so you are not off on your comments, but its sad. This shouldn’t be about race, its a corruption issue!
Well Richardson betrayed Hillary during the campaign so perhaps this is payback to him for pulling such a stunt! You know it is said “what goes around, comes around”! President Obama will not have to worry about this Judas stabbing him in the back one day.
“Looks like Obama’s transition team isn’t all knowing and perfect because the grand jury has been going on since August and a few Democratic operatives, all off the record of course, have hinted they had concerns about Richardson from day one.”
How can that be? Saint Obama’s team using poor judgement? I’m Shocked! Shocked I Tell You!