Richardson, Blagojevich Complicate Obama's Attempts for a Smooth Transition
A few bumps in the road have suddenly appeared for President-elect Barack Obama on his path toward the White House.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, his nominee for commerce secretary, withdrew his name from consideration Sunday, citing a federal investigation into possible financial improprieties involving his state administration and a political donor. Richardson, in a prepared statement, argued that he did nothing wrong and expected vindication. But he added that the probe would be a distraction from the important work of the Commerce Department and would inevitably delay his confirmation by the Senate.
Richardson said 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."
Obama accepted the withdrawal "with deep regret" and praised Richardson as an "outstanding public servant." Obama raised the prospect that he could name Richardson, one of the nation's leading Hispanic politicians and a former United Nations ambassador under President Bill Clinton, to another post in the future.
Richardson's withdrawal comes at an awkward time for the incoming administration. Not only does Obama face a long list of major problems, topped by the financial meltdown and the Israeli incursion into Gaza, but he is also dealing with an increasing number of political embarrassments created by fellow Democrats. The controversies could harm the party's credibility just as the new president prepares to take office on January 20.
When Democrats ran against the Republicans during the period when the GOP held a majority in Congress, they blasted the GOP for presiding over a "culture of corruption." Now, the problems of Richardson and other Democrats give Republicans an opening to tarnish their opponents with the same brush. Republican strategist Rich Galen, for example, jumped on the issue Sunday in his Web column. He asked, "What did Peso Bill tell Obama about the status of that investigation and what his connection might be? Are no-bid, no-contract million-dollar deals in return for campaign donations so pervasive among Obama's political cronies that he and Richardson had a good laugh about it and walked out onto the stage in Chicago to announce the nomination [of Richardson at commerce]?"
In addition to the Richardson investigation, there is an ongoing criminal prosecution of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojovich for allegedly trying to offer Obama's vacant Senate seat in exchange for money or influence. Obama has not been implicated. But Blagojovich added a severe complication for his party leaders when he named Roland Burris, a respected African-American leader and former Illinois attorney general, as the new senator. This will force a showdown this week with Senate Democrats who have vowed not to seat anyone named by the governor while he is under prosecution.
There is also a messy situation in New York, where Gov. David Paterson is considering a successor to Sen. Hillary Clinton, who has been tapped to become Obama's secretary of state. The leading possibility apparently is Caroline Kennedy, a former official in the New York Department of Education and the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy. But her lack of experience in national or international politics has been a source of rising criticism.
Beyond all this, Obama's hopes for rapid passage of his Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan appear to be fading fast. He had been hoping for congressional approval by his inauguration on January 20, but Republicans and some Democrats are now saying they want a more methodical process complete with hearings. Some Obama allies say the package could approach $1 trillion—a vast expenditure that many legislators want to examine carefully.
Robert Gibbs, Obama's chief spokesman and the incoming White House press secretary, told reporters Sunday that is was "very, very unlikely" that the stimulus package would be ready by January 20.
Obama will meet with bipartisan leaders of Congress today to discuss the package.
Reader Comments
Loyalty!!!
Richardson should have his butt whipped for giving Obama yet another issue with which to deal. It is a question of loyalty to the nation not only to a President. The past 8 years have been a disaster and we haven't the time nor resources to play games with petty little corruption charges. The New Administration has no choice but to follow the old saying, Lead, Follow or Get out of the way, Sick, lame and lazy to the rear!!! Richardson knew about this investigation long before now yet failed to volunteer the information to the Obama Camp, therefore he neglected in his loyalty to our nation and the mission of the new administration to run a clean transition. I hope that future appointees will take notice that their First loyalty is to our nation and to cause as little disruption as possible. We New Mexicans have a long history of loyalty and service to our nation from the Battling Bastards of Bataan, the Navajo Code Talkers to our current heroes in Baghdad and Afghanistan. Bill must remember that New Mexicans consider things more important than ourselves!!!
Obama challenged
First, Blago is not being prosecuted. In fact, there will be no indictment for at least ninety days according to Fitzgerald who still hasn't released any tapes to the accused or the press.
It is clear Obama and Reid had a big quid pro quo or bribe for Blago-- how much of their Democrat trillion dollar stimulus (try corrupt paybacks to unions, Democrat builders of highways and bridges and green (did they mean greenbacks to donors to start new cos) would Blago get if he chose a Senator from one of their lists. Fitzgerald needs to name Obama and Reid as co-conspirators, quit trying the case in the press and release the tapes.
You got to feel real sorry for the Illinois African American politicians who wanted to be Senator, but didn't have the coin Obama and Reid have.
Richardson
James Carville was right when he said that Richardson is a "Judas". He not only betrayed President Clinton and Hillary but now he has shown to be politically corrupt. Last year, Richardson also referred to the gay community with derogatory language and was unrepentant and unapologetic. In the end Richardson was offered a second-rate post only after someone else turned it down already. I'm glad that Richardson never made it back to the national stage and glad that people see him for what he is.
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