Governor Richardson Withdraws Name under Cloud of Investigation

Initial reports indicated that the Governor of New Mexico is under investigation for alleged connections with a Company from California, CDR Financial Products.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - President Elect Obama has accepted Governor Bill Richardson's decision to withdraw his name as the nominee for the position of Secretary of Commerce in the new administration.

In a surprise turn of events Sunday, his once former rival for the Democratic nomination, turned strong supporter, abruptly withdrew his name from consideration. He was announced as the President Elect's choice in mid- December and expected to win a quick and easy approval by the new Congress.

The President Elect said in a statement that though he had "deep regret" over doing so, he accepted the withdrawal. He did not indicate that he had any substitute appointment, simply telling the Press "we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision." A quick response indeed.

The unexpected news has sent Washington insiders scrambling to find out more details, particularly in the wake of the alleged "Pay to Play" scandal allegations against another Democratic Governor, the Governor of Illinois, Rod R. Blagojevich who is currently under investigation.

President Elect Obama said of Richardson that he "... 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," indicated draw with 'deep regret.'

Initial reports indicated that the Governor of New Mexico is under investigation for his alleged connection with a Company from California, CDR Financial Products, which contributed to several of the Governors Political Action Committees and, afterwards, was the recipient of a State Contract worth more than $1 billion dollars.

Governor Richardson told an NBC News correspondent on Sunday that there was no connection between the contract and the support "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."

Richardson will continue his service to the people of New Mexico and has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

He is a popular Governor with a distinguished career of public service having served in Congress as well as in appointed offices under the Clinton Administration as ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary. He is one of the highest profile Hispanic politicians in the Country.

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