The Obamistakes Begin to Mount

Bill Richardson Withdraws Nomination as Commerce Secretary
Bill Richardson, the commerce secretary-designate, has withdrawn his nomination because of an investigation into whether he exchanged New Mexico state government contracts for campaign financing.

Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination to be commerce secretary.

Richardson, who will remain governor of New Mexico, is facing a federal grand jury investigation into whether he exchanged government contracts for contributions to three Richardson political committees.

Richardson denies any wrongdoing but the investigation won't be finished before he has to go to a Senate confirmation hearing.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," Richardson said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."

Obama said he was accepting Richardson's request to withdraw with "deep regret."

It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time," the president-elect said in a statement. "I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration."

The Bitter American ponders:

Is there ANYONE in the Obamistake's line-up that ISN'T wiping the mud from their shoes before entering the White House??