Richardson: 'My idea to withdraw'
Posted: Monday, January 05, 2009 2:30 PM by Carrie Dann
From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
After withdrawing as Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson insisted today he made the choice by himself and was not pressured by the transition team.
"It was my idea to withdraw," he said. "I withdrew because I felt I didn't want a possible inquiry going on to delay the enormous progress we need to rebuild this economy."
Richardson repeatedly said his desire to bow out of the appointment stemmed from not wanting his confirmation to be delayed because of the ongoing investigation.
"I had hoped that the CDR investigation would have concluded in December, with a clean bill of health to my administration," Richardson explained at a press conference in his home state. "Since the investigation was not finished in December, and as long as the CDR investigation is ongoing, I'm making the decision to withdraw as the President-elect's nominee for Commerce Secretary rather than ask for a delay in my appointment."
The federal "pay to play" probe asks whether Richardson or his staff gave state business to CDR Financial Products because the firm's founder made substantial contributions to the governor's PAC. Richardson emphasized his innocence.
"The deal handled by the New Mexico Finance Authority with CDR was thoroughly scrutinized through a rigorous procurement process," he said. "I've always fully expected that my administration would be cleared of any wrongdoing and it would be clear that nothing improper took place."
Richardson did not answer questions specific to the investigation, including those asking if he had conducted an internal investigation and if he has hired a lawyer.
He also compared his loss "minor" to the losses of many Americans. "Yesterday I was hurting over this decision. I lost a cabinet appointment. But I think we have to focus on what people are losing in this country. The American people, people in New Mexico are losing their jobs; they are losing their savings; they are losing their homes. That's the real tragedy. Mine is minor compared to that."
