Tip of the hat goes to Richardson for putting the reputation of the Obama admin ahead of personal gain.

Later, when the matter is cleared up, he'll be rewarded.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/01/gov_bill_richardson_d-nm_ha s.html?hpid=topnews

Well this is disappointing. Richardson was actually the Dem I initially was most impressed with when the campaign began. I was excited that he was going to be apart of the Obama' cabinet.

Me too

At least he knows better. Could be worse!

I know, I was highest on Richardson when the whole election process started. I am also glad he backed out NOW as opposed to bringing scandal to the administration (I don't buy into the whole Illinois senator-for-hire scandal) ...

I heard some Republican strategist last night say " Well, with this Richardson issue and the Blagojevich situation, it looks like Obama has caught up with The Republicans in the scandal department in a big hurry."

Funny.

Anyway, I would like the actual truth to come out. Wouldn't that be refreshing? To hear what the real motive and intent and knowledge was? No matter who gets nailed. No matter who loses out on a job. No matter whose reputation is tarnished. Wouldn't it be awesome to just have it all be clear who did what and why?

That is funny!!

They are not even close!

Is the GOP the absolute master at over ambitious framing or what?

The word smiths are working double over time and have essentially NOTHING on Obama yet. That's got to chap their ass big!

And yes, that would be totally awesome. I suspect Obama is going to do more of this, as he's able. Frankly, I believe he wants it too.

I suspect Obama had nothing to do with the Blagojevich affair.

Maybe/maybe not some of his staffers did, I don't know.

I'd bet it was just the IL governor trying to line his pockets.

It's all about tone. Well, not ALL about tone. But many of the problems can be avoided and real bipartisanship can be close if Obama learns from the victories and blunders of those before him.

There will come a time when Obama's administration will have earned some clout and be able to say " You know what? I erred on the side of whatever-you-want-to-call-it during my transition. It was extra important to do so then. But if after the truth comes out, I reserve the right to possibly bring Richardson on in full force."

And it won't be a big F.U. - it'll be the right thing to do. He's got some ground to till before he can do that though. Even from me, a supporter, I will be holding his heels to the fire.

If Richardson is the best man for the job, then he'll get it. If he's not, then he shouldn't.

Bill Richardson would have been a good ally in the cabinet. I like him and admire his service to the nation. However, I thought it did the folks in New Mexico a disservice to pull him out of the governor's office for the Commerce job. He deserves a great deal of credit for squelching the deal when it appeared that there was impropriety. He has also earned points for putting the success of the administration ahead of his own ambition.

Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama truly dislike one another. Frankly, when it comes to Blago, most citizens of Illinois feel the same way as the President-elect. Rod assumed that politics as usual would be rewarded when he threw out a "deal" in conversations with staffers like Rahm Emmanuel. Without hesitation, they told him to stuff it. "Governor F-Bomb" was wrong and now may go to prison. Maybe they can put him in a cell with George Ryan.

It should not take endless scandals to force a party to empty the trash. In the case of Democratic garbage like Spitzer, Blago, and Mahoney, I say good riddance. It will be much harder to carve out the festering Clinton cancer, but time is on our side. As for the heaps of Republican refuse, their day will also come sooner or later. Maybe, if we all chipped in and rented a hundred dumpsters to park in front of congress, they would get the hint.

Who is George Rayan???