First One Out

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is out as Obama's Commerce Secretary, citing an investigation into a company that has done business with New Mexico's state government.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."

He said he plans to continue in his role as governor. "I appreciate the confidence President-elect Obama has shown in me, and value our friendship and working partnership. I told him that I am eager to serve in the future in any way he deems useful. And like all Americans, I pray for his success and the success of our beloved country."

The obvious question is why Richardson agreed to this in the first place if the investigation was pending, but it's possible the investigation just got under way. Still...Richardson and Obama's team must have known this was a possibility. On the other hand, Richardson is doing the right thing, there's no way the GOP would have allowed his confirmation with this investigation pending.

The other more cynical theory is that with Blagogate, Obama now has a zero tolerance scandal policy and he hasn't even been sworn in yet. Richardson was therefore told to withdraw. That of course leaves a number of controversial cabinet picks that may be withdrawing in the future.

I like Obama, but even I think this is starting to smell bad. Obama clearly didn't have a problem a month ago with Richardson, and neither did Richardson. Now this investigation is too much to handle? Something must have changed besides Blagogate, and that something is bad enough for Obama's team to decapitate Richardson. With talk of Richardson's people in New Mexico going before a grand jury, this one is looking serious enough for Obama to pull the trigger. Either this is a bad apple that had to be picked off the tree, or Obama is cleaning house across the board. Time will tell which this is.

Either way, the GOP can smell the blood in the water and they will now go after Obama's cabinet picks in full force: Eric Holder at Justice, Hilda Solis at Labor, and of course Hillary Clinton at State.

Who will replace Richardson, I wonder?