Bill Richardson, who was going to help the new administration create jobs as Commerce Secretary, is giving up his own even before he starts.
Stepping down under the cloud of a pay-to-play investigation, Richardson joins a parade of Democratic governors plagued by scandal in the past year (Spitzer, Blagojevich) and, more disturbing, the second former would-be presidential nominee and potential VP on Barack Obama's list last summer (John Edwards).
Richardson's departure statement, with the usual protestations of innocence, has a curious reference to remaining in his job as governor of New Mexico and continuing to "work every day, with Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, to make a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans. I believe she will be a terrific governor in the future."
Say what? Is Richardson suggesting an unhappy outcome for his legal troubles? In any case, his leaving the new cabinet before entering it is an unhappy reflection on the Obama vetting process and a sad blow to the pride of Hispanic Americans in his appointment.
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