Let the finger-pointing commence. Embarrassed by the withdrawal of Governor Richardson from consideration for Obama’s band of acolytes, there is sniping between the two camps as to who revealed what and to whom?
…a source with the Obama transition said Richardson’s disclosures to the [vetting] team were incomplete. [WaPo]
This is the same team that demanded the complete donor list from Bill Clinton’s foundation before considering Hillary for Secretary of State. Yet they somehow missed — or at least underestimated — numerous reports in the New Mexico media about the grand jury investigation in the Richardson donor scandal. They say Richardson withheld information. Others say there was no way they should have missed it.
Pendleton James, who led the vetting process for President Ronald Reagan’s nominees, called the situation “astounding.” “Come on, they just found this out yesterday?” he asked. “If this was some misdemeanor, I could understand, but . . . a grand jury investigation anywhere near a sitting governor?”
…The FBI became interested in the New Mexico finance agency, legal sources said, because CDR [Financial] and its founder had donated $100,000 to two political action committees headed by the governor. The donations, in 2003 and 2004, were made near the time that the [New Mexico Finance] authority awarded two contracts to CDR.
Somewhere in a white building…
Richardson: How can you throw me out? On what grounds?
Obama: I’m shocked, shocked to find that campaign contribution are coming from people who want government contracts.
Croupier: Your offshore donations, sir.
Obama [sotto voce]: Oh, thank you very much.
[aloud]
Obama: Richardson, out at once!