Here's where I split with you guys on issues like this. Both parties are susceptible to this kind of corruption; it's been done for decades and decades. Here's why I think Richardson is guilty:

"A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a New Mexico state contract worth more than $1 billion."

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard of a scenario similar to this one in state politics, I'd be retired at 41. Indeed, how DOES an out of state contractor land a one billion dollar contract in New Mexico?

Richardson is innocent until proven guilty. Just don't be surprised if he is found guilty. Collusion, contract fixing, and contribution rewarding is the oldest game state governors play.

Better men than Bill Richardson have played that game and won.

Better to have it come out now ... well, better if it had come out BEFORE now, but we need to have smooth confirmation hearings. We need the Senate to be concentrating on issues, policies, and agendas, not being sidetracked by controversy in the nominations.
I'm a firm believer in innocent until proven guilty, but many years of reading the Court TV discussion boards have shown me that there are a whole lot of people, including media types, who don't. And I hope that Richardson is not guilty of any wrongdoing 'cause he seems like a nice guy.
I'm not looking forward to see what Morning Joe does with this.

I'm with you, Bob. I really want to see house cleaning - and I would LOVE to see Obama get credit for it. Would go a long way toward strengthening the Democratic party, while leaving the republican party to languish until they figure out how to apply conservative principles to inclusive politics...

QT

PPP - You may well be right. When I was visiting my buddy in Albuquerque a few weeks ago, he said there was a huge scandal about state office building construction. I'm hoping Richardson isn't involved, and that he doesn't get splattered with the shit that will eventually fly.
As I said on another thread, in any case it's wise for him to step aside.
There's no reason to hand the Republicans fodder. Make them work for it.

But the real question on America's lips is... What will Nancy Grace have to say about this?