IS HIS INFLUENCE REALLY WORTH THAT LITTLE?:

Bill Richardson withdraws as Commerce pick: The New Mexico governor cites an ongoing investigation. It's a blow for Obama's Cabinet. The president-elect accepts the withdrawal with 'deep regret.' (Mike Dorning, January 4, 2009, LA Times)

President-elect Barack Obama suffered the first blow to his Cabinet today as Commerce Secretary-designate Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew from consideration, citing an investigation of a company's business dealings with the state government he leads.

The New Mexico governor said in a statement released this afternoon that he was withdrawing because the investigation would have "forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process." [...]

A federal grand jury in Albuquerque has been investigating how Beverly Hills, Calif.-based CDR Financial Products won state contracts that generated more than $1.5 million in fees after donating $100,000 to political organizations affiliated with Richardson.