New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday withdrew as US President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary, becoming the first casualty among Obama's picks for his Cabinet. One of the country's most prominent Hispanic politicians, Richardson said he was dropping out because of an investigation into a company that has done business with New Mexico's state government. Obama said in a statement that he had accepted Richardson's withdrawal with “deep regret.” Richardson, 61, denied any wrongdoing but feared a lengthy investigation would delay his confirmation by the US Senate. Richardson becomes the first of Obama's cabinet choices to withdraw. The Senate had been expected to easily confirm his appointment. Obama is scheduled to take office on Jan. 20. Richardson, 61, served as US ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary in the Clinton administration and is a former member of the US House of Representatives. A federal grand jury in Albuquerque is investigating whether a financial firm improperly won more than $1.4 million in work for the state of New Mexico shortly after making contributions to political action committees of Richardson, the Washington Post reported in December. The probe focuses on whether the governor's office urged a state agency to hire CDR Financial Products, the Post reported. With Richardson's withdrawal, the other possible candidates for the job include Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sibelius, who was suggested for a number of senior Obama administration posts but has yet to be nominated for any, and Scott Harris, managing partner of the Washington DC law firm Harris, Wiltshire and Grannis who is an expert in trade issues. Also mentioned is Leo Hindrey, a former chief executive officer of The Yes Network, the nation's largest regional sports network and a senior economic policy adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. Another Bush to the White House? Another President Bush? Perhaps so, says former President George H.W. Bush, who has already seen one son, George W., serve in the Oval Office. The nation's 41st president said Sunday that he would like to see a second son, Jeb, be president one day. Jeb Bush is the current president's younger brother and a former popular governor of Florida. He is mulling a run for the US Senate seat being vacated by Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez. Asked in a broadcast interview about Jeb Bush's consideration of the Senate seat, the former president said: “I'd like to see him run. I'd like to see him be president someday.” When asked if he was serious, he said: ´Or maybe senator. “Whatever. Yes, I would. I mean, right now is probably a bad time, because we've had enough Bushes in there. But no, I would. And I think he's as qualified and able as anyone I know on the political scene. Now, you've got to discount that. He's my son.” The former president spoke on “Fox News Sunday” in an interview that was taped Friday in Houston. He will be at the White House on Wednesday for a lunch with President George W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. The senior Bush said he does not plan to offer advice to Obama and mainly wants to wish him well. “I talked to him right after the election and did that then, assured him that he was my president,” Bush said.
