Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > December > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSmoke rising from New Mexico
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From the Associated Press:
“ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal grand jury is investigating how a California firm that contributed to the political activities of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the nominee to head the Commerce Department, won a lucrative government contract.
A person familiar with the proceedings told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the panel is looking into possible “pay-to-play” dealings between CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico. The person asked not to be named because the proceedings are secret.
The proceedings follow an FBI probe in which investigators sought documents from the New Mexico Finance Authority. Investigators also interviewed former and current authority officials about New Mexico’s 2004 contract with CDR for the $1.6 billion transportation program.
CDR was paid a total of $1.48 million in 2004 and 2005 for its work, according to documents provided by the state.
Asked whether the probe focused only on CDR’s actions in securing or executing the contract, the person with knowledge of the investigation said, “It is more than that.”
CDR and its CEO, David Rubin, have contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by Richardson, according to an AP review of campaign finance records.
The largest donation, $75,000, was made by CDR in June 2004 - a couple of months after the transportation financing arrangement won state approval - to a political committee that Richardson established before the Democratic National Convention that year.”
Comments
By Dusty
December 17, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Smoke rising from New Mexico???
Let me make a forecast here: Obama’s staff had NO contact with anyone in New Mexico, California and any wigwam that has smoke rising.
Rahm Emmuel’s fifty calls to New Mexico were strickly about the cost of tacos in Albuquerque and the amount of gas produced in that area.
Furthermore, Obama smokes only on the sly, but never in New Mexico.
By Bosch
December 17, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
So?
By Dusty
December 17, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Ho Ho !!
By Midori
December 17, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
sad news — Columbo (Peter Falk) has alzheimers.
That is so sad.
I just love Columbo.
By Bosch
December 17, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Midori,
Yes, I saw that. I loved that show. One of my old people that is currently residing with my fam at the moment has Alzheimers. Whew!
Every day is an adventure!
By AJC/DNC Management
December 17, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
How many other rat democrat criminals are out there?
It looks like they needed to be watched over by the Repugs but now that they are in charge.
Crime spree.
ew
By Copyleft
December 17, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Yeah, it looks like the Democrats haven’t mastered corruption the way the Republicans have.
I mean, the Democrats keep getting caught!
By AJC/DNC Management
December 17, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Gosh, you just knew something would come along to prove what I’ve been saying all along- Obama Mug Shots
ew
By The Corporal
December 17, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
A couple of comments
1) Where there’s smoke there’s fire (New Mexico or Chicago).
2) If Richardson had been the V.P. nominee and this had come up BEFORE the election, the AJC (or the rest of the MSM) would have ignored it as NOTHING like crime should get in the way of a democrat being elected.
By tcoach
December 17, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Wait til it either sticks or falls.
This is an attempt by Bookman to get people of the right riled up and also allow the left to go to defensive mode.
Both of which are good for his blog.
The info on this is way too soon to be evaluated. Looks shady but nothing to worry about unless more comes out.
Don’t take the bait and make all of those on the conservative side look like uncontrollable hounds.
By Dusty
December 17, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Andddd…
The rain in Spain comes down in the main.
Inane…
But let me remind you to use the current refrain:
Smoke rising from New Mexico! Without gain? Then no pain!
By sunshine and thunder
December 17, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Thanks to Bill Richardson the Chinese helped themselves to many of our nuclear secrets.
Sen. Robert Byrd (D.-W.Va.), however, was the harshest… “You(Bill Richardson) will never again receive the support of the Senate of the United States for any office to which you might be appointed,” said Byrd. “It’s gone. You’ve squandered your treasure, and I’m sorry.”
By citizen
December 17, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, our political and financial system may be just an illusion.
By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
December 17, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
$1 billion in campaign contributions, $10 million in book sales, $100 million for the inaguration. Two scandals five weeks before inauguration - PRICELESS.
By Dusty
December 17, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
sunshine and thunder, 1:42
Your reference to the failures of Bill Richardson reveal much about his past.
Unfortunately, the attention span and memory of liberals becomes greatly impaired when observing their own.
Now comes smoke from New Mexico and it smells to high heaven. It will disappear from Congress like it never came. The new imperative: WHAT OBAMA WANTS, OBAMA GETS!
But what’s another crook? Obama knows how to handle crooks and cranks. He has already survived Ayers, Wright, Rizko and probably Blogo.
Obama does not have “teflon” alone. He has a knight’s suit of steel armor under his teflon. It is called Congress.
By getalife
December 17, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
More pay to play?
Duh, they all do it.
By tcoach
December 17, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Because they all do it, does it then excuse it?
By Taxpayer
December 17, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
So, what’s wrong with smoke signals coming from New Mexico. Maybe they just got tired of paying AT&T’s rates.
By getalife
December 17, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
No, but if they want to prosecute all pay to players in our broken government, it is fine with me.
By spankmonkey
December 17, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Dump him. Politics as usual cannot rule the day. There’s a nominee that needs to get pulled innocent or guilty. If he’s close enough to any actual crimes to be implicated, no matter how tenuous, then pull the nomination, let him face justice.
After all the scandals of the last 8-16 years, this looks pretty tame and more or less like politics as usual democratic or republican.
The glee and delight this elicits is humorous at best. To say that all democrats are criminals because of this and Blago is to say all republicans are gay and corrupt because of Larry Craig and Jack Abramoff…
Great, you kicked our collective arses in Saxby’s reelection, and now you have two of our own caught with thier hands in the cookie jar.
No huge surprises in either case. GA is solidly Republican, and politicians are lyers and thieves.
Now can we get on with fixing the messes our collective arses are in????
Rooting for failure, and getting your wish will do what for the country? What for you?
It’s good to see that some of you here can afford for things to get worse, even wish for it, all to prove your poilitical ideology is superior to mine.
I would happily give you a McCain/Palin presidency if you could guarantee that things WOULD get better, but you can’t can you?
The track record of the last 8 years and the fact that you couldn’t guarantee that things would get better, that’s why you lost. Not because Democrats are thieves and somehow stole something from you.
Wishing for failure here (no matter what your reasons) and getting your wish may not hurt you personally, but I guarantee it will hurt many of your GOP mates. Assembly line workers aren’t all lazy entitled liberals. Not all republicans are rich, nor do they all necessarily make the best financial and life decisions. They’ll be in the pea soup right there with all the rest of us godless liberals should things actually get worse, they already are.
At the very least you wish for no more failure from your government.
By Taxpayer
December 17, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
I’m for prosecuting all the crooks in government and to save money we’ll just build a barbed-wire fence around DC.
By getalife
December 17, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Well, they would have to prosecute w and cheney for big oil, haliburton, drug companies, etc… and everybody down the line.
There would be nobody left to govern and a revolution without a shot fired.
Yeah, I can go for that.
Bring it on.
By Ted Striker
December 17, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
I’m beginning to suspect some of the folks who regularly post here (AJC/DNC Management, The Corporal, Dusty, to name a few) are closet liberals at heart.
Quite often when someone is always strenuously objecting to something without fail, it is eventually revealed that the objectionable thing is exactly what the objector subliminally covets.
If Jay says black, they say white. If Jay says white, they say black. If Jay says hot, they say cold. Is it dry? Noooo, it’s WET!!!
It’s kinda funny, actually.
By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
December 17, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
By spankmonkey @ 2:41 PM
“….to say all republicans are gay and corrupt because of Larry Craig” - what exactly did Larry Craig do that was corrupt? At worst, he was looking for love in all the wrong places. If he’s corrupt, howza about Barney Frank, who incidentally, was “knowingly present”, if not sampling the illegal fruit, while a male prostitution ring was run out of his apt. Larry should not be demeaned because of his sexual preference. I, for one, celebrate his gaiety, unless, of course, he wants to homo-marry.
Jay, spankmonkey should be banned from the blog because of homophobia and a name thank invokes self inflicted sin. I recently had a post taken down for the same sort of reference.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 17, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Probably a bunch of pinko activists-
Illinois Supreme Court refuses to hear motion to declare Blagojevich unfit to serve…
I’m sure they are all in bed together, sick little hacks, felons.
ew
Actually, I don’t mind them leaving looney tunes in the Governor’s Mansion, dats good for business.
Repug business.
By tcoach
December 17, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Spankmonkey, Some are over-reacting to this news.
However you must understand some of their anger.
An entire campaign was launched on the promise of change. While since the election, before even taking office, there have been implications of improper acts by some of those Obama has appointed to positions of power.
People have been promised a change and they are not seeing any just the same game with new names.
Obama has not taken office yet so maybe people should cut him some slack. However these are people he appointed, and it was considered the greatest failure of McCain in his rushed through vetting process for Palin.
I guess these people are confused as to why or to what depth Obama investigates those he would put in positions of Power.
There seems to be a double standard.
By spankmonkey
December 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Well, Mr Craig is certainly entitled to his preferences. He’s even entitled to keep those private.
He was living a life of sin and promiscuity at minimum, soliciting gay prostitution at max, or maping he was simply tapping his foot in time to a catchy rythm he couldn’t get out of his head.
These actions are certainly in line with what his wife & family, constituents, and the GOP saw in the man when they selected, elected or supported him, are they not?
So I’m guess by ya’ll’s reasoning I too am gay by my association with Barney Frank’s political party, and all that stuff Wild Bill says went on. Whatever, I’m gay so what?
The man does seem pretty familiar with what goes on in Barney Frank’s apt, hmmmm….
Now Wild Bill, if you tell me you’ve never chaffed the wood, I’m callin you a liar.
By spankmonkey
December 17, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Well, Mr Craig is certainly entitled to his preferences. He’s even entitled to keep those private.
He was living a life of sin and promiscuity at minimum, soliciting gay prostitution at max, or perhaps he was simply tapping his foot in time to a catchy rythm he couldn’t get out of his head.
These actions are certainly in line with what his wife & family, constituents, and the GOP saw in the man when they selected, elected or supported him, are they not?
So I’m guess by ya’ll’s reasoning I too am gay by my association with Barney Frank’s political party, and all that stuff Wild Bill says went on. Whatever, I’m gay so what?
The man does seem pretty familiar with what goes on in Barney Frank’s apt, hmmmm….
Now Wild Bill, if you tell me you’ve never chaffed the wood, I’m callin you a liar.
By Midori
December 17, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
The glee and delight this elicits is humorous at best. To say that all democrats are criminals because of this and Blago is to say all republicans are gay and corrupt because of Larry Craig and Jack Abramoff…
Better watch out, Spank —
they are collecting shoes with your name on it.
By Midori
December 17, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
excuse me —
that should read: they are collecting shoes with your name on them.
By spankmonkey
December 17, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I’m not especially thrilled to see so many old faces up there. I’d almost rather have a bunch of newbs. I know it’s hard to get newbs in some of these appointments because they are unknown quantities to both parties. I’d also like to see a few more Republicans at least considered. The same old politics just won’t take us where we need to go.
Gates is a solid decision, solid. Clinton? Whatever, put her on a jet, let her do the secretary of state thing, can’t do much harm there and it keeps her faction in line. Chief of staff pick is good and bad, because there’s too much baggage and there’s too much baggage…
By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
December 17, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Wyld Byll is all man, he has never had a gay bone in his, or for that matter another man’s, body. Wyld Byll has reached the stage in life were he won’t date anyone older than his 26 year old grandaughter. Wyld Byll has played the National, killt a grizzly bear, bedded Playmates, and done things you couldn’t even imagine, all in the name of good clean fun.
By It's Just Business
December 17, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Some people do not have good imaginations. That’s why there is a market for good fiction writers.
By Swami Dave
December 17, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
With due deference to the ideas that individuals are innocent until proven guilty, it is a strain to credibility to deny that a pattern is forming. Added to this announcement of “clouds” surrounding Richardson, I noticed this AP link last night relating to the Madoff investigation:
AP
*Madoff and his employees contributed at least $267,000 at the federal level from 2001 to the present, according to campaign finance records. A member of the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., was the top congressional recipient; his campaign received $32,000 during that period. Schumer has turned over all campaign donations from Madoff to charity. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is the top Madoff recipient overall, receiving $25,000 from Madoff each year since Schumer became its chairman in 2005.
Schumer’s office said the senator has met Madoff a few times, but not in several years.
Madoff spent at least $400,000 on lobbying in Washington from 2001 to the present. His firm was represented by the lobbying office of former New York Republican Rep. Norman Lent for years until July 31, when Lent’s firm dissolved and Lent retired. Madoff then hired the firm where three of his longtime lobbyists moved.
Madoff’s lobbyists additionally gave roughly $270,000 in federal political donations from 2001 to the present, including at least $46,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank, D-Mass., received at least $2,250 in campaign donations from Madoff lobbyists between 2005 and 2008.
In the 2007-08 presidential race, Madoff employees gave at least $4,850 to Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign and at least $2,800 to President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign.*
Even though the early part of the article focuses on the failures of the SEC, the latter paragraphs seem to raise the spectre of some familiar names on Madoff’s campaign contribution list. Grouped together, we seem to be recognizing a growing list of “usual suspects” whether we are discussing FreddieMac, FannieMae, now Madoff as it relates to fraudlent activities in finance or Blago, now Richardson as it relates to alleged influence peddling.
If these things continue as they are progressing, someone should advise employees at the White House Travel Office to update their resumes. (Sorry, couldn’t resist - smile)
-Swami Dave
By AJC/DNC Management
December 17, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
“President-elect Barack Obama will arrive [in Washington] for his inauguration by train from Philadelphia, making a journey with echoes of the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln.”
The Founding Fathers rode the train, eh?
Maybe you libs should get a grip on……………..it.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
December 17, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t really have enough knowledge on this particular situation but let’s face it boys and girls, both parties in every state, city, and county are up to their eyeballs in this stuff every day. Times like these make me wonder if having a Parlimentary system would be a bad thing. I would expect a “no confidence” vote on Congress would pass by a landslide.
By GodHatesTrash
December 17, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Off Topic:
What Todd Palin really wanted to name one of his little wingnuts…
Walmart decorated the cake - anything for another buck.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 17, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
What foul little lie will thee Oblahma goon squad wretch up on the eve of the blessed Saviour’s Birth?
The media today are widely reporting President-elect Barack Obama’s comments about an internal investigation regarding Gov. Rod. Blagojevich and his Senate replacement. Obama said the probe cleared his aides, but noted the findings will not be released for another week.
They probed themselves.
ew
By Ted Striker
December 17, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Who cares that Wal-Mart custom decorated a cake for a 3 year old? It’s the kid’s legal name. For reasonable people that would be the end of the matter.
By The Corporal
December 18, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
To AJC/DNC
Are you sure he’s not arriving for his Inauguration on a magic carpet? By way, he and his administration remind me of Question Mark and the Mysterians! I know, I’m dating myself.
Calm down libs. I’m just kidding about the carpet.
By The Corporal
December 18, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
Here they are !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrTnaPa9BaA