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The FBI is investigating how a California firm won a state consulting contract worth almost $1 million in connection with the massive GRIP transportation bond program. Agents have been interviewing people involved in awarding contracts to CDR Financial Products LLC, and are looking at its political contributions to political action committees established by Gov. Bill Richardson. The $1.6 billion GRIP bond program is one of the biggest in state history and has been used to pay for road improvements and the Rail Runner commuter train. GRIP stands for Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership and was approved by the Legislature during a...

Richardson: Bill Clinton ‘still ticked off at me’ By Klaus Marre Posted: 08/26/08 12:42 PM [ET] New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) said Tuesday that he has made up with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) after endorsing her rival but that he has not even spoken to Bill Clinton since then. The former president is “probably still ticked off at me,” said Richardson,

SANTA FE — A state Senate leader, worried about New Mexico's revenue projections, called for a dramatically scaled-back tax rebate plan Saturday at a special legislative session called by Gov. Bill Richardson... "This is all about economics — just how much money you have," Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, said of his plan to send out about $56 million worth of state rebate checks to New Mexicans strapped by high gas prices — a far cry from the $120 million rebate plan pushed by Richardson, a fellow Democrat.~~snip~~ Richardson called the special session, which began on Friday, in...

The DNCC announced the speakers for the prime-time slot on Wednesday night of the convention, and the list is intriguing. Wednesday night is when the VP nominee addresses the convention, and CNN scrutinizes the list for a hint on Barack Obama’s choice Former president Bill Clinton will address the delegates, as will Harry Reid, Ken Salazar, and Jay Rockefeller. Alexander Mooney focuses on two other speakers, but misses an obvious third choice: The two senators widely believed to be at the top of Barack Obama’s shortlist for VP have been given prime-time speaking slots at the Democratic convention Wednesday night...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson slammed GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain today, calling his criticism of Barack Obama's trip to Europe and the Middle East as nothing more than "sour grapes." Richardson, one of Sen. Obama's most high-profile surrogates, also said that the Obama campaign was considering a trip to Latin America sometime prior to the November election. "There are discussions about it. He wants to emphasize that his administration would not be Europe-centric or only focused on the Middle East," said Richardson in an interview. The trip would also likely generate excitement among many of the country's Hispanic...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is "overreacting" and "whining" in response to The New York Times refusing to run his editorial about Iraq. Richardson, who supports Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president, said in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday that the rejection of McCain's editorial is not surprising because The New York Times turns down many editorials from politicians, including presidential candidates. "Well, look, The New York Times is very fussy. I mean, I've sent many editorials that they've rejected — in fact, most of them," Richardson said.

Plans for a sales tax to support the Rail Runner commuter train and a regional bus system are gaining steam. Bernalillo and Sandoval counties are to consider this week publishing a legal notice needed to put the one-eighth-cent tax on the Nov. 4 ballot. Valencia County might do the same, though perhaps not until next month. "I think the Rail Runner's time has come," said Alan Armijo, chairman of the Bernalillo County Commission. Voters "at least need the opportunity to decide that." The tax proposal must clear one more step before going to the counties — passage by the regional...

On Monday, Obama off-handedly reiterated his fondness for 1990s-style treatment of Islamic terrorists as if they were mere criminals to be managed by prosecution in the civilian criminal-justice system. By now, that should come as no surprise. Pressed on the subject again Wednesday, Obama insisted, “I have confidence that our system of justice is strong enough to deal with terrorists.” Top Obama backer Bill Richardson, a member of the Clinton Cabinet that delegated national defense to our system of justice while radical Islam killed Americans in New York City, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Yemen, told CNN on Wednesday...

Promises of a friendlier US position towards Egypt, and the rest of the region, were voiced by a supporter of the Democratic Party candidate. Dina Ezzat heard what might happen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, a former US presidential candidate and a current key figure in the campaign backing Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for this year's presidential elections, was in Cairo this week in an advanced attempt to promote Obama as a US president with a will to fortify good relations with the region, including Egypt, which he described as a country with a pivotal role...

DEMING, N.M. (AP) - Governor Richardson says he's concerned about violence along New Mexico's border with Mexico. Authorities say seven men have been killed in the Mexican border town of Palomas in a turf war among drug cartels. The Luna County Sheriff's Department says 162 gun shells were found where five men were killed Sunday in Palomas, across the border from Columbus, New Mexico. Another 67 casings were found where a man and his son were fatally shot Friday. A spokesman for Richardson says the governor has directed New Mexico public safety officials to be vigilant to ensure the problems...

CHIHUAHUA, Mexico — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Wednesday that he has seen an improvement in security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Problems remain, but increased policing by state and federal authorities has significantly helped, said Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador and former Democratic presidential candidate. "In my opinion, there has been a dramatic improvement in the last two months," Richardson told reporters in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua, across from New Mexico, where he met with Chihuahua Gov. Jesus Reyes Baeza. Richardson said he would ask U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza to reevaluate a travel alert, issued...

Almost $3,000 [was] the price illegal immigrants from Brazil were apparently willing to pay two Russian-speaking organizers of a scheme to get them New Mexico licenses. Court documents filed Thursday charged James Kulekhov and Anastissiya Galiullina, with illegally transporting eight Brazilian nationals from Newark, N.J., to New Mexico for the purpose of obtaining state driver's licenses. Galiullina is from Kazakhstan and overstayed her visa. She needed a Russian interpreter for court proceedings Wednesday. Agents were still trying to figure out Kulekhov's true identity. ... Kulekhov and Galiullina are scheduled to be arraigned this morning in federal court. Two of the...

Diplomacy: Bill Richardson met Hugo Chavez Sunday ostensibly to help U.S. hostages held in Colombia by FARC terrorists. But Colombia doesn't want Chavez involved, so it's worth asking what Richardson's up to. By his engagement in private diplomatic initiatives, the governor of New Mexico seems to be running for secretary of state in the Cabinet of the candidate he has endorsed, Barack Obama. Nothing wrong with that, but let's be upfront: Richardson's aim doesn't seem entirely pure. Winning the release of U.S. hostages held for five years in Colombia's jungle would demonstrate his diplomatic chops. But because Richardson insists on...

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Before he endorsed Barack Obama, before he drew the wrath of the Clintons and was likened to Judas, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson nearly endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president. But Richardson hesitated, and as the Democratic campaign turned ugly, he grew angry.

The Los Angeles Times on Friday added another chapter to the ongoing political saga concerning Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama. Times staff writer Mark Z. Barabak sat down with the governor and reports that before Richardson sided with Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, he nearly went Hillary Clinton's way. In the Times story, Richardson said Clinton's "3 a.m." television ad— which questions whether Obama would be the best choice for president during a crisis— upset him. "I was loyal," the story quoted Richardson, who served in two top jobs under former President Bill Clinton, as saying. "But...

Former President Clinton is still smarting over New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama. During a private meeting with California Democrats this past weekend, Clinton grew red-faced as he talked about how he expected Richardson, who was a member of Clinton's Cabinet, to back Hillary Rodham Clinton for the presidential nomination or at least stay neutral, according to several people who attended. Instead, Richardson endorsed Obama late last month, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime leader.""He sort of gets a little redder and redder and redder, but he wasn't off the deep end as I had seen him in the...

Just when you thought the conflagration over James Carville's Judas analogy might be dying down, here comes Derrick Z. Jackson to pour some gasoline on the flames with a return-fire Judas shot of his own. Readers will recall that when Bill Richardson endorsed Obama, Clinton-fan Carville chose Good Friday to say: Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic." Offered the chance to apologize or withdraw his remarks, the cantankerous Cajun declined, choosing instead to rub in his remarks:...

You want to roll over laughing? Then you absolutely must watch this hilarious Jackie & Dunlap VIDEO. The boys from Red State Update have found never seen before video of the Richardson and Obama interview that will have you in stitches.

The state is paying $2.8 million to private landowners to route the Rail Runner commuter train across their property near Santa Fe. About seven miles of track will be built on the undeveloped land on La Bajada Mesa south of Santa Fe. The train cuts across the private land before entering the median of Interstate 25 near a rest stop. The Department of Transportation is acquiring 179 acres of land from eight landowners for right of way for the commuter rail service, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. Most of the owners are partnerships. ~~snip~~ The right of...

Gov. Bill Richardson basked in the adoration of Barack Obama supporters when he endorsed Obama for president in Oregon on Friday. But since returning to New Mexico, he's faced a backlash from high-profile advocates of Hillary Clinton. Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, a Clinton backer, said Monday that Richardson's endorsement showed "no loyalty," considering that former President Bill Clinton gave him two high-profile jobs. Richardson, a former New Mexico congressman, served as U.N. ambassador and then as U.S. energy secretary during the Clinton administration. "They (the Clintons) shouldn't have even had to ask for his support," Chávez told the Journal. "There...

While Chris Matthews was waxing so rhapsodic about Barack Obama over on MSNBC this morning that he made Mika Brzezinksi ask if the Hardball host had endorsed him, Matt Lauer was doing his bit on NBC, wondering whether Hillary would be seen as having stolen the nomination if she managed to get it. The Today co-anchor interviewed Bill Richardson, who's been getting maximum media mileage out of his Obama endorsement. Lauer's suggestion came toward the end of the segment. MATT LAUER: Let's talk about political reality. Right now as we stand, with the delegate count, the popular vote count, the...

Good thing Chris Matthews was down in DC and Mika Brzezinski in NYC this morning. Had they been in the same studio, it might have taken Springer-show security guys to pry them apart. Such was the level of bad vibes that cropped up between the MSNBC pair during Matthews' appearance on Morning Joe today. The first incident to incite Matthews' ire was Mika's suggestion, after an impassioned Matthews plea for the country to rally around Obama, that the Hardball host had done what it certainly sounded as if he had: endorsed the junior senator from Illinois. That drew a denial...

Gov. Bill Richardson told Barack Obama he would endorse him 10 days ago, but the two high-powered Democrats kept it a secret until Friday because of Richardson's long-planned Caribbean vacation with his wife. The governor, in an interview with the Journal late Friday, said he called Obama on Monday and told the Democratic presidential front-runner that he would, in fact, give him the endorsement he had been doggedly pursuing for weeks. Obama suggested they make the announcement on Wednesday, but that would have forced Richardson and his wife, Barbara, to cut their vacation two days short. The governor's wife, who...

Next time, maybe Bill Richardson should consider text messaging. Something along these lines, perhaps: I M not 4 U. Me & BHO: BFF. CUL8R Of course we can only imagine how Hillary's reply would have read. But Richardson did have the moxie to make one of the world's tougher phone calls: informing Hillary Clinton that despite having been appointed by her husband to two cabinet positions, he was endorsing Barack Obama. Kidding aside, think of what it says about Hillary's personality that so much press attention has focused on the call. Imagine if Richardson had instead decided to endorse Clinton....

Endorsements rarely determine the outcome of presidential races, but the decision by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to announce his support for Barack Obama today is nonetheless an important boost for Obama in his nomination battle with Hillary Clinton. The endorsement is valuable for at least five reasons. The first is timing. Richardson has ridden to Obama's rescue during what has been the roughest stretch of his candidacy. It comes after the uproar over Obama's spiritual mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, which has knocked Obama off stride. It comes after losses in Ohio and Texas, which cost Obama the opportunity...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson finally made up his mind and endorsed Sen. Barack Obama today, but a senior adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign — which likewise spent months courting the former Democratic presidential candidate’s nod — dismissed its significance. “Look, I think that everyone has their endorsers,” said senior Clinton strategist Mark Penn, adding — with a little huff — “I think New Mexico is a state that, actually, we won.” “The time that he could have been effective has long since passed,” he continued. “I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.” Perhaps sensing...

Sometimes, like a Cinderella team marching through March, Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign seems nothing short of charmed. It helps that while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has 10 weeks to make Obama totally and entirely unelectable, Obama just has to wait out the clock. But the outside help Obama is getting (some that he asked for, some that he didn't) is the X-factor -- and it means that, even as Obama grapples with perhaps the biggest challenge to his candidacy, he will be the nominee short of something else dramatic happening in the race that's already seen everything. To survey...

PORTLAND -- Bill Richardson described the conversation he had with Hillary Clinton on his decision to endorse Barack Obama as "heated" in an exclusive with NBC Nightly News today. Both Richardson and Obama shared the spotlight this afternoon at a press conference and later in a sit down interview with NBC's Lee Cowan. Richardson described the conversation that he had with Clinton last night "tough." "It was tough to make the call, but I did. It got a little heated. It got a little tense. But it was understood, and I'm proud of my decision."

Some 50 delegates were reportedly poised to unite behind Barack Obama if he had won by even 1 point in Texas. He lost the popular vote by 100,000 ballots, and now we learn that 100,000 Republicans voted for Hillary Clinton, probably not because of some change in party allegiance but because they thought she would be the easier candidate to beat. This kind of strategic voting often backfires (think Ralph Nader). The Texas crossovers are winners. By helping to prolong the Democratic race, they can claim credit for weakening the eventual nominee, whoever it turns out to be. Obama has...

Here is the complete text of the Governor's e-mail endorsing Obama: Dear Friend: During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President. We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the nation’s only Hispanic governor, is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president, calling him a “once-in-a- lifetime leader” who can unite the nation and restore America’s international leadership. Richardson, who dropped out of the Democratic race in January, is to appear with Obama on Friday at a campaign event in Portland, Ore., The Associated Press has learned.

Only a week after appearing to patch things up, the state Senate and Gov. Bill Richardson were back to fighting Thursday. What looked like the latest affront came Wednesday when Richardson cut $7 million in Senate-sponsored projects from a $348 million bill (SB 471) for statewide capital improvements ... while sparing all projects sponsored by House members. Some lawmakers saw Richardson's actions as missing an opportunity to develop some trust with the Senate, with whom he often clashes. Others wondered if health care reform might be the ultimate casualty. "It's hard to sit back and not say this is retaliation,"...

Gov. Bill Richardson used his veto pen to cut $7 million in capital improvement financing, and members of the Senate were on the losing side. The Senate has bucked Richardson on a number of issues, including the governor's top priority this session: a plan to expand health care coverage. Richardson signed a bill (SB 471) into law Wednesday to provide $341 million for capital improvements, often called pork, across the state. But he vetoed $7 million for projects, and all were sponsored by members of the Senate, according to an analysis by the Legislative Finance Committee. Among the casualties of...

Bill Richardson slipped off of the national radar screen back in January when he abandoned his bid for president. While he eagerly awaits the outcome of the Clinton-Obama battle for the Democratic nomination — and perhaps a phone call inviting him to join a ticket in the vice-presidential slot or take a cabinet slot down the road — Richardson has been stuck in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the mundane (at least for him) role of governor. Richardson will not have the chance to fulfill his presidential campaign promise of “universal health coverage.” But since abandoning his bid for the...

Gov. Bill Richardson on Thursday tossed the political hot potato of a two-year prison sentence for Marine Elton John Richard II back into the judge's lap— and said he might act if the judge doesn't. "Governor Richardson is urging the judge in this case to re-evaluate the harsh sentence," said a statement issued late Thursday by Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos. "Should he not take this step, the governor is willing to consider a request for executive clemency," the statement said. Bernalillo County District Judge Albert "Pat" Murdoch sentenced Richard to two years in state prison last Friday for the Dec....

When Bill Richardson returned to New Mexico from the U.S. presidential campaign trail in January, he was more than defeated; he was trounced. He got polite applause in the rotunda of our state Capitol when he boldly proclaimed, "I'm back." There were no brass bands, no parades, no streamers, no lines of admirers reaching for autographs.Richardson is back, but New Mexicans have come to know him well enough to recognize that he is back long enough only to wait for the next opportunity that might whisk him away to ... Washington, D.C., and beyond.~~snip~~ In truth, Richardson is doing all...

SANTA FE — To some lawmakers, the Rail Runner Express is the little engine that shouldn't — and they gave the Richardson administration an earful about it. Members of the Senate Rules Committee on Friday vented at a confirmation hearing for John Hummer of Las Cruces, Gov. Bill Richardson's appointee to the state Transportation Commission. The administration-created commuter rail system is running between Belen and Bernalillo — through Albuquerque — and is under construction to Santa Fe. The $400 million project has become a focal point for bipartisan criticism of the administration, with complaints that it won't reduce highway congestion...

  Officially, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from the race in the Democratic Primary for President.  However, if his name is on your Democratic ballot, then vote for Bill Richardson (D).  • The Democratic Party needs to change itself before it can talk about wanting to lead America. •   Democrat voters need to give some careful consideration before casting their vote.   Are Democrat voters actually going to vote for a leading candidate that will return us to the Democratic corruption and confusion of the 90's?  Or, are we going to vote for a popular candidate that...

Voters in New Jersey who cast absentee ballots for a candidate who has dropped out of the presidential race can vote again, a judge has ruled. The decision, which was issued on Thursday by Judge Vincent J. Grasso of Superior Court in Ocean County, dealt specifically with the county clerk there but has bearing statewide, according to the attorney general’s office. The ballot for Tuesday’s presidential primary was printed about a month ago, before six of the candidates dropped out of their respective races. Four Democrats — Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, former Senator John Edwards of North...

SANTA FE— Gov. Bill Richardson launched his personal campaign for universal health care Tuesday. Some of his key arguments, advanced in an in-depth interview with the Journal: * Health care is a basic human right. * Universal health care is doable this year and it won't break the bank. * Physicians are too greedy and need to give a little. * A so-called single-payer system is out of the question. * New Mexico has been historically cautious; now is the time to move boldly to make sure every resident of this state has health insurance. Richardson, fresh off his abandoned...

Well now that Bill Richardson has fared poorly in two states, the total populations of which are less than half that of the city I live in, I can see why he needs to drop out of the race. After all, 1.5% of the US population has rejected him. In fact, Richardson probably decided to throw in the towel Tuesday evening after the networks were calling winners after 17% of the New Hampshire precincts had reported. I can see why, because at that point both Clinton and Obama each had clearly gained more voters than there were students in my...

Gov. Bill Richardson and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop said Monday that an environmental assessment done by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on an application for a permit to drill on Otero Mesa is insufficient. The state is calling on the BLM to do a full environmental impact statement on the application of Harvey E. Yates Co. The Roswell-based business known as Heyco has proposed putting a natural gas well on land it leases in the area. Prukop sent a letter Monday to the BLM, saying the state was concerned the agency's review of Heyco's application...

Gov. Bill Richardson is back and so is the Legislature. Lawmakers convene Tuesday for a 30-day session and the governor will map out his priorities during a State of the State speech to a joint meeting of the House and Senate. Richardson said his speech will have a simple message for legislators: "Health care. Health care. Health care.'' "It's going to be an address saying that we have a responsibility in this Legislature, with the governor, to produce universal health care for every New Mexican and to start it with a comprehensive bill — not piece meal,'' Richardson said. Also...

Gov. Bill Richardson on Friday ordered a six-month moratorium on minerals drilling in the Galisteo Basin south of Santa Fe. Richardson's announcement came as good news to opponents of Tecton Energy's plan to explore for oil and gas near the communities of Cerrillos and Galisteo. "It's a fragile ecosystem," Richardson, just off the presidential campaign trail, said during a wide-ranging news conference at the Roundhouse. "I have serious reservations about drilling in the Galisteo Basin." The moratorium will allow Tecton to continue with the application process with the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division, but prohibits the division from approving new...

Another one bites the dust...Bill Richardson drops out!

"MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power. Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcemet"

From C-SPAN via the ABQ Journal:

Bill Richardson will need all the friends he can get ... if Clinton should win. Gov. Bill Richardson has denied those pre-Iowa caucus reports that he made an 11th-hour deal to send his supporters to Barack Obama if he failed to reach the 15-percent "viability" threshold in the first round of Democratic caucus votes. But true or not, someone believes it's true -- longtime Clintonista and fund-raising whiz Terry McAuliffe, who told The New Republic's Michael Crowley on the grimly upbeat flight out of Iowa last week aboard Hillary One. The usually upbeat McAuliffe's mood darkened when Crowley asked him...