Free Republic

Barack Obama on Sunday was dealt his first serious setback since the election when his choice for commerce secretary withdrew from nomination, as congressional leaders warned that an emergency $775bn fiscal stimulus package was unlikely to be passed before the presidential inauguration. Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico and the only new member of Mr Obama’s cabinet with previous cabinet experience, said he was stepping aside because of a pending investigation of a company that had done business with in New Mexico. “Let me say unequivocally that I and my administration have acted properly in all matters and that...