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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,

Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama has chosen, and his selection of Sen. Joe Biden for the ticket's second spot has not helped his faltering campaign: It’s a dead heat in the race for the White House. The first national poll conducted entirely after Barack Obama publicly named Joe Biden as his running mate suggests that battle for the presidency between the Illinois senator and Republican rival John McCain is all tied up. In a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Sunday night, 47 percent of those questioned are backing Obama with an equal amount supporting the Arizona senator. “This...

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...

Team Obama has GOT to get Bill Richardson away from cameras. He's on CNN right now. He said that "a President Obama would have a good strong relationship with Russia, and this sort of thing wouldn't happen." (paraphrased; I'll check against the transcript when it's available.) Richardson just said that McCain is "irrationally make threats" by urging the G8 to expel Russia, and "that's only gonna make matters worse." Of course. Russia has killed thousands, turned tens of thousands into refugees, they're advancing on the capital, the airport's been bombed, the pipeline is endangered, and the Georgian navy vessels are...

A ride between Downtown Albuquerque and the heart of Santa Fe would cost Rail Runner Express riders $6 one way or $8 round trip and would take about an hour and 20 minutes each way, under draft fare and schedule information released by the Mid-Region Council of Governments. The Santa Fe to Bernalillo leg of the commuter train service is expected to be in place by year's end. It will tie into the leg that now operates from Bernalillo to Belen with stops in Albuquerque. Under the proposed service schedule, eight northbound trains would pull into the capital city each...

The Talk Shows Sunday, August 10th, 2008 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Rick Davis, John McCain's campaign manager; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Amy Zantzinger, White House social secretary.MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.FACE THE NATION (CBS): Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff to President Bush. THIS WEEK (ABC): Govs. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., and Bobby Jindal, R-La.LATE EDITION (CNN) : T. Boone Pickens, chairman of the energy investment fund BP Capital and creator of an alternative energy plan; Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and...

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.

A company in Massachusetts says it trademarked the name “Rail Runner” in the nineties. And now they want New Mexico to stop using it. "Rail Runner Incorporated filed what's called an opposition to the use of New Mexico Rail Runner on September 2, 2006 with the trademark trial and appeal board of the U.S Patent and Trade Mark Office," said a spokesman for the East Coast company. The company makes a machine that they say makes it easier to move containers from trains to semis. The East Coast company is now waiting for a decision from the patent and trademark...

The Santa Fe Southern Railway says state government's Rail Runner commuter train route is being built across a piece of land the state doesn't own. Santa Fe Southern, which operates a tourist train along the rail route through Santa Fe that is being converted for use by the Rail Runner, has filed suit against the state Department of Transportation saying the department intends to put Rail Runner tracks across a tract still owned by Santa Fe Southern. Santa Fe Southern sold its 18 miles of tracks and railroad right of way between downtown Santa Fe and Lamy to the state...

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...

The latest on the triple-default, single-foreclosure Democratic congresswoman from Long Beach: "Rep. Laura Richardson initially failed to disclose economic interests -- including a loan from a strip club owner -- when she served on the Long Beach City Council, public records show," the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.

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...

It won't be Hillary imo. What do you all think?

A Long Beach congresswoman who fell behind lin her payments on a $535,000 mortgage in Sacramento said in a written statement that she owns the home, but financial documents show the house was sold at public auction and has been in the possession of the buyer for weeks. The auction for Rep. Laura Richardson's house, in Sacramento's Curtis Park neighborhood, took place on May 7. The transaction was detailed in public records filed with the county. Richardson, a Democrat, a former Assembly member who was elected to the House last year, bought the 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom house in January 2007, but...

LAUREN RICHARDSON - YOU CAN HELP!By Judie BrownIt has been a source of ongoing sadness to read of the difficulties Lauren Richardson’s father has had over the course of the past several months. For those of you who are not familiar with her case, Lauren overdosed on heroin on August 28, 2006. She suffered oxygen deprivation and, as a result of the overdose, is now in a coma and unable to speak out for herself. At the time of the overdose, Lauren was expecting a baby. Her parents honored what they knew would have been her wish and did all they could to...

The Santa Fe City Council's decision to withhold approval of proposed traffic control measures for construction of the Rail Runner Express commuter train could have serious financial implications to the state, a project official said Wednesday. Councilors voted 6-2 Wednesday evening to postpone taking action on three measures dealing with infrastructure improvements needed to bring the Rail Runner to Santa Fe. Citing concerns over the scope of the state's responsibility for existing infrastructure deficiencies, several councilors said they want more information before taking up the issue again May 14. But state officials expressed frustration, pointing out after Wednesday's vote that...

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...

Gov. Bill Richardson sat next to an emergency exit Wednesday as the Rail Runner Express train he was riding rolled past one of Santa Fe's busiest intersections and into the city's Railyard district. But five years after launching the plan to connect Santa Fe and Albuquerque by commuter train, Richardson wasn't about to abandon the train. "It's a reality," Richardson said of the project that's been both praised as a much-needed service and blasted as a costly pet project since being officially unveiled in 2003. Though state officials predict daily service in and out of Santa Fe won't begin for...

Gov. Bill Richardson and James Carville went toe-to-toe Wednesday night on national cable TV in their first exchange since Carville compared Richardson with Judas— and neither pulled any political punches. During the duo's appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" in D.C., Carville tossed out fightin' words— including "idiocy" and "foolishness"— to describe some of Richardson's comments. And the Hillary Clinton backer and political analyst didn't back down a bit on his comment equating Richardson with Judas for endorsing Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. "I've said what I had to say, and I don't take a word of...

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...

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.

Why Gov. Bill Richardson didn't endorse Clinton The New Mexico governor says he was dismayed by pressure from the Clinton camp, and impressed by Obama's optimism. Besides, 'you don't transfer loyalty to a dynasty.' By Mark Z. Barabak Los Angeles Times Staff Writer April 12, 2008 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. There was that "3 a.m." TV ad,...

Friday, April 11, 2008 Gov. Eyes Session Before Primary By Jeff Jones Journal Politics Writer Gov. Bill Richardson says he's inclined to call a special legislative session on health care reform next month— smack-dab in the middle of primary election season. In a round of phone calls Wednesday to state Senate leaders, Richardson said he's considering calling lawmakers back to Santa Fe before the primary election on June 3, when more than 20 House and Senate members face challenges. "The governor has tried to work with Senate leaders to move this issue forward and forge an agreement on health care...

James Carville, long-time political advisor to the Clintons explained that calling New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson a “Judas” for endorsing rival Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president was “mild” compared to what is yet to come. “I was going easy on the guy,” Carville alleged. “If I’d wanted to get tough I would pointed out that Richardson has lost the privilege of swallowing anymore of Bill Clinton’s semen.” Richardson denied that he deserved either the remarks or being “cut off from life’s ambrosia.” “It’s unfair,” Richardson complained. “Did I rat on them when they took bribes from the Chinese government?...

Hillary Clinton is insisting to Democratic superdelegates that her presidential rival Barack Obama can’t defeat presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in the general election. Ironically, that is exactly what New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson reportedly told Hillary and Bill Clinton — before he endorsed Obama. Sources disclosed to ABC News that Hillary told Richardson prior to his endorsement: “He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win.” But one source with direct knowledge of Richardson’s conversations with the Clintons earlier this year, when he was telling them he wouldn’t endorse Obama, told ABC News that Richardson “didn’t think Obama could win” and...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sharply disputed that he made any promises to Bill Clinton about presidential endorsements, as Clinton reportedly has claimed. "I never did," Richardson said Wednesday on CNN's "The Situation Room." "I never saw [President Clinton] five times. I saw him when he watched the Super Bowl with me. We made it very clear to him that he shouldn't expect an endorsement after that meeting." Bill Clinton made the remarks in a gathering with some California superdelegates, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Clinton became "red-faced" when the subject of Richardson's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama came up...

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former President Bill Clinton are making very direct arguments to Democratic superdelegates, starkly insisting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., cannot win a general election against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Sources with direct knowledge of the conversation between Sen. Clinton and Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., prior to the Governor's endorsement of Obama say she told him flatly, "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Richardson, who served in President Clinton's cabinet, disagreed. At a rally in Oregon, standing next to Obama, Richardson insisted, "My great affection and admiration for...

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...

My recent endorsement of Barack Obama for president has been the subject of much discussion and consternation -- particularly among supporters of Hillary Clinton. Led by political commentator James Carville, who makes a living by being confrontational and provocative, Clinton supporters have speculated about events surrounding this endorsement and engaged in personal attacks and insults. While I certainly will not stoop to the low level of Mr. Carville, I feel compelled to defend myself against character assassination and baseless allegations. Carville has made it very clear that this is a personal attack -- driven by his own sense of what...

Disloyalty That Merits An Insult. By James Carville Saturday, March 29, 2008; Last Friday the New York Times asked me to comment on New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president. For 15 years, Richardson served with no small measure of distinction as the representative of New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. But he gained national stature -- and his career took off -- when President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later made him energy secretary. So, when asked on Good Friday about Richardson's rejection of the Clintons, the metaphor was...

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:...

Last Friday the New York Times asked me to comment on New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president. For 15 years, Richardson served with no small measure of distinction as the representative of New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. But he gained national stature -- and his career took off -- when President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later made him energy secretary. So, when asked on Good Friday about Richardson's rejection of the Clintons, the metaphor was too good to pass by. I compared Richardson to Judas Iscariot. (And...

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...

Even if you don’t like their usual fare, you’ll like this. Especially, I’m guessing, the ending. Starring Bill Richardson in a reprise of his award-winning role as a retarded Peter Lorre.

In 2004 we at Catholics Against Kerry, beat John Kerry in New Mexico and Governor Bill Richardson could not lie his way out of his humiliation. It was great fun watching him shuck and jive about “the final results not coming in from the reservation yet.” He was talking about the Navajo reservation. We laughed at his stammering surprise when the numbers did come in. One thing we understood, that the Democrats and the media still do not get, is that America’s Indians are almost totally pro life. They don’t want the White man to trick their women into killing...

No Carville Apology for Judas Remark 59 minutes ago WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton adviser James Carville is refusing to apologize for comparing New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to Judas. Carville made the comparison to The New York Times after Richardson, once a member of former President Bill Clinton's Cabinet, endorsed Clinton rival Barack Obama last week for the Democratic presidential nomination. Carville called it an "act of betrayal," and pointed out that it came around Holy Week. "Mr. Richardson's endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out (Jesus) for 30 pieces of silver,...

MIDI - YELLOW BRICK ROAD(scroll down to WIZARD OF OZ)

(CNN) -- Facing fire from some fellow Democrats for his decision to endorse Sen. Barack Obama, Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday he still considers himself loyal to the family that helped make his political career. Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, but says he is very loyal to the Clintons. "I am very loyal to the Clintons. I served under President Clinton. But I served well. And I served the country well. And he gave me that opportunity," Richardson told "Fox News Sunday." "But you know ... it shouldn't just be Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton," he said. Richardson was...

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...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Supporters of both Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton agree on at least one thing -- that Obama's campaign shouldn't have let a retired general accuse Bill Clinton of McCarthyism. The fracas started when the former president spoke last week in North Carolina, saying it would be great to have an election between "two people who loved this country" and focused on the issues instead of other distractions. Retired General Merrill McPeak accused Clinton of questioning Obama's patriotism, and likened the comments to communist-hunting Senator Joseph McCarthy. On "Fox News Sunday," Obama supporter and New Mexico governor...

The Hillary and Bill Clinton scorched-earth strategy of laying waste to Obama, or his supporters like Bill Richardson, is going to backfire among those in the only constituency who can put Hillary in the saddle. The super delegates. These people are professional politicians, officials and operatives who are horrified that the Clintons et Co. are producing negative soundbytes which will become fodder for the McCain side come the real contest in the fall. But this should come as no surprise . The Clintons are being as cavalier with the reputation and credibility of their opponent and party as they were...

WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday aides to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., use "gutter" politics to get their way. The former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination was compared by one Clinton adviser to Judas this week following his voiced support of Clinton's rival, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., The Washington Post reported. "I'm not going to get in the gutter like that," Richardson said of the comments from informal Clinton adviser James Carville. "And you know, that's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton. They think they have a sense...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said today that the people around Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton practice "gutter" politics and that they feel entitled to the presidency, a day after an informal adviser to her campaign compared Richardson to Judas for endorsing Sen. Barack Obama. James Carville told the New York Times that Richardson, a former member of Bill Clinton's Cabinet, had committed "an act of betrayal," adding that it "came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out [Jesus] for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic." "I'm not going to...

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson yesterday suggested when endorsing Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential race that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton should drop out, while a primary-election lawsuit had made it tougher for the former first lady to secure the party's nomination. The one-time candidate's endorsement helped Mr. Obama at the end of a difficult week, giving him the support of another former Clinton administration official who also is a superdelegate and a high-profile Hispanic. "You will be an outstanding commander in chief," Mr. Richardson told the Illinois senator at a rally in Portland, Ore., yesterday. "Above all, you...

PORTLAND, Ore. — “I talked to Senator Clinton last night,” Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said on Friday, describing the tense telephone call in which he informed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton that, despite two months of personal entreaties by her and her husband, he would be endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president. “Let me tell you: we’ve had better conversations,” Mr. Richardson said.[snip] [snip]But Mr. Richardson stopped returning Mr. Clinton’s calls days ago, Mr. Clinton’s aides said. And as of Friday, Mr. Richardson said, he had yet to pick up the phone to tell Mr. Clinton of his decision....