Dobbs on NM investigation: “Maybe [Richardson] messed with Senator Hillary Clinton one time too many”

On his radio show, Lou Dobbs baselessly suggested that Hillary Clinton and James Carville “ratcheted up” the federal investigation into business and government dealings in New Mexico: “What, an investigation into the New Mexico governor [Bill Richardson]? Maybe he messed with Senator Hillary Clinton one time too many. When James Carville calls you 'Judas,' look out -- things tend to happen. They ratcheted up an investigation.”

On the January 5 broadcast of United Stations Radio Networks' The Lou Dobbs Show, host Lou Dobbs baselessly suggested that Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton and Democratic strategist James Carville “ratcheted up” the federal investigation that led New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to withdraw as President-elect Barack Obama's designate to be commerce secretary. Dobbs stated: “What, an investigation into the New Mexico governor? Maybe he messed with Senator Hillary Clinton one time too many. When James Carville calls you 'Judas,' look out -- things tend to happen. They ratcheted up an investigation."

According to a January 5 Bloomberg News article, the FBI's investigation concerns “how Beverly Hills, California-based CDR Financial Products won $1.5 million of work from the New Mexico Finance Authority in 2004” and is part of a “nationwide inquiry by U.S. prosecutors into so-called pay-to-play practices in the municipal-bond market.” In a January 4 statement, Richardson wrote that “I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and ... this investigation will bear out that fact.”

From the January 5 broadcast of United Stations Radio Networks' The Lou Dobbs Show:

DOBBS: I can guarantee you on this broadcast we're going to be working very hard for truth, justice, and the American way as always. Are you listening, Governor Richardson? I don't mean to pry, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, but my goodness, what is going on with you out there in the -- in the Land of the Sun? Right there in New Mexico, the governor decided he'd rather be governor of New Mexico than secretary of the Department of Commerce for President-elect Barack Obama.

Now, what's going on? Well, what's going on is an investigation. What, an investigation into the New Mexico governor? Maybe he messed with Senator Hillary Clinton one time too many. When James Carville calls you “Judas,” look out -- things tend to happen. They ratcheted up an investigation. My goodness, what is going on? Well, we're gonna find out what's going on with Governor Richardson. He is a long-standing -- obviously a public servant, a man with a distinguished service record, and also now a man involved in an investigation of pay-for-play, as they say with increasing frequency in this country.

Lauryn Bruck is an intern at Media Matters for America.