Bill Richardson’s Frequent Flyer Campaign Debt

Commerce Secretary designee and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has some campaign debt problems just like Hillary Clinton.

Bill Richardson would do a lot of global jet-setting as commerce secretary, but he’s still on the hook for more than $150,000 in domestic airfare footed by influential home state allies.

During his failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, crisscrossed the country partly on corporate jets controlled by influential New Mexicans with deep pockets — including one just elected to Congress.

The airfare debt creates uncomfortable optics for Richardson, since his ties to some of his aero-benefactors have been controversial. But Richardson also is statutorily obligated to repay them for the trips, lest they be considered illegal, over-the-limit corporate contributions.

And, now Bubba is constrained in his ability to help out and hit up all of those oil-rich Middle Eastern types as per his agreement with Obama.

Guess Mark Penn will have to cancel his new vacation house. As for Richardson, Bill and Hillary would not be too helpful anyway.

Richardson will be on his own.

Good luck with that.