Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination as Obama's Secretary of Commerce amid allegations that a California company that donated to Gov. Richardson's campaign won "lucrative contracts." Apparently rumors of this scandal started back in 2004 but one would have thought that the Obama team would have caught this in their extensive application process.

Though I'm sad to see Gov. Richardson go - without even starting - I'm happy for the bit of good news from Minnesota today that Al Franken has beat Norm Coleman! The Minnesota State Canvassing Board has confirmed that Al Franken has beaten Norm Coleman by roughly 215 votes. Though Norm Coleman and his Republican pals are challenging the results this looks all but in the bag for Franken.

Welcome Sen. Franken - we've been waiting for you!

And it looks like Obama ally Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will be the new Democratic National Committee chairman. Lets hope he is as successful as Howard Dean for the Democratic Party.

PLANETOUT GOING BELLY-UP?
PlanetOut Inc. has recently announced they will close their international offices in London and Buenos Aires. "While we plan to continue serving our global audience, we made this decision to streamline our business operations and reduce expenses," said Karen Magee, chief executive officer, PlanetOut Inc. PlanetOut was saved from bankruptcy by the Microsoft Mogul, Bill Gates, when his company, Cascade Investment LLC, invested $26.2 million in the struggling company. PlanetOut also owns The Advocate, Out, and Gay.com - among others.

MILWAUKEE BLACK GAY PRIDE
The organizers of Milwaukee's Black Gay Pride recently announced that Jennifer Holiday will be their national entertainer. The festival is put on by Charles "D" Productions and will run from August 12-19, 2007.

MINNEAPOLIS TO GET LGBT CENTER?
OutFront Minnesota is currently in discussions with Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman about the possibility of developing a LGBT community center on property known as the "meter farm" at 15th and Nicollet Avenue South. OutFront Minnesota is the state-wide LGBT equality organization but does not have a "community center" location in Minnesota.

"WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY": GAY PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
On August 9th the U.S. Presidential candidates will face-off in the first-ever Gay Presidential Debate. The debate will take place in Los Angeles and is being organized by LOGO and the Human Rights Campaign. The debate originally excluded Sen. Mike Gravel because he hadn't raised enough money but now Sen. Gravel will be included - among Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson - and the debate will be expanded to 90 minutes.