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RSS icon Comments on The Contenders: Bill Richardson

1


John Edwards knows a lot about poverty, after all, he’s helped throw a lot of people into it with:

- his co-sponsorship of H-1b visas,

- his support for illegal aliens,

- his vote for MFN-China

but what about stuff like iraq war and the patriot act?

well, he voted for them too

About the only thing you can say for Edwards is, he spent so much time running for president that he didnt have time to do more damage as senator

You’ve got to ask yourself - ‘what did he do, with the power he had, when he had it?

Posted by Sir Spamalot | January 4, 2007 2:09 PM
2

But Sir Spamalot, I thought we were talking about Richardson??? Edwards is SO yesterday!!!!

Posted by Andrew | January 4, 2007 2:34 PM
3

Why are you posting on undeclared candidates before writing about those who've already declared, Eli?

Posted by DOUG. | January 4, 2007 2:42 PM
4

Give me your top picks for the next candidates, Doug, and I'll consider them. I'm alternating days between Republicans and Democrats.

Posted by Eli Sanders | January 4, 2007 2:46 PM
5

but edwards was mentioned in this article

thus, i spam a lot

Posted by Sir Spamalot | January 4, 2007 2:50 PM
6

For more about Richardson and his politics, visit billrichardsonblog.com .

I don't write this blog, but I've had it bookmarked for a while, and it always has something interesting to say.

Posted by AR | January 4, 2007 2:52 PM
7

I'm not sure what you mean by "top picks".

Why not post those who've filed with the FEC and/or have made official announcements? That would be Edwards, Kucinich and Vilsack for the Dems and McCain and Romney for the Repubs, I believe.

Once you've gone through those, then post the likes of Richardson, Biden, Guiliani, etc.

Posted by DOUG. | January 4, 2007 2:54 PM
8

Richardson is the qualified compromise and an electable candidate when compared to an alienating Clinton and novice Obama. Will the Demo's realize this and back him? I don't think so, and as a consequence, I am pretty sure there may be an excellent chance we'll experience an additional four years of a Republican in the executive's seat.

---Jensen

Posted by Jensen Interceptor | January 4, 2007 2:56 PM
9

Richardson is the qualified compromise and an electable candidate when compared to an alienating Clinton and novice Obama. Will the Demo's realize this and back him? I don't think so, and as a consequence, I am pretty sure there may be an excellent chance we'll experience an additional four years of a Republican in the executive's seat.

---Jensen

Posted by Jensen Interceptor | January 4, 2007 2:56 PM
10

Doug: Romney is up next, so you'll be happy about that. But as for going by who has already declared... The whole declared/undeclared thing is a bit of a charade. I'm going by who is most interesting to me on any given day, sorry.

Posted by Eli Sanders | January 4, 2007 3:00 PM
11

Just give Kucinich his props, man!

Posted by DOUG. | January 4, 2007 3:09 PM
12
it’s never too early to get to know the people who might be the next leader of the free world.

do your part to fight election fatigue! otherwise we'll be talking about the '12 candidates before the first primary of '08 rolls around.

Posted by josh | January 4, 2007 3:36 PM
13

Richardson is an interesting candidate, but I think he is ultimately unelectable.

I suspect (and this is admittedly purely supposition) that this country is more likely to be willing to elect an African-American than a Mexican-American. To compound the racial issue, Richardson having grown up, in part, in Mexico will alienate him from a lot of voters. And the same jokers who Swift Boated Kerry and mocked Gore for inventing the internet will crucify Richardson's name for the silly baseball draft lie. It is a stupid little thing like that that can cost an election.

That being said, I like the guy a lot. I think he is a shoe-in for any number of important cabinet positions, if he's interested (assuming a Democrat wins). He certainly has the qualifications to be something much more than governor of NM, but he'll never be president.

As an aside, I think it is very cool that we have a pretty diverse slate of potential Democratic candidates: Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Richardson, as well as the usual white guys. I, for one, will cheer the day we elect someone who is not a white male as president.

Posted by SDA in SEA | January 4, 2007 3:39 PM
14

Richardson is too ugly to be president. And too fat.

Can I say that about a male politician? Or is it sexist?

Posted by Dan Savage | January 4, 2007 3:40 PM
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too ugly and too fat ???

so so homo - to, too, two lightweight to take seriously as a political commentator

not sexist - just to inane and too vapid

Posted by sidney | January 4, 2007 3:55 PM
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I think it's the "I'm a former major leaguer... uhm, wait, JUST KIDDING?" that's going to do him in.

Posted by monkey | January 4, 2007 4:04 PM
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No, Sidney... what I mean is this: I don't think Americans will vote for someone who isn't telegenic for president anymore. Remember how we heard, during 2000, that Americans "spend so much time with the president," in our living rooms on TV, his voice on the radio, that charming, affable, good-looking have an edge?

Reagan beat Carter.
Reagan beat Mondale.
Dukakis lost to Bush.
Clinton beat Bush.
Clinton beat Dole.
Bush... beat... Gore. (Sort of.)
Bush beat Kerry.

Posted by Dan Savage | January 4, 2007 4:05 PM
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And isn't part of the reason Obama is getting so much play... his looks?

Posted by Dan Savage | January 4, 2007 4:06 PM
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SAVAGE Wrote:
"And isn't part of the reason Obama is getting so much play... his looks?"

You betcha, Dan. Sex appeal sells well in politics too. It certainly is one of the reasons we have seen an increase in the last 15 or so years of former athletes and entertainers joining
into the fray.....however if it is
McCain -vs- Richardson, as far as looks are concerned, I'll give it Richardson.

One thing about Richardson, he is likely the only national politician in the US who is capable of successfully engaging the North Koreans.

--- Jensen


Posted by Jensen Interceptor | January 4, 2007 5:06 PM
20

Gov. Richardson is well known in NM for creating jobs for his cronies and friends -- such as an adminstrative job for a auto mechanic with no prior experience. After you see this from report from an Albuquerque TV station, you'll agree that he's just another sleaze bucket politico:

http://www.krqe.com/video/expandedbiglocal.asp?RECORD_KEY[VideoBigLocal]=ID&ID%5BVideoBigLocal%5D=3793

Posted by Chip Chipmunk | January 4, 2007 6:18 PM
21

Chip, Bill Richardson is incredibly, tremendously popular in my home state. My parents were horrified at the idea that he might end up as VP in 2004, because it meant that he couldn't be reelected in 2006 and carry out further reforms and initiatives in New Mexico. Given the landslide reelection, they weren't alone. Besides, every mayor, county commissioner, governor, and president gives jobs as patronage. That won't hurt him in the least. I honestly think ethnicity will be the biggest negative.

Posted by Gitai | January 4, 2007 8:12 PM
22

Dan's original comment, sadly, hits it. (No pun intended.. I think.)

While I don't find Richardson unattractive nor attractive, he looks like "a guy", which isn't what the U.S. likes as presidential candidate material.

UNLESS...

"Queer Eye For The Candidate Guy"!

There's money to be made out of this, you know. Here is a free idea for The Stranger. I don't care to take any credit for it. Now make it happen.

Posted by matthew fisher wilder | January 4, 2007 9:29 PM
23

Richardson has a problem keeping his fly zipped. Seriously, look into it.

On the other hand, I actually think that helps him. Voters like alpha males who get a lot of play. Look at Clinton.

Posted by just sayin' | January 4, 2007 10:19 PM
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Chip & Gitai - I read your posts with interest. I know he is popular in NM and I like his record. BUT, Richardson and staff and appointees were at an event in which I was involved. He was awful to them, and in front of others. This can't be an isolated incident - right? And, NM must be aware. I lost respect for him completely.

Posted by Witnessed It | January 5, 2007 10:30 AM
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Witnessed It, I really don't think it matters. Clinton's staffers and appointees were subject to streams or horrific invective first thing every morning. They called them "Clinton quakes." All the same, those staffers didn't mind. They knew it wasn't personal, and that his agenda was such that they were happy to work for him. I have a feeling Richardson's staffers are the same.

Posted by Gitai | January 5, 2007 4:56 PM
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I realize I'm coming late to this conversation, but Richardson's declaration prompted me to check out this posting.

About him being too ugly and too fat - I don't think that's true. I think he's Clinton-esque in his looks and weight. A little chubby, but kind of cute if the personality is a attractive.

I think Obama's looks will eventually work against him. After people get used to seeing him on tv, they'll start too think he's TOO pretty - anyone that attractive can't be smart too, right? Richardson also has the name working for him. Despite his ethnicity, he's got more of a stereotypical American name, not one that sounds an awful lot like 'merika's enemies.

Posted by I(Heart)Democrats | January 22, 2007 7:26 AM

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