Bill Richardson should either get serious help or drop from the race

[Colobo]

After watching Richardson do very poorly in most debates he has participated in, especially in the Logo and Univision forums, I honestly think Bill is in serious trouble, because he seems to be killing any possibilities he could have to win the race every time he shows up at one of these. Tonight's performance was as bad as the one in the first debate in April or maybe worse, because he should have been more comfortable addressing the Hispanic community he belongs to, and he seemed to be out of his game, being unable to make sense on topics he should be familiar with in a very personal way.

What about taking precious time to attack Jorge Ramos and the debate rules HE AGREED WITH instead of answering the question? He thought the crowd was going to support him but he just got owned by Ramos. What about not being able to say something pretty and coherent about Hispanic contributions to this country? Clinton, Edwards and Obama are not Hispanic but they did much better on that than the Hispanic guy in the crowd... as a Hispanic myself, I found his performance to be almost painful to watch, as it was painful to watch him look annoyed and confused everytime the danged camera focused on him.

So, either he finds people that can help him improve his performances, or he might just say good-bye to his presidential bid. He's killing his chances by showing up to these things, and he is making it less likely that someone will pick him as VP. I mean, I think Bill is a very good, experienced and talented man with a solid record, but it's frustrating to watch him bomb these debates, especially one like tonight's in which he was supposed to shine, or at least look comfortable in.

[texastoast]

1. Would a $400 haircut help?

I'm just sayin'. He does have a great deal of hands-on experience, especially in the diplomatic arena.

[Colobo]

4. He needs coaches... some help!

[texastoast]

8. Well, as usual

The most qualified and capable get passed over. Though I don't agree with him on every little thing, I think he would be just bloody great. I would love to work with him.

[rooney]

2. I feel the same way too. I felt so bad for him in each

debate. I am afraid that he will ruin his chances of being Secretary of State or some other important position. One thing I noticed from the beginning is that I think he cannot hear. He asked a couple of times to repeat, but then he was turning his head to the side and holding his hand cupped up behind his ear. That is what people do when they are trying to hear, right?

[Mojorabbit]

3. It makes me sad

because he has such wonderful credentials.

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Katz, I saw an after debate poll and Richardson was blowing everyone away.

[Colobo]

6. I'll watch Univision post-debate coverage at 11pm

but I honestly think he bombed it and I expect Hispanic commentators to point it out. If they say otherwise, I'll post it here.

[dsc]

7. but was that a function of his performance in that debate

or his support among Latino(a)s coming into that debate? That is probably unknowable.

[msongs]

9. maybe he is not comfortable working a crowd, kind of a behind the scenes guy? nt

[Warpy]

11. Maybe he was tired out from negotiating that nuke deal

with North Korea.

[Rydz777]

10. I always thought he would be a great VP candidate, but you are

right, he is losing ground fast. I even gave him a pass on his Meet the Press performance, because Russert was constantly hitting him with obscure "gotchas," but he doesn't seem to realize that he needs to sharpen up.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

12. Didn't watch the debate

- wasn't aware of it, and frankly, there are only so many of these I can sit through at this point - but saddened to hear he didn't do well. In a Univision debate? Really?

If I had any money to donate, which I really, truly don't, I would spread it out among several candidates and Richardson would be one of them. I agree with your assessment of him, and hope he can pull out of this tailspin.

[cleveramerican]

13. just can't fake being"at ease"

Most candidates get better as they go along. He's bucking that trend and getting worse.

[donsu]

14. I haven't liked some of the things he has said

maybe now he is just 'filler' in the pack of prez runners