The case for Bill Richardson as VP

[cbc5g]

1. Was Energy Secretary under Bill Clinton, brings energy experience

2. Bi-racial like Obama, may help bring in more Hispanics. Won't turn off white Dem voters, why? Because if they don't like a minority on the ticket they aren't voting for Obama anyways and they probably wouldn't be Democrat if they were racist. I HIGHLY doubt people out there would say, "OH he has a white guy on the ticket, it's safe to vote for him now!" if he picked a white VP.

3. Governor experience in New Mexico which would defuse the senator-senator ticket problem.

4. Puts New Mexico safely in Obama column and may play well in Colorado

5. Served as an ambassador to the United Nations, a signal that Diplomacy is back with an Obama administration, helps to defuse issues of Obama lacking overseas experience. He negotiated the release of prisoners from North Korea, Iraq and Cuba.

6. He is someone we could see as Commander in chief and has run for President before.

7. 14 years experience in Congress.

8. Announced support for Obama after dropping out of the Presidential race, signaling loyalty to Obama and his campaign.

9. Brings little drama to the ticket a BIG plus in Obama's book.

10. Signed a MMJ law in New Mexico which is a big plus in my book.

11. He's Roman Catholic


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He's not the greatest debater but he can get the job done without looking foolish like Edwards did with Cheney acting like his daddy.



Thoughts on Richardson?

[Windy]

1. He is not an attack dog and he makes gaffes. I don't think he's the best choice. n/t

[janx]

2. I'm all for it, except I'd hate to lose him as my gov. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

12. Isn't he term limited anyway?

[GoesTo11]

3. Likeable and smart too

Maybe a little boring, but really likeable.

Also projects maturity, and if he has to play the attack dog, he's (I hope) smart enough to know the role and to do it with a smile.

Just make him promise to keep the beard if he runs.

[cbc5g]

5. * edit, his beard is still there

He said he would shave his beard if he were being considered so maybe he isnt

[Cosmocat]

18. I think Bayh is the drop dead best pick, but ...

I like Richardson a good bit, too, with a tip of the cap to all the points made in the OP ... But, going by the "buzz" he doesn't seem to be in the mix ...

I think Kaine is weak and problematic ...

[snowbear]

20. I don't know if he's the drop dead best pick, but ...

...he is kinda drop dead gorgeous.


~~~~

[nomorenomore08]

4. I think he's as good a choice as any.

Obviously, he'd help sew up New Mexico for the Dems, and probably Colorado (large Latino population) as well. Add to that no obvious negatives, and there you go.

[nevergiveup]

6. I think it is possible

Richardson has been very quiet. I also heard he was raising money to pay off Hillary's debt. Obama and Richardson seem to share a certain chemistry and look good together.

[rucky]

7. He's well-liked and well-respected.

and has the best resume around.

[saltpoint]

8. I think the case for Bill Richardson is very persuasvie on a variety of

levels.

[polichick]

9. I would be very happy with Richardson, Kerry, Clark and a few others...

Glad I don't have to choose!

[femmocrat]

10. K & R

He is my second choice, after Clark. I thought they looked great together on stage when Richardson endorsed Obama.

[Motown_Johnny]

11. Won all house races with at least 60% of vote, won re-election to Gov with 69%

This guy can win races.


He didn't do well in the primary debates but that just may be that he doesn't attack other dems well. (if he was running for VP all along he couldn't attack)



He is defiantly my top choice.

[smoogatz]

13. Locks in millions of Hispanic votes, not just for Obama

but for a generation of Dems. +1 on Richardson.

[tritsofme]

14. I've heard rumors about zipper problems.

I don't know the truth about them, just that they are out there and are a concern.

[snowbear]

19. Nah... you heard it wrong... His Lt. Governor said he's a "touchy feely" kinda guy...

...but from everything I've ever read, his zipper has remained intact.

Also, she states that the Albuquerque Journal took her comments out of context.

The Albuquerque Journal ran a story the other day that won't help Bill Richardson's presidential aspirations any. The story gives what must be the fullest account on record of the New Mexico governor's proclivities for touching people in ways some might deem inappropriate.


"He pokes me," Lt. Gov. Diane Denish told the paper. She was referring specifically to a public event at which Richardson reached his hand behind her chair and poked at the side of her leg repeatedly for a period of several minutes. "He pinches my neck," Denish said. "He touches my hip, my thigh, sort of the side of my leg."

Denish's chief of staff later told the Santa Fe New Mexican that "she thinks the quotes were out of context." While not denying their accuracy, the aide said Denish thought the Journal story made Richardson's behavior sound more troubling than it actually is.

Continued: http://governing.typepad.com/13thfloor/2005/12/touchy_feely.html

http://nmshtd.state.nm.us/photo_galleries/NMDOT/bnsf_signing/images/r.%20gov,%20diane%20denish,%20greg%20ortiz.jpg



...I think it's something he can easily get past if the Lt. Governor came out in his defense right away.

Look at McLAME and his affair with lobbyist Vicki Iseman where there actually WAS sex. The media blamed the whole thing on "the liberal press" and it was news for a whole 1.5 days....

[Motown_Johnny]

21. He once claimed to have been scouted by major league baseball, that is the only scandal I have ever

heard suggested.

[sellitman]

15. Number 4 is huge.

He has been my first choice all along.

Good post!

[Fly by night]

16. He didn't just sign a MMJ bill -- he actively lobbied for it when the legislature lost its balls.

Richardson refused to let a good bill go down. He also said that if the feds were coming to arrest anyone in the Land of Enchantment for participating in or supporting their state-approved MMJ program, they could start with HIM.

One last thing: Richardson acknowledges that he was civilized by Indian people in his state.
Having been civilized by them also, I really appreciate him for saying that.

[cbc5g]

23. Even better!

[bklyncowgirl]

17. Richardson would be an excellent choice.

I'd love to see him get it in a surprise announcement.

Probably won't happen. He's more dovish on the war than Obama, but it would be great.

[emmadoggy]

22. I would be thrilled with Richardson.

Richardson or Edwards are my top picks. They were my top picks during the primaries (sans Gore). Either one would make me feel a good deal more enthusiasm when it comes time to mark my ballot for Obama, of whom I have not been a big fan.

[IndependentDem]

24. I agree 100%. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

25. Kick, just because of the 3 Hillary for VP threads up right now