So I read Bill Richardson of NM is throwing his hat in. What does

[Thickasabrick]

everyone think?

[NMDemDist2]

1. *yawn*

where'd ya hear that?

he's a horrible public speaker IMHO and wouldn't get my vote in the primaries I don't think

[ulysses]

2. no thanks. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

3. A good guy. Clark's Veep. nt

[BlooInBloo]

45. Veeps have Veeps? Cool. (grin)

[lcordero2]

4. My polling place is a block away

I wouldn't even expend the energy to contemplate walking to the polling place if I had to pull the lever for him.

[Nimrod2005]

5. Fine...

[Perky]

6. I think he should be on everyone's shortlist for VP

He has a teriffic resume and is electorally very attractive in states like Florida and Colorado. But I do no think he has the abiity to inspire many people.

[laheina]

7. I like him, but

my ultimate thoughts on the matter will depend on who all is running.

Gore/Richardson would be a pretty good ticket.:)

[Rainscents]

8. No thanks... He knew fraud that went on 2004 election

he make sure, it wasn't investigated. He is DLC!

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

34. Take your ridiculous epithets elsewhere. n/t

[Rainscents]

36. It's true!

Go to vote fraud and you'll find lot of info about NM and 2004 election and Richardson was involved.

[BlooInBloo]

46. Everyone LIVING in 2004 is complicit! I won't stand for it! ROFLMAO!

[Liberty Belle]

52. Rainscents is right.

NM's Guv ordered evidence of voting fraud destroyed.

[Kber]

62. Gotta a friend in civil service in NM

she says he's turned the state into the biggest patronage system going. Unqualified cronies in all kinds of places. She's a dedicated dem who won't vote for him - thinks he's corrupt to the core.

Realize it's hearsay, but if it's true, besides being unethical, it's a political nightmare waiting to happen. At the least he (and all candidates) need to go through a strenuous vetting process. This isn't the year that voters are going to let corruption slide.

[Elwood P Dowd]

9. Horrible, horrible choice!

Anti-progressive DLCer who jumped in bed with Newt on NAFTA, GATT, WTO, and just about everything else the money boys wanted,

[Buck Laser]

10. Richardson has better credentials than most candidates.

He's got REAL experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government, something none of the wannabe senators have. He was a congressman, Secretary of Energy, and a special mission diplomat for Clinton. He's hispanic. He's in his second term as governor of New Mexico.

Historically, governors have a far greater chance of being elected and being successful (present company excepted) than senators do. The problem is that that the senators get all the face time on TV. I mean, where would McCain be if he weren't on national TV every Sunday morning?

Unfortunately, Richardson isn't particularly telegenic--he's sort of fat and dumpy. And, having a multi-year record in government, he's made some decisions that might not has been as good as they should have been. But at least he has a record that can be examined, something a lot of the pretty faces do not have.

[David Dunham]

11. Richardson is reportedly a big womanizer. If true, that's not good.

[bobbolink]

19. And a drunk. And possibly racist.

Yeah, that's gonna play well at the national level.

[yellowcanine]

26. Links, documentation? Please don't repeat gossip.

[Captain Hilts]

49. Well, hey, isn't there a constituency for these things? I think so! nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

58. And we know a drunk racist would never get elected!

Right? RIGHT???

[yellowcanine]

24. Repeating gossip and adding "if true" is a sleazy tactic. If you are going to

say negative things about somebody, document it or don't say it. This is
a Drudge/Freeper tactic.

[Poiuyt]

22. Not so - He claimed to have been drafted into major league baseball

Richardson Backs Off Baseball Claim

Associated Press
Friday, November 25, 2005; Page A12

ALBUQUERQUE, Nov. 24 -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is coming clean on his draft record -- the baseball draft, that is -- acknowledging that his claim to have been a pick of the Kansas City Athletics in 1966 is untrue.

For nearly four decades, Richardson, often mentioned as a possible Democratic presidential candidate, has maintained he was drafted by the team.

The claim was included in a brief biography released when Richardson was elected to Congress in 1982. A White House news release in 1997 mentioned it when he was about to be named U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. And several news organizations, including the Associated Press, have reported it as fact over the years.

But an investigation by the Albuquerque Journal found no record of Richardson being drafted by the A's, who have since moved to Oakland, Calif., or any other team.

more-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/24/AR2005112400739.html

Okay, so it's not anything earth-shattering, but it would give Repubs something to hammer him on. They would attack his credibility.

[Alexander]

12. He should run for Senate against Pete Domenici in 2008.

We need that Senate seat, and he'd be a good candidate.

President? No thanks.

[phiddle]

35. I wish that he would run for Domenici's seat...he'd probably win.

But someone in his very inner circle assured me yesterday that he WILL run for president. I'd rather see him as SecState---good negotiator, skilled bureaucrat and experience at the UN. I would not support his presidential aspirations for many reasons discussed upthread.

[against all enemies]

13. He would bring the Hispanic vote to the Clinton ticket.

Hillary has Big Bill to get the Black vote for her.

Democrats will vote for the Democrats.

Women might(?) vote for the woman.

And Richardson would bring the Hispanic vote.

Might be enough to win the Presidency.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Clinton/Richardson?

:puke:
Surely we have better than that?

[AspenRose]

54. Not necessarily

Hispanics are not as monolothic a voting bloc as blacks are. If they were Patricia Madrid would have been more decisive in her lead against Heather Wilson, in a majority hispanic state.

[bigdarryl]

14. he needs to get his weight down or else he's going nowhere..

appearance is important when people pick a President

[bobbolink]

20. Riiiight. That's so much more important than what he did to stop the Dem recount!

:eyes:

[skipos]

47. Millions of Americans spend more time thinking about who they are going to vote for on American Idol

than who they are going to vote for President. I wouldn't be surprised if more people are bothered by his weight than the NM voting issue.

[phusion]

15. He's a true diplomat

Would be a good choice to regain some of the respect we have thrown away in the international sphere. But, I agree, would be better as VP...

[Horse with no Name]

16. I pass, thanks.

[OnlyWeKnow]

18. Agree #8

He knew of fraud in NM....but I heard he left and went to DC to avoid a recount...as I heard it was DEMS they caught cheating...just not enough? I don't know if it is true...and it would be naive to believe that only Repubs cheat....

If he runs, we can keep asking him that question re NM recounts...until he answers it sufficiently

[newyawker99]

60. Hi OnlyWeKnow!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[rusty_parts2001]

21. No Chance.

And besides, he's had too much liposuction.

[Quixote1818]

23. I live in New Mexico and have heard a lot of bad things

I have heard he runs things in Santa Fe like a strong man. He really knows how to self promote himself but I am not sure I actually trust him based on what I have heard. He would be OK for VP though.

[yellowcanine]

29. "based on what I have heard." Again, please do not gossip. You have

documented facts, give them. But this "I have heard" crap is just that - crap. Gossip like this helps no one.

[Quixote1818]

38. My sister works for the state. She doesn't care for the way he manages

things in her department. She is a strong Democrat and I was surprised to hear her take on him. Her "Gossip" is as good as any ones, in my book.

Why don't you mellow out? This is a discussion board and 99% of what is said her is gossip or personal opinion. At least my sister has worked directly with him.

[yellowcanine]

41. Because gossip is harmful. Personal opinion is fine. But some of what has been

thrown around here is gossip bordering on slander. I don't like it and that is MY personal opinion so I will voice it. I see no reason to "mellow out" when people are slandering. Just because this is a discussion board doesn't mean anyone can say anything without being accountable. If you have facts, back them up. And I am sorry, but "My sister" is not a valid source in a public venue.

[Quixote1818]

50. I have over 7,000 posts on DU and this is the first time

anyone has ever scolded me for posting gossip on a site that thrives on personal opinion and gossip. I guess I better not talk about Bush or Lieberman or anyone anymore?:eyes:

[upi402]

51. good point

please don't be silenced

[yellowcanine]

59. Judgements about people's character ought to have some basis in fact.

If you want to speculate willy nilly and repeat gossip - be my guest. But don't get upset if someone asks for some accountability. Words have consequences whether you wish to think about them or not. A discussion board does not negate the need and value of civil discourse. And you keep trying to equate opinion and gossip. They are not the same thing.

[AspenRose]

55. The Patron system is dying but not fully dead yet, unfortunately

Living here, I know you know that....

[KingFlorez]

25. He should run for Senate in Domenici retires

But he's not really cut out to be Presidential material.

[reality based]

27. He would make a better president than presidential candidate.

A very able politician and diplomat. He has a great many negatives which have been noted here but he would undoubtedly be received well by the growing hispanic electorate. A possible VP.

[Catchawave]

28. Fer cryin' out loud....

Richardson is as good as any gov who wants to run in 2008, we should open our minds and learn what we can, and decide based on information,facts,judgment, vision and compassion.

IMHO, I'd rather not see sitting Senators running right now, or through 2007, so much work to do in our new Democratic Congress, so little time.

[stray cat]

30. definitely worth watching.

[Disturbed]

31. Is Richardson a better Candidate than

Gore
Clark
Edwards
H. Clinton
Obama
Biden

?

[FogerRox]

32. I heard him speak about 3 weeks ago

He was horrid. All the DC Loopsters I have talked to mention his womanizing. He also advocated Fuel cells in his speach, I dunno.

[NMDemDist2]

33. agreed, I heard him in '04 and he was hohuuummmmm but Rendell

on the other hand got the room rocking that day :rofl:

[yellowcanine]

43. Bullcrap. Maybe all of the "DC Loopsters" had the same snake in the grass "source."

That's kind of how gossip works.

[WinkyDink]

37. We don't care for less-than-fit men in high office. Sorry to be

superficial! I may think he's the cat's pajamas, but lately we want to see jogging! Touch football! Wind-surfing! Skiing!
Besides, the Latino vote isn't automatic, whether or not his surname is "Richardson".

[Catchawave]

39. I wouldn't rule out any governors right now.....

Selfishly speaking, I'd like all our Senators to work for the next two years fixin' our country, not running for President !

Besides, I like Bill :hi:

[American Jesus]

40. Any "Democrat" whom Sean Hannity refers to as his friend

Is not getting my vote. RicharDLCson is on FAUX "news" as often as Holy Joe.

[ddbaj]

42. I wish he would run for Senate!

That would be a great pick up for the dems. ;-;

[JI7]

44. what does Wen Ho Lee think ?

[AspenRose]

56. .

:thumbsup: Right on.

[FogerRox]

48. Gossip

New Mexico GOP Issues Richardson Baseball Card
The New Mexico Republican Party released a baseball card featuring Gov. Bill Richardson (D) with the tagline, "Never Drafted, Never Played," according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Late last year, Richardson admitted that he was never officially drafted by the Kansas City A's as his biography stated.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/02/10/new_mexico_gop_issues_richardson_baseball_card.html

Richardson Slows Down
"Stung by criticism over his latest speeding incident," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said he has "instructed his state police drivers to obey posted limits except under ‘exceptional circumstances,’" the New Mexican reports.

"The latest speeding controversy involved a June 2 incident in which the governor's state police driver refused to stop for an Albuquerque police officer who noticed Richardson's 2004 Lincoln Navigator sport-utility vehicle going at a high rate of speed on an interstate frontage road."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/06/24/richardson_slows_down.html

A Rumor
http://www.wonkette.com/politics/gossip/we-hope-bill-richardsons-not-mad-at-us-169163.php

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/bill-richardson/show-me-on-the-body-politic-where-the-governor-touched-you-143981.php

[AspenRose]

53. Thanks, but no thanks, from this New Mexican.

He might make a good Secretary of State (as would Clark), but no to the presidency.

[CK_John]

57. These Governors understand politics, the new early primary and

caucus states formula will be in effect in 08. Gov Vilsack is locking up Iowa and Gov Richardson will try to lock up Nevada, Colorado and NM. This will give these Governors "king makers" status at the convention. Which IMO will be in Denver.

With about 20 candidates running. I think we may have an old fashion delegate driven convention.

[in_cog_ni_to]

61. PUHLEEZE. L-O-S-E-R.

:boring: