Two stories today highlight why Bill Richardson, the popular governor of New Mexico, should still be considered a front-runner for 2008.
The first: Richardson has ditched his Navigator for a Ford Escape Hybrid. Richardson has a reputation of Living Large lifestyle that is foreign, and out of reach for most New Mexico residents. This is the first sign I've seen that he's getting serious about matching his personal lifestyle to his politics.
The second: Richardson and the New Mexico legislature have agreed to issue energy rebate checks to all New Mexico residents. The checks, depending on income level, will be worth hundreds of dollars. This plan emphasizes several things:
- Richardson has balanced the budget and has a surplus.
- Richardson cares about the poor before something bad happens (like winter fuel cost increases).
- New Mexico's natural resource revenues are being shared with New Mexico residents, which is exactly how it should be.
As a successful Southwest governor with federal and foreign
experience on his resume, he would appear to be an ideal presidential candidate, though
some think he is aiming at the #2 slot.
I think that his latest moves -- one of which is a token, but meaningful gesture, and one of which is a major legislative initiative -- indicate that Richardson is seriously in the running for 2008. Which spot he's aiming for, that remains to be seen. But America has done pretty well in the past with slightly overweight governors named Bill.