A Daily Kos Guide to Bill Richardson

A couple of days ago someone told me that the particular candidate I'm supporting for President was "too unknown."  I replied that not too long ago there was a little-known governor from Arkansas who became the symbol of the Democratic Party for 8 years.  I take it as my civic duty to inform Daily Kossacks, as well as the entire netroots community, about my candidate.

Bill Richardson was born in 1947 to a Mexican mother and a Boston father in Pasadena, California.  After living in Mexico City for 13 years, Richardson moved to the Boston-Area.  After playing baseball in high school, he went on to play at Tufts University, where he majored in French and Political Science.  With his degree, he went on to do congressional relations at the state department and the senate foreign relations committee.  

In 1978, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he ran for Congress in the first district and lost to a long-time congressman.  Only four years later, he was victorious in the race for the brand-new 3rd congressional district of New Mexico's northern region.  He rarely faced a close challenge in the next 14 years of his congressional career, and focused especially on foreign relations as he made trips all over the world.  In 1995, he even convinced Saddam Hussein to let two American aerospace workers free who had wandered over the border into Iraq after lengthy one-on-one negations.  

After working with Bill Clinton closely on many issues, he was appointed the US Ambassador to the United Nations in 1997.  One year later, Clinton appointed him to be Secretary of Energy, where he served for the rest of the administration's tenure.  In 2002, he defeated Republican candidate John Sanchez to become the governor of New Mexico by 17 percentage points.  He was the only Hispanic governor in the United States at the time.  

He has done much for his state and his country.  After promoting tax cuts to promote growth and investment, he won a special election that allowed him to tap into the state's permanent fund to meet current and future projects for the state.  Through Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP), he funded large-scale public infrastructure works, including highways and a brand new commuter rail line called "The Railrunner" between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.  Even though he was very busy as governor, he managed to find time in the summer of 2003 to go to North Korea to discuss the country's future nuclear energy.   In 2005, he made New Mexico the first state to provide $400,000 in life insurance coverage for New Mexico National Guardsmen.  Later in 2005, he announced the state's intentions to pair up with billionaire Richard Branson to bring the exciting new business of space tourism to the Southwest corner of the state.  One of his most recent endeavors involved going to Sudan last September to negotiate the release of imprisoned journalist Paul Salopek from Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.  He is the chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association where he has worked to increase the role of governor's in the party. Just over a week ago, he won his second term handily with 68% of the vote against former New Mexico Republican Party Chair John Dendahl.

That is a short bit of history for those of you.  Now, it is my hope that people will no longer tell me they have "never heard of him.."  

Finally, if you could please recommend this diary, I would truly be indebted to you, for I want the entire community to know one of the smaller guys vying for our support in light of the '08 Presidential race.  Thank you for you time!
UPDATE: I mistakenly said he was born in Nicaragua, when he was in fact born in Pasadena California. This clears up questions about whether or not he is a US citizen allowed to run for president. Thanks.

•  I'm sure some people

  will mark the immediate argument that he is "not liberal enough".  I'm sure others would simply say he would be an extension of the DLC.  

  Well, I must say that I agree with the Western Democrat when he said ,"ideological purity will not win you what you want. If you sit out the general election because you think the Democratic nominee isn’t liberal enough, you will be handing the election over to the same types of people who are running our government right now."  

  In my opinion, he is perhaps the most electable person for the job.  He has so many different qualifications, he is half latino, and a good campaigner.  I have a lot of respect for the people who support Gore, Edwards, Clark, etc.  But to me, there is good, there is better, and there is best, and Bill Richardson will be the best.

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:15:38 PM PDT

  •  Electibility...

    ....is, ironically, a good way to lose elections. See, it's Democrats trying to get into the head of Republicans and independents and hoping, praying for a way to offend them as little as possible. Except that things don't work that way and that's just a good way to piss them off. So let's support a candidate who WE like, someone who represents OUR beliefs. Let's make that our top concern and electibility will follow. Electibility got us John Kerry and that didn't really help us that much.

    by metal prophet on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:19:32 PM PDT

    •  I see where you're coming from

      but WE can like Bill Richardson because he is practically overqualified, and this past election showed the independent and moderate vote ESSENTIAL to our victory.  

      I know it's hard guys, sometimes I feel torn too, but I just get this spark and feeling that he could be the one!

      by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:23:44 PM PDT

    •  it's merely a matter of appeal

      people like John Kerry (MA) and Howard Dean (VT) come from areas where it is hard to gauge their appeal to independents and moderates, whereas someone like Bill Richardson (NM), Mark Warner (VA), Evan Bayh (IN), and John Edwards (NC) all prove that they can pull in some of the other side.

      by DrBathroom on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:19:45 PM PDT

  •  GEE -- Somebody who has EARNED the NOMINATION

    This guy has MANAGED government operations. He's sane. He works for the candidates of his party.

    But...

    If he really was born in Nicaragua, he is NOT ELIGIBLE to be president.

    The president must be a "natural born citizen of the United States (or a citizen of the United States at the time the U.S. Constitution was adopted), at least 35 years of age, and a resident of the United States for at least fourteen years."

    Nice try.

    Let's get somebody who has EARNED the NOMINATION and is eligible to occupy the office.

    by vets74 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:46:51 PM PDT

    •  I don't know the rules of citizenship

      but I promise you he is eligible, perhaps through his father's citizenship.

      Do you seriously think he'd consider running for President without being able to?  Haha

      by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:51:25 PM PDT

      •  He was born in Pasaden CA, Edit

        your diary to reflect that info.

        by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:54:33 PM PDT

        •  I sincerely apologize for this mistake!

          by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:58:16 PM PDT

          •  No prob. Indicate that you made the edit.

            it will alleviate confusion for folks that read the thread in the future.

            by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:00:19 PM PDT

    •  He's eligible

      Children of American citizens are "natural born citizens" regardless of the geographic location of their birth.

      by mariachi mama on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:55:07 PM PDT

    •  What do yoe mean by "earned"?

      I don't understand your comment

      by mariachi mama on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:59:29 PM PDT

      •  He's actually done something.

        A whole career in responsible management positions.

        We're not talking a non-management senator, an ex-First Lady, a first-term senator.

        The presidency is a management job. The country deserves presidents who can manage large organizations.

        Arguing issues is a whole lot different from working with people.

        Working with people is management.

        by vets74 on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 04:46:54 AM PDT

    •  He was born in Pasadena, CA

      But I diagree with your assessment.  I don't think that anyone has earned the nomination.  

      I didn't see this diary when it was fresh, but if folks take a look at some of the other Richardson 08 exploratory diaries they can find more info and some critiques that may be missing from this diary & comment thread.  I'll try to get back later with some links.

      ```
      peace
      
      

      by peace voter on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 12:45:08 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    Thanks Romaniac for quoting the part of my post at Western Democrat on ideological purity. And thanks for the profile on Governor Richardson. You did a nice job.

    by Ken Camp on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:38:07 PM PDT

    •  I didn't know it was you it did that Ken!

      You betcha, it was too good not to include ;)

      by Romaniac on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 12:37:04 AM PDT

•  Richardson...

  ...seems a bit too close to the Clintons for my taste. We need a candidate who is willing to create a strong contrast with the Republicans, not someone who is going to blur the differences. Plus, I've heard that Richardson is just a bit too much like Bill Clinton in terms of marital fidelity. If that's the case, that's a distraction that we just don't need. That said, having a personable governor who can attract a lot of Hispanic voters could be key.

  by metal prophet on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:17:09 PM PDT

  •  Well he certainly is close to the Clinton's

    in that he worked for Bill's cabinet.  

    Some other presidential contenders are pretty close to Bill as well!  Wesley Clark was the general during the Conflict in Bosnia, Hillary wink wink, Al Gore was his vice president, John Kerry and Edwards aren't too far away.

    It doesn't have to be a bad thing to be close to the Clinton's.  I wish I were!

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:22:00 PM PDT

  •  Please provide some verification of your

    marital infidelity assertion.  As it stands all you are offering is innuendo.

    by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:23:51 PM PDT

    •  I'm not asserting it

      It's just something I've heard. And I want to make absolutely sure that we don't have another MonicaGate situation. It's a distraction that we don't need. I'd hold all other Democrats to that same standard, too.

      by metal prophet on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:43:34 PM PDT

      •  Its something I heard, but its crap

        Just because people repeat something, doesn't make it either true or worth mentioning.

        by emmettoconnell on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:07:17 PM PDT

        •  His penchant for certain vices...

          ...and no, I'm not going to specify, is well known to New Mexicans who clearly agree that we're Westerners first and Democrat second. In other words, we're willing to overlook personal issues to have an executive who exhibits competence in most areas of his job running our state.

          With that said, the national press will make full employment for crews of interns--who can cut the most tape of the Governor drinking? it's a game-- out of his vices. Not that I agree with the notion that only boring, compliant people should run this country, but it's not an issue we can just wish away.

          by PhoenixRising on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:32:13 PM PDT

          •  maybe I should define "crap"

            Is it relevant? Are we post 1988, Monkey Business and Gary Hart? Or, are we post 1998 Bill Clinton impeachment?

            I'm not sure it is, I think we've gotten to the point where people don't really care.

            by emmettoconnell on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:37:48 PM PDT

          •  hear, hear.

            New Mexicans who clearly agree that we're Westerners first and Democrat second. In other words, we're willing to overlook personal issues to have an executive who exhibits competence in most areas of his job running our state.

            So, I saw Bill, the Sunday morning before the election, in Las Vegas, NM, at a rally, one of many he made on a whirlwind bus tour the last couple of days. He works hard, and he looked tired, at 9:30 am, but he knows how to press the hometown flesh. He is not an empty suit, but rather a real, somewhat earthy, but utterly genuine man, doing what he does, which is bringing people together practising the art of the possible.

            I would call him an utterly competent, if not a master, politician, skilled at the art of governance. I would gladly forgive him his few pecadillos, including driving very fast, in exchange for his putting those skills to work for us all. I have no illusions that he  is some sort of Great Progressive Hope, but he knows of the real life of people on the bottom, and can work within the arcane and byzantine world of New Mexico politics, with it's full panoply of "diversity" that predates even the Pilgrims.

            by claude on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:57:41 PM PDT

•  so just what about Bill Richardson

  qualifies him to be President?

  I know that probably sounds trollish, but this post sounds like a resume. I don't buy the argument that Clinton made the leap from a Governorship, so Richardson can. They are two different people.

  What can you tell me about how Richardson thinks under pressure?

  by QuickSilver on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:19:07 PM PDT

  •  Well for one

    he is probably one of the best negotiators we've seen in awhile as I wrote about.  As a congressman I'm sure he had to deal with a let of tough situations, and he is a very popular governor.  

    I'd would say he's just as good at fighting pressure as anyone else ;)

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:25:28 PM PDT

    •  I dunno, this sounds like

      he's good at table talk at the least, but President?

      Having a Mexican mother (and a blueblood father) doesn't qualify a politician for office, though it may get votes, I'll give you that.

      After Bush Jr., I think America is a little wary of pedigrees.

      by QuickSilver on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:35:22 PM PDT

      •  I just don't understand

        how you could ever argue that he's not qualified.

        Again

        -14 year congressman
        -Energy Secretary
        -UN Ambassador (>John Bolton)
        Recently reelected Governor

        Who's more experienced than that?

        by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:39:39 PM PDT

        •  Experience

          Richardson's breadth of experience in areas that are near term critical (energy, international relations, governmental management) has placed him on my people to watch list for some time.

          The two criteria that will be non-negotiable for me are economic populist and civil libertarian. Imo, BushCo's assault on the Bill of Rights and the nearly 30 year rise of corporatism together pose the greatest threat to the republic.

          by Mensor on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:39:47 PM PDT

  •  It's a bio post

    and a damn fine one.  It's a lost genre here on DKos.  We need more of them.  Seems like all people want to do is  either jump right into a specific issue, start talking about endorsements or attack the opposition of their candidate.  I appreciate and recommend this diary.  We need more bio diaries, especially at the beginning of an election cycle.

    by dougymi on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:31:47 PM PDT

  •  Msking the leap from Governorship

    is common.  The last active Senator to be elected President, I believe, was JFK.

    Just look at Clinton, Reagan, and Carter.  There are more.  Being a governor gives a candidate executive experience.  Richardson has that.  Obama, Hillary, Edwards, and Clark do not.  I hope he runs.

    by twtitus on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:33:01 PM PDT

    •  The one response to that

      that everyone has is that this election cycle is like no other because it is the first in like 80 years or something where neither the president or vice president is running for re-election.

      YAY hehe

      by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:35:26 PM PDT

    •  Clark does

      he administered areas in Bosnia and Croatia.  He's got plenty of experience as an executive.  That's what General officers do.  

      I'd argue that Hillary does too, through her experience in the white house in the 90s.  Perhaps not so much hands on, responsible experience, but certainly exposure to what it takes and practical knowledge on what to do.  

      I hope Richardson runs too.  I've liked him since he was at the UN.

      by dougymi on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:38:17 PM PDT

      •  I didn't know

        That Clark was an XO. And for those non-military types that means Executive Officer. I thought he was a General who had an XO. And see my previous comment about Clark's Executive experience taking orders from a Commander-In-Chief.

        by Ken Camp on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:44:57 PM PDT

        •  shall we begin tearing down all Democrats now?

          Or shall we wait for the publicans to do it.

          people like you and francis l holland, who seem to get some gratification with tearing down all other candidates to build up their own, are not doing your candidates any favors. You've taken a perfectly fine bio diary by Romaniac, which was giving me a reason to think about Gov. Richardson and poisoned it with negativity. The CW that tearing down someone else's credentials or resume in order to build up your candidate's doesn't work very well, at least in my case.  

          As for your specific charges, I know what XOs do.  I also know that a president has a chief of staff.  A governor also has a chief of staff.  What's your point?  Does Gov. Richardson rely on his Chief of Staff to make all his decisions?  no??  then why do you assume that Gen. Clark's XO made all his decisions for him?

          as for your proposition that a General officer only takes orders from a commander in chief, I suppose Pres. Clinton gave Gen. Clark VERY specific orders concerning all facets of Bosnian life and wouldn't allow Gen. Clark to use any executive authority at all.  All Gen. Clark had to do was consult those orders in order to figure out exactly how to administer those areas.

          oh wait, you say those orders weren't that specific and Gen. Clark, as the head military officer of NATO had maybe a little bit of administrative freedom to administer executive authority?

          get real.

          by dougymi on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 09:16:04 AM PDT

          •  Not Tearing Clark Down

            And I apologize for the snark. But, military command is not the same as running a state or any of the executive experience that Bill Richardson has.

            by Ken Camp on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 12:23:31 PM PDT

            •  I disagree

              but I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.  

               

              by dougymi on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 12:44:38 PM PDT

    •  Clark

      definitely has executive experience.  That's what "general" means.

      Alex
      Choose Our President 2008

      by ourprez08 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:45:07 PM PDT

      •  Clark's Executive Experience

        Comes from taking orders from a Commander-In-Chief, not being the Commander-In-Chief.

        by Ken Camp on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:43:16 PM PDT

    •  Hillary has strong positives and strong negatives

      it is tough to make a strong run when 35% of the population has been trained to hate you and there is a large, mobilized group of people trying to undermine you on day one.

      I'm also more worried about conservative policy initiatives from Hillary than I am from Richardson.

      And, running from the Senate leaves you no accomplishments that are truly your own to run on, while leaving you a long record to attack.  

      by ohwilleke on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:45:37 PM PDT

•  One more thing

  it's fairly obvious and you all know it, but the last two Democratic Presidents were both governors from the South.  New Mexico is a swing state, and every electoral vote counts.  He doesn't have an extensive senate voting record that will be picked apart like many senators.

  He can get the independent vote, the western vote, and you betcha-the latino vote.  

  Thanks again.

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:19:11 PM PDT

  •  However...

    ...he could not deliver New Mexico to Kerry, which I find somewhat disturbing.

    by metal prophet on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:21:04 PM PDT

    •  Nobody "delivers" states.

      by chicago jeff on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:25:54 PM PDT

      •  riiighhht

        And you call yourself a Chicagoan!Many states have a long history of being delivered, including yours.

        by bornadem on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 08:12:01 PM PDT

    •  That depends

      on how much you consider a governor's ability to sway their state's vote.  I am most certain he would win New Mexico himself.  Plus, don't you think a LOT of states have governor's that couldn't get their electorate to vote a certain way in presidential elections.  

      A few off the top of my head-Pennsylvania, Iowa, Massachusetts, California,..........

      by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:27:26 PM PDT

      •  Right.

        I was responding to the issue of Richardson not delivering New Mexico for Kerry.  

        by chicago jeff on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:30:06 PM PDT

        •  No, but there is an issue here

          While no governor can deliver her state's electoral votes, there is an issue that needs to be addressed hidden in this objection.

          Every statewide office in NM except Land Commissioner is currently held by a Dem. The same was true in '04.

          How is it possible that our Democrats are holding all the high offices in the state, all the offices in the two most populous counties as well, and still can't drag our handful of electoral votes over to the Dems? Two times in a row if you count the margin of error in 2000 as a failure, which I do--a fake Texan shouldn't have had a chance to get within recount territory.

          My point is that standards for execution on the basics of retail politics--sell your position and party with everything that you do all the time--have not been demonstrated by New Mexico Democrats. It's not just the presidential races, either. Why are we still unable to walk away with more than one of NM's three Congressional districts, with a majority of New Mexicans registered Democratic?

          The fact that Big Bill is very popular in NM should translate into broader political power, and that hasn't happened in the past.

          by PhoenixRising on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:48:18 PM PDT

          •  True

            And we know NM was a very close congressional race this year.

            Part of it is their democrats are a different breed than John Kerry.  I'm fairly confident we can get New Mexico in 08' based off the momentum from 06' and Richardson's nomination couldn't hurt.

            by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:57:59 PM PDT

      •  You can add Montana to that list.

        As popular as Schweitzer is, I think when it's for Prez this is still a red state.

        by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:30:42 PM PDT

    •  or maybe...

      maybe that says more about Kerry than it does about Richardson.

      by ignorant bystander on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:45:55 PM PDT

      •  indeed!

        by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:47:35 PM PDT

•  I'm still worried

  about Los Alamos, and the scandal(s) there when Richardson was Energy Secretary.  I don't personally blame Richardson for it, though he was in charge, but no other candidate has an actual national security scandal attached to them.  Granted, it was a minor scandal, and I think if he serves another term as governor, it may be far enough in his past not to hurt him in the general election, but in 2008, Republicans could crucify him with it.

  Why take that chance?  What's so much more appealing about Richardson than Gore, Edwards, Clark, or Obama?  Those four in particular are all progressive, qualified, better on television, and more likely to win in November.  I wouldn't look as far as Richardson for the ticket in '08.

  Alex
  Choose Our President 2008

  by ourprez08 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:22:57 PM PDT

  •  For me

    it's his wide experience in so many different places of government that appeals to me.  He also has a likeable personality which I don't think I've mentioned so far in any of the comments earlier.

    And in my opinion, you can dig up dirt on anyone if you really want to.

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:28:52 PM PDT

    •  Well, this dirt

      is a government commission report.  I didn't copy it off of a bathroom wall.  It can be dismissed or refuted, but it's going to come up, so refutation would probably be the best route.  When he was in charge, did Richardson do enough to protect our nuclear program?

      Alex
      Choose Our President 2008

      by ourprez08 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:40:48 PM PDT

      •  Honestly

        I don't have the facts to respond to this right now.  But I will certainly look into it.  

        by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:42:30 PM PDT

      •  Almost forgot

        Even if it's true, Bush was elected with a DUI and dodging the draft, not to mention CRACK so I suppose you can get away with some stuff hehe

        by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:43:13 PM PDT

      •  his time at DOE was pretty crappy

        Anyone will admit that. But (this comes from his book) he was brought into DOE, in some regards, to deal with the security problems in the nuclear program. He kept on the last Energy Secretary's security guy, but learned over time that he needed is own man. I'm not an expert at his time at DOE, but I think you can certainly talk about improved security during his tenure.

        by emmettoconnell on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:11:32 PM PDT

  •  Gore failed.

    Clark is short on political experience.

    Obama is too green.  

    Edwards is a pretty good candidate, but a bit one dimensional.  He has little or no foreign policy background, for example.

    by ohwilleke on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:37:33 PM PDT

•  I really like this diary, including the comments.

  Even the critical questions (critical in the good sense) seem constructive.  I hope that this continues because we need to be able to wrestle over candidates without undermining the eventual winner and each other.  

  by chicago jeff on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:29:01 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for your contribution

    that's why I want everyone to recommend this so they can learn about him.

    I don't care if by writing this diary, the netroots decides he has no chance.  I would much rather you guys look at him and decide that he's not the one, than to not look at him at all.

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:30:51 PM PDT

    •  He's an interesting guy.

      I've heard him speak forcefully for progressive causes.
      He's one of many Democrats I'll be watching and rooting for.

      by chicago jeff on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:32:45 PM PDT

  •  chicago jeff

    In my five months at daily kos, that is the best comment I heard.  Thank you for framing this debate in such a positive way.

    by bigjacbigjacbigjac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:24:56 PM PDT

•  Thanks. He's consistently at the top of my list.

  There is room for middle ground between a true blue Bostontonian like Kerry and a deeply Southern candidate like Clinton or Carter.

  You've understated just how phenomenal Richardson has been at negotiating impossible things.  His real leadership in the sense of seeing options that other people don't see, and his mix of domestic and foreign policy experience are great.  On the other hand, you've underplayed the tumult during his tenure as Energy Secretary.

  I don't trust a candidate from real red states like Virginia and Iowa, without some hard core persausion.  Gore and Kerry have both had their shots and failed.  Feingold has said he isn't running.

  Edwards is a dynamic and eager person focused on the needs of the middle and working classes, but I'm not sure it will be his time and place in 2008 -- he's well defined on the issues, but I'm not sure that those issues are the ones voters will care about in 2008.

  by ohwilleke on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:34:06 PM PDT

  •  This is one of the best summaries

    that I have read about 08 in awhile!

    Indeed, he has artfully negotiated with Fidel Castro to the North Koreans to the Sudanese to others.

    I need to learn more about his time as energy secretary, but I bet you he wouldn't allow the energy companies to write the law like Cheney ;)  
    Not like that's hard to do but still.

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:37:25 PM PDT

•  Here's a quick quote I found

  Is America ready for a Hispanic president?
  ________________________________________
  I think America is very tolerant. I believe a minority or a woman could be elected. It’s just got to be the right message. You’ve got to appeal to the American mainstream. You can’t run as a woman or a Hispanic. You run as an American, a healer. And I believe such a candidate, regardless of their ethnicity, could be elected.

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:34:19 PM PDT

•  For the record, Romaniac.

  Whenever I see a straw poll here at dkos, I vote for Richardson.  I can't really quantify why I like the guy.  I just know that as I have watched him and listened to him over the years I have a very favorable dispostion towards him.

  by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:36:19 PM PDT

  •  Richardson comes off as

    ultra pragmatic and he has a solid background in negotiation, government and fiscal responsibility.

    I think he's the best of the pack.

    by craigb on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:39:36 PM PDT

  •  Absolutely, he has many qualities

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:41:01 PM PDT

•  Hold on a minute!!

  IIRC, a president must be American born.  You state he was born in Nicaragua.  Am I mis-remembering my Constitutional requirements?  Or is his place of birth incorrect?

  I'm having a brain fart on that issue.

  by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:48:13 PM PDT

•  As I said earlier

  I think he may have citizenship through his father being from MA.

  I don't know the rules, but how could he consider running without KNOWING he'd be able to?  He's fine.

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:52:39 PM PDT

  •  See my comment up top & edit diary with

    a note that shows you editted it.

    by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:55:43 PM PDT

  •  Sorry again, he was born in Pasadena California.

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:00:04 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the profile

  With Nevada as an early caucus state, the conventional wisdom is that Richardson will be in th mix early.

  I actually like Bill Richardson, and with Feingold officially dropping out, he's on my short list of desired candidates to carry the banner. He's definitely in my top 3.

  by jpspencer on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:55:44 PM PDT

•  Good guy, no doubt, but

  ...aren't there a couple of negatives?  Like the missing hard drive at Los Alamos, the baseball draft that wasn't, a couple of other obscure embarrassments that don't come to mind but would be unearthed by the slime machine.

  But he's a very, very good fellow...

  by bodiddley on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 06:58:18 PM PDT

  •  I imagine if they're that big a deal

    then they will come up at the primaries or before them and won't get the nomination if they're that poignant.

    by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:00:55 PM PDT

•  Excellent diary, Romaniac

  Good bio and summary.  I'll be honest, Richardson is not my first choice or my second.  He is probably my fourth or maybe a tie for third.  Even so, I'm keeping an eye on him.  

  His resume is probably as good as anyone now being seriously talked about.  Executive experience and foreign policy expertise.  Not the most charismatic guy I've seen, but better than some who've been talked about more.   And who he is and where he is deserves some attention for its own sake.  I think Bill Richardson could be a contender.

  by ignorant bystander on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:04:14 PM PDT

•  Well looks like we're short for recommendation

  but thanks for engaging in discussion guys, and I hope we all learned a couple new things about BR.  I know I did!

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:13:08 PM PDT

  •  You will want to research in the ABQ

    Journal about the allegations of inappropriate physical contact by Bill in the 2nd half of 2005.

    I remember reading some articles back then about it.  IIRC, it all went away fairly easily as behavior being misinterpreted.  Nonetheless, if you want to carry this guy's water, you need to get all of that info ready at your fingertips for the next go-around.

    Just a bit of advice.

    by MTmofo on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:17:22 PM PDT

    •  misinterpreted

      That article is often misinterpreted at a "sexual harassment" piece, when what is was really about was that he's a physical guy. He hugs people, puts his arm over shoulders, etc... The worst part of the article was where his Lt. Governor compared him to her "kid brother."

      by emmettoconnell on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:21:11 PM PDT

•  And, he's netroots friendly

  I was a part of a small group of bloggers that met with Richardson for the better side of 45 minutes in Seattle over the summer.

  (short side note, it was during the Trial Lawyers meeting and I saw James Carvill coming out of an elevator heading to the gym. At the time I couldn't figure out why I wanted to throw my bag at him).

  But, I know of at least two times he's gone out of his way to sit down and talk with local bloggers (in Seattle and South Carolina), and he has had real conversations with us, not just "giving us time."

  This is a good site too: americaforrichardson.org

  by emmettoconnell on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:15:39 PM PDT

•  he's solid

  For me, it's coming down to Governor Richardson and General Clark. I think John Edwards, bless his heart, is just not the intellectual heavyweight that Richardson and Clark are.

  Good lord, Richardson is fantastic:
  -Tax cutter
  -Foreign policy credentials
  -Energy credentials
  -Knows how to work with UN
  -On a completely aesthetic note, despite being only 4 years younger than John Kerry, Richardson looks pretty good for his age. He's also got a pretty solid name as far as presidents go ;)

  He has only two (minor) liabilities:
  -He's pretty tied up in the Lewinsky affair (he offered Monica a job to keep her quiet? Something on CQ about this.)
  -He erroneously said he was drafted to some MLB team for a while...and admitted recently that he found out that wasn't true.

  Now I stress, those aren't the biggest gaffes (though that Lewinsky one will come back in a big way if he's the nominee).

  I can't wait to see him in action.

  by DrBathroom on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:26:33 PM PDT

  •  ba ha ha ha ha

    Edwards was just about the best trial attorney in America.   You can't do that and not be smart.

    by philgoblue on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:41:38 PM PDT

    •  uh huh

      you don't have to know who yitzak rabin was to be a great trial lawyer, either.

      by DrBathroom on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 08:58:20 AM PDT

•  Thank you for being willing to do this / take

  the time ...

  Could I suggest that something like this would be greatly strengthened with some better formatting and links to other material?

  And, wasn't there a web site that Richardson set up for the 2006 elections?  Still active?  Worth visiting?

  Now, I have tremendous respect for Governor Richardson -- as I did for Congressman, Ambassador, and Secretary Richardson.

  The first Hispanic President ... that could be important electorally.

  I don't know if I would work for him in the primaries ... I would be tempted ...

  He would tackle Global Warming issues and help turn the nation to a better path. His resume is not just strong -- but he has done a good to excellent job in all of them (DOE is just "good" due to lab security screw ups and Yucca Mountain, IMHO ...).  

  by besieged by bush on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:27:34 PM PDT

  •  Campaign site

    http://www.billrichardson2006.com/

    by Mike on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 08:39:26 PM PDT

    •  One of the best commercials ever!

      "Next time, can we do a space movie>?

      by marykk on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 09:33:36 PM PDT

    •  Richardson 2006 website

      Adding to Emmett's earlier comment that Richardson is netroots friendly, you should also know that the Richardson 2006 website has a blog, "The Plaza".

      by Ken Camp on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:31:53 PM PDT

•  This is all very exciting

  Too bad we just gotta wait and see what happens.

  by Romaniac on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:33:07 PM PDT

•  Obama/Richardson 2008

  That's my dream ticket.  Richardson's superb resume and gravitas would be an excellent counterbalance to Obama's charisma and freshness.

  by angryandy on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:38:06 PM PDT

  •  or,

    the reverse.

    by bigjacbigjacbigjac on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 01:29:20 AM PDT

•  When Ho Lee

  by eddiem86 on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:40:02 PM PDT

•  Thanks

  I am looking to support him or Edwards. Nice summary

  by Zomanji on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 07:50:08 PM PDT

•  Spaceport America

  You skipped what I think shows his best qualities - he is willing to look at innovative and new ideas - in this case, Spaceport America.  This is somehting most governors and people would shy away from, without giving it much thought and time.  Richardson is someone who can look at something and see real potential (in this case, Space colonization)

  It doesn't hurt that I am also a big fan of space colonization, but he has, as W's father called it "The vision thing"

  by FerrisValyn on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 08:31:03 PM PDT

•  With Warner out...

  He's the most qualified for the job.... However, look out for the ever dangerous and skilled Ed Rendell....

  by democratic victory on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 08:31:17 PM PDT

•  The Case for Bill Richardson

  For those who want to know more, you can visit my site (Washington for Richardson) and read the first post, The Case for Bill Richardson.

  by Ken Camp on Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 10:34:26 PM PDT

•  late comment,

  I have a thing about learning a little about the grandparents of anyone who is wanting to be elected to the most powerful position in the world.

  On our side, it never seems to be a problem.

  If I recall correctly from reading links from here, our current President's grandfather, Prescott Bush, married into wealth and power, and was set up in banking by his father-in-law, George Herbert Walker.
  That banking empire was entwined with the Nazis.

  Maybe if that had been common knowledge in 2000, things would have been different.

  But on our side, it is never a problem.  Just a little annoyance to nitpickers like me.

  In 2004, I looked up John F. Kerry, to see what the F. stood for.  I discovered the F. was Forbes.  His mother's father was the Forbes, the one who made the Forbes name synonymous with big money.  The magazine by that name, about money, obviously founded by that family.

  His father's parents were both Jewish immigrants, named Kohn.  So, he is half Jewish.

  Once again, not a problem for our side.  But it annoys me that we did not use Kerry's Jewish ancestry to get the vote of Jews and those who want to support Jews at avery opportunity.  And the other side did not use it to get the anti-Jewish vote.  Maybe they figured it would backfire.

  Now to Bill Richardson's grandparents.  From Wikipedia.

  His mother's parents were unnamed Mexicans.

  His father's father was William Blaney Richardson, who was born in Boston.

  His father's mother was Rosaura Ojeda, a Mexican.

  So, he is three fourths Mexican.  Although Mexican is a nationality, not a race.  Most Mexicans, I learned in elementary school, are a mixture of Aztec Indian and white Spaniard.

  By the way, Bill's grandfather was named William Blainey Richardson.  His father, apparently, sometimes went by William Blainey Richardson, and at other times he went by William Blaine Richardson.  The Governor is William Blaine Richardson.  And none of these three is a II, or III, or a Junior.  Little trivia.

  by bigjacbigjacbigjac on Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 02:19:45 AM PDT

  •  Richardson's Mom

    Maria Luisa Lopez-Collada is not simply a Mexican, but a member of one of Mexico's ruling elite families. A member of Mexico's ruling oligarchy.

    A little more trivia.

    ```
    peace
    
    

    by peace voter on Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 12:25:57 PM PDT