I watched the debates last night, of course, watching debates has been a favorite thing of mine to do since I was four years old and watching Nixon debate McGovern (yes I am a serious politics nerd). As anyone who has a lot invested in a particular candidate will do I have been closely following the post game analysis. I have heard a lot of positive and negative about Richardson's performance and have some thoughts to share on my own.
First, it seemed to me that the entire debate format was poor. Getting substantive answers to serious questions from eight people is a lot to ask of ninety little minutes. I thought that the emailed questions and "hands up" answers were trite and meaningless. There were some pretty stupid questions, too. (Senator Edwards, who is your moral leader? COME ON! This isn't Miss America, this is the PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING PROCESS!)
I was taken aback by Brian William's first question to Governor Richardson. I expected him to be questioned on Alberto Gonzales, but I did not expect the tone of the question and the body language by Williams to be so antagonistic. The line Williams used, "do you think this is a good way to make personnel decisions?" was smug and truculent. I really think that Richardson may have also been taken aback by the way the question was couched, and initially I was not happy with the answer Richardson gave, but I have given it more thought, and I think he gave the appropriate one.
Now I know that is going to bring some fire, but here is why I agree with Richardson. Gonzales is a man who came from a very disadvantaged position, worked hard, and made something of himself. He has acheived a great deal of success against some pretty difficult odds. (This is before he aligned himself with the devil and his hand puppet). It is appropriate for Richardson to want other hispanics to do well. It is appropriate for Richardson to support other hispanics and encourage them to be successful. It is appropriate for Richardson to tout the successes of other hispanics, regardless of their political affiliation. Gonzales opened a lot of doors for other hispanics by becoming the first hispanic Attorney General. It is as appropriate to praise this success, as it is to praise the success of Condaleeza Rice (this is hugely painful for me to write) and the path she has paved for black women. This is where I refer you back to the devil and his hand puppet.
But, looking beyond the hispanic thing, Richardson showed wisdom in waiting a couple of days to join the "Gonzales lynch mob." He was willing to listen to his testimony, which turned out to be, "I don't remember." At that point, Richardson said, "Yep, he's gotta go." I think he was right to reserve judgement, and it shows integrity and courage for him to admit his reasons for doing so. I am glad he stuck to his guns on that one.
A lot of people have said they were unhappy that when asked about Cuba Richardson first went back to the previous question about terrorism and how he would respond, but this is just another example of how unfairly the questions were dished out, and I am glad he did this. He had every right to articulate his position on this most important subject, as did Mike Gravel, Chris Dodd, and everyone else on that panel. I could do without knowing who Edwards considers his moral leader or if Hillary only uses one square, or if Obama supported Sanjay in American Idol. I wanted more questions on Roe v. Wade and how they would select Supreme Court nominees. I wanted more questions about Darfur. I wanted more questions about how we are going to rescue our economy and protect the middle class.
All things considered I believe Richardson did a fine job answering the few questions he was posed, though I wish he had seemed more relaxed and we had seen more of his smile. That said, I believe if I had been there for any of the other candidates I may have felt the same way. I don't think that it was a good debate for anyone, or that anyone stood out above the crowd except for Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich. My husband said he felt like he was being blown back in his chair watching Gravel, he could feel the wind in his hair, and I thought Kucinich was ready to pop Obama in the kisser at one point. Their amusing performances, and the lack of substantive questions and answers negated any win or loss in my mind.
What say you?