Here are a couple verbs that I found describing New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's performance on Meet the Press: Melts down, self-destructs, and bombs. Pretty heavy stuff from the former secretary of energy and someone from the hot and sweaty southwest, eh?
He was terrible. You've probably read a couple things here and there about it, but let's just go over some analysis of his performance.
Margaret Carlson
Richardson's performance on Meet the Press was an hour of unrelieved ducking and running, revealing the immature temperament of a sticky-handed 6-year old who won't admit the cookie jar is empty even when confronted with the evidence.
Facing Down Saddam
If anyone should be able to maneuver the shoals of Meet the Press, it should be Richardson, New Mexico's governor.
As he's fond of saying -- and his clever TV ad just released points out -- he's been around the block. He served as congressman for 14 years, governor for five, energy secretary in the Clinton administration, and United Nations ambassador, where he reminded viewers he ``faced down Saddam Hussein, brought back two American hostages.''
But freeing two hostages doesn't mean you can manage your own catch and release on Meet the Press. Pressed about his inconsistencies on Iraq, he admitted his support for the war ``was a mistake. I openly state that.''
As a congressman, he was in favor of banning Uzi submachine guns; as governor of a Western state, not so much. That unacknowledged flip-flop earned him an endorsement from the National Rifle Association.
`Money Conversation'
On the Supreme Court, one debate ago, Richardson said his favorite Justice was Byron White. That was before it was pointed out to him that White wrote the dissenting opinion in Roe v. Wade. Since then, his new faves are Justices Earl Warren and Ruth Ginsburg.
Richardson stubbornly refused to end a fight with the mother of a fallen Marine. Russert produced an Associated Press story disputing an anecdote Richardson tells on the campaign trail. It's about a conversation he had with Lance Corporal Aaron Austin's mother, who thanks the governor for getting federal death benefits for survivors increased, brandishing the check she got.
Baseball tripped him up not once but twice. Russert asked about Richardson's declared dual loyalties to the Yankees and the Red Sox. He may be a diplomat, but no one will forge a peace agreement between Red Sox Nation and the Bronx Bombers.
He bobbled the ball until Russert accepted his final answer ``I'm a Red Sox fan,'' and called the game: ``End of subject.''
But like a Little Leaguer who insists a strike is a ball, Richardson took another swing, ``Oh, no, I'm also a Yankee fan.'' He whimpered, ``I mean, this is the thing about me, Tim. I can bring people together.''
If Bill Richardson can bring together Yankees and Red Sox fans, than I can bring together the crips and bloods, Arsenal and Chelsea fans, Neocons and progressives, and still have time for cake and ice cream afterwards.
My GOD I was excited about this guy. He came off as smart, informed, but most of all, experienced with a proven record. Now I don't even think he should be considered for the VP spot. I know some of you might think I'm being a little presumptuous here, but this is exactly the sort of scrutiny that he will undergo during the real campaign, and I'm not sure he can squiggle his way through it! The country is beginning to trend Democratic, and we don't need someone who is working to please both sides. I have always been one of the most ardent believers that John Kerry wasn't a flip flop, but I now believe that Richardson IS a flip flop.
So what does this all mean for me? Hillary is the front-runner and most likely nominee, Obama is the hot new senator from my home state with the ability to energize the overwhelmingly Democratic youth vote, Edwards is the increasingly progressive southern former senator whose going for the jugular, and Chris Dodd is an increasingly attractive candidate to me each time I see him talk.
Well I can't quite decide yet, although I would say being a young college student I have to lean towards Obama. But there are two things that I promise you I will do.
1-I STRONGLY believe that Mark Warner should be our VP not only to appease the blue trending Virginia and because he is an excellent campaigner.
2-I will support, donate, and likely campaign for the eventual nominee because I believe a united Democratic support for the nominee puts us on the fast track to success in 2008.
So Bill, I'm sorry to do this in such a public manner. You've a proven record of success, but you proved to me a week ago that you just don't have what it takes. Winning New Mexico and the US are two different things, and you just aren't cut out for it anymore.