Hello Governor Richardson. I am a resident of your state and I am proud to be a New Mexico Democrat. I'm proud of a lot of the work you have done for us. The Rail Runner, for example, is an idea that's been a long time coming, and I'm excited to see it progress towards Santa Fe. A real commuter line is something we've needed for years to lighten car traffic and move tourists. I'm also a fan of your foreign policy work (although you have to admit you really bit the big one on the Wen Ho Lee case). I've been tantalized as you have hinted at bringing universal health care to New Mexico, as I have health issues and not having to worry about getting care would be a big relief to me, both emotionally and financially.
In spite of your strengths, however, I am asking you, as one one of your constituents, to get out of this year's Presidential race. I believe that the next couple of months are going to be a knock-down drag-out for the soul of the Democratic Party. I believe that you would not be in this race if you did not think that the current establishment needs to be challenged.
The Clinton/DLC axis of the party spent the entirety of the 1990's 'triangulating,' a fancy word for selling their party out every chance they got. They screwed over the unions, they screwed over gays and lesbians in the military, they screwed over all of us who believed them when they promised us healthcare reform. I believe that their policy of absorbing right-wing tactics and talking points has resulted in a Democratic Congress that is scared to say 'boo' to Vice President Cheney, much less impeach him as he so richly deserves. Their style of governance has fundamentally weakened the Democratic Party.
I want the Democrats to win this year. I want it so bad I can feel it in my socks. More than that, though, I want the Democratic Party to have the time, the gumption and the majority to really turn this country back around. I want a real Democrat for once, not someone whose motives will constantly be in doubt, and who will change with the direction of the wind.
I am sure that you have heard the rumors floating around about how you covertly swung your Iowa supporters to Obama. I also know that you have denied it publicly. Maybe you do want Hillary to win, as someone who has worked with her and her husband in the past. I also know that the 5% of New Hampshirites share my concerns about Clinton, or else they would have voted for her. I can't help but wonder, if you threw your weight behind someone with a stronger candidacy going into the the next few weeks, if you might not have a stronger impact on the direction this country is headed.
As one of your constituents, I look forward to seeing your continued career in American government. I believe that you still have great things ahead of you, and will continue to be a credit to our state. This year, though, we need you to take one for the team.
Regretfully,
sap