What about Bill Richardson?

[Vox_Reason]

A good buddy of mine indicated that one of his top hopes for 2008 is New Mexico governor Bill Richardson. I've known OF him for some time, but not much ABOUT him.

Are there any folks here from NM, or others who are familiar with him, who can weigh in on what you think his strengths and weaknesses might be in 2008?

[EST]

1. I've watched him, from outside NM and, although he has done

a few postitive things, imo, he is no progressive of choice. I would not vote for him.

[nvliberal]

2. He's a UFO freak, and that would kill his chances.

It's hard enough for Democrats as it is without that nonsense to worry about.

[INdemo]

3. Too far to the Center

[EST]

25. That's kind of what got to me.

He goes along, sounding like a progressive, and then suddenly comes across sounding like a closet r/w nut job, just coming out. I don't trust him and have seen enough of what looks like real flip-flops to permanently sour my enthusiasm.

[HillDem]

4. He's got baggage

He has a few scandals chasing him that would kill him in the primarys. He has done a good gob as governor, though.

[snowbear]

17. Bush had more baggage than Samsonite in the last election !!!!

And the fugwad is sitting in the oval office for a second term!!

I'm not sure about Richardson as a presidential candidate.. but I'd be willing to learn more about him.

I think he's one of the top experts and negotiators there is on the topic of Northern Korea!!! And from what I gather he's a pretty popular Governor in NM.. but I'm not sure what "candidate Richardson" would be like?

From the little I know of him.. he definitely should be on the VP short list.. And as far as an actual candidate, I'd need to see him debate the other candidates before I came to a conclusion..

[EST]

26. I really like your smilies!

Are they personal property or linkable? Richardson does not (I hope) have the organized crime operatives that supported the fuckwad regime and would, therefore, be permanently crippled and unelectable.

[snowbear]

31. Hey EST.....

Anyone can use these smilies!! Go for it! The hockey board I got them off from a European Hockey League said that anyone was welcome to use em:

http://eliteleague.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/lol!.gif http://eliteleague.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/duh!.gif

p.s. To anyone~~ I know somewhere on here there's instructions for adding smilies and photos, but if you've never added them and would like to know how... I can send you a PM with the super easy directions that someone else on here gave me a long time ago.

[EST]

32. If you would, please do send me that pm...

I think I know how, but, as my ol' pappy used to say, "better to be safe than look stupid!" Also, I'm looking for a smilie that describes my own frequent consternation--a rueful, hand on forehead, shaking in silent disbelief (sigh.) Any suggestions?
Edit to add: Thanks!

[rosesaylavee]

5. Stopped the 2004 recount in New Mexico for no good reason

I heard. I would definitely need to hear that reason before I would even consider him at all.

[AspenRose]

6. Bill Richardson is only interested in Bill Richardson

Northern New Mexican here.

[Skelington]

24. Albuquerque here,

I agree, expected a lot more from him. He seems more interested in making a name in Washington than working for NM. Would have liked to have seen him more involved in the fight to raise the minimum wage, it's to bad that died here by about 1,500 votes.

[AspenRose]

39. Hey Bernalillo County, did you enjoy the balloon fiesta?

:hi:

My opinion of (re-elected ABQ mayor) Martin "I-have-no-problems-breaking-labor-protest-lines" Chavez is pretty much the same as the one I have for Richardson, by the way....

We desperately need some strong Democrats with backbone in NM. Not DLC folks.

[nickshepDEM]

7. Two words: Los Alamos.

That only would derail his campaign.

[sundancekid]

8. could have VP cred, esp. as an elected hispanic governor with connections

BUT has lots of potential down sides as other posters have already mentioned to survive a PRESIDENTIAL run ... I believe he faces a race to get re-elected NM Governor in 2006 ... that run will UPDATE a whole lot of stories and issues, I would think

[the_spectator]

9. He's just too fat to be elected President.

Can't you just imagine the attack ads which would play off this fact? And calling him a "bloated, big-government liberal"?

[Pithy Cherub]

10. Wen Ho Lee....

[mainer]

37. That alone makes me say NO to richardson

what Richardson did to Lee was despicable -- looking for a scapegoat, and finding the easiest one possible. No thought of justice, just inding someone to blame.

Richardson's a coward.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Clark/Richardson 08!!!!

[ChiciB1]

12. Very Moderate... I Really Do Like Him....

but he has some baggage! I believe he had some trouble during his tenure as Secretary of Energy! Not sure that was his title, but it was during Clinton.

Earlier I was hoping he and Edwards could team up, but he's actually been known to go "the way the wind blows" so they say.

But he's VERY personable and knowledgeable!

[Armstead]

13. If you like pro-business DLC you'll love Richardson

[Freddie Stubbs]

35. Should we nominate someone who is anti-business?

:shrug:

[Armstead]

36. No, somewhere in the middle would be good

We shouldn;tr be anti-business, but tghe plain fact is that the business sector has unvalanced the system to their interests at the expense of everyone else.

Richardson and the DLC are so tilted towards business that they have forgotten the otehr half of the equation. They have been too afraid yo stand up for the prople when push comes to shove.

[paineinthearse]

14. Focus on 2006 eom

[skipos]

15. Or if you can chew gum and walk at the same time

do both! 2006 and 2008!

[paineinthearse]

16. After educating,leafleting, phoning, canvassing, letterwriting, in general

increasing the Dem voter base, if you have time to work on 2008, be my guest.

[snowbear]

18. Ahh.. Paine...

You always do such a good job of reminding us to focus on '06 and hold off on worrying about '08. Even if we forget.. I always appreciate your reminders.. :hug:

~~~ ~~

[paineinthearse]

23. YQW....JC told me so

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1942483

"But the important lesson is that we not let the (fill in the blank with whatever "crisis") distract us from the ongoing struggle to root out corruption and deception in the White House, by continuing our examinations of Rovegate, Downing Street, and the ongoing deception in Iraq....
Rep. John Conyers
July 20, 2005

[skipos]

19. I actuallly do.

Posting for few minutes about this candidate or that takes me about 2 minutes a day. No biggee for me. If it is for you, don't post I guess.

[paineinthearse]

22. It's not one post

Every day there are at least 2-3, with scores of replies.

It's a big distraction.

I'll bet those participating have not yet finished their "homework".

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. Bleh.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

21. I like him.

He's my governor and he's done some good things for the state. He raised teacher salary and also got rid of the food tax. He has also done some things that encourage small business to move into New Mexico. Overall, he is very moderate but I would definitely vote for him if he were to run.

Edit: He does tend to be rather egocentric, though. When he took office he replace all the state boards with people of his choosing, regardless of how long they had served on said board.

[EST]

27. More irresponsible cronyism?

[Celeborn Skywalker]

29. I'm not sure if those he appointed were friends or not.

I do know a lot of people in this state were very pissed when he just replaced everyone on the state boards.

Like I said, he has his problems but there is no doubt that he would be way better than any Republican that will be running in '08.

[EST]

33. Little doubt that that's true, but I can't seem to shake

the "wolf in sheep's clothing" feeling I get about him. Even though he declared a disaster in relation to illegal aliens, I get a sense of divided loyalty that leads me to be suspicious.

[AspenRose]

40. Don't forget his request for resignation letters to keep on file

That was with the Board of Regents, right?

[napi21]

28. Replacing other people with our own is just plain politics.

THAT happens EVERYWHERE! It has been that way for years!

A VERY LONG time ago, I dated an asst. Dist. Atty in Pgh. He was always freaking at election time! If another party won, he knew he was out of a job.

Of all the criticisms of this guy, that's unimportant.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

30. I'm just saying a lot of people in this state were very pissed.

But, as I said above, that's just one aspect of him. Otherwise, he would be a good candidate.

[Califooyah Operative]

34. no.

he's a typical dlc'er with the same old talking points.

[Elwood P Dowd]

38. He jumped in bed with the repukes on NAFTA, WTO, GATT

At times it appeared he had a crush on Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich. He told so many damn lies about those trade deals, that I thought he was about to leave the Democratic Party and join Rush Limbaugh as his co-host.