Yepsen: Can Richardson catch up? Maybe

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Among his advantages are his heritage, experience

By DAVID YEPSEN
REGISTER POLITICAL COLUMNIST

March 1, 2007

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Other candidates got here earlier, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is running in the back of the pack of candidates in the polls.

Still, he's got upside potential in Iowa and could profit from former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's departure from the race.

In an interview this week, Richardson said he'll be asking Iowa Democrats to "keep your powder dry and take a look at me. I'm a grass-roots candidate, an issues candidate and I'm an underdog. Those are three qualities Iowans like."

Richardson said Vilsack's departure improves his chances "because now I'm the only governor with executive experience, CEO experience, in the race and I believe that helps." Vilsack's withdrawal also "frees up the governor's infrastructure of a lot of workers and activists who liked the governor and who are kind of holding back and now we have a chance to get them."

"I've got the best background. I've got the best experience. I've got diplomatic experience. I've been a governor and successfully managed the state and created jobs. I've been secretary of energy, and one of the biggest issues is energy independence. I've brought people together in New Mexico and diplomatically with my work among countries. So I'm sort of the real deal. I talk the talk and walk the walk. All these other candidates can say they voted the right way, they give speeches the right way but I've actually done a lot of the things that are needed," Richardson said.

Politically, "I can deliver some real estate" to the party. "I can deliver parts of the West that weren't Democratic before. So I bring something to the ticket."

Richardson has hired Steve Murphy, a respected political consultant, as a top strategist. Murphy was a key architect of former Missouri Rep. Richard Gephardt's campaigns in Iowa, and he knows the state well.

Richardson promises a vigorous effort here. "I'm not going to attract a thousand people in gyms. But in New Hampshire, a lot of my house parties were packed with people. They're curious and they want other options. I think a lot of Democratic primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are tired of the media telling them who the frontrunners are."

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/OPINION01/703010367/1035/OPINION


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