Anyone else like Bill Richardson ?

[rhino47]

Most people I talk to say he is a better VP candidate.

[havocmom]

1. The guy who ordered the machines wiped clean before the recount was done?

Not my cup of tea, thanks.

[rhino47]

3. I was not aware of that.

I was just wondering if he is a serious candidate.

[orleans]

23. same here. after that i lost all respect for him. he's a shit!

i don't understand these people that know about that and don't seem to mind.

how could anyone with a social conscience want him in office ANYWHERE after that dirty crap that he pulled?

[buczak]

2. Western Democrat.

He would make a great president and he is a good representation of a western Democrat.

I hope he can stay in the race a long time.

[rhino47]

6. Nice Blog.

I used to play Jokerstars (aka poker stars) the home of the bad beat.
I am now onto ub poker.
Good cards and great luck to you! Hope all your pots are monsters.
Lindy

[Nite Owl]

4. What I know I mostly like

he is one of the best on international affairs. He is well spoken and has a nice sense of humor too. There was something about him and the cancelling of a recount in '04 that didn't seem to be a good decision though. He will be a good Secretary of State at the least, I don't know that I would vote or campaign for him in the primary but then I haven't really decided on anyone yet. I'm open to hearing more especially what his health care plan would look like.

[KellyW]

5. Me !

Did you see the winter DNC speeches ? Richardson was the only one talking about what he has done. That is the nature of being a Governor vs Senator as a POTUS candidate.

He holds a big lead in his own state, which is not the case with many other candidates.

He is the one to watch break from the pack.

[rhino47]

7. His ratings have moved him up in the pack.

I am leaning toward him but holding out until I find out more.Earlier poster said he cleared voting machines early.That has me somewhat concerned.

[roody]

51. Did he mention erasing the votes?

[AtomicKitten]

8. He is less known but nonetheless a formidable candidate.

He is definitely an attractive VP candidate IMO.

[Warpy]

9. he'd be wasted as a VP

and he's been pretty vehement about not wanting that job.

I'd really prefer to see him as Secretary of State. The State Department needs a good cleaning out after 6 years of ignorant GOP appointees and our friends and enemies alike need reassurance that the present administration is a nightmare, not reality.

He is a fine negotiator, so fine that N. Korea sends delegates here to NM because the newly ignorant State Department isn't really worth talking to.

I like him far less as an administrator. He's a supply sider.

[SteppingRazor]

14. I don't know that a Hispanic from a southwestern swing state is a waste as a VP...

but I assume you're talking more about what happens once the ticket actually gets into the White House.

In that sense, I would say the VP's job duties seem to vary from administration to administration, and that Richardson could be given a lot of leeway to deal with foreign policy.

[Warpy]

16. Uh, he doesn't want the job

and would be better as Secretary of State.

[SteppingRazor]

18. I wasn't addressing that.

I was addressing whether he'd be "wasted" in the VP job.

And in any case, no presidential candidate ever says they want the VP job.

[Tellurian]

37. Uh, as a fellow Dem said- yeah, until they get the call-

after they have been bypassed for the nomination..

[OKNancy]

10. Yes, I like him very much

great resume.

[hijinx87]

11. he has a resume to die for

congressman, ambassador, cabinet member, and governor. if he had
an ounce of charisma, he would be light years ahead of the pack.

[SaveElmer]

12. Right now would probably be my second choice...

He has the resume, he is a good speaker...just a matter of whether he can get his name out there...

I predict he will overtake Edwards in the top 3 and put up an excellent fight!!!

[Colobo]

30. Obama/Richardson

Nice ticket.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. Still undecided but I'm watching him

I like him, just not sold on him. I honestly have not been swayed by any of the candidates at this point. It's still too soon I guess. But Richardson does have a record of achievement in more areas than any other candidate.

Maybe it's become political self-preservation from being disappointed so often that the cynic in me emerges early and I try to look at the "uh-ohs" of the candidate. So, when Richardson comes out saying "We should all sign a pledge to run a positive campaign"...well, let's be specific, Bill. Make it a pledge to run against Republicans and keep the negative campaigning tactics against Democrats out of it (all of them). The fight is against the Cons and asking for a nicey-nice all around just says to me that you're not going to stand up when it's needed.

[LisaM]

15. Pro death penalty, pro gun

I don't like him. I also think he's kind of slippery. And, every time he comes on a show to supposedly speak for Democrats, he sounds like he's speaking for Republicans - not very effective.

[Adelante]

17. I like him

Knows the world, which is a very good thing.

[saltpoint]

19. He's a good man. Current on our energy emergencies, by all counts an

excellent diplomat and negotiator, bilingual, very likable, and from a state well west of the Mississippi for regional contrast.

I believe he floor-captained the 2004 convention in Boston as well, so his executive and organizational skills seem to be first-rate.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

20. I like him alright

He's not my favorite, but i think he's done a decent job governing my state. I do think he'd make a good vp or secretary of state.

[alittlelark]

21. No.

[rhino47]

26. Any particular reason no alittlelark?

[alittlelark]

39. I flew to NM for 'Election Protection' in 2004

They had already had 2 weeks of 'early voting'. The morning of the election he initiated an emergency change to opti-scan machines - it caused some problems. The day went relatively smoothly - aside from the guy who ran inside refusing my handout - he was in there for over 20 minutes - very preppy anglo dude in one of the poorest hispanic districts in NM.

The next morning sis told me Kerry conceeded. I flew back. Richardson then fought tooth and nail against the Green and Libertarian parties that demanded a recount. The machines were scrubbed before a recount could be done.




I was raised in NM and I recognize 'old school' NM Mafia types.


Ask about him in the NM DU forum.

[Orangepeel]

22. I like him. He's one of my top choices.

He has a strong, extensive resume.

There are many good things that come with that, but like anyone who has been in the public eye for years (and who was a high ranking official in the Clinton administration), people have raised questions about his record and background. However, I've been okay with explanations from people who work/worked for him.

[Doondoo]

24. I like him better than some of the other Dems but he's not my first choice

[skipos]

25. I like him. He has done more for secure voting that most governors

in recent years, though people feel he didn't do enough in 2004.

Santa Fe, NM - Governor Bill Richardson yesterday signed a bill making New Mexico the fourteenth state to require voter-verified paper ballots (VVPBs) for its voting systems. As amended and passed, New Mexico Senate Bill 678 also requires audits to compare a portion of paper ballots with electronic vote tallies.

"New Mexico has swelled the ranks of states requiring voter-verified paper ballots across the country," said VerifiedVoting.org Executive Director Will Doherty. "Election administrators, policymakers, and the public recognize the need to prevent the malfunctions, errors, and failures of paperless e-voting machines that occurred repeatedly across the country during November 2004 and prior election cycles."

http://www.verifiedvoting.org/article.php?id=5697

He'll probably won't ever be a DU favorite but, as in 2004, I doubt the DU favorite will get the nomination.

[rhino47]

28. I think you are correct that he is not du favorite.

I am not a big hilary fan.
Barack I loveeeeee but I am somewhat nervous about his being pushed too hard too soon.
What a stunningly articulate man he is.
Bill Richardson though seems to be whom toward I am leaning.
The first post said Bill had cleared the voting machines early which caused me concern.(I am still researching that one)
Your posting however makes me feel more comfortable.
thank you.

[snowbear]

27. I like 'em too and want to see how he does in the debates...

[wyldwolf]

29. the most qualified candidate IMO

[MaineDem]

31. I totally agree

On credentials alone he's a super choice.

[jakem]

32. He has done really nice work in New Mexico...

though I don't see him making it to the top of the field.
I would gladly vote for him if he does!

[nevergiveup]

33. Next to Obama

he is my favorite but I am not sure he can come up with the big bucks needed to become competitive. An Obama/Richardson or Richardson/Obama ticket would be dynamite!

[FrenchieCat]

34. He's good on a lot of issues.....kinda of too DLC for me....

and don't like the rumors about the women Arnold type stuff that I keep hearing about.

His resume, however is superb, in terms of what he brings to the table as a presidential candidate.

[rhino47]

38. Do you have a link for the rumors?

I do like Bill but arnie type groping does concern me.

[FrenchieCat]

42. here....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/a-question-for-bill-richa_b_39170.html

[Breeze54]

54. It's a rumor that got blown out of proportion!

http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=07/02/06/21070383;cmt=23

This "sexual harassment" rumor got started when the Albuquerque Journal quoted Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish calling Richardson's "hugs, pokes, jabs, and tickles... irritating and annoying." (The Journal's site seems to be down as I write this.) Then Steve Clemons' blog post, picked up by the Huffington Post, linked to this Free New Mexican article, in which Denish said

the story in Saturday's Albuquerque Journal made the governor's behavior sound "more nefarious than the way she wanted to bring it across." ... when Denish described Richardson's behavior as "annoying," her full description was "annoying like a little brother or a classmate."

Fast-forward thirteen months, and people are calling Richardson a rapist in the subqueue.

I saw Richardson speak in Las Cruces when he was running for governor in 2002. He's the kind of guy who grabs little kids and gives them noogies — the archetypal ex-jock who grips your shoulder while shaking hands. I think if he were running around Santa Fe giving out titty-twisters and grabbing his package, someone would have called him out by now.

[Imalittleteapot]

35. Knows how to make friends.

Richardson is a great statesman & diplomat. He has way more experience than the other candidates. He's personable and an excellent speaker. Plus, he's a good Dem. Is he presidential? I think so.

[CarolNYC]

36. I don't really know enough about him...

but I do like that he's focusing on trying to ward off a war with Iran.....

[Blue_In_AK]

40. He has an excellent resume

and I think he would do very well especially in western states such as Alaska. Right now, he's my favorite candidate (barring a run by Gore or Clark).

[Canuckistanian]

41. I'm not like him at all.

But I think he'd make a fine president, unlike me.

[snowbear]

44. Well.. if we could elect Canadian residents, you could run!

I'm sure you'd be a major improvement over the wacko we have in there now!! ---> <--


"President Canuckistanian"

[Canuckistanian]

50. Gee, thanks!

Nice to know I compare favorably to Commander Bunnypants!

:toast:

[oasis]

43. If Richardson emerges as our nominee, I will work hard to put him in the WH.nt

[Jackeen]

45. He's my first choice.

And I don't live in New Mexico!

A pro-gun Democrat. Those things are rare on the national stage. You'll be surprised as to how many people won't be automatically alienated by him. Giuliani's pretty much screwed himself with his '2nd ammendment' comments this week in California. It's a big albatross, and it's not around Richardson's neck.

Plus, he seems to have done a good job in NM: The locals like him. Lots of experience at different jobs, national and international. Where's the catch?

[rhino47]

47. Hi Jackeen Welcome to DU!

:hi: :hi::hi: :hi::hi: :hi::hi: :hi::hi: :hi:

[autorank]

46. Extremely intelligent, awesome interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

The guy is a genius at approaching complex international situations and finding common ground.

He's very effective.

He also knows when to say uncle. There was a lousy elections sytem in NM. He supported the
elections people in the state government but changed around 180 degrees when he realized that
there were problems. Problems need more work but he was bold in changing and he listened to
some of the smartest people in the state who were on the other side of the issue.

He's a mench!

[bklyncowgirl]

48. He's my "Why don't we take this guy more seriously" candidate. Sadly that's the KISS OF DEATH.

I'm just starting to learn more about him but I am liking what I'm learning.

I like the idea of a candidate from a western state very much. I see being of Hispanic background as a big plus. He has been a successful governor which means he knows how to be an executive who also is deeply grounded in foreign policy. This guy brought about a peace settlement in Darfur, for Chrissake.

He does not have an Iraq War Resolution vote tied around his neck although he did initially support the war.

He's my "Why aren't they taking this guy more seriously" candidate. Unfortunately for Bill Richardson, these candidates haven't done so well in the past which probably shows how out of touch my criteria for a presidential candidate really are. Others in that category: 1992 Jerry Brown, 2000 Bill Bradley, 2004 Howard Dean--before he caught fire--I thought for once I might have picked a winner but then he went down in flames in Iowa a state addicted to "niceness" in thier candidates keeping my record consistent.

Sorry Bill. I'm the kiss of death.

[Cobalt Violet]

49. I like his pro-choice stance...

on Medical Marijuana. I like him better than the top 3 dems.

[Bushies gotta go]

52. Being new to NM...

I don't know enough about him, I've heard neighbors (rethuglicans) say how dirty he is. I blew that off as I would ANY rethuglican opinion...

But then I saw an investigative report on some cronyism, wherein he gave a bunch of people high paying jobs that he actually created for them. One was something like the Commissioner for Horse Racing, wherein a long time employee (woman) making 28,000 a year and the only dept. employee got a "partner" (male) with the same title. He was the unemployed husband of a political worker and was given a $40 something k salary. And, there is nothing for him to do since it is a one-person office and the $28k worker already does everything she needs to.

The report concluded that Richardson would not be swayed and left all these cronies in their jobs.

I don't know, with stuff like that already out there, he sure makes a good target for mud.

Otherwise, I do like what I see. Just a bit apprehensive after all that I've heard.

[Superman Returns]

53. Richardson:

Executive experience, legislative experience, foreign policy experience, hispanic, Governor of a western-swing state. He definitely deserves our attention and I predict he will surprise us in Iowa.