Bill Richardson Looks to Mobilize Hispanics

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Richardson Looks to Mobilize Hispanics
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 24, 2007

WESTON, Fla. (AP) -- For the Broward County Democratic chairman, Bill Richardson's presidential campaign has meaning far beyond how well the New Mexico governor fares against better known 2008 rivals.

Richardson represents two important growth targets for the party, said Mitch Caesar: He is Hispanic and from a Western state once considered solidly Republican.

''The challenge will be for him to show not just that he's the Hispanic candidate, but that he can mobilize that base,'' Ceasar said. ''His ability to do that will be measured and considered by all candidates in the future.''...

***

Richardson's father was an international banker from Boston and his mother Mexican. Richardson settled in New Mexico after several years as a Washington staffer, partly because of the state's large Hispanic population.

His main problem in the 2008 campaign is that he trails the top-tier candidates -- New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards -- in name recognition and fundraising. Richardson does have a strong resume that includes stints as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, energy secretary, member of Congress and twice-elected New Mexico governor....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Richardson-2008.html

[Ninja Jordan]

1. Nevada and California are early primary states.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Good point! I support Obama, but I met Richardson at a political event...

he headlined and was impressed, as was, I think, everybody there.

[Colobo]

2. Sorry, but I'm taken

I'm with O-BA-MA...

(Richardson for VP.)

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Richardson does seem the perfect Veep choice for most any candidate. nt

[Warpy]

7. Richardson for Secretary of State

he'd be wasted as VP and he's said adamantly that he won't take that job.

He also knows that Hispanics don't vote in a bloc. Anyone who thinks they do is hallucinating. That would be Republic strategists and stupid conservatives within our own party.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I think Richardson would do very well in Alaska. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

6. I REALLY like BR, but, evidently, a lot of Hispanics don't know he's Hispanic. nt

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Sounds like that's a problem he needs to work on! nt

[Colobo]

9. I don't think so

He's frequently interviewed in Univision and Telemundo, and being one of the few high profile politicians that speaks fluent Spanish... we know he's Latino.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Yes, but not everyone watches the news, even on Telemundo. nt

[snowbear]

10. He still has time...

According to Democratic Strategist Julian Epstein this morning on MSNBC..


Thomas Mooney on left - Julian Epstein pictured on right

Talked about the awesome piece in this morning's Washington Post that Governor Richardson wrote about Iran.. and said that he thinks Richardson is going to appeal to more Democrats than the media is giving him credit for right now.

I'm still anxious to see him in the debates!! ~~~

[Forkboy]

12. Smart move by Bill

I'm liking him more and more.His idea for a Cabinet of Native American Affairs is a great,and long overdue,one.

[win_in_06]

13. I think he is leaning too hard on the Hispanic "trump card"

Most Americans have no idea that he is Hispanic, and his name is not Hispanic. He has to try really hard to rally this as a theme for himself and I'm not sure it will work.

I think his best asset is his record as NM Gov and also his successful history as an international negotiator. If he does not get the nom he would make a good SecState.