met Bill Richardson!

[ccpup]

left my apartment here in NYC to get some lunch. Crossing the street (live in the Village near NYU and Washington Square Park on a fairly quiet street), I saw some black SUVs and men in sunglasses and dark suits with earpieces. 'Okay', I thought, 'someone must be hitting the donors at NYU' Then, out of a truly nondescript building, comes a tall dark haired man with a cell phone to his ear saying "Well, if you're in New Mexico then I'm still the Governor, right?" Obviously this was a joke because he laughed afterwards.

Our eyes met and, yep, it was Bill Richardson ... much taller than you'd expect. He smiled at me, I smiled back as I started to walk past and, perhaps sensing in me a potential big bucks donor or voter, he paused his cell conversation, turned toward me, stuck out his hand and said "Hi, I'm Bill Richardson" "I know", I replied. He laughed. I smiled. He then asked if he might get my vote. I said that "Perhaps", but I had some questions. Although he was obviously in a hurry, he very kindly asked me "like?"

"Like why did you and your Secretary of State rush to certify the election results for * in 2004 when there were questions about votes perhaps not being counted accurately?", I responded.

And -- I kid you not -- the smile disappeared, his face turned dark, and, with a dismissive wave of his hand, he turned his back to me and resumed his phone conversation.

Understand, I didn't yell at him. I didn't say anything rude or unsavory. I didn't use a threatening, mocking, disrespectful tone. He opened the door and I simply asked a question that's been on my mind. One I've even asked here on DU. Should I have? Of course. It's not everyday you see a Presidential Candidate on the street and are invited -- invited! -- to ask them a question. Is there a better way he could have responded? Absolutely.

He could have said "well, with all the facts I had, it seemed the best thing to do" or "that's a long answer that I don't have time for right now, but I appreciate your asking it and can give you an answer if you get in touch with my office" or "that's been covered thoroughly. anything else?" But to dismiss me with a wave of the hand and turn of the back? I felt, like, THIS small.

Now I really AM curious why he and his Secretary of State felt the need to rush the certification.

[AtomicKitten]

1. Kudos to you for asking.

Sometimes it is these face-to-face encounters that gives a real sense of the candidate, sometimes not. I only wish he'd taken the time to answer or at least direct you to where an answer to your question could be found.

Thanks for sharing this with us. :hi:

[ccpup]

2. it was kinda cool meeting him

but I, like you, wish he could have handled my sincere and polite question a little better.

[rosesaylavee]

3. That would have been my first question too...

very interesting that he felt it not worthy of an answer.

And his lack of response to that is why I will not consider him as my choice. I had already decided that based on his actions in 2004 - this just solidifies that decision.

Would be interested to hear what a Richardson supporter would say to clarify his position on this.

[lisa58]

4. I guess it's not one of his talking points...

...that too bad. I really like Richardson and have even given him money, but fair elections is the most important issue to me - otherwise we get stuck with what we've been stuck with.

I hope he understands that he is going to have to answer that question soon or he will lose the little support he already has.

[Jersey Ginny]

5. Disappointing response by him

He's been my top candidate. These kinds of informal exchanges tell a lot about a person. Thanks for telling your story.

[Jillian]

6. Wow - that is disappointing.

He should have said something - anything.

Ouch! Being a politician, or anyone in the public limelight, needs to be able to think on their feet. Even if he said something like it was a long story and he can't go into it. Or if he said that he did all he could. Something, anything.

[Warpy]

7. That's what we in NM would like to know

and as far as I know, he's NEVER answered that question.

It's one of the major reasons I don't want to see him become president, although I still think he'd be a wonderful SOS.

[LeahD]

20. NM resident here, and my sentiments exactly. And, he could have done much, much

more for Kerry. He was waiting for 2008.

[alittlelark]

22. I gotta agree....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3256159&mesg_id=3257122

[rosesaylavee]

8. Let's kick and rec this thread

for wider viewing. Maybe there are Richardson supporters who can answer this question?

[Wickerman]

9. nice work

I like the man, but that issue and his death penalty stance are two strikes for me.

[rosesaylavee]

10. I did a crazy thing just now...

went over to visit our DU friends on the Richardson forum and asked that they come to GD to discuss... As they may not be around at the moment, thought that this link from their discussion may hold some answers on what happened in NM at that time...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=394&topic_id=87&mesg_id=88

[lisa58]

11. If the answer is that simple....

....he would have said it, wouldn't he?

[rosesaylavee]

13. Unless he was annoyed that it was still

being brought up... not the best form if you are a politician I agree. However, seasat has an interesting well-thought out explanation of what happened in her journal. http://journals.democraticunderground.com/seasat/2

[ccpup]

12. Again,

I approached the question and my asking it of him with no agenda. All I wanted was some insight into a situation I no little about. His not answering was, in and of itself, unfortunate.

What REALLY stuck with me though was how quickly the smile disappeared, how quickly he turned his back on me (as if I suddenly didn't exist) and -- and this STILL bothers me -- how he dismissed me from him with a few flicks of his hand, as if he was batting away a pesky fly.

Honestly disagree with me, refuse to answer my questions, even disrespect me with your policies, but don't shoo me away like I'm some bug you don't want to deal with.

If he's the Nominee (which I doubt will happen), I'll vote for him 'cause a Richardson is still better than any repug. But he's not at the top of my list and, the next time his campaign calls for money, I'll politely explain why I'm not donating, will never be donating and why I insist they take my name off their list.

[rosesaylavee]

14. His reaction to a difficult

question from you, the 'man on the street', bothers me too. I don't expect him to ask you to go for a beer, but respect is something to be expected from a candidate.

[mmonk]

16. Sorry about your experience.

Right now he is one of two I would vote for currently. I contribute to his campaign and to Kucinich's. It comes down to issues right now for me. It also comes down to what he wants done about Iraq, the International Criminal Court, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, etc, as well as bringing the eligibilty fot medicare down to age 55. Does he have warts? Yes, but where it matters, he seems to answer correctly and with detail. Time will tell if I change my mind.

[elizm]

15. GOOD for you!

I would have asked the same thing. And his answer was very telling!

[polichick]

17. Hmmm

I can't help feeling disappointed in Richardson; I would've expected better from him.

It's great you thought to ask about something so important ~ my get-out-the-vote hat is off to you!

[polichick]

18. I'll bet he woulda thought twice...

...if he knew you were a poster here. Bad move.

[hollowdweller]

19. He missed a golden opportunity huh?

I mean he obviously doesn't do the internet much because that is the major criticisim lobbed at him on every forum.

Here he could have taken the time to give his explanation and then you would have come on here and posted it and it would have really helped him.

Instead he came off looking like an ass and a bunch of us heard about it. Hey ain't the net great? Wouldn't have heard that on the evening news but very important to know

[alittlelark]

21. I talked to the SoS 2 days after the election.

The Green party put out a request for recount fees. I was still in NM (Election Protection). I was likely the 1st to call herhttp://whyareweback.blogspot.com/2004/11/recount-in-new-mexico.html . She was dismissive, then divisive, then just angry.

The day of the election the voting system in my area (ghetto) was switched to optical. The state had used electronic (no paper) for 2 weeks of 'early voting'.


I do not trust Richardson.... I grew up in NM and understand the system.



It's just waaay F'ed up.

[skyblue]

23. Democratic Underground? I don't think so.

[skyblue]

24. He didn't know how to respond, BIG DEAL. He's usually on the ball and debates well.

Why people make their decisions about a candidate when basically they're catching them unprepared is beyond me. Asking the questions of someone who is simply asking for a donation another tactic is ridiculous they aren't the candidate and they don't know all the issues. At least you asked him. Send him a letter. But bottom line: can he win against the Republican candidate? Will tv viewers be impressed by his ads? Sure every candidate has his/her problems: Hillary's connection with Bill. Obama's demographic question. Hopefully we can still win but we won't win if we continue to attack our own continuously making them look bad. Spread your money around if you haven't decided on a candidate, don't think your candidate is a sure thing, and want others to be able to have their voices heard. BTW I think Richardson would make a fabulous VP.

[Deep13]

25. Yeah, and has he stopped beating his wife yet?

He blew you off because he knows better than to walk into an ambush.

[Adelante]

26. You don't know anything about any "ambush"

That's just rudeness. I like Richardson a whole lot, but he should learn to interact with voters better than this, I'd say.

[JNelson6563]

27. Be gone peasant!

[dave_p]

28. I'm really curious ...

... why anyone might consider themselves entitled to ask for anyone's votes when they're not competent or interested to answer an inconvenient question posed, we're assured, in a non-hostile manner.

How's the guy gonna fare in government?

Underling - "Sir, with respect, could you explain why we should attack?"
Pres. R - contemptuous don't-waste-my-time wave of hand.

Been there. Don't want it again.