Larry Sabato:Republicans told him privately"if Richardson gets the nomination, it is all over for us

[DerekJ]

For a "Change-Turnout-New Voter" Election, Bill Richardson Should Be VP Choice

He easily passes the first test. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson would be a very effective president if something happened to Obama. Before bitterness, James Carville called him, "the most qualified person ever to run for president". Larry Sabato, Professor of Political Science, said that Republicans told him privately, "if Richardson gets the nomination, it is all over for us".

--snip--

History tells us that few people vote for a ticket because of the vice-presidential candidate. All of the others mentioned -- Biden, Bloomberg, Brown, Clark, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Hagel, Nunn, Rendell, Sibelius, Strickland, Webb -- would be excellent candidates and VPS, but, if history is correct, would not change the outcome significantly.

That is not true, however, if that VP candidate uniquely drives new voter registration and turnout. Richardson could change the electoral map -- now, and for two generations.


There are 3 under-registered, under-voting groups for whom an identity politics can trigger massive increases in participation: youth, Afro-Americans and Latinos. It is true that the poor and lower middle-class constitute a fourth group, but they have been relatively difficult to reach and congeal to increase their electoral participation in part because they have a variety of different interests, and thus, since Robert Kennedy, have not had a single iconic figure around which to rally.

Barack Obama's persona and message have galvanized the first two, and legions are going out to increase their participation this fall.

The third group is Latinos.


Governor Richardson has been nominated 5 times for the Nobel Peace Prize, is loved by labor, is highly experienced in foreign policy having negotiated successfully with the worst regimes, has been an extremely successful Governor of a red-state growing jobs/improving education/raising teachers' salaries/raising wages and re-elected with 68% of the vote, is a former Energy Secretary -- one of the critical issues for at least 2 decades to come -- is pro-2nd Amendment, hails from the West... and, he also happens to be Latino.


More here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/for-a-change-turnout-new_b_103206.html|Link>


----------------------------------------



Question becomes: Would Richardson survive the vetting process?!!

[Yael]

1. This is my dream ticket.

[DerekJ]

3. I think he would be a great VP. I heard rumors that he has a problem with his zipper. Not sure if

it's true. I hope not.

[Eurobabe]

4. Well hopefully they'll find out when they vet him. n/t

[ErinBerin84]

7. I've heard that too....

but only as rumor. Does anyone else know anything about this?


Haha, had not heard that particular James Carville quote.

[Aloha Spirit]

9. Is he ghey?

Jest kiddin.

I feel like I've seen him fumble a lot in debates and leadership (didn't like his endorsement timing for example), but agree that he has that ... jenesaisquois... certain something that works for vice prez.

[DerekJ]

13. Debates are his biggest problem in my opinion. He does need some training.

[Aloha Spirit]

17. Completely agree. However, I have discerned what it is about him that I find useful:

His salesman-like quality.
I think salesman is a pretty good way to describe the role of VP, salesman first, backup cheerleader second. He seems like a good fit.

[grantcart]

14. I have also heard these rumors

[IndyOp]

19. He experiences the world through touch -- he touches men and women

while talking with them, he hugs, he holds hands, he rubs shoulders. It is a disarming and wonderful trait for many people and to others it feels as if he is being overly familiar. He may or may not have "zipper problems" -- I suspect that he would be accused of having those problems even if he did not because he is extremely kinesthetic in the way he experiences and describes and relates to the world. This trait is part of why/how he has done so well in negotiations because the dominant culture in the U.S. is extreme in terms of demanding a huge amount of personal space and people in many cultures and nations experience this as off-putting. Richardson reaches out and touches.







http://bp0.blogger.com/_nWpwm6lhWUs/SBbDzhlWPnI/AAAAAAAACUc/x9oJxJIj2Ag/s1600-h/Bill+Richardson+Higo+Chavez+1.jpg

http://bp1.blogger.com/_nWpwm6lhWUs/SBbDbxlWPkI/AAAAAAAACUE/HpsVftni-rQ/s320/Bill+Richardson+and+Obama.jpg



?Log=0

[Catch22Dem]

2. I'd love to see that ticket, with Edwards in a cabinet position (n/t)

[Misskittycat]

5. I agree totally. It would also be a wise choice because he perhaps

the most broadly qualified person available. I like others, too, but his breadth of experience is quite impressive.

[dubeskin]

6. I hate to bring up the race thing again

But having two "minorities" on a ticket, in my opinion, would draw a lot of people away. Granted, both are extremely well rounded candidates, and politics-wise, would easily crush the Republicans. Both have strong leadership abilities, know what America needs RIGHT NOW, and would serve as excellent representatives for this nation.

However, I hate to bring up race, but I feel that this would absolutely turn away those "white, working class" voters, the same ones that are voting for Hillary now, and we will need to win in November. Although more qualified than some, I feel Obama needs someone like Edwards or Biden or Sibelius - whites from the middle class who have risen through the ranks to outstanding positions. It's those kind of politicians that will attract the white vote that Obama is going to need.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Latino vote will go to the Democrats, especially if we go light on immigration, or pro-amnesty etc. In the end, it comes down to 1) which state could we pick up with a VP from there 2) which voting bloc does Obama still need to appeal to, and which VP could best do that and 3) what will Obama's main issues be in the General Election, and who can best carry those.

[DerekJ]

11. Nah, in simple words, if Obama didn't scare you, Richardson won't. If you're racially biased, you're

not voting for Obama anyways with or without Richardson.

[dubeskin]

16. Oh, I'm certainly voting for Obama no matter what, it's OTHERS

It's those Democrats out in the back country of those ever crucial swing states that would be racially-biased and see a problem. I'm just saying that seeing two minorities on a ticket together would potentially "disenfranchise" those voters. That's why I feel, although strongly that Richardson is indeed qualified, that a white VP would be better. I know a few Hillary people, that although Dems, are worried about the prospect of an African American man perhaps holding the highest position in America. God forbid, this country turn out like an Africa-Mexico combination...

[DerekJ]

20. :) "You" didn't refer to you personally.

[anigbrowl]

37. Seriously - will they even know? He looks pretty white, and his name isn't exactly exotic.

It's not like he's called Guillermo Ricardo.


I gotta admit they look killer together. Don't shave the beard, Bill!

[Big Blue Marble]

8. I have come to the conclusion

that Richardson is the best choice for vice-president. He brings international diplomatic expertise that
would invaluable to the Obama Administration. He would bring New Mexico and probably put Texas in play.
He and Obama seem to genuinely like each other. He is a bridge from the Clinton Administration.

He would be a great candidate and a great vice-president with a future as president in 16.

[CreekDog]

10. we shouldn't chose VP's by race or gender. that said, Richardson is about the best pick out there

he's smart
he's experienced
he could do the job of president very well if called on

the bonus is that his candidacy is something that we all can take pride in because it is an example of the best feature of America that there is the possibility that people from many backgrounds can aspire to the highest office in the nation. while Latinos may take particular pride in Richardson, i can take pride that America is still a nation where it's possible.

[polichick]

12. That ticket would be thrilling!

[Occam Bandage]

15. Hope to God Richardson's clean. He's my #1 pick.

[Alia]

18. Richardson has been my #1 choice for a while now.

1. He has solid foreign policy credentials, which I believe is important for Obama's running mate.
2. I think a Latino on the ticket would great for a number of reasons.
I have never heard this rumor before today. Hopefully there is nothing to it.

[tokenlib]

21. Hope he keeps the beard--I think it looks good..

Of course I did learn in psychology that beards "push people away." But I think he looks good. Also I hope the zipper stuff is not true--or nothing recent....Richardson should be in the top three on the short list.

[Douglas Carpenter]

22. I think its probably the best overall ticket

The only difficulty I could imagine - is that given that Gov. Richardson is of hispanic heritage - some would have trouble accepting both an African-American and a hispanic on the same ticket.

But I doubt that many of those are going to support Sen. Obama anyway.

Furthermore, Gov. Richardson passes the unspeakable most important test of all. If (God forbid) President Obama for some reason could not finish his term in office, few people would be more ready to assume the duties of office.

[seasat]

23. He's also a great arm twister with legislators.

He knows how to push and pull a group together in support of legislation. That's one of the reasons he was my first choice in the primary. Richardson was Deputy Whip during the Clinton administration and used his negotiating ability to get some of Clinton's tougher legislation through the house. He helped round up the votes for the tax increase on the wealthy that helped balance the budget. As governor, he pushed through strong greenhouse gas reduction legislation in a state that has a lot of oil and gas industry. He pushed through a very progressive medical marijuana bill in a state that was formerly pretty red. He'd be excellent helping ride herd on the senate and house.

[LTR]

24. As a person who's played a lot of poker in my lifetime...

...I take it with a truckload of salt when Republicans express nervousness about a candidate.

If they were really scared, they'd either say nothing or invent scandals. They would never admit their fear.

[NC_Nurse]

25. I would love that. He was on my short list at the beginning for President.

Hopefully, he could polish up his debate/talk show performance for a VP spot. :D

[Mimosa]

26. My dream ticket: Obama/Richardson

I think it could happen.

[Shae]

27. Thanks for the info on Richardson . . .

Most of that I didn't know.

[crickets]

28. I like Richardson

He'd be a great choice. Thanks for the link. K&R.

[JerseygirlCT]

29. I always have, too. Though I have to say, he did not

impress me during the debates this go-round.

But I do think he's got a lot to bring to the table.

[tritsofme]

30. He did well in his VP tryouts earlier in the year.

I would imagine that he is definitely up there high on the list.

[RainDog]

31. Richardson is my top pick too - for the same reasons this guy states

because, frankly, in order to create a long-term winning coalition, the democrats have to look beyond the "reagan democrat" in the south. the democrats have pandered to them for more than a decade and they still act as tho the republicans might care about their economic interests.

I think this would be a GREAT ticket.

[papapi]

32. Richardson has been on my radar for some time now...

...He's definitely got a very warm and engaging personality. If you live in a state like Virginia, as I do, you might be surprised at how much the population mix is changing. Larry Sabato teaches at UVa here in Charlottesville and he's very often spot on.

I agree that Obama should not choose on the basis of race or gender, but in Richardson's case his ethnic background can be viewed as a bonus.

My short list (in no particular order):
John Edwards
Barbara Boxer
Bill Richardson
Jim Webb

[curious one]

33. This is a trap like push for HRC. I don't trust it.

[TexasObserver]

34. Obama/Richardson for the win!!

[anigbrowl]

35. I had been a bit dismissive of him earlier. But after more thought, I was wrong.

I was interested in him at the beginning of the race but after his relatively weak performance in the nomination contest, I undervalued his record as governor and his political skills. Following the 'Judas' episode I discounted him further in the belief that he had too much political baggage, which is still a minor worry.

But after studying his record anew, I have to admit that I didn't give him sufficient consideration the first time and then got lazy when considering possible VPs, choosing to focus on other likely candidates. I was wrong - he is an outstanding choice and should probably be top of the list...on one condition: he's got to keep that beard. It is way too cool.

[anigbrowl]

36. He's also very pro gun. Even has a concealed carry permit. There goes that 'issue'.

[Ravy]

38. It is the best ticket possibility, I think.

If some miracle/disaster happens (take your pick whichever camp you are in) and Clinton gets the nomination, I think Clark is the person for VP.

[anonymous171]

39. Richardson would be a good choice, especially with Obama's new focus on aggressive diplomacy.

[Alexander]

40. Richardson thinks being gay is a choice and used the word "maricon" on the radio...

which means "f*ggot" in Spanish.

If you thought LGBT folks were angry over Donnie McClurkin, they'll stay home if Obama picks Richardson.

He's too damaging. Somebody like Feingold, Napolitano or Sebelius would not create such controversy.

[Douglas Carpenter]

41. kik

[saltpoint]

42. If someone from the Obama camp phones up and asks, "Hey, would you

be cool with Gov. Richardson on the ticket?"

I would say you bet.