Am I the only one who’s already tired of watching Hillary, Obama, and Edwards elbowing each other out of the spotlight? Three Stooges, anyone?
They’re the hares in this presidential race but, frankly, I’m more intrigued by the tortoise…
I’m writing this to suggest that you take a closer look at Bill Richardson, the current Governor of New Mexico. I was impressed with his CV when I first checked him out last year: former US Ambassador to the UN (he’s had actual face time with the major tyrants of the day), Bill Clinton’s Energy Secretary, 15 years in Congress before that. Nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize… I’m sorry, but I don’t think any of the other Dem candidates even come close in terms of breadth and depth of experience.
He was born in Pasadena (CA), childhood in Mexico City, education in New England. His mom is Mexican and his dad is American. I love his background. He’s bi-cultural. I’m thinking that might make him more conscious of and sensitive to issues of racism and immigration. And international relations. Might increase his appeal to immigrants and ethnic groups too. (Maybe get some of those insane Viva Bush people to come back to the light. What was up with that??) He’s bi-coastal, which is a bigger deal than you might think. If you’ve ever lived on a coast other than the one you’re from, you know the coastal cultures are quite distinct. (I tried to move from San Diego to Boston when I was offered a job there once. Whoa. I was looking at apartments and one landlord actually asked me where my husband was! Another couple came out and said they didn’t want to rent to me because I had a teenager… I went back to California, thank you very much.)
He’s apparently done a very good job as Governor of New Mexico: tax cuts, 80,000 jobs created, brought the state up to #6 in the country in job growth, spent $500 million on education, brought the state up from #46 to #29 in teacher pay, balanced budgets. Not bad, if you ask me.
I’ve seen Richardson interviewed (here he is on Bill Maher), and it’s true that he doesn’t come across as very “presidential.” I said in that post last year that he sounds (and looks) kind of like Mr. Cunningham in Happy Days (which might actually be a plus when it comes to attracting voters from the middle of the country…). His demeanor lacks the gravitas and polish that maybe some snooty Democrats want in any president of theirs. But what I do get from him is a strong sense of REAL. Genuine. No smoke and mirrors, no fancy footwork, no bullshit, basically. (I can’t say that about the Three Stooges).
I learned today on HuffPo (I get sick of their whining, but I still get good info there) that he is the only candidate from either party to come out with an aggressive, concrete energy policy that would address global warming. He wants to be America’s Energy President. I’m inclined to help him.
How about you?
Check out this humorous campaign ad video. (A job interview setup and the guy tells him he thinks he’s overqualified. Too sad.)
Go here and answer this question for Bill Richardson: “The next president must be able to…”
Read about where he stands on the issues.
Sign up to get regular Richardson campaign and program updates.
If you like what you see, contribute to his campaign.
Very interesting, in deed! Thanks for the reseach and bringing this to my attention.
The best man for the job may be a WOMan, but she must be the RIGHT woman. When I can get past my desire to see a woman in the White House, the only person I see with a bona fides for the job is Bill Richardson. He’s the complete package and the only person with credentials to restore the integrity of the U.S. in the world community. That he lacks the millions required to lead the pack makes him all the more appealing. Alas, that won’t get him elected in the U.S.
Great overview… I’m also trying to spread the word about what a great candidate he is. These commercials will definitely help! Here’s a link to both of them, in case you want to embed (mash) it:
http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/313283/Campaign+2008?c_id=jlt
I’m wreked from our own tiny election in France, so I pity you! A year and many heart aches to go:)
TechBee: The year doesn’t bother me; I’m used to it. Your elections seemed very strange to me because they went by so quickly! I’m used to the heartaches too, but those don’t get any easier with time… I have to hold on to some hope–it’s my nature–although I always expect the worst.
Bill, Bill, he’s our man! …
Don’t forget the third coast. I’ve seen Chicago referred to as the “Third Coast”, but for me it’s the Gulf Coast. (A quick google search will show you what I mean.) Also, a very different culture on that coast.
I orbited New Mexico for years (even living there for a stint) and it feels like California to me (minus the great beaches, of course).
Donavan-I spent a day in Chicago once 21 years ago when I was living briefly in Upper Michigan (ahh the Midwest, land of Wonder bread and Velveeta…). I was there long enough to appreciate the way the women dressed (more dressy and sophisticated than in SoCal), to go up to the top of that tall building I forget the name of, and to eat in a Russian deli. Didn’t know it was considered the third coast! Have only been through New Mexico. Always thought it seemed like it might be a livable place (one of few in the US). Thanks for the comment!
Although I really didn’t know him (Belgian media tend to focus on the high-profile candidates) I doubt whether he stands a chance to get the nomination.
“Genuine. No smoke and mirrors, no fancy footwork, no bullshit” may well be what America really needs, but I’ve witnessed Bush getting a second term based on, well, you may fill in the dots.
Peter, you’re right. He’s got a snowball’s chance in hell. I read the Huffington Post, a liberal blog, and pretty much all they talk about is the three stooges (who combined aren’t as qualified as Richardson, not that being qualified matters, as you pointed out) or they go on and on about their Al Gore wet dreams… Plus, with the Dem Congress as weak and spineless as it is, and the right as intransigent as it is, I’m not sure it will matter who the president is. Not sure it’ll make a damn bit of difference in the end.
Definitely supporting Bill Richardson here in Seattle – I mean, I AM.
Alot of people here line up behind Obama or Edwards – H Clinton is considered the mainstream candidate.
Today I’m hitting Folklife again – see photos at http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com – didn’t see any evidence of campaigning there except for fringe people like Larouche and Ron Paul.
Another political blog to check stateside: http://www.democracycellproject.net – for one thing, if you hit DISCUSS, then BLOG, check out the first-hand report from the person who was at the Andrew Card Honorary Degree fiasco at Amhert – then CLICK on the video from YouTube and watch him get roasted.
It’s fantastic!
Love Paris & all.
xoD
[...] A while ago I expressed some interest in Bill Richardson, the Demoratic governor of New Mexico who’s running for president. [...]