Because I’ve done individual posts welcoming John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton to the presidential race, I thought it only fair to extend the same treatment to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee today, with a formal announcement due in March, after the state legislative session.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday he is taking the first step toward an expected White House run in 2008, offering extensive experience in Washington and the world stage as he seeks to become the first Hispanic president. […]
“Our reputation in the world is diminished, our economy has languished, and civility and common decency in government has perished,” he said in a statement. He said he had set up an exploratory committee that will allow him to begin raising money and assembling his campaign organization.
“The governor is in it to run for president,” spokesman Pahl Shipley said. The formal announcement will come in March after the end of New Mexico’s legislative session, he said. […]
In his statement, Richardson stressed his foreign affairs experience, said he wanted U.S. troops to return quickly from Iraq and urged a change of leadership in Washington that would work to bridge a wide partisan divide.
“The next president of the United States must get our troops out of Iraq without delay,” Richardson said. “I know the Middle East well and it’s clear that our presence in Iraq isn’t helping any longer.”
With some of his better known rivals dominating the political world’s attention, Richardson is often overlooked as a serious 2008 contender. That’s a mistake — this guy is a major player. If I were ranking the Dem candidates, I’d have Clinton, Obama, and Edwards in the top tier, but Richardson right behind them.
Indeed, on paper, Richardson may be one of the strongest candidates in the field, from either party.
Here’s the sales pitch:
* Richardson is the first credible Hispanic candidate in U.S. history (he does speak fluent Spanish);
* He’s a wildly popular governor of a competitive but “red” state;
* He has experience in Congress (seven-term House member), in the executive branch (Secretary of Energy), in international institutions (ambassador to the United Nations), and in international diplomacy (having engaged in negotiations in countries ranging from North Korea to Sudan).
* He’s Roman Catholic;
* Governors tend to perform better than senators in presidential elections.
Of course, elections aren’t held on paper, but for a candidate with Richardson’s talents, that’s not a bad pitch.
Don’t underestimate this one. Richardson has a great resume, he’s very personable, he has a knack for generating publicity, and he has a compelling narrative to share with voters. Keep an eye on him; he’s likely to do well.