Photo courtesy Sunil Garg
Richardson generates veepstakes buzz
Says the #2 job would be an "honor"
By Gwyneth Doland
06/19/2008
Just when you thought Richardson's around-the-world trip promoting economic development in New Mexico was really an extended job interview for Secretary of State, note this: the buzz this week is all about the Guv's potential as a running mate for Barack Obama.
Yesterday afternoon, the Washington Post campaign diary "The Trail" made it sound like Richardson was campaigning hard for the job at an appearance in front of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York: When asked what qualities he thought Obama should be looking for in a good running mate, Richardson offered a purely objective analysis of an ideal hypothetical running mate that sounded a lot like -- Bill Richardson.
"Regional balance," Richardson said should be a top consideration, and he pointed out that the recent Democratic presidential coalitions have consisted of the East Coast, the West Coast, and not much in between. "We've ignored the Southwest," he continued. "We've ignored the Southwest Hispanic vote."
He added, "If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado -- states he lost by two or three percent -- he'd be president today."
Interest in Obama's choice of VP is high, noted "Political Junkie" columnist Ken Rudin on NPR.org; his story on that topic last week was the most widely viewed column in the four and half years it has been on the NPR site. This week readers were invited to weigh in on the potential candidates, including Richardson:
Samuel Scheib of Thomasville, Ga., notes that "the Latino vote is essential, and with Richardson on the ticket it would help Obama in many Western states. His foreign policy credentials are simply perfect." Sherri Masson of Milford, Mich., sees him as "the total package: foreign policy experience, Hispanic, and from a swing state. He should be rewarded for his risk-taking endorsement of Obama." Clinton supporters, Sherri adds, "will get over it." Cynthia Johnson of Marietta, Ga., adds, "His persona/charisma makes a good match with Obama. He's stable and steady, but not so conservative or old-fashioned that he undermines Obama's call for change." His decision not to endorse Hillary despite Bill's pleas "says to me that he is strong in character and principle," writes Gloria Alee of San Rafael, Calif. Also on the Richardson bandwagon: Carl Williams of London; Paul Bocko of Bernardston, Mass.; Forrest McCollum of Dallas; Molly Frankel of Columbia, Mo.; Steve Martin of Vernon Hills, Ill.; Michael Leary of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Leslie Barrett of San Francisco; Craig Christophersen of Kalispell, Mont.; and Natalie Randall of Ames, Iowa.
Marc Lamont Hill, a Philadelphia-based Fox News commentator and self-described "hip-hop intellectual," had this take:
The only people eager to see a Negro and a Mexican on the same ticket are the folks at BET Comic View. That said, Bill Richardson is the most qualified of the bunch. Why? Because he has so much of the experience Barack lacks and a natural connection to Hispanic voters.
On Monday, Richardson won an Arizona Daily Star readers' poll they called "VP-poll-ooza" . Some of the readers' comments:
> "I've always admired Bill Richardson for taking an interest in Sudan and other issues in Africa."
"Richardson would bring Hispanic and Southwest votes, and global and diplomatic experience."
"I love Hillary but I think Richardson is the go-to guy; he appeals to Latinos and has foreign-policy and executive experience."
And last month on The Huffington Post, Paul Abrams laid out a comprehensive argument for why Richardson would be the ideal vice president in a "Change-Turnout-New-Voter election." See it here.
Would Richardson take the job if it were offered? As he told the Council on Foreign Relations, ""How can anyone turn down an honor like that, honestly?"
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© 2008 The New Mexico Independent
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