Bill Richardson closes a door

Immediate political speculation erupted this past week when New Mexico's Republican Sen. Pete Domenici said he would not seek reelection next year, that the open seat might tempt New Mexico's Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson to run and pick up another vital Senate spot for his party.

Being a senator is just about the only job on the planet that the well-traveled, heavily-experienced Richardson has not held.

Not counting the presidency, which is what he is unsuccessfully running after at the moment. Behind in the polls and fundraising, opting for another Washington job that would get him out of Santa Fe's summers seemed like a real political possibility. Richardson already has super statewide name recognition and campaigning for a New Mexico Senate seat would mean he'd never have to visit another cafe in Mason City, Iowa, and fake friendly conversation about the need for ethanol and the price of hog futures.

But Richardson telephoned the Associated Press and talked to Nedra Pickler. "I am not running for the Senate," he said. "I'm running for president." Then the candidate hung up.

Just in case there were any doubts in the always suspicious media's mind, Richardson later sent out a spokesman, Tom Reynolds, who uttered one of our favorite quotes of the current political season:

"We are confident we are going to win," said Reynolds. "If for some unfathomable reason he is not the Democratic nominee, he will return and serve out his term as governor. We're not leaving any door open to run for the Senate."

OK, no door. But how about a window?

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Chris]

If he doesn't win the nomination he will most certainly be Hillary's Vice President. Given that the GOP has all but cooked their own goose for '08 the VP selection of Richardson, an accomplished leader and leading Hispanic would all but wrap up the Election for Clinton. Bank on it.

[Neal Patel]

Richardson is the ideal choice for VP- being a Hispanic from a battleground state- A Former Congressman,UN Ambassador,Secretary of Energy and Governor. He negotiated with foreign leaders.

Richardson is a credible and experienced Presidential candidate but he is being overshadowed by Hillary Clinton- a former First Lady- wife of a popular former President- Bill Clinton. Barack- Obama- a celebrity rock star freshman Senator. John Edwards- the 2004 Democratic VP nominee.

Hillary is favored to win the Democratic Presidential nomination and win the November General Election. Richardson will have to wait until 2016 to run for President and become the Democratic Nominee. As VP Richardson would become the front runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. If elected the US Senate- Richardson will not get the opportunity to be Senator- He will become a back bench member of the US Senate.

[Bobby Kahn]

Richardson also said he was not interested in being Vice President. I don't think he would want to be so closely associated with the likes of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, and I can't blame him. He has a stellar political record and there is no use in bringing himself down to their level.

[Saint Subversive]

As an independent, I am a strong supporter of Bill Richardson at this point, and I very much want Democrats to nominate him. He is their best choice by far, and if they pass up their chance, they will regret it in November when their paper candidate is conceding defeat (and Bush is leaving office with self satisfied smirk intact).

I see the postings above predicting that Hillary will win the nomination and then choose him for her running mate, and that it will then "wrap it up" for her and make her election a sure thing. Sorry to rain on your parade, but that is a hopelessly naive and incorrect prediction. First of all, he's not an "ideal VP candidate", he's an ideal PRESIDENTIAL candidate. He is the only governor running, and if youll study electoral science, youll see that the most solid combination is Gov/Sen. He has more experience than all the others combined, and he's a humble enough man who would be a breath of fresh air into the office after 8 years of Bush's cowboy strut. His personal life is beyond reproach and he is more or less fireproof to the right wing attack machine. Larry Sabato stated recently that he is "unbeatable" in the general election, and its true.

The problem with your theory is, I personally wont vote for Hillary under any circumstance, and Im hardly along among independents. Im not going into another rehash of the many reasons why on this blog, Ive discussed them elsewhere and they are certainly well known and widely shared by others. She is the WRONG choice, period. Wake up from your partisan daydream before its too late. Outside of your biased political party, she isnt beloved. I dont personally dislike Obama, but neither do I think he has a chance of surviving the Fox News gauntlet. Both candidates are fatally flawed in the general election. This isnt going to be a cakewalk for your party to win with any candidate you want and no effort involved. Democrats will have to work hard to earn the independent vote, or they will be crying the blues in November.

So if Democrats are too blind to see the obvious logic of the choice available to them in Bill Richardson, then they dont deserve my support in November, or the support of any other independent (and we decide the general election, you cant win without us). If I see the tide turning too far in the first two states, Ill vote for Ron Paul in the Republican caucus instead (as an independent, I can do that, another advantage of being free from blind lockstep partisan bias). Think wisely about your upcoming vote over the holidays, and if you are in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada (like me), South Carolina, or Florida, make your choice with the big picture in mind and the partisan blinders off. My birthday is November 5th, Ill be turning 45 on election eve. Let me be able to celebrate it with you that night as the best candidate truly wins at last.

Vote for sanity in 2008 ... nominate BILL RICHARDSON, youll be glad you did, and so will I. Otherwise, ask for handkerchiefs this Christmas and save them a year.