Posted on 03/21/2006 8:50:58 AM PST by IrishMike
On Saturday night I ventured out to Manchester, N.H., to see New Mexico Governor Richardson, probable contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, give the keynote speech at a fundraiser for the state legislature's minority caucus. As I sat at a corner table in the small Mexican restaurant, the room began to take on the atmosphere of a foreign airport. If Richardson was my flight, he was either delayed or cancelled. All the announcements were in Spanish. Though varying in length and urgency, each bulletin had a shared characteristic: "Bill Richardson" were the only two words I could pick out in any of them. Now I'm not one of these people who can be thrown into an indignant apoplexy whenever an ATM offers my options in Spanish. Robust immigration does not signal the end of Western civilization to me and would not even be a cautious blip on my inner radar screen if not for the welfare state. But let's be reasonable. This is New Hampshire. One assumes the minority caucus wants to increase its influence in the state and raise cash, no? Is rendering much of the event inaccessible to many of the very people they are seeking support from the best way to gain access to the political system? Probably not. At last, after 45 minutes Richardson came sashaying in, completely at ease in the candidate-schmoozer role. Hugs, exaggerated recognitions, first names, slaps on the back and fake boxing stances abounded. It was a little disappointing to not see him in the traditional Mexican garb he sometimes throws on. Khakis and a fancy blue dress coat with bright gold cufflinks would have to do. As he made the rounds Richardson begged off calls for him to cut the proverbial rug, demurring that his Southwestern boots made it impossible.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
And then he gave a short speech a good deal of which was...in Spanish. It was admirably non-partisan, however. "I'm a Democrat and I hope everyone here is a Democrat," he said. "But if you're not, that's okay, because I want our people stronger in the Republican Party and the independent parties, too. I want our people stronger everywhere." He also urged attendees to "be proud to be Latino but know you are also part of the American mainstream."
The response from Spanish speakers to this and all the rest I couldn't understand was fairly raucous, but the language barrier left most of the Granite State's traditional middle class white liberals in attendance a bit off balance. Confused eyes betrayed many smiles, but in the interest of diversity people were willing to laugh and clap a few seconds behind the others. It was a noble effort that didn't go entirely unnoticed.
Fat Billy is very slick. He worries me more than Hillary.
As much as I' d like to see him out of NM, he's better being a local problem than being POTUS.
He's getting his feet wet, testing the waters.
Yes, he is very very slick. I think Monica's Pimp wants to be veep.
He's been running since the 'toon was in office.
He want's the whole enchilada. If you've ever seen him eat at El Comedor, you'd know he's capable of it.
We could have Bullet Trains criss-crossing the country
(a) He's too fat to be pres. Seriously.
(b) Hillary! will not let him and I don't think he could fight the Hillary! machine.
the 'toon'
Who / What is that ??
Clintoon... a FReeperism from the dark past.
You too will one day have FSL (FReep as a Second Language) :)
A restaurant in Moriarty NM. Yep, they're not long on imagination.
Clintoon !!!
Now that's good.
Thanks
Take a trip to NM and you will really get an eyeful.Road blocks galore.Wife and I were visiting our two children who live there.We were stopped at three roadblocks in just 20 miles.Then and there,wife and I decided we would never move to a police state.After the second time we were stopped,I asked why didnt they check with the last officers who stopped us.I figured they had radios and could make a quick check.No,they all wanted a turn.
Dates? Occasion?
Guys, anything going on up in the ABQ or Gallup area that I don't know about down here?
Otherwise, those that live here don't know what you're talking about unless its for DWI checks during super-blitz during holidays. Heck, on orders from the Gov, State Police can't ask for ID's from suspected illegals even if they stop them. Usually some overloaded camper or suburban needs to crash before they're caught.
""""touchy-feely in public""""
I've read where that can be in private or the privates too.
Where and when? Been here 15 years (Abq area) and never been in a roadblock.
When I lived up in Santa Fe and during the early eighties, there were regular escapes from the state pen, so many that the neighbors insisted that the state install air raid/weather sirens to alert them. During one escape by a group of particulary bad nasties, you had to go through at least three road blocks when driving from SF to ABQ. I image local gun sales had a sudden jump.
ABQ...where weeds flourish in the sidewalk cracks...even in the nicer neighborhoods
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