With a Wink, Gov. Visits N.H., Swears He's Still Undecided (NM-Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | August 4, 2006 | Michael Coleman

[CedarDave]

MANCHESTER, N.H.-- Gov. Bill Richardson insists he's undecided about running for president, but he sounded every bit like a candidate in New Hampshire on Thursday.

The New Mexico Democrat, who is chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, made six public appearances in cities across this presidential proving ground and is scheduled to make three more today.

<< snip >>

At a lunchtime fundraiser in Manchester, the governor noted the presence of a reporter from his home state when talking about his plans.

"You're probably all wondering, 'Why is the governor of New Mexico here?' '' a grinning Richardson told 50 people crammed into a small union hall. "Now, I've got to be careful because a reporter of the Albuquerque Journal is watching me."

Richardson reminded the audience that he's running for re-election in New Mexico this year and must win that contest before entering another.

"If I decide to run— I've made no decision— where's the Journal guy?" a still-grinning Richardson said, generating laughter from the audience. "I have a re-election for governor of New Mexico and that has to come first."

<< snip>>

Several times, Richardson said he hadn't made up his mind about a presidential bid, and then launched into a speech touting his credentials on foreign policy and energy— two issues sure to be critical to the 2008 campaign for the White House.

<< snip >>

John Dendahl, Richardson's Republican opponent in the New Mexico governor's race, said Richardson obviously is spending time in New Hampshire to raise his profile for a run for national office.

"Clearly, Bill Richardson is taking advantage of the people of the state of New Mexico by being paid to go to New Hampshire and using that to pursue his own ambitions," Dendahl said in a telephone interview Thursday.

[CedarDave]

Nothing new here. The NM Legislature doesn't meet again for another six-months so King Bill has plenty of time to barnstorm the country for his non-campaign campaign.

[ClearCase_guy]

Gov. Bill Richardson insists he's undecided

How can you tell if a Democrat is lying? His lips are moving.

[Tijeras_Slim]

He's undecided what tie to wear to the first presidental debate.

[EagleUSA]

Nice try Bill -- like most libs, you are really bad at lying.

[NRA2BFree]

He's such a pig! I wish he would get elected to something that would take him out of our state. LOL

[libs_kma]

Does this idiot, klintoon crony think he has a snowballs chance in he!! of being elected POTUS?

How freaking delusional is that?

[paul51]

in a national election, he is their strongest candidate (my humble opinion)

[CedarDave]

in a national election, he is their strongest candidate (my humble opinion)

Certainly he is the least radical of their candidates, but he's as corrupt and power hungry as Bill Clinton.

[InterceptPoint]

Richardson is probably a long shot to get the nomination but would be (IMHO) a formidable opponent if he does.

I base this on a recent survey that I did. The population sample was 1 and the margin of error is 98% but the what the heck we all know that polls aren't that great this far before an election.

Here is how the poll went:

1. The pollee (is there such a word?) was my wife.

2. I didn't ask her anything - she just volunteered that she really likes Richardson. I was floored.

3. From which I conclude that he is dangerous.

Some background on my wife: She is to the right of the most right-wing Freepers - way out there. Loves Fox, hates CNN, loves Bush, hates McCain, Kennedy, Clinton, Schummer and all the other usual suspects.

OTOH, Richardson cut taxes and has succeeded (I believe) with his New Mexico is friendly to business campaign. So I need some ammo to shoot this guy down. What do we have?

[Mike Darancette]

Richardson is running for VP on a Clinton ticket. That would be a tough combo except for the fact that Clinton is probably poison.

[widowithfoursons]

Ammo? Just take a look at NM (I suggest a road trip). The place is a third world country, and the only claim to fame is the annual baloon festival on Albuquerque. If the AF wasn't there, there would be no economy.

[CedarDave]

For the past eight or nine months I have been posting threads detailing his power grabs and corruption. Do a keyword search on Bill Richardson or just Richardson and you will get a listing of articles detailing his activities. Happy hunting.

[Tijeras_Slim]

The place is a third world country, and the only claim to fame is the annual baloon festival on Albuquerque.

Hey, there's some handsome Freepers there........ :)

[Let's Roll]

Friendly to business?

Didn't Richardson support the new "living wage" law?

[Buck W.]

I think he's running for vice president. He has good VP demographics for whoever gets the dem nomination.

[Let's Roll]

see #14

[Durus]

I think that if Hillary wins the nomination Barak Obama will be the VP candidate.

[widowithfoursons]

Ya betcha!! (But they were probably just visiting).

[griswold3]

A site I visit for my NASCAR updates www.luckydawgnews.com has some really funny B Richardson parodies.

[CedarDave]

Yes he did, but it failed in the last legislature because or provisions tacked on that would have allowed or prohibited individual cities to expand the wage. From an online Democrat newsletter:

An increase in the minimum wage is an issue familiar to New Mexicans. Albuquerque and Santa Fe have seen campaigns to increase the wage, though a proposal for a statewide wage hike backed by Gov. Bill Richardson failed in this year's legislative session.

Santa Fe has a minimum wage of $9.50. In Albuquerque, the City Council approved a wage hike to $6.75 starting in January, and to $7.50 in 2009.