Nice piece... I remember Senator Byrd dressing down Richardson in the Sub-Committee hearing. I guess this was regarding the Monica Lewinsky affair... Richardson was literally sucking on his thumb or finger, while Robert KKK Byrd was saying basically "you'll never work in this town again." I'm sure there will be video footage of this should he actually seek the presidency in 2008.
Up to that point, Richardson seemed to be one of the few guys in the Clinton Administration that might have a future in politics but there it was: going down the drain.
As Jim McDougal said: the Clintons are like a tornado -- they come into your lives and leave death and destruction in their wake. Welcome to the tornado, Governor Richardson!
It's truly incredible the ego these Dems who think they have a realistic chance to be president: Richardson, Dodd, Biden, Kerry, Edwards! Amazing.
This is how Slate Magazine (no friend to Conservatives) explains the Richardson's character:
Richardson's career, in short, testifies to the power of the schmooze. Unlike Clinton, he doesn't marry schmoozing to wonkery. He is weak on policy, often skipping complicated discussions for a cigar and a party. He has no great beliefs, which may be why he didn't mind flattering despots. In Richardson's world, personal relationships may trump principles, and friendships may supersede treaties. (Clinton exploited this during his Monica Lewinsky troubles.)