Chicago Tribune: Governor Richardson first Latino with credible chance to lead national ticket

[DeepModem Mom]

Richardson in '08 race
Governor 1st Latino with credible chance to lead national ticket
By Michael Tackett
Tribune senior correspondent
Published January 22, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Bill Richardson, the avuncular governor of New Mexico who is an internationalist with a gold-plated resume, on Sunday announced his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, making history as the first Latino to have a credible chance to lead a national ticket.

On paper, Richardson's credentials are unassailable. He has served as a member of Congress, ambassador to the United Nations, energy secretary and, since 2002, governor of a state in the heart of the rapidly growing Sun Belt.

Yet he enters a contest already crowded with big names....The competition to raise money will be at least as intense as the one to gain attention, and on both scores, Richardson will face enormous obstacles. However, Richardson also possesses political skills. He has the ability to fill a big room for a speech and conduct the kind of retail campaigning that is essential in Iowa and New Hampshire. He is unafraid to use humor, either in his speeches or campaign commercials. On top of that, he is a strong debater....

***

Richardson also brings to the race a life of multiculturalism, something he and Obama share. His father was an American banker and his mother was Mexican. He grew up in Mexico City before attending prep school and college in New England. He also was an outstanding pitcher who once considered a professional baseball career....

His candidacy spotlights the emerging role that Latinos play in the cultural and political life of the United States....The Democrats in particular have been trying to capitalize on the surge in Latino voters in crucial states like Florida, and in states such as Arizona and Nevada, where caucuses will be among the first nominating contests in 2008....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0701220204jan22,1,6316682.story

[msongs]

1. richardson sounds more english than "latino" whatever that is nt

[madville]

2. Impressive resume

He also is pro-gun and gets along with the NRA. The two Republican frontrunners, McCain and Rudy, are despised by the NRA and gun-rights supporters. McCain is hated by the NRA because of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform and Rudy is hated for his strict anti-gun history in NYC. It would be very surprising for either one of them to get the (R) nomination anyway. Richardson is very appealing to me, Tester and Webb have shown pro-gun Democrats can do well in "red" areas. I'd have no problem voting for him.

[wyldwolf]

3. He is a rabid campaigner, too. The right campaign machine will make him a contender.