Richardson nixes fixation on fund-raising, rock star status

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Fri Mar-02-07

JOHNSTON, Iowa New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says that an early emphasis on campaign fund-raising is an "absurd" fixation of "the Washington media" that will ultimately not determine who Democratic voters nominate.
Richardson, who is visiting Iowa for the first time since announcing his run for the Democratic presidential nomination, says he'll have enough money to run -- but he doesn't put much stock in the media's fixation with fund-raising.

Richardson says his status as a governor, and his lengthy resume as a congressman, diplomat, and energy secretary will make him a viable candidate.

He says he's done tangible things for the middle class -- not just given speeches about them and voted on them.


http://www.woi-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6169234&nav=1LFX

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1. little more from the Des Moines Register

"This is the first campaign dominated by two rock stars who have come out of the blocks so early," he said, referring to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. "The pundits have made this race a money race. I believe they are sadly mistaken. Being the only governor in the race is an asset."

Richardson, who began his second term this year, has been United Nations ambassador, U.S. energy secretary and a seven-term member of the U.S. House.

He said his breadth of experience makes him the most qualified to be president, but admitted the challenge to break through the buzz surrounding his better-known opponents will be difficult.

"Iowa's very important to me. I've got to do very well here," Richardson said.

He stopped short of saying he would win the caucuses. But, as the only candidate from the West, he said Iowa could be a boost for him heading to Nevada, scheduled to host the second caucuses five days after Iowa.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/NEWS/70302035/1001/OBITUARIES01