Bill Richardson in Iowa; Money isn't everything (but he can raise it), and the race is not over

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN/AP: Friday, March 02, 2007
Richardson in Iowa: Money isn't everything


Gov. Richardson makes his first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) -- Democrat Bill Richardson said Friday that money isn't everything, even in presidential politics.

The New Mexico governor is seeking the nomination in a field dominated by Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, who have captured much of the attention and a considerable amount of campaign dollars.

"There is this fixation that the Washington media is developing that this race is basically already over and that the two most important attributes are who can raise the most money and who has the most rock-star status," Richardson told reporters on Friday, after taping a show for Iowa Public Television.

"I think that's absurd. I think the voters of Iowa will have something to say about that."

Still, Richardson boasted about his ability to raise money.

"I don't want to get into numbers, but I was able to raise $14 million for my race as governor. I raised close to $30 million for the Democratic Governor's Association. We raised $2 million in one night in New Mexico," he said. "We'll be respectable."...

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/03/richardson-in-iowa-money-isnt.html

[SaveElmer]

1. He'll be in the hunt no doubt about it...

I think he will supplant Edwards in the top three and make a run at it...

[Deep13]

2. By the end of 2007,...

...people will be pretty damn sick of Clinton and Obama.

[pstans]

3. I attended one of his events on Saturday

I am going to write about it on my blog, Century of the Common Iowan.

Richardson didn't do anything to win me over. I liked what he said about energy independence, foreign policy, and immigration. When he opened it up to questions he wasn't as polished. He stumbled a bit on a question No Child Left Behind, on health care, campaign finance reform. I felt that he was giving answers that he thought you wanted to hear. I know he just entered the race, so hasn't had the time to polish his answers. I will give him another chance. Right now, I think he would be an ideal VP candidate with Edwards or Obama.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for reporting, pstans! nt

[DemBones DemBones]

4. He's got the advantage of many years of experience, including gubernatorial

experience. I don't know what his positions on the issues are but I'm glad he's running. I'm sick of the media acting like it's got to be Obama or Clinton for the Dems and McCain or Giuliani for the Repubs, since I don't think any of them would be the president we'll need to undo the * damage.


"Richardson, making his first trip to Iowa since announcing his presidential bid, emphasized his lengthy resume as a congressman, diplomat, energy secretary and governor. He also took subtle digs at his Democratic opponents -- all senators or former senators -- in making his case."

"I'm a governor. I believe that's an asset," Richardson told reporters. "I've got CEO experience ... I've done things to help the middle class -- tangible things. I don't just give speeches about it and vote on it."


Why do the media feel compelled to say things like "He also took subtle digs at his Democratic opponents"? Why not "He also pointed out the differences between himself and his Democratic opponents -- all senators or former senators -- in making his case"?

There was nothing "subtle" about what he said. He clearly stated that as a CEO he had done things, not just given speeches and voted on bills. And it's not really a "dig" to state the facts. He'd be a fool not to point out how he is different from the others.

Of course, the media left out one candidate who's not a senator or former senator, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who was formerly mayor of Cleveland and in the Ohio legislature. They refuse to give him any chance at all. :mad:

[bigtree]

5. i've been wondering how he would begin to draw distinctions between himself and the others

he has a good point about his depth and breadth of experience.