What Isn’t Bill Richardson Doing?

[bigtree]

from 2008 Central: http://2008central.net/?p=331

Written by
08 Guru AsC

Bill Richarson has been quite the busy body lately, further highlighting his breakout potential…
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/16847220.htm

* He’s been losing weight and refreshing his look. I mean, look at the other big names…Obama, Giuliani, Edwards, McCain are all in great shape for their respective age and body types. I don’t think it should matter, but it does…so Richardson’s weight loss could give him a boost.
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/07/newly-svelte-gov-bill-richardson-hits-road/


* Yesterday, he signed into law two bills that support renewable energy by quadrupling the “use of clean electricty by 2020″ and establish a “Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to help export solar, wind and other renewable energy.” (http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/06/diem-tuesday/) Needless to say, now that “New Mexico has moved past California and reclaimed the title of the nation’s renewable energy king,” Richardson has some tangible green credentials to add to his already impressive resume.
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_5364305


* Not to be outdone by John Edwards on the poverty issue, Gov. Richardson has been pressuring New Mexico’s legislature to overcome the legal and procedural hurdles currently delaying a law that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $7.50 - “This is enough dillydallying about whether it should be a House bill or a Senate bill, whether it should have indexing or pre-emption. We need an increase in the minimum wage, and I will press for a vote from the Senate.”
http://www.currentargus.com/ci_5363331

* As the state legislature’s session draws to a close, Richardson is growing impatient and is letting it be known, “We’ve only got a few days to go, and I’m urging very quick action on the ethics package. I’m urging very quick, strong action on predatory lending. I want that cockfighting bill, I want medical marijuana, I want my tax cuts.”
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_5364227

Also, here’s a quick summary of Richardson’s pending legislation…I strongly recommend checking it out. With all of this going on in addition to a presidential campaign, I think Richardson should be a little grumpy that he’s not getting more press attention.
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/06/crunchtime-gets-close-gov-richardsons-bills/

[saltpoint]

1. Richardson is looking very persuasive in the press, I think. A lot more

voters are giving him fair consideration as a diplomat, an energy specialist, and as a convincing leader.

His name is coming up more and more, and in a positive context.

When people on various blogs speculate about his chances of being on our ticket, they rate him high on the short list.

He's getting it done.

[napi21]

2. I assume the underlying question is Why isn't Bill more popular?

Why isn't HE higher in the candidate polls?

I think it's because he just isn't making it into the daily news! Who do you hear about every day? Hillary, McCain, Giuliani, Romney, and Obama. Most of what you hear is about something controversial, but people HEAR those names!

I wasreally surprised last week, when my 38 YO son was visiting for a weekend. I had CNN on andthey were talking about the top polling Dem candidates in the 08 race, so they were comparing Hillary and Obama. My son looked at me and said "do I understand this right? The top Dems are Hillary and some black guy?" Now, my son HATES Shrub! He is all prepared to vote for a Dem, and he discusses politics quite often, with me & at work, but he rarely watches TV or reads the paper. He had NO IDEA who that "black guy" was.

My point is, the only people who even KNOW who Obama, Richardson, Romney, Dodd, and all the lesser known candidates are the junkies like we are! I don't know if it's just way too soon for most people to even think about a primary election that is almost a year away, so they just tune it out, or if info on most candidates is just not National yet.

[paulk]

4. once again, the MSM coverage of this election

is based on what the MSM thinks will sell rather than the issues.

Every one of the 2nd tier candidates (Dodd, Richardson, Biden) has a better resume, in terms of actual experience, than the 1st tier (Clinton, Obama, Edwards).

It's a long way to the election, but it would sure be nice to see these 2nd tier candidates get some airtime - airtime based on something other than gender, skin color, or how good looking they are...

[bigtree]

5. we'll take 'good-looking'

[paulk]

12. well,

I have heard it said....

that beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

[Township75]

3. My guess...

My guess is that he is NOT running a glamour or attack-based campaign now, so it comes off as relatively boring to the high powered Hollywood dinner based HC or BO campaign.

I think Richardson is the best candidate out there, and he is my pick, but unfortunately, I don't think he is going to get the nod :(

[KingofNewOrleans]

6. I think he's doing just fine right now

He's doing the ground work and raising enough money to stay in the game. He's not going to outspend anybody but I think he can position himself to stay in til Mega-Tuesday where he might do just fine, as least regionally. And from there who knows what.

[Tellurian]

7. Like I always say..

A man with a plan is a dangerous man! :)

[napi21]

8. He well may be hanging back a bit, because the TOP candidates this

far out usually destroy each otherandthegreatbeneficiaries are those who are known, but not so severely attcked. It's a very long wayto the primaries, and I think you'll see a much different field a year from now!

[KingofNewOrleans]

9. Well, a year from now

about 80% of the delgates will have been selected, but yes with proper groundwork and at least a decent amount of money raised, the opportunity to make a move may present itself 8-9 months from now.

[Township75]

10. This is true...

I remember Dean was the clear leader until Iowa, then Kerry came out of nowhere (I believe 6th place in polls before hand).

I really hope Richardson gets the nod, as I think his background in diplomacy, energy, being a governor, and being pro-gun rights (although I realize not everyone likes that; I LOVE IT!) would make him get every state Kerry did, plus NM and a few other western states.

[bigtree]

11. There's more and more talk about a western front

with Cali, Idaho, and others moving their primaries up