WP's series of memories from friends of the candidates: Bill Richardson, "With Energy to Spare"

[DeepModem Mom]

With Energy To Spare
Sunday, March 11, 2007; Page B01

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -- who's also a former congressman, energy secretary and U.N. ambassador -- is hoping to become the first Hispanic president. But this son of a well-to-do Anglo father and a Mexican mother is more frequently mentioned as a VP choice. Inside, those who've played college baseball and political hardball with him recall a man of boundless energy

New England boarding schools circa 1961 weren't quite the spa environment they are today. The arrival of tall, shy, skinny (yes, skinny!) Bill Richardson at Middlesex School from sunny Mexico must have been a severe shock to him in many ways -- climatic, cultural and emotional, for starters. No matter that in pitching he was touted as a ringer; he was still a self-conscious kid like us all.

Though we sat in class, ate, played sports and had fun together at school, I didn't get to know Bill well until 1964, when my family took a trip to Mexico City over spring vacation and he invited us to his family home for lunch.

I recall driving through dirty, dusty streets surrounded by high-walled compounds. When the door opened to Bill's family compound, the impact was overwhelming. A sumptuous garden, a stunning hacienda, and an elegance and refinement that was nonexistent a few meters away. Bill's parents were gracious and cordial.

Once we were alone, Bill immediately suggested a clandestine trip to Acapulco for a few days of parentally unencumbered sensual exploration. You have no idea the impact such a suggestion can have on the imagination of a 15-year-old Episcopalian from the Midwest.

Unfortunately, the scheme soon unraveled and we didn't take the trip....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/09/AR2007030901887.html

[bklyncowgirl]

1. Interesting article. Richardson's quite a character.

He seems to be a guy who knows how to make things happen--from conning his baseball coach into a couple of days on the beach in Acapulco to getting the Utes some of their land back to convincing Saddam Hussein to release some hostages.

Not a bad trait in a presidential wannabe.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. I was at an event at which he was the speaker, and met him very briefly.

He is quite a personality, quite the politician. He had a large group of mostly Republicans both entertained, and educated on issues both foreign and domestic. People left there impressed.

[bigtree]

2. I like the energy and drive

very promising