| The latest presidential campaign rumor? Bill Richardson is to drop out of the race. Not a surprise, given Richardson's results in Iowa and New Hampshire, but a sort of important event in these parts. Richardson had a lot of early support here as our "Western Democrat" candidate, his stance on Iraq, alternative energy, and guns, but he lost us.
Steven Benen attributes Richardson's demise to a supply-side economic policy and a past brush with neo-conservatism. I don't agree. Richardson was a terrible campaigner, period. He lost me the first time I saw him debate. (And there was the Red Sox - Yankees thing, of course.)
Bill Richardson simply looked unprepared and outclassed.
But Richardson's support - 5 to 10 percent - gives rise to the obvious question in this tight race: does he endorse, and who? It's not difficult to imagine Richardson parlays his run into a Cabinet position - for which he's obviously well qualified - and, given his lackluster performance, maybe that was the plan all along.
So, who does he tap?
Update: It's official:
"It is with great pride, understanding and acceptance that I am ending my campaign for president of the United States," he told supporters in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
"It's been an exhilarating and humbling year. An experience I will treasure and I will never forget."
The report says Richardson "has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate or secretary of state in a Democratic administration."
Not sure if his debate skills earned him a VP slot (maybe Dodd?). Secretary of state is intriguing... |
