unfiltered commentary

Bill Richardson Should Offer More than His Resume

By Nadia Brown, Unfiltered 5-30-07

Democratic Presidential hopeful Bill Richardson has a long-list of accomplishments and is possibly the most qualified nominee of the entire field of candidates-- in both parties. He remains the only Democratic contender with executive experience. However, his resume to this point has not translated to an overriding support in the polls. Why? Well…there are a number of reasons for that-- John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. Sure, he’s got an impressive resume. But outside of his credentials, voters what to know what he stands for? What is his vision for this country?

Bill Richardson continues to position himself as the guy who’s done lots of stuff. “He's the most qualified presidential candidate you have never heard of," Leno, the host of the late night TV show, said this past Friday. But even with his expertise the current New Mexico governor, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and ambassador to the United Nations, has not been able to vault into the top-tier among Democratic presidential heavyweights despite his extensive work history.

While his qualifications are notable, it isn’t the only qualifier for getting elected. Values, vision, faith, character are equally important. People want to connect with a candidate beyond the summary of their professional experience. This means he should not simply tout his resume, but instead, become a candidate that is three-dimensional. Mr. Richardson should tell voters his life story; what shaped his views; how he came to be the man he is today. But more importantly, other than his experience, voters want to know his vision for America. And so far, he has not articulated one.

Most people aren’t aware that Richardson has been married to his wife, Barbara Flavin, for 33 years, or that he was a successful baseball pitcher in high school at Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts, and played at Tufts University. And although Richardson’s could potential be the first nomination for a Hispanic candidate, not everyone knows of his Mexican heritage and that he speaks fluent Spanish.

In this diverse presidential field, it is hard for the so-called second-tier candidate to dominate the headlines with high-profile front runners Sen. Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Obama (D-IL) commanding the spotlight and getting most of the press coverage. Richardson, who is not well known outside the beltway and the state of New Mexico, needs to layout his own vision for America’s future, and tell the American people where he wants to take the country. Particularly when some of his top Democratic rivals are given voters a reason other than their experience to support them: Obama talks about transforming America by putting an end to the “slash and burn politics,” and Edwards has positioned himself has a champion of the poor.

Richardson, a moderate Democrat from a Midwestern state, must make a broader case as to why he should be the next President. Simply telling people to “vote for me because I’m the most qualified,” has not put him ahead in the polls. Though the latest Iowa poll has Richardson at 10%, most national polls including the latest survey from the American Research Group has the governor polling at 2%-- ouch!

There is nothing wrong with selling your credentials, which is what Richardson does in his latest YouTube commercial. But if he expects to energize and mobilize a broader support among voters, he must tap into the hopes and dreams of the American people, and doing so requires more than regurgitating a checklist of his previous employments. Pointing to his resume is a good start, but if it is the only thing he presents to voters, it may not be enough to win the kind of support a frontrunner inevitably needs.

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