Where Richardson’s Involved, We’re Never Alone

By Emily Esterson, 3-12-07

Yes, I have decided to change the column name to Grok from Watch, since the Santa Fe New Mexican started doing this Bill Richardson Watch on its website. Looks like the weekly update goes back to 2/20, so they probably had the idea before me (although maybe not?). In any case, Kate Nash of the Albuquerque Tribune checks in with blogger After W who places big Billy in fifth place after John Edwards (fourth), Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

On a more local scene, a victory and a defeat for Richardson that could have an impact on his campaign. The cockfighting ban finally passed, leaving poor old Louisiana as the only state to allow the practice. Medical marijauna lost a squeaker of a battle in the New Mexico State House of Representatives. Richardson told the El Paso, Texas, Times that he wants to revive the bill.  Why the push for MM? Possibly because it is a pet issue of Democratic Party heavy Georg Soros, who contributed to Richardson’s last gubernatorial campaign, as did the Drug Policy Alliance, which works to reform drug laws. So even if, as the New Mexican writes, Richardson did deride Gary Johnson’s constant efforts to legalize marijuana, Richardson’s sure pushing hard for this medical bill to pass.

The Chicago Sun TImes weighs in Sunday on Richardson’s chances as a potential vice presidential nominee and an
“increasingly possible nominee for president.” The ST does the usual resume roundup, noting that the Mexican American has strong support in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado (never mind about New Mexico itself, with its four itty bitty electoral college votes).

The Huffington Post told it like we know it here in New Mexico, with this brilliant little leadoff on late last week: He’s an overweight, whipsmart, popular and charismatic Democratic governor from a Southern State who is running for president-- and is dogged by rumors of sexual misconduct. Bill Clinton redux? Nope. It’s New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who was named last week by New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks as “the candidate most likely to rise.” The post goes on to explore whether Richardson has too many Clinton-esque skeletons in his closet (or are those blue dresses hanging there?) to make to the final cut.