Richardson and a California Blogger
Bill Bradley is a very knowledgable observer of California politics whose blog is particularly distinctive owing to the high volume of interaction between Bradley and his commenters.
Bradley has expressed a great interest in the Nevada primary and blogs here about the recent appearances of General Clark and Governor Richardson in that state:
For his part, Richardson, who has won two elections as governor in a swing state, the last with 69% of the vote, acknowledges that he is a longshot candidate. He’s presenting himself as a candidate of Western individualism, a backer of the Second Amendment, someone who wants to bring American troops out of Iraq, fight climate change and advance renewable energy, and stimulate the economy with new industries.
Richardson has worked closely with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Western Governors Association, and hits the bipartisan progress theme as well. Richardson was chairman of the Western Governors Association and of the Democratic Governors Association, giving him valuable contacts. He especially touts his background as a troubleshooter and negotiator in foreign crises, something he began while a mere congressman — which brought him squarely into the focused attention of then President Bill Clinton — and has continued as New Mexico’s governor.
In order to win the Democratic presidential nomination, Richardson will have to overcome much better known and financed candidates in the form of Clinton, Obama, and John Edwards, the former U.S. senator from North Carolina and 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee. It’s not impossible. Clinton has real problems in the early line-up of states. Obama lacks experience and a resume. Edwards is well-positioned early but likely to take a pounding from others in the first tier.
If Richardson breaks through early, the limelight could well turn to him. He has not only a glittering resume and experience on the global stage to offer it, but something else. He is the first major Latino politician to run for president. That could be a tremendous plus in the likely early California presidential primary.
