Jeffry Gardner: Run, Bill, Run
Jeffry Gardner: Run, Bill, RunCan Richardson win the fund-raising race against Hillary?By Jeffry Gardner
Well, Bill?
It's weird to read a front page headline asking a governor such a pointed question, such things usually left for the editorial page.
But that's what this paper did recently, wrapping up a series of articles on Bill Richardson by asking if he's truly running for president.
Most observers believe he's running. After all, he's basically established residency in New Hampshire.
Many of these same observers treat this all with a wink and nod. "He's going to run, sure," they'll say if you press them, "but he's really positioning himself for (fill in the blank)."
You can fill that blank with at least three different answers: the second spot on the Democrat's ticket; the Secretary of State job; to sate his ego.
All of these may well be valid, though the third cancels out the first, I think. Richardson doesn't seem the type much interested in carrying, let's say, New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's briefcase and overseeing the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
Given that the primary season in the Greater Darfur area has come and gone, Richardson's recent visit there adds credibility to those who think his goal is to become the next Democratic Secretary of State.
Is it out of the realm of possibility that he could win the Democratic nomination? I mean, gee, he's a swell guy.
Super smart, too. He cut income taxes, declared a state of emergency to battle illegal immigration (sort of), and he even tried out an environmentally correct sport utility vehicle. From a distance, it appears he's got it goin' on.
But our perspective's actually askew because we don't see him from a distance. We see him up close. We see and read about Richardson's exploits to the point we don't see the broader picture. When local stories splash about Richardson's fund-raising ability and how well his PAC supported various candidates, it's pretty impressive - relative to New Mexico.
But take a look east and check out, oh, Hillary, again. Sure, her political action committee, HillPAC, raised only about $1.4 million last cycle - half of what Richardson's Moving America Forward PAC reportedly generated.
But take a look at what Clinton raised for her virtually uncontested Senate race - nearly $52 million. That's power, pal. Regardless of whether or not she's truly electable, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated that big dollars are hers for the announcing.
So far, nearly every registered Democrat in the nation is running for President, save Richardson and Clinton. They are by far, for my money (and, of course, they're not getting any of that), the shrewdest politicos in the Democratic Party.
But only one of them can declare they're running for the White House and, in short order, drain the Big Money well all but dry. And to date, the New York Times hasn't asked, "Well, Hill?"
Soon, though. Very soon.
Gardner is an Albuquerque writer and political consultant.
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jan/13/jeffry-gardner-run-bill-run/
Well, Bill?
It's weird to read a front page headline asking a governor such a pointed question, such things usually left for the editorial page.
But that's what this paper did recently, wrapping up a series of articles on Bill Richardson by asking if he's truly running for president.
Most observers believe he's running. After all, he's basically established residency in New Hampshire.
Many of these same observers treat this all with a wink and nod. "He's going to run, sure," they'll say if you press them, "but he's really positioning himself for (fill in the blank)."
You can fill that blank with at least three different answers: the second spot on the Democrat's ticket; the Secretary of State job; to sate his ego.
All of these may well be valid, though the third cancels out the first, I think. Richardson doesn't seem the type much interested in carrying, let's say, New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's briefcase and overseeing the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
Given that the primary season in the Greater Darfur area has come and gone, Richardson's recent visit there adds credibility to those who think his goal is to become the next Democratic Secretary of State.
Is it out of the realm of possibility that he could win the Democratic nomination? I mean, gee, he's a swell guy.
Super smart, too. He cut income taxes, declared a state of emergency to battle illegal immigration (sort of), and he even tried out an environmentally correct sport utility vehicle. From a distance, it appears he's got it goin' on.
But our perspective's actually askew because we don't see him from a distance. We see him up close. We see and read about Richardson's exploits to the point we don't see the broader picture. When local stories splash about Richardson's fund-raising ability and how well his PAC supported various candidates, it's pretty impressive - relative to New Mexico.
But take a look east and check out, oh, Hillary, again. Sure, her political action committee, HillPAC, raised only about $1.4 million last cycle - half of what Richardson's Moving America Forward PAC reportedly generated.
But take a look at what Clinton raised for her virtually uncontested Senate race - nearly $52 million. That's power, pal. Regardless of whether or not she's truly electable, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated that big dollars are hers for the announcing.
So far, nearly every registered Democrat in the nation is running for President, save Richardson and Clinton. They are by far, for my money (and, of course, they're not getting any of that), the shrewdest politicos in the Democratic Party.
But only one of them can declare they're running for the White House and, in short order, drain the Big Money well all but dry. And to date, the New York Times hasn't asked, "Well, Hill?"
Soon, though. Very soon.
Gardner is an Albuquerque writer and political consultant.
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jan/13/jeffry-gardner-run-bill-run/
posted by presgore19 at 3:10 AM
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