Emily asks for “a top ten of why Richardson is the best person for the job so far.”
- Richardson has never been a U.S. senator. Senators have no idea how to be president and only two senators have gone directly from the Senate to the White House in more than 100 years (Harding and Kennedy).
- Richardson has been U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. I believe we need a president who has actually been on the international scene — and has several personal diplomatic successes — to help repair the immense damage done in the past six years.
- Richardson has been energy secretary. Is there a domestic issue more important than energy and climate change?
- Richardson doesn’t have any children to embarrass the country.
- Richardson played baseball, albeit perhaps not as well as he has let on, but playing is better than owning a team.
- Richardson is a governor. Governors generally know how things can get done — Franklin Roosevelt, Reagan, Clinton come to mind.
- Richardson’s background is multi-national, just as our country is.
Richardson’s mother, Maria Luisa Lopez-Collada, was the daughter of a mother from an intellectual family from Oaxaca and a blond-haired, blue-eyed father from northern Spain.
Richardson’s father, after whom he was named, was also half-Spanish. His father, an Anglo biologist from Boston working in Nicaragua, met his mother, Rosa, as she got off a boat from Spain.
Richardson’s father ended up in Mexico City after postings in Italy and Cuba for First National City Bank of New York, called Citibank today. He was sent to Mexico City in 1929 to open a branch of the bank and remained its vice president and manager for 29 years. (The Albuquerque Journal)
- Richardson seems to have a reasonable joie de vivre. I think our best presidents (Jefferson, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, Clinton) have approached life as an adventure.
- Richardson’s ads last year in his reelection campaign were fun. And he took 68.8% of the vote in a red state (though just red).
- Richardson is from New Mexico.
These were essentially off the top of my head. Others may add and detract as they see fit.
Thank you. That really gives me a lot to think about as we move into this election.
I haven’t made any decisions about Richardson/Obama/Clinton/Edwards/Whoever-else, but this is a great list Ken. I might argue Health Care as a response to #3 (with climate a close second) but otherwise, great info.
While I threw my hat in the ring to support Edwards, Richardson is giving him a definite run for my money.
But number 10? Nepotism.
You list some good reasons to support Richardson. Except for No. 5. How does playing baseball prepare you for being president? Maybe you could explain. And No. 10 since I’m not from New Mexico. But it would definitely be great to see the first Hispanic president.
I like #8 the very best. 🙂
I’m thinkin’ his playing baseball is a good thing in comparison to owning a baseball team, blackmailing a city into purchasing a new stadium, and then passing the cost of it on to the new owners. Kinda sounds familiar in terms of ball… um I mean deal breakers ie: Iran/Iraq. (Facetiously speaking.)
I’ve been reading all of the major blogs and they are now reporting on his innappropriate behaviors with women. I’m wondering how he’s going to answer to that.
After watching Hilary’s non-answers on her webchat last night… I just kept thinking… ‘Man, it’s going to be surreal for the next year.’
I sure hope Richardson comes out of his legislature dealings powerfully. That, of course, will be very telling (as it’s already been with his appointments) especially in the wake of a the introduction of a bill to impeach Bush.
As that lil’ guy in Laugh In used to say, “Veddy Intedesting… VEDddy Interrrrrrresting…”
🙂
Would make a good president, but is unelectable. A very good VP possibility, concentrating on energy and foreign affairs, and a definite front runner for Secretary of State. Definitely a place for him in the new Democratic president’s administration.
#11: Because if you don’t vote for him he’ll break your arm.
#10 may sound like nepotism coming from NewMexiKen, but rephase it as “Richardson is a Western Governor” and I think it is quite relevant.
New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada, to name just a few, are potential swing states. A understanding of the West and a Western strategy is critical to a Democratic Presidential win on 2008. Even normally red states like Montana might swing Blue for Richardson.
Kerry was hurt in states like this by a perception that he wasn’t like them, and Hillary faces a similar challenge. Neither Edwards nor Obama have the wealth of experience that Richardson does.