Richardson Is Out !!!

[WillyT]

AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid

<snip>

MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.

Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.

Richardson's campaign would not comment on the governor's decision, reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.

Richardson had one of the most wide-ranging resumes of any candidate ever to run for the presidency, bringing experience from his time in Congress, President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico Statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black man and a woman.

But Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama dominated the spotlight in the campaign, and Richardson was never able to become a top-tier contender. He accused his rivals of failing to commit to bring troops home from Iraq soon enough.

<snip>

Link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gNrYvAi-WwpRBCdw1Ry9fxZ2as4QD8U2NR201

:shrug:

[MADem]

1. Yes, he is. He's a fine man, and one of the sharpest knives in the drawer. NT

[coco77]

19. I couldn't tell that from watching him..

in the debates..

[Tatiana]

2. He will have a cabinet position in any Democratic administration. n/t

[cynatnite]

3. I'd really like to see him appointed Sec. of State...

no matter which dem candidate wins.

[bdamomma]

4. He was a good guy.

[UTUSN]

14. He ain't DEAD!1 But I'll miss that he would tamp down the flames among the others!1 n/t

[bdamomma]

16. yes, he did put out some flames that is for sure.

[blondeatlast]

5. KO disputed the AP story as did the Richardson camp.

No link, but it was on Countdown tonight.

I hope Keith's right--the wider the field now, the better (although Richardson isn't in my consideration).

[mitchtv]

6. His campaign for VP fell into disarray

after NH. Turned on Hill in IA then she won NH. They say big dog was pissed

[WillyT]

7. Ouch... Gotta Link Fer That ???

Totally believeable.

:shrug:

[mitchtv]

18. No link pundit gossip

Only

[gateley]

9. What do you mean he turned on Hill in IA?

I also remember something he said at a debate which wasn't complimentary to Hillary, and people on DU were going "well, he can kiss that VP slot good bye", but I don't recall exactly what it was he said.

I've also heard that if you piss off the Clintons, there's no forgiveness. However, as someone pointed out to me, if he can deliver votes....who knows?

[mitchtv]

12. He did the same as DK with the second choice thing

but , if he can deliver NM& AZ, NV and threaten TX, who knows?

[CoffeeCat]

8. Which candidate will he endorse?

Any guesses?

[OHdem10]

10. If he is smart--neither, stay friends with both if he wishes

an appointment.

[derby378]

11. Man, I miss Bill Richardson already...

And let this be a lesson to the Clinton, Obama, and Edwards supporters on DU that want to engage in nothing but sniping and bickering at each other. Here I am, I had a favorite candidate, and now he's dropped out, and that means that now I must go on.

See? It's just that easy. I have strong feelings about some issues, but they're not such that I'm willing to refer to any fellow Democrats as the spawn of Satan.

It's gonna be an interesting campaign season, and I'm sorry that Bill is gone, but I'm still here.

[dweller]

13. you're still here? so is this guy ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4018326

and for all the right reasons.
dp

[Kucinich4America]

15. It's too bad the guy didn't hire a speaking coach or something like that.

There's no questioning Richardson's qualifications. He's got a better resume than the entire media-annointed "top 3" combined. And it seems from his recent statements that he had moved considerably closer to reality than his old pals at the DLC, which probably has a lot to do with why he was so obviously ignored.

Downside is, the man has no "stage presence". He didn't articulate himself all that well, and there were times when that made him his own worst enemy, such as with the "gay debate" when he answered a question regarding sexual orientation with the word "choice". Understandably, he lost a few points on that one, whether his answer came out the way he intended or not.

Maybe next time, Bill? Hope you learn from it.

[Virginia Dare]

17. I liked him and sorry to see him go..

because he always has something intelligent and insightful to say. Hopefully we'll see him again in the Senate.

[orleans]

20. is this a for sure now? n/t

[Xithras]

21. Shame. He was the most qualified candidate of the bunch.

I supported him early on, and still think that of ALL the Democratic candidates, he had the best chance of winning in the general election. Plus, he's a governor. John Kennedy is the only senator who has beaten a governor or VP within the lifetimes of any Democrat alive today. Senators beat other senators, and senators beat businesspeople, but senators beating vice presidents or governors is a once a century event.

This is why Huckabee or Romney getting the Rethug nomination is my greatest election fear. Kennedy won because he took a pro-defense position and reached out to conservative voters and liberals alike. Even with that, it was one of the closest elections in American history. I question whether ANY of our candidates have that kind of wide appeal. Richardson might have done it, but the party pockets annointed Clinton and Obama as the golden candidates before they even officially declared. He didn't have a chance.