Richardson Says It Would Be an 'Honor' to Run With Obama
Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event just now in Manhattan, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico said that being picked as Barack Obama's Vice President would be an "honor."
"Look," said Richardson when asked by a moderator if he would take the job. "How can anyone turn down an honor like that, honestly?"
Richardson said that he loved being an ambassador to the United Nations, energy secretary and governor, but added, "of course, how can you turn something [like that] down?"
He then transitioned into a discussion about immigration policy, the topic for the day's discussion.
UPDATE: He was asked later on what attributes a vice president should have. His answer, in part: “Regional balance -- can you bring votes.” He went on to say, “We’ve ignored the Southwest Hispanic vote.”
He also said, “If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona…he’d be president today.”
I've been calling for Richardson's name on the ticket for months. I've not heard any better candidate. The only issue is whether 'merica will accept a ticket that's not got a "purely" white person. I hope so.
People who blatantly campaign for VP never get it. (Of course most people who don't campaign for it don't get it either, since there can only be one VP and there are lots of good candidates.)
It is not so much the "How can you turn it down" comment, but what he says about the attributes of a VP. He said in effect "the attirbutes you need are the attributes I have". Shameless.
After the lack of alertness and quickness shown in his debate performances, I would not want to see him in a VP debate for the GE.
Would selection of Richardson, whose support for Obama had no significant impact among Latinos, help to bring the Party together when he's considered a traitor among many Clinton supporters?
How was Richardson *not* a traitor when he was running *against* Hillary early in the race?
Unfortunately, I didn't see the Governor's name on the short list that NBC leaked last week. But I still have hope...heh-heh...
Barack said that he was going to reclaim Clinton's "Secretary of State for East and West" cabinet positions. Richardson is tailor-made for the West SecState. Biden would be a good one for the East.
And I'm _still_ kicking myself for not being at the PortlandOR rally with both of my Democratic candidate heroes on one stage...that's the political equivalent of missing Woodstock by a hundred miles...
I think Mr Richardson is well qualified and positioned to be a running mate to Mr Obama as I have been saying for months now. But there is just a limited political oxygen for three minorities a the top leadership position in this country. The Speaker, Mrs Polesi is a woman. Mr Obama, black, if he wins and his Vice a hispanic? This reality will isolate turn off white male voters so much that Mr McCain will ride an easly to victory.
Mr Obama's running mate will be a white male if he wants to win in November.
I like Mr Richardson but Obama/Richardson will makes me nervous.
I lost all respect for Richardson when he campaigned for president. He staked out a host of positions (not just on Iraq) that were completely irresponsible, merely to get noticed. Totally spineless.
Ebuka - how are women a "minority" when a majority of Americans are women? um...