Politica - Richardson

I like Bill Richardson. I agree with him on a lot of the issues, in contrast to our current president, he appears to be a reasonably intelligent man, and he seems to actually care about the people - he's certainly comes off more sincere than, say, Hillary or W. Given the opportunity, I'd be glad to vote for him.

That being said, Richardson doesn't have a chance in hell of winning.

When polled, the American voter will proudly proclaim they are ready and able to vote for a minority candidate. When Election Day rolls around, what they say and what they do are often two separate entities. Although considering the current crop of candidates, race may not play as big a factor as the past. Unless Gore throws his hat into the race, odds are we're going to get a minority candidate come November '08. Are we long overdue for a female/black/Hispanic/gay/etc. candidate? Of course. Do I have any faith in the American public to actually go out and vote for said candidate? No.

Then there's the whole was he or wasn't he the leak in the Wen Ho Lee situation. Ultimately a non-issue, but non-issues are the bread and butter of any good campaign. If Richardson advances any further, expect to hear about this one screaming from every angle.

Racism and Wen Ho Lee will play a factor in this campaign, you can bet your bottom dollar on it, but that's not what will keep Richardson from the oval office. A couple elections ago, that would have been more than enough ammo to sink his candidacy. Above fear of their fellow man, above true political controversies, there's nothing the American voter loves more than a politician sticking their foot in their mouth. Clinton's, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," virtually everything W has said, Kerry's botched jokes, etc.

Enter Richardson's baseball career.

"After being notified of the situation and after researching the matter... I came to the conclusion that I was not drafted by the A's."

That has to be my all-time favorite quote by a politician, outclassing all the Bushisms combined. What was this cat smoking and where can I get my hands on some of it? After some careful research into my own private life, I've come to the conclusion that not only was I not the inspiration for the hit television series Doogie Howser MD, but I had nothing to do with the events leading up to WWII.

So long, it's been good to know ya Bill.

(BTW, Salon has a great article on Richardson from back in '05. Check it out.)

Tags: Bill Richardson, 2008 election, politics

posted by m/a/z/e  [10:14 AM]   0 comments