Richardson Has The Potential To Surprise

By Lee Bandy
SouthCarolina Inisder

(7/13/07) Democrats may have the best presidential candidate in New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

“I haven’t seen anybody in either party who has the depth that this fellow has,” says Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen, a staunch Republican.

“He has got a wealth of experience.”

Check his resume.

He has served in Congress, been a diplomat, represented the United States before the United Nations, served as U. S. energy secretary under President Clinton and was re-elected governor of New Mexico in a landslide.

He has crept into contention for the Democratic presidential nomination as an easy-going candidate.

Those who have observed him closely on the campaign trail say he’s a natural, the real thing.

He has got a big smile, an easy-going manner that makes voters feel extremely comfortable around him.

Richardson emphasizes bipartisanship and co-operation everywhere he travels.

He now heads the Democratic party’s second tier of presidential hopefuls and could easily move into the top tier as others fall by the wayside.

Richardson supporters often point to his balance of experience, partisan credentials and electability – qualities that most likely recommend him for vice president.

But don’t count Richardson out of the race for the top job either. He has the potential to surprise.

Running under the shadow of better known candidates who have served in elected office for shorter periods of time, Richardson loves to point to his breadth of experience as a congressman, U.N. ambassador, and U.S. secretary of energy.

One of the biggest factors weighing in his favor is his personality. He’s well liked.

Unlike his Democratic competitors, who come across as rigid and rehearsed, Richardson seems relaxed and sure of himself as he campaigns across the country seeking support for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Richardson distinguishes himself among the eight Democrats, calling himself a “moderate.”

As governor, Richardson kept a tight lid on spending and lowered taxes.

“He comes across as being a different Democrat,” observed Dave Woodard, a political scientist at Clemson University and Republican consultant. “He likes capital development and all that stuff. And let me tell you. He can really galvanize a crowd. I’ve seen it. He is impressive”

The governor was in South Carolina last week. It was his first visit to the state since an April debate. He promised to come back more often, although he conceded his chances of winning the S.C. Democratic primary are slim.

The contest is one of the early primary voting states.

“My objective in South Carolina is to do well, not to win,” he told the media.

He says his success in the Jan. 29 primary will rely on his experience and grass-roots campaign style. He says he doesn’t have the kind of resources that frontrunners Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois have.

“It’s all going to depend on money,” Thigpen says.

Richardson’s campaign reported $7 million in second quarter fund-raising, well below leading Democratic rivals.

Thigpen recently attended a function where Richardson was in attendance and said, “I took to him.”

Then he added, “I think he is one of the best candidates in the field on both sides.”

Thigpen said the Democrats would be “insane” not to pick Richardson. He’s the one Democrat who could attract moderate Republican voters in the general election.

And if Hillary Clinton is the nominee?

“South Carolina is going to have to do some serious thinking,” said Trav Robertson, a Richardson campaign strategist.

Richardson is sitting in a great position in South Carolina. He just has to play his cards carefully.

His people were energized by the reception the New Mexico governor got last weekend.

All signs point upwards.