Chris Kelly backs Richardson, but....
Submitted by I_heart_BR on Mon, 05/28/2007 - 13:15.
In the many conversations I've had about Bill Richardson over the past couple of months, I have found many supporters for him among people who follow politics closely enough to be able to name at least five candates from both parties. But they always seem to share the same attitude Columbia Daily Tribune columnist and probable state rep candidate Chris Kelly expressed in his column today.
"Biden would be my favorite if the race did not also include the other most highly qualified candidate, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. He has been a top-level diplomat, a Cabinet officer and a governor. He is smart, diffident and likable. He has low negatives, and almost all Democrats like him."
No problem there, but then I always hear something along the lines of:
"Given the current field on both sides, I think Clinton will be nominated and will be elected president of the United States."
Right now the celebrity candidates are getting a lot of attention, and it seems even better-informed political followers are ready to throw in the towel on their favorite candidate and concede the race to candidates who may as well be competing with Lindsay Lohan for the cover of Us Weekly.
This isn't an attack on Chris Kelly. I very much enjoy when local candidates share their opinions on national races. And, because of his support from the NRA, backing Richardson may be a smart move for Kelly who would be contesting incumbent Ed Robb in a district that is certainly pro-gun.
But I'm not ready to give up on Richardson's chances yet. He did spike in the polls a bit after his ads hit the airwaves.
I just wish all the naysayers would borrow a lesson from Barack. He speaks a lot about hope, and I still have hope that Richardson can pull off the upset.
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That dog won't hunt....
I am on Governor Richardson's Steering Committee in Arkansas and the argument that the race is over before its begun, well that dog won't hunt. That argument never has panned out before in a crowded field.
In 2004, Dick Gephardt, Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, and John Edwards were all the flavors of the month, as it were. People saw polls and concocted strategies for how it would happen. In the end, the nominee was John Kerry.
In 1992, I remember the spector of Mario Cuomo looming large as day, as well as Dick Gephardt & Lloyd Bentsen. Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, Paul Tsongas, and ever so briefly, there was Jerry Brown, but Bill Clinton came up and won.
In 1988, Jesse Jackson was the starlet of the moment, as well as Gephardt and Paul Simon. Whoever heard of some guy named Dukakis? They did by August. The point is the front runners always have no where to go but down. Its the hard working, grassroots based, savvy people like Bill Richardson who win the day.
This works in statewide politics and like Harriet Woods before him, watch out for Mike Evans, because he's the next dark horse who will be Missouri's next Lt. Governor.
Like a wooden truss
Thank you for giving me a reason to remain hopeful. I appreciate the support for Billy the Kid.
Heres Some More Hopeful Signs
Richardson is 3 points behind Hillary in Iowa. He's closing fast on Edwards in New Hampshire. Edwards is not the leviathan we all think he is from 2004. Don't forget he only one South Carolina of all the southern states. Also, Richardson has on his team a guy who directed most of the takeovers of Republican Districts the last few cycles. Richardson is poised to win this thing!
Cool
I got to start following the horse race more closely.