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I was wondering what everyone thinks of Bill Richardson. Right now, he's my top choice for the Democratic primary.
I think Richardson is by far the most qualified person of either party running for president. Not only is he a popular two-term governor of a swing state, but he was also Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of Energy. Before that, he was in the House of Representatives. And even as governor, he's maintained a lot of involvement in foreign policy; in the last few years, he's gone to North Korea to work on a nuclear settlement and he successfully negotiated a ceasefire between the Sudanese government and several of the largest Darfur rebel groups. He definitely has more foreign policy experience than anyone else running, of either party.
His time as Secretary of Energy will also be helpful, since he is one of the few people running who actually knows what they're talking about in terms of energy independence and weaning ourselves from oil.
He's also very likable and intelligent. If elected, he'd be the first Hispanic president. And I'm very impressed with his stance on outsourcing and immigration...not many Democrats are defending free trade these days, but Richardson continues to do so.
Unfortunately, Richardson is a long shot because he lags in the fund-raising and name recognition. I see no other reason that anyone else should be ahead of him in the polls. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards collectively have a mere 16 years of national political experience among them...and voters consistently prefer governors to senators.
I think Richardson is by far the most qualified person of either party running for president. Not only is he a popular two-term governor of a swing state, but he was also Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of Energy. Before that, he was in the House of Representatives. And even as governor, he's maintained a lot of involvement in foreign policy; in the last few years, he's gone to North Korea to work on a nuclear settlement and he successfully negotiated a ceasefire between the Sudanese government and several of the largest Darfur rebel groups. He definitely has more foreign policy experience than anyone else running, of either party.
His time as Secretary of Energy will also be helpful, since he is one of the few people running who actually knows what they're talking about in terms of energy independence and weaning ourselves from oil.
He's also very likable and intelligent. If elected, he'd be the first Hispanic president. And I'm very impressed with his stance on outsourcing and immigration...not many Democrats are defending free trade these days, but Richardson continues to do so.
Unfortunately, Richardson is a long shot because he lags in the fund-raising and name recognition. I see no other reason that anyone else should be ahead of him in the polls. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards collectively have a mere 16 years of national political experience among them...and voters consistently prefer governors to senators.
