Before election night, if I had to guess when Richardson would announce his candidacy for President, I would have guessed some time after the legislative session--maybe at the State's Democratic Convention in April. But on election night, the Governor said he'd be making his decision sometime in January.
At the time, I thought the Gov had either misspoken or I'd misheard him.
After all, by announcing his candidacy for the Presidential campaign before the 60 day legislative session seems to end whatever honeymoon period he might have had after his big re-election win.
The prevailing wisdom that I agreed with was that the Governor would go through the 60 day session, passing landmark legislation that would solidify his standing in the state and the nation as a leader able to get things done, and then after the session he would announce.
But now, by announcing so early, the Governor has played into the hands of the cynics who have said all along that this is all about the Presidency and not about New Mexico, potentially putting his legislative agenda in jeopardy. Because with his announcement, you can be sure there's pressure on Democrats throughout the state to come out and endorse the Governor before his inauguration.
For Democratic legislators, the request for the early endorsement is the favor that can't be refused for fear of losing capital outlay.
Or, for others who feel particularly ballsy, maybe they hold out their endorsement in order to secure their capital outlay. And what if they're are other legislators who refuse to endorse on principle, jeopardizing their outlay only to incur the wrath of their county commissioners and local officials desperate for funds?
So why would the Governor announce now? ( or before the legislative session).
One word: OBAMA.
Just like Hillary, but more so, Richardson is freaked by the coming Obama earthquake. However, unlike Hillary, Richardson is directly threatened by Obama, in part because Obama's narrative is similar to that of Richardson's, only more authentic.
In fact, if there's one thing that I believe is the soft underbelly to the Richardson machine, it's the lack of authenticity. And nothing embodies that lack of authenticity and honesty better than the way his staff handled his statement of Fox. Nothing could have been worse than saying what Pahl Shipley said. Just how stupid do you think New Mexicans are Pahl? Damn.
Technorati Tags: 2008, 2008elections, Bill Richardson, billrichardson, Democrats, newmexico, Politics
I will be Miss America, before Governor Richardson is elected President. He has been an OK Governor, but Bill as Prez?
Posted by: David Jacobs | Friday, December 08, 2006 at 04:12 PM