Richardson Drops Presidential Bid

Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:23 PM EST
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SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his long-shot bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday after poor finishes in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

He praised all of his Democratic rivals but endorsed no one. He encouraged voters to "take a long and thoughtful look" and elect one of them president.

Richardson said that although his support at the polls lagged the front-runners, many of his leading rivals had moved closer to his positions on such issues as the war in Iraq and educating young Americans at home.

"Despite overwhelming financial and political odds, I am proud of the campaign we waged ... and most importantly the influence we had on the issues that matter the most to the future of this country," he said.

On a less serious note, he estimated the long campaign had included 200 debates. He quickly amended that to 24 but said "it felt like 200."

Richardson, 60, announced his decision at the state Capitol, saying he was returning to "the best job in the world" as New Mexico's governor.

With the New Mexico Legislature convening for its annual one-month regular session next Tuesday, he said with a grin to all those involved: "I'm back."

Richardson had one of the most wide-ranging resumes of any candidate ever to run for the presidency, bringing experience from his time in Congress, in President Clinton's Cabinet as energy secretary, as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, in the New Mexico Statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic man, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a woman and a black man.

But Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama dominated the spotlight in the campaign, and Richardson was never able to become a top-tier contender, trailing well behind them and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Richardson fell below 5 percent in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday and came in with just 2 percent in the Iowa caucuses last week.

Hillary Clinton called Richardson "a great public servant and a friend."

"He waged a hard-fought and substantive campaign, and helped drive the conversation on the great issues facing our nation. I wish him the best of luck as he continues his outstanding work in New Mexico," she said in a statement.

Edwards also congratulated Richardson, saying he had run a good race.

"He was a very good candidate, a serious candidate," Edwards said in Columbia, S.C. "I congratulate him. He ought to be proud of what he's done. What's happened is, over time the race is becoming more focused. I think that's good for democracy. I think this thing's going on for a long time."

Richardson was easily elected to two terms as governor but will be forced from office by term limits in 2010.

___

On the Net:

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":1349851,"authorDomain":"insert"}
insert_name_here

:'-(

{"commentId":1349851,"threadId":"200988","contentId":"1217952","authorDomain":"insert"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:24 PM EST
{"commentId":1349869,"authorDomain":"restso"}
Restso

Ditto.

{"commentId":1349869,"threadId":"200988","contentId":"1217952","authorDomain":"restso"}
    #1.1 - Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:29 PM EST
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    {"commentId":1349935,"authorDomain":"matthewraleigh"}
    Matthew Raleigh

    Good guy. I don't think we've seen the last of Bill. I still think he has the White House in his future. Maybe not POTUS but VEEP is a very strong possibility. After that, who knows? Wouldn't be the first time a VP went on to become Pres.

    {"commentId":1349935,"threadId":"200988","contentId":"1217952","authorDomain":"matthewraleigh"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:51 PM EST
    {"commentId":1350287,"authorDomain":"davidmoore"}
    David Moore

    Rumor here in Santa Fe is that he's after Secretary of State. His foreign policy experience is pretty good, so it's far from inconceivable.

    {"commentId":1350287,"threadId":"200988","contentId":"1217952","authorDomain":"davidmoore"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#3 - Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:46 PM EST
    {"commentId":1353226,"authorDomain":"matthewraleigh"}
    Matthew Raleigh

    I dunno. Sec State seems like a demotion of sorts, wouldn't it? If VP isn't in his future, I would imagine a seat in the Senate would provide him with more long-term opportunities. When you see what he did in congress, he could end up becoming a very powerful voice in the Senate in short order, something the next Democrat in the White House would very much like to have.

    {"commentId":1353226,"threadId":"200988","contentId":"1217952","authorDomain":"matthewraleigh"}
      #3.1 - Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:21 PM EST
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