I Hung out with Bill Richardson this week

[TheresNoMoney]

The perks of living in NH. Got to hang out with Bill Richardson this past week in a small group.

He is a real good guy and has a great resume. I do not agree with some of his votes on trade issues, but he is not horrible on those issues. He does want to make some changes. He has done a great job as governor of New Mexico. They have a surplus, he has helped to expand the economy, and invested in much-needed infrastructure. He is pretty much a guy that gets things done without much fuss or hassle.

He has great experience on energy issues and foreign policy. Energy is going to be one of the top issues in the 2008 campaign. Right now, he's my top choice for the VP slot in 2008. He would have wide appeal to many Americans and is a good leader.

[Lincoln Republican]

I agree.

Richardson would be an excellent pick for VP for any Democratic Presidential nominee.

Too bad he wasn't a Republican. 

[Erc]

But he's best buddies with Kim Jong-Il.

Woule never, ever, ever even consider voting for the guy.

[TheresNoMoney]

But he's best buddies with Kim Jong-Il.

He's never even met Kim Jong-Il.

[Rob]

That's cool, Scoonie.

Richardson would definitely be a great candidate for veep- under decent circumstances he could swing New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada to the Dems.

[Erc]

A bit of hyperbole, Scoonie, my apologies.

But from what little I know of him, he's got an abysmal record when it comes to national and nuclear security issues...what with that entire Los Alamos thing and his meetings with North Korean officials while Governor of New Mexico.

Even if I am exaggerating the issue, any Richardson run will be plagued by those two things--making a win in the primaries or in the national very difficult, no matter how well he does in the SW.  And even if he's just a VP candidate, you still don't want scandals like that.

[Michael Z]

But he's best buddies with Kim Jong-Il.

Ai. The Republican smear machine is already getting into gear.

[skybridge]

So, which potential presidential candidate made more of an impression on you?

[jacob_101]

Bill Richardson is one Democrat I could vote for President if the I didn't like the Republican candidate.

[TheresNoMoney]

So, which potential presidential candidate made more of an impression on you?

Richardson is the only one I've gotten to sit down with in a casual setting.

I've also met Evan Bayh up close and got to ask him a question in front of a crowd about 60+.

I've also seen Mark Warner and Russ Feingold speak in person.

I like them all really. I'm pretty open-minded about 2008. Feingold is my favorite politician, but he might be better as a legislator than as an executive.

[AuH2O]

Richardson is somewhat rare among Democrats in that he is not a fully programmed robot... sort of like a southwestern Rendell. The Dems would be better off if such candidates actually had a chance in their presidential primary, but alas for them, they do not. Veeps are of limited importance, except as potential candidates should their administration be reelected.

[Giant Saguaro]

Bill's a good guy, glad you enoyed your meet with him. I think he'd be a pretty good President myself, escept possibly on foreign policy. I'd almost definitely have some disagreements with him there, but in all a great guy and a pretty good governor. He'd have to move left, probably pretty far, to hope for the slot higher than VP.

[Inmate Trump]

I like Richardson.  I could probably vote for him if he ran for president, depending on who ran as the Republican.