Gov. Richardson: The View from New Mexico, Life Department

The governor of my state announced his presidential candidacy last week. Richardson isn't yet on the national radar, unless you count some of the "funny" references to sombreros, green chili, and Roswell aliens. If you search Technorati for recent posts, you will find an avalanche of Hillary and Obama tributes, commentary, and analyses. Richardson flies low, still, in these early days of the campaign.

Julia Golberg edits the Santa Fe Reporter, an alternative weekly paper serving the Santa Fe and Taos communities. She blogs about regional issues and politics.

In her post Sombrero?, Julia comments on the media circus surrounding New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign announcement:

I can't quite believe that the New York Post's headline about Richardson said he was throwing his sombrero into the ring. Pretty sure I've never seen the gov in a sombrero. Also, I mean I'm not a particularly PC person, but that's just about as racist as the Journal using gumba in a headline (and, perhaps, the exact East Coast equivalent? The '08 equivalent of blue state/red state? East Coast/West Coast?) Oh, and speaking of racist. Very nice. Very nice indeed.

Who is Richardson? What has he done for New Mexico? What are his positions on issues important to women? I have started interviewing the people of my home state, the women, the children, the folks inside and outside the state political arena. I will be bringing you the New Mexican scoop this campaign season, an illustration of the man by his voters.

Stay tuned...

Birdie Jaworski is a journalist with the Las Vegas, New Mexico Times. She blogs about her life in New Mexico at La Pajaro.

Technorati tags: Bill Richardson, New Mexico, Vote 2008

Submitted by Birdie Jaworski (view blog

) on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 10:17

Posted In

Life |
Politics & News

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Interesting

This could be interesting. Don't know much about him.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 09:25

New Mexico has such a small population...

...that nearly everyone either has met Richardson or knows personal stories about him. This is going to be such a fun series to write. I have already interviewed a state senator, one of the newspaper owners, and a handful of "regular" people with some amazing and telling stories. I'm hoping to get an interview with him myself as part of this, I put the request in this morning.

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Contributing Editor Blog
La Pajaro
Beauty Dish

Submitted by Birdie Jaworski on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 09:37

I voted for Bill Richardson . . .

in my very first general election, lo these many years ago, when he ran for Congress. And I am delighted that he's running for President.

I'm also delighted that you're going to write more about him--I think he's a really interesting guy, and I wish more people outside of New Mexico knew about him.

Submitted by Susan Wagner on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 10:18

Way to go!

Great idea for a topic, Birdie. I'm a New Mexican, like you. My impressions of Bill Richardson (who self-identifies as Hispanic and can talk about sombreros if he wants) is that he has sensible and intelligent positions on energy, the environment, immigration, and the economy. He's got a good track record with statemanship, having been sent on numerous trips to North Korea and other places (he just got back from Darfur.) He's a genuine Democrat but not too far to the left to be scary to people who are middle of the road Republicans. And being a tech nut, I appreciate the fact that his site has so many ways open for people to tell him what they think. I think the more effort we make as Internet-using women to avail ourselves of these opportunities to talk to the various candidates this year, the more invested we are going to be as participants in the democratic process.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 12:26

New Mexico

Susan and Virginia, thanks for your comments. It's great to get feedback and ideas from fellow New Mexicans! Please let me know if there are any particular issues you would like me to cover in this series. My goal is to get to know, and then relay, Bill Richardson by way of the people whose lives he has touched - for better or worse - in many different kinds of ways. I am amazed at the passion he evokes in my fellow New Mexicans. My first interview/story will be posted Sunday.

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Contributing Editor Blog
La Pajaro
Beauty Dish

Submitted by Birdie Jaworski on Fri, 01/26/2007 - 19:53

Not from New Mexico

But I am from Washington. And everyone who is not on the "national radar" is on the radar in Washington.

Anyway, I've heard some stories and have tasted his salsa (effing hot) and have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times. Looking forward to hearing things from his constiuents.

Heather B.
Personal Blog: No Pasa Nada
BlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance

Submitted by HeatherB on Sat, 01/27/2007 - 14:12

Thanks, Heather

I've been offline a couple of days for the most part and just found your comment. If you have any Richardson questions, please let me know, and I will find someone qualified to answer. Washington is just as unusual as New Mexico, I think, full of passion and discussion. We have salsa, red and green chili, mariachi bands, and really, what difference does is have to any other location in the country? We all have our fun pieces, our humanity. I'm so glad you posted.

Birdie
Birdie's BlogHer Contributing Editor Blog
La Pajaro
Beauty Dish

Submitted by Birdie Jaworski on Mon, 01/29/2007 - 17:12