Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008

Infobox U.S. federal election campaign, 2008
committee = Bill Richardson for President 2008

campaign = U.S. presidential election, 2008
candidate = Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico 2003–present
cand_id = P80003411
fec_date = 2007-12-31
affiliation = Democratic Party
headquarters = Santa Fe, New Mexico
key_people = Dave Contarino (Manager)
Amanda Cooper (Deputy Manager)
Paul Shipley (Communications Director)
Steve Murphy (Senior Advisor)
receipts = 23.6
slogan = Real Experience,
Real Accomplishments
homepage = [http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/home www.richardsonforpresident.com]

On January 21, 2007, Bill Richardson announced his candidacy President of the United States on ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos, by virtue of forming a presidential exploratory committee. [Associated Press (Jan 21, 2007). [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Richardson-2008.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "Bill Richardson Enters Presidential Race"] . "The New York Times". Retrieved on 2007-03-01.] Richardson, who is of Hispanic descent, joined a diverse field for the Democratic nomination, which already included an African American in Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and a female in Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. He withdrew from the race on January 10, 2008 after only placing fourth in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.

Leading up to announcement

In 2006, the Associated Press reported that Richardson informed party leaders that he intended to run in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. [cite news|author=Associated Press|date=February 8, 2005|url= http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/10236.html|title=Report: Richardson will seek presidential bid|publisher=The Santa Fe New Mexican|accessdate=2007-03-01] In early December 2006 Fox News claimed that Richardson told DNC leaders he would run for President, [cite news|url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235323,00.html|title=New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: 'I Am Running' in 2008"|date=December 8, 2006|publisher=Fox News Channel|accessdate=2007-03-01] but Richardson said he would actually wait to decide in January 2007. [cite news|last=Fears|first=Darryl|date=December 8, 2006|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/07/AR2006120701556.html|title=Richardson Plans January Decision on Bid|publisher=The Washington Post|pages=A13|accessdate=2007-03-01]

Announcement

On January 21, 2007, Richardson told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week" that he was launching a Presidential Exploratory Committee, his first official step of seeking the 2008 Democratic party nomination. [Associated Press (Jan 21, 2007). [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Richardson-2008.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "Bill Richardson Enters Presidential Race"] . "The New York Times". Retrieved on 2007-03-01.]

Although already campaigning for months before, Governor Richardson formally announced his candidacy on May 21, 2007 in Los Angeles, [cite news|publisher=LA Times|url= http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-richardson22may22,1,3917600.story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true |title=New Mexico Gov. Richardson officially enters presidential race|date=May 22, 2007] saying, "The United States faces huge challenges, but also huge opportunities. I am running for President because these times call for a leader with a proven track record, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad, I am that person, not because I say so, but because of what I have done, and what I can do for the American people." [ [http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0098 Bill Richardson for President | Newsroom | Press Releases ] ]

Campaign developments

First half 2007

On March 4, 2007, while attending a campaign breakfast event in Des Moines, Iowa, Richardson said he believed that the Democratic contest will be decided very early — by the end of January 2008 after the first four state contests (Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina). "I believe the first four states, with Iowa and New Hampshire being the top ones, will determine who the president is. I always felt that way. What the pundits say about who's in, who's out, who's got the most money doesn't matter. I have a sustained plan to introduce myself to the voters ... and so far I feel very satisfied. I feel I can do very well."Fact|date=January 2008

The Bill Richardson for President Exploratory Committee raised $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2007. As of April 1, 2007, the campaign had $5 million cash on hand. [cite news|publisher=The Hotline|date=April 1, 2007|url= http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/04/richardson_rais.html|title=Hotline On Call: Richardson Raises Six, Efficiently Keeps 5] This was the fifth highest amount raised among the eight candidates for the 2008 Democratic nomination. [cite web|publisher= OpenSecrets.org|date=May 11,2007|url=http://opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp?cycle=2008|title=Race For the Whitehouse]

As part of a diplomatic mission, Richardson traveled to North Korea in early April 2007 for meetings with government officials and successfully recovered the remains of six U.S. servicemen in that country. [cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/30/america/NA-GEN-US-Richardson-North-Korea.php|author=The Associated Press|date=March 30, 2007|title=U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson to travel to North Korea] [cite news|url= http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-08-nkorea-remains_N.htm?csp=34|title=Presidential candidate Bill Richardson arrives in North Korea|author=The Associated Press|date=April 8, 2007|publisher=USA Today] After this visit he was criticized by journalist Claudia Rosett for agreeing to a tour of the captured U.S. naval ship "U.S.S. Pueblo"; [cite news | url=http://pajamasmedia.com/xpress/claudiarosett/2007/04/11/when_in_north_korea.php | title=When in Pyongyang... | author=Claudia Rosett | work=The Rosett Report | publisher=Pajamas Media | date=2007-04-11 | accessdate=2007-12-02] Richardson had said after the tour that it was "a lot of propaganda, but we're guests here." [cite news | url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_pueblo_tour_070409/ | title=N.M. governor tours USS Pueblo in North Korea | publisher=Associated Press for Navy Times | date=2007-04-10 | accessdate=2007-12-02]

With the early departure of Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa, Richardson became the only candidate in the race for the Democratic nomination with executive experience, a characteristic that he believed would attract Iowa voters.Fact|date=January 2008 After beginning the race with one percent in most national polls, he began rising to some degree, reaching five percent in three polls conducted in late February 2007, and in so doing, separating himself from other 'second tier' candidates. He was named the "candidate most likely to become a serious contender." [Bowers, Chris (Feb 26, 2007). [http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/2/26/16433/8123 "Starting Line Reached For 2008"] . "MyDD" (blog). Retrieved on 2007-03-01.] Similarly, he began to rise in polls of the early primary and caucus states. Nevada poll has Richardson with 6%. [ [http://www.lvrj.com/news/7358326.html ReviewJournal.com - News - STATEWIDE POLL: Clinton has huge lead in Nevada ] ] He also rose to ten percent in New Hampshire, only five points behind John Edwards [ [http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1302 Zogby International ] ] .

econd half 2007

By August 12, 2007, Richardson had $7 million of campaign funds on hand, placing him with the fourth highest amount. [ http://opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp?cycle=2008 accessed, August 12, 2007]

By November 2007, Richardson was still struggling to escape the second tier of Democratic candidates, although upticks in his poll numbers in first-voting Iowa and New Hampshire led to speculation that he might be able to overtake stalled third-place runner John Edwards, especially in the latter state. [cite news | url=http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=253886 | title=States of Play: 41 Days to Iowa, 46 to New Hampshire | author=John Nichols | publisher="The Nation" | date=2007-11-23 | accessdate=2007-12-11]

Withdrawal

On Wednesday, January 9 2008, it was reported that Richardson would announce his withdrawal from the 2008 presidential race on Thursday [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/09/politics/p161025S90.DTL&tsp=1 AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid] , "SFGate.com News". Retrieved January 9 2008.] . He officially announced his withdrawal on January 10 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

Endorsement

On March 21, 2008, the Associated Press reported that Richardson would endorse Barack Obama for president. Richardson endorsed Obama, calling him "a once in a lifetime leader". [cite web |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ijDA5bgxiHlTvS_r-SSjskS1Tq1wD8VHLR881 |title=AP News Alert |author=Joe Monahan |publisher=Associated Press |date=2008-03-21 ] Commentator and Clinton ally James Carville famously compared Richardson to Judas Iscariot for the move. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22richardson.html?_r=1&ei=5090&en=31393242dd61f808&ex=1363924800&oref=slogin&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print First a Tense Talk With Clinton, Then Richardson Backs Obama - New York Times ] ] Richardson responded in a Washington Post article, feeling "compelled to defend [himself] against character assassination and baseless allegations." [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/01/AR2008040100885.html?hpid=opinionsbox1&hpid=topnews Loyalty to My Country - washingtonpost.com ] ]

Debt and Campaign Refunds

It was reported on March 25, 2008 that Governor Bill Richardson's presidential campaign refunded nearly $789,000. However, his campaign's bank account shows a balance of only $40,939. With a debt of $420,848, Richardson must now find a way to refund company executives, state lobbyists, and other various campaign donors with new, freshly raised funds. There is no report on what the donated money was spent on.

Primaries and Caucuses

Richardson placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses with 2% of the vote and 53 state delegates. He placed fourth in the New Hampshire primary with 5% of the vote, and dropped out of the race the next day.

Endorsements

References

External links

* [http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/home Bill Richardson for President] official presidential campaign website
* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P80003411 FEC — Bill Richardson] campaign finance disclosure
* [http://www.santafenewmexican.com/SantaFeNorthernNM/Richardson-campaign-ended-in-debt Santa Fe New Mexican News: Info on Debt and Campaign Refunds]
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/Bill_Richardson.htm OnTheIssues — Bill Richardson] issue positions and quotes
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00024821&cycle=2008 OpenSecrets.org — Bill Richardson] campaign contributions (President)
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=H2505103 Project Vote Smart — Governor Bill Richardson (NM)] includes bio, campaign finances, voting record, issue positions
* [http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/candidates/Bill-Richardson.html USAElectionPolls — Bill Richardson Poll Results] summarized presidential election polls