From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008
Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008
Bill Richardson for President 2008
Campaign U.S. presidential election, 2008
Candidate Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico 2003–2011
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 US$23.6 (2007-12-31)
Slogan Real Experience,
Bill Richardson’s fundraising efforts for the first three quarters
Real Accomplishments
of 2007.
Website
www.richardsonforpresident.com Announcement
On January 21, 2007, New Mexico Governor Bill Richard- On January 21, 2007, Richardson told George
son announced his candidacy for President of the United Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week that he was launch-
States on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, ing a Presidential Exploratory Committee, his first offi-
by virtue of forming a presidential exploratory commit- cial step of seeking the 2008 Democratic party nomina-
tee.[1] Richardson, who is of Hispanic descent, joined a di- tion.[1]
verse field for the Democratic nomination, which already Although already campaigning for months before,
included an African American in Senator Barack Obama Governor Richardson formally announced his candidacy
of Illinois and a female in Senator Hillary Rodham Clin- on May 21, 2007 in Los Angeles,[5] saying, "The United
ton of New York. He withdrew from the race on January States faces huge challenges, but also huge opportunities.
10, 2008 after only placing fourth in the Iowa and New I am running for President because these times call for
Hampshire primaries, the first two of the season. 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,
Leading up to announcement but because of what I have done, and what I can do for
In 2006, the Associated Press reported that Richardson the American people."[6]
informed party leaders that he intended to run in the
2008 U.S. presidential election.[2] In early December 2006 Campaign developments
Fox News claimed that Richardson told DNC leaders he
would run for President,[3] but Richardson said he would
First half 2007
actually wait to decide in January 2007.[4]
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 con-
tests (Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Caroli-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008
blo;[11] Richardson had said after the tour that it was "a
lot of propaganda, but we’re guests here."[12]
With the early departure of Governor Tom Vilsack of
Iowa, Richardson became the only candidate in the race
for the Democratic nomination with executive experi-
ence, a characteristic that he believed would attract Iowa
voters.[citation needed] 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 him-
self from other ’second tier’ candidates. He was named
the "candidate most likely to become a serious conten-
der."[13] Similarly, he began to rise in polls of the early
primary and caucus states; a Nevada poll had Richardson
with 6%.[14] He also rose to ten percent in New Hamp-
shire, only five points behind John Edwards.[15]
Second half 2007
Richardson campaigning in Elko, Nevada, July 2007 By August 12, 2007, Richardson had $7 million of cam-
paign funds on hand, placing him with the fourth highest
na). "I believe the first four states, with Iowa and New amount.[16]
Hampshire being the top ones, will determine who the By November 2007, Richardson was still struggling
president is. I always felt that way. What the pundits say to escape the second tier of Democratic candidates, al-
about who’s in, who’s out, who’s got the most money though upticks in his poll numbers in first-voting Iowa
doesn’t matter. I have a sustained plan to introduce my- and New Hampshire led to speculation that he might be
self to the voters ... and so far I feel very satisfied. I feel I able to overtake stalled third-place runner John Edwards,
can do very well."[citation needed] especially in the latter state.[17]
The Bill Richardson for President Exploratory Com-
mittee raised $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2007. As Withdrawal
of April 1, 2007, the campaign had $5 million cash on
On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, it was reported that
hand.[7] This was the fifth highest amount raised among
Richardson would announce his withdrawal from the
the eight candidates for the 2008 Democratic nomina-
2008 presidential race on Thursday.[18] He officially an-
tion.[8]
nounced his withdrawal on January 10 at 3:00 PM Eastern
Time.
Endorsement
Bill Richardson at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Presi-
dential Health Care Forum, March 2007.
Richardson speaks during the final day of the 2008 Democratic
As part of a diplomatic mission, Richardson traveled
National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
to North Korea in early April 2007 for meetings with gov-
ernment officials and successfully recovered the remains
On March 21, 2008, the Associated Press reported that
of six U.S. servicemen in that country.[9][10] After this vis-
Richardson would endorse Barack Obama for president.
it he was criticized by journalist Claudia Rosett for agree-
Richardson endorsed Obama, calling him "a once in a
ing to a tour of the captured U.S. naval ship U.S.S. Pue-
lifetime leader".[19] Commentator and Clinton ally James
Carville famously compared Richardson to Judas Iscariot
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008
for the move.[20] Richardson responded in a Washington
Post article, feeling "compelled to defend [himself]
Endorsements
against character assassination and baseless allega-
tions."[21] References
[1] ^ Associated Press (Jan 21, 2007). "Bill Richardson
Debt and Campaign Refunds
Enters Presidential Race". The New York Times.
It was reported on March 25, 2008 that Governor Bill Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
Richardson’s presidential campaign refunded nearly [2] Associated Press (February 8, 2005). "Report:
$789,000. However, his campaign’s bank account shows a Richardson will seek presidential bid". The Santa
balance of only $40,939. With a debt of $420,848, Richard- Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on
son must now find a way to refund company executives, 2007-02-18. http://web.archive.org/web/
state lobbyists, and other various campaign donors with 20070218192207/
new, freshly raised funds. There is no report on what the http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/
donated money was spent on.[citation needed] 10236.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
[3] "New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: ’I Am Running’
Primaries and Caucuses in 2008". Fox News Channel. December 8, 2006.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/
Throughout the primaries and caucuses, Richardson
0,2933,235323,00.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
lagged behind fellow democrats in polling data. Despite
[4] Fears, Darryl (December 8, 2006). "Richardson
heavily campaigning in early states such as Iowa, New
Plans January Decision on Bid". The Washington
Hampshire, and Nevada, Richardson continued to barely
Post. pp. A13. http://www.washingtonpost.com/
register on polling data. Richardson only competed in the
wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/07/
Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire primary due to his
AR2006120701556.html. Retrieved 2007-03-01.
withdrawal prior to Caucuses in Nevada.
[5] "New Mexico Gov. Richardson officially enters
presidential race". LA Times. May 22, 2007.
Iowa Caucuses http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/
When Richardson first began his campaign, his Iowa poll asection/la-na-
numbers shot up considerably. By early September, richardson22may22,1,3917600.story?coll=la-news-
Richardson was polling between 10%-12%.[22] Despite a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true.
polling lower than Clinton, Edwards, or Obama, Richard- [6] Bill Richardson for President | Newsroom | Press
son’s polling in September far exceeded the fellow in- Releases
surgent candidacies of Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and [7] "Hotline On Call: Richardson Raises Six, Efficiently
Joe Biden. However, Richardson’s support fell through- Keeps 5". The Hotline. April 1, 2007.
out November and December and by late December, http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/
Richardson was fighting with Biden for 4th place in Iowa 2007/04/richardson_rais.html.
(both polled between 4%-7% in Dec.) [8] "Race For the Whitehouse". OpenSecrets.org. May
Ultimately, however, Richardson’s support, like the 11, 2007. http://opensecrets.org/pres08/
support of most other candidacies other than Clinton, index.asp?cycle=2008.
Obama, and Edwards, collapsed in Iowa. On Caucus Night, [9] The Associated Press (March 30, 2007). "U.S.
Richardson beat Biden for fourth, but finished with 5,278 Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson
State Delegates, or 2% of the vote, and received no dele- to travel to North Korea". http://www.iht.com/
gates to the DNC. articles/ap/2007/03/30/america/NA-GEN-US-
Richardson-North-Korea.php.
New Hampshire Primary [10] The Associated Press (April 8, 2007). "Presidential
Much like Iowa, Richardson started off the New Hamp- candidate Bill Richardson arrives in North Korea".
shire campaign with promise. By late December Richard- USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/
son was polling with 11%, fighting with John Edwards washington/2007-04-08-nkorea-
who was polling around 14%-15% in late Dec.[23] How- remains_N.htm?csp=34.
ever, similar to his Iowa Campaign, Richardson’s New [11] Claudia Rosett (2007-04-11). "When in
Hampshire campaign collapsed on Primary Night. When Pyongyang...". The Rosett Report (Pajamas Media).
all of the votes were counted, Richardson placed fourth http://pajamasmedia.com/xpress/claudiarosett/
with 13,269 votes of 5% of the vote compared with Ed- 2007/04/11/when_in_north_korea.php. Retrieved
wards’s 17%, Obama’s 37%, and Clinton’s 39%.[24] 2007-12-02.
[12] "N.M. governor tours USS Pueblo in North Korea".
Associated Press for Navy Times. 2007-04-10.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ [22] Real Clear Politics. "RCP - Election 2008 - Iowa".
ap_pueblo_tour_070409/. Retrieved 2007-12-02. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/
[13] Bowers, Chris (Feb 26, 2007). "Starting Line president/ia/iowa_democratic_caucus-208.html.
Reached For 2008". MyDD (blog). Retrieved on [23] Real Clear Politics. "RCP - Election2008 - New
2007-03-01. Hampshire". http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
[14] ReviewJournal.com - News - STATEWIDE POLL: epolls/2008/president/nh/
Clinton has huge lead in Nevada new_hampshire_democratic_primary-194.html.
[15] Zogby International [24] CNN (August 20, 2008). "CNN Election Center 2008
[16] http://opensecrets.org/pres08/ Primary Results - New Hampshire".
index.asp?cycle=2008 accessed, August 12, 2007 http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/
[17] John Nichols (2007-11-23). "States of Play: 41 Days results/state/#NH. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
to Iowa, 46 to New Hampshire". The Nation. [25] ^ Endorsements ’08 at The Hill
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/ [26] ^ Bill Richardson at The Washington Post
thebeat?pid=253886. Retrieved 2007-12-11. [27] ^ Bill Richardson at CNN
[18] AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid, SFGate.com
[19]
News. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
Joe Monahan (2008-03-21). "AP News Alert".
External links
Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ • FEC — Bill Richardson campaign finance disclosure
ALeqM5ijDA5bgxiHlTvS_r- • Santa Fe New Mexican News: Info on Debt and
SSjskS1Tq1wD8VHLR881. Campaign Refunds
[20] Nagourney, Adam; Zeleny, Jeff (March 22, 2008). • OnTheIssues — Bill Richardson issue positions and
"First a Tense Talk With Clinton, Then Richardson quotes
Backs Obama". The New York Times. • OpenSecrets.org — Bill Richardson campaign
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/ contributions (President)
• Project Vote Smart — Governor Bill Richardson (NM)
22richardson.html?_r=1&ei=5090&en=31393242dd61f808&ex=1363924800&oref=slogin&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewa
Retrieved April 26, 2010. includes bio, campaign finances, voting record, issue
[21] Richardson, Bill (April 1, 2008). "Loyalty to My positions
Country". The Washington Post. • USAElectionPolls — Bill Richardson Poll Results
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ summarized presidential election polls
content/article/2008/04/01/ • Bill Richardson presidential campaign, 2008 at the
AR2008040100885.html?hpid=opinionsbox1&hpid=topnews. Open Directory Project
Retrieved April 26, 2010.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/in-
dex.php?title=Bill_Richardson_presidential_campaign,_2008&oldid=454011024"
Categories:
• United States presidential Democratic Party campaigns, 2008
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