Richardson ends bid

[LandOLincoln]

Source: Associated Press

MERRIMACK, N.H. - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.

Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.

The Richardson campaign would not comment on the governor's decision, reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.

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, President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black and a woman.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080110/ap_on_el_pr/richardson;_ylt=AumgE3uV4FYYsfq0lMLAtY.s0NUE

---

As a New Mexican, I'm glad to hear it. I was quite baffled by his earlier claim that he was going to keep going.

Edited by Admin to update news story because this is on the homepage. -- EarlG

[maddezmom]

1. link here

AP NewsBreak: Richardson ends bid By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
4 minutes ago



MERRIMACK, N.H. - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.

Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.

The Richardson campaign would not comment on the governor's decision, reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.

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, President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black and a woman.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080110/ap_on_el_pr/richardson;_ylt=AumgE3uV4FYYsfq0lMLAtY.s0NUE

[pdefalla]

27. VP!

Adding Richardson to the Obama ticket will give it that "experience/international credentials" element whose lack has been hampering Obama. I think it would end up giving Barack an edge over Hillary. He might help Edwards, as well, but Edwards has other problems.

[skipos]

78. Richardson was my 1st choice, then Biden, then Edwards, now Obama!

I won't be surprised if he is VP or Sec of State. He deserves it!

[papau]

2. Richardson out and unions in for Obama in Nevada - he should win by double digits there

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. Ay yay yay

You're joking, right?

[papau]

29. a lttle - Richardson is not out - and the unions are at most a 10% plus for O as they screw Edwards

it will not be a blow out 0 but I'd not be too surprised if O pulls it out in Nevada and SC.

[peoli]

3. Smart Move! Edwards GTFO next please!

[LisaM]

8. Well that was fairly uncalled for

I call for Obama to quit! Make room for Edwards!

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[peoli]

11. If Edwards wants Obama to win he will drop. If he wants Hillary to win he will stay.

[John Gauger]

16. What if he wants Edwards to win?

What should he do then?

[LisaM]

18. Well put.

I do not want Edwards out of the race. He's been my candidate all along.

[peoli]

23. If you can ever face the reality that it will be Obama or Hillary

as the democratic nominee PERIOD. then you may start to meditate on the reality that Edwards can help himself and the democratic party BEST by dropping out AND endorsing Obama. That is his best option and always has been. Sorry to burst all the Edwards Underground bubble but somethimes you have to do something for the greater good. Staying in is not helping Hillary lose. Edwards is a good guy but at some point this has to be recognized. I have no doubts he has thought about this.

[erebusman]

32. say what???

How does it benefit the democratic party in the PRIMARY process for people to drop out? How does that foster debate?? I'd like to have MORE choices not less. This is a PRIMARY not a general election.. so I disagree with you strongly.

peace

[mahina]

82. True.

And welcome to DU, aloha.

[rAVES]

90. It narrows the debate, and removes Voter choice... win win.

:sarcasm:

[GMFORD]

40. That's kind of silly.

He didn't get in the race to help another candidate lose. He got in the race to try and win. And he is in the top 3 with still a decent chance. No telling who the Richardson supporters will move to in the remaining states, or the Biden and Dodd supporters.

We have the difficult task of choosing between excellent candidates -- like making a selection from the dessert cart in a restaurant. Be thankful you are not a member of the opposing party where the choices are so bad it's like choosing between flavors of cough syrup.

[LisaM]

44. Primaries are frustrating and bitter

But the key to being a supporter is the term "support". The longer Edwards stays in, the longer the values he espouses for the working class have to be addressed in the debates. Yes, unfortunately, it's the "what's the matter with Kansas" syndrome going on. Plus, Edwards consistently polls better than any other Democrat against any proposed Republican slate.

[pamela]

60. If you can face the reality that it will be Huckbee or McCain

as the President, if Hillary or Obama is our nominee, then you may start to meditate on the reality that Edwards MUST stay in this race and MUST win it. Want to do something for the greater good? SUPPORT EDWARDS!

Or stay on the HillBama bandwagon and say hello to President Huckabee.

[LostinVA]

107. Any of the Top Three should be able to win against McCain

NO WAY would Huckabee win.

[MilesColtrane]

114. Should be able to.

But, that's not the way the general election is looking at this point.







Edwards is the only one who can beat McCain.

[John Gauger]

73. Edwards does not exist solely to benefit one of the other candidates.

It is not his responsibility to get one of the others the nomination. If Obama wants to win, it's his job to do so. It's not Edwards' job. He doesn't owe Obama anything. Anyway, why do you think Edwards' dropping out would put Obama over the top? How do you know his supporters would not go to Hillary? Seems to me if you want Obama to win you should be calling for Hillary to drop out of the race. I think that would probably be the best thing for Obama. Unless of course her supporters went to Edwards.

[peoli]

77. You are right...

but at some point if Edwards continues to not win.... then what is he doing? And yes I do believe that Obama would benefit from Edwards dropping out. I think Obama would get a majority of his supporters. I think thats pretty obvious, maybe not here on EU, but its pretty clear that Edwards himself prefers Obama over Hillary.

I am not saying that Edwards dosent have a right to run or shouldnt. I am saying that in all likelyhood he will not win the nomination and possibly not even one state. It then becomes a matter of is the best way to get his message through to stay in or is it better to drop out and endorse Obama to help him get in. And we all know that Edwards will have a position in Obamas White House.

[bpeale]

124. Edwards is not dropping out! He will be there at the convention.

YEA for a brokered convention! you're going to have to deal with him & negotiate with him there. he's a lawyer & you will lose in the negotiation, i promise you.

[stickernation]

84. i'll take hillary

you obama people have totally lost me, you've burnt so many bridges for your candidate, i am sure he thanks you fervently.

of course i'd support him in the general but i am totally not down with the 'bama 'tude during these primaries, you obama fans have said and done very bad things, your candidate has been consistently lukewarm and vague, and hillary supporters are almost uniformly civil considering the attacks she's weathered so far.

let obama repeat what john edwards said about withdrawing troops ASAP and i will reconsider. he won't say anything so definite, will he? no he probably won't. let's see.

-s

[DUlover2909]

101. Let the voters decide

Edwards' dropping out does nothing for the greater good. The more that people here his message the better.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

103. John Edwards is our last hope that a corporate whore isn't our nominee.

[bluescribbler]

104. What if?

What if Edwards wins big in South Carolina? There are still 48 states to go. A win in SC would change the dynamic of the race dramatically. It's too early for Edwards to drop out. I say this as a disappointed Richardson supporter, who now probably will not get a chance to vote for my favorite candidate.:-(

[LostinVA]

108. I think he CAN win SC, and I'm rooting for him, since I doubt my candidate will win there

Edwards is a good guy. I lived in NC for almost two decades, so he's kinda like a sentimental second choice for me.

[bluescribbler]

120. Agreed

He has a very good chance of winning there. And that would change the dynamic of the race considerably.

[Ken Burch]

137. If Edwards did get out, he'd be leaving the field to to pro-corporate right wingers.

There needs to be at least ONE candidate workers can vote for. They can't back Hillary or Obama.

[John Gauger]

72. Thanks.

:hi:

I'm not quite a supporter, but he has a right to run regardless of his chances.

[Divine Discontent]

93. exactly...

if he feels he should stay, because he's got good money, and 15-23% in polls, cool, do it! We have NO idea what he has planned, and if he might increase 10% and start winning them all next month, or if he's doing it to push the liberal progressive agenda. But to hear these people yell at him (as if he's reading this???) to get out of the race (in worse terms than that) is childish. I've heard Obama supporters (some) are getting very bad names for being very harassing towards other candidates supporter at events, on the radio, in print, etc... sadly, it's not a surprise to me.

[Moloch]

14. Obama quit?

He won Iowa and nearly won NH.. There is no reason for him to quit when he's winning. Edwards, OTOH, has nowhere to go but down.. maybe he could be Obama's VP nominee.

[Name removed]

Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[texastoast]

66. I beat you to that one

about two weeks ago.

:7

[Cooley Hurd]

28. Dink...

...YOU, not Senator Edwards.

[RestoreGore]

My, how Democratic

Yes, please don't piss off the corporate media that is pushing Obama/Clinton down our throats 24/7. Edwards already stated he is staying. I say, good for him.

[RestoreGore]

69. My, how Democratic

Yes, please don't piss off the corporate media that is pushing Obama/Clinton down our throats 24/7. Edwards already stated he is staying. I say, good for him.

[mahina]

81. Uncalled for

and not helpful.

[stickernation]

85. thanks

you have given me new hope that obama has a few civil supporters.

[mahina]

95. No worries.

There are lots. I love John and Elizabeth. All the best.

[Divine Discontent]

92. that was DISGUSTING to say... for absolutely no reason

do you DICTATE people have to leave the race so Obama can be crowned...

welcome to ignore

[LostinVA]

106. Shameful

Edwards is a good candidate and should stay in until the bitter end. I think he'll go well in SC, too.

But: telling ANY DEM candidate to "Get the Fuck Out" is shameful.

[Tesha]

109. I'd rather he not. (NT)

[Rockholm]

116. I want him to stay in.

[bdamomma]

128. John's got 18 delegates and he said he would stay in

I want him to stay in too, he's the invisible candidate(cuz the media is treating him like shit) and he could gain momentum.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. "his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power."

The most qualified person to ever run for the office has been completely ignored by the media.
The MSM has made their selection, and we are worse off for it.
"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, President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black and a woman."

[JDPriestly]

17. Richardson has the experience and the credentials, but he does

not convey the message that the has the energy needed to run a great campaign.

[rucognizant]

39. We don't want a ...

marathon runner; we want someone with brains and porganizational/leadership skills.
Here we go again! Meanwhile most of the Repugs are still in the race.....doesn't that make you wonder?
We are being SO HERDED............

[JDPriestly]

74. Richardson could stay in. I prefer Edwards, but I also like Richardson.

[iamjoy]

76. Ticks Me Off Too

and I'm an Edwards supporter!

But, most of all, I wanted a competitive primary. I didn't want Iowa and New Hampshire deciding for all of us (again).

Who cares if Richardson finished fourth? He hadn't been out west where he might have done well. Besides, out of all the four candidates deemed viable by the media before NH, only Richardson was really pushing to get us out of Iraq.

I describe Richardson to people as having a great resume, but being about as inspiring as cardboard. I almost supported Richardson, but I saw him in the debates and he left me cold. I also noted his lack of organization at the NALEO conference in Orlando last June.

And I think he should have stayed around longer if for no other reason then he is excellent VP material.

[avrdream]

94. I agree with you, Meth.

This saddens me a lot. I was pleased to see him stay in for New Hampshire and was hoping he would at least go to Super Tuesday but there may be other realities he is facing that we don't know about. My hat is off to that great man and I will never forget him asking when experience became a leper.

Cheers.

[RamboLiberal]

5. NBC: Richardson campaign denies report he is dropping out of Democratic presidential race

Up on MSNBC Breaking banner. On edit MSNBC has more:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency after twin fourth-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. But a Richardson spokeswoman told NBC News the report was wrong and Richardson was still in the contest for the Democratic nomination.

Richardson planned to announce the decision to withdraw Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke Wednesday on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.

But Katie Roberts, deputy communications director for the Richardson campaign. told NBC News that as of now the governor is taking care of official business and getting ready for the legislative session in New Mexico.

AP reported that the Richardson campaign would not comment on the governor's decision, reportedly reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22578720/?from=ET

Is he or not? On edit: sounds like he is dropping out.

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Could it be the MSM got something wrong?

:eyes:

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. He's horsetrading with the frontrunners

Announcing early hurts negotiations. Some jackass staffer pulled a Glengarry Glen Ross on him.

"Never open your mouth unless you know the fucking score."

[Catchawave]

13. Nedra Pickler ? AP Queen of Mean?

:shrug:

[LandOLincoln]

37. I think he's dropping out, no matter what Katie Roberts says.

According to KOB's Stuart Dyson, reporting from Santa Fe, the governor's office has "no comment" on the conflicting stories, but I think Richardson got leaned on, and leaned on good, once he got back here. A lot of New Mexicans were unhappy he was spending so much time campaigning and so little time tending to New Mexico.

[orleans]

6. aw...too bad. honestly. i don't wish any of them to have to drop out. n/t

[madaboutharry]

9. Bill Richardson is a good man.

n/t

[stickernation]

86. Bill Richardson solved North Korea.

I think it was his work that did Condi's job with Kim.

We owe him a LOT more than we even know, Bushmafia was intent on cultivating a world-class enemy in NK but Richardson's dynamic must have created some middle ground.

Not that NK is "over" as a threat but it sure seems to be looking better than it normally would have without his involvement.

OK, now i will go surfing around to find something to back this instinct up :)

[Hulk]

12. A noble and very qualified man....to be sure!!

...in a very crowded group of very noble and qualified people. It is unfortunate for him that his time happens to be the same time the "first woman" and "first black" happen to have a shot at making the White House.

I am hoping that Edwards gets the nomination over Obama and Clinton...simply put, all three are very qualified. Both Obama and Clinton are active Democratic Senators. Their power can be felt there. Obama has a whole lifetime of political opportunity in front of him. Hillary not so much so.

My preference this time around is to see and Edwards/Clinton ticket. "First..." makes it in the WH as a VP, and next time around this country is better ready to accept a preznit of the female gender. That's not to say she certainly could make it this time. I think Donald Duck could make it this time, based on the crop of losers on the repug side. I just see Edwards as a very sincere, articulate and intelligent person with ideas that can move this country forward. The same is true for Hillary and Barack, but Edwards serves no political position at this time in Washington.

I'm going in circles. Sorry about that.

[HughMoran]

15. He should drop out and let his people go to Edwards

I'd love to see Edwards pull of the next big surprise!

[MNDemNY]

20. More likely to HRC

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. His people will definitely go to HRC

[MNDemNY]

26. I would think so. The "experience" issue seems large for them.

[bluescribbler]

119. Don't be so sure.

I'm one of "his people", and I haven't decided on a 2nd choice.

[rucognizant]

42. Ain't gonna happen.

Can't you see its rigged?

[HughMoran]

49. lol

Yep - just like NH was rigged for Obama! ;)

[frog92969]

19. Another good one gone.

The only thing I could find against him were some disturbing christo-comments.
"Iowa's first in the nation status is a God given right."

Otherwise impeccable.
He would have made a great President and the kind of healer this country desperately needs.

Out of Iraq, no global bullying, no wonder he didn't have a chance. It's a wonder he got any press or debate time at all.

Will be sadly missed.

[Tab]

21. I met Richardson personally

He's a good man, and probably extremely qualified.

Unfortunately, he's not a "front man", and you need to be one to be President. He's a really nice guy, and extremely experienced, but not a natural front guy. He'd be a good VP, but he doesn't have the "magnetism" you need to be #1. Which is too bad - he really is probably one of the most qualified.

[tinrobot]

30. Definitely a top VP choice for any Democrat.

I think he'd work well with Hillary, Obama, or Edwards.

[Politicub]

31. Richards for Secretary of State!

He's the one we need to clean up the mess that Condi has created.

[LandOLincoln]

41. Nope, Wes Clark for SecState, RichardSON for Veep--

or maybe just back here to finish out his term as governor.

[pink-o]

102. Wes Clark should be secy of defense..

...make Edwards Atty Gen and Richardson secy of state.

[LandOLincoln]

125. Wes won't be eligible for SecDef until 2010. n/t

[pink-o]

135. I didn't know that. Why is that? N/T

[LandOLincoln]

136. SecDef has to have been out of the military for at least ten years.

Wes retired in 2000.

[IronLionZion]

33. NO!, I was hoping he would do well out west.

I am certainly disappointed to see him quit before Nevada and some of the states with gun-toting libertarian Dems and hispanics. Damn.

I'm hoping he'll have an important role in the Dem administration, maybe VP or SecState.

[brer cat]

34. There are no "losers" with

a D after their name. I hate seeing these really well-qualified candidates drop out. I think we just had an abundance of riches this year, and some of our most experienced candidates were never given a chance.

[stickernation]

87. we have a "deep bench".

it is the key attitude we should be promoting, that ALL of the Dem candidates have something to contribute in the next Democratic administration. they have spent some money this year marketing themselves to us, and all of our candidates have been pretty cool and are far better known nationally as a result. good investment. i like the next eight years if we win this election.

[rodeodance]

35. he was my 3rd--some days my second choice. dang

[philly_bob]

36. Another good man leaves race. I respect him. nt

[pinto]

38. Thank you for the run, Governor Richardson.

:thumbsup:

[Hugin]

45. Seconded.

:/

[bdamomma]

129. he ran a good campaign.

[maddezmom]

50. I'm hoping that he might get a cabinet pick

:)

[pinto]

54. Me too. There's something to be said for that experience at the fed level.

:kick:

[Voice for Peace]

43. sorry to see him go!

Even if he never had a chance of winning, I always appreciated him
and what he had to say. Maybe too gentle for our warlike nation.

[PFunk]

46. This sucks.

And shows that our current election system is f'ed up big time.

As of now the rest of america will have little-to-no voice in choosing their candidate as those who they wanted to vote for are forced to drop way before they can get the chance to vote for them. Result more voter apatity and dislike of the process.

[Hugin]

58. True.

If the field gets pared down much more... I won't bother with the primaries and as a follow on, probably won't
vote in the General Election.

[stickernation]

88. we need you for the general prag

c'mon now.... let's not be so bitter, remember what the neocons have just put us through ?! thanks, relax a bit, primaries schmimaries we need to get the repugnicans OUT of washington and put some of them IN jail, therefore we MUST win the general, whoever emerges from the convention.

[JerseygirlCT]

47. When the campaign started, I thought rather well of him

But the more I heard (especially the last debate) the less I liked.

By that last debate, I was hollering at the screen "Just shut up already!"

[LiveLiberally]

48. Just heard that Richardson is denying report.....???

[pinto]

55. No confirmation, as yet. n/t

[LandOLincoln]

51. KO just confirmed Richardson out, per Chuck Todd, per

the Richardson campaign.

[travelingtypist]

52. Sad, sad, sad.

:cry::cry::cry:

I would have easily been able to vote for this man. I hope as others
have said he is given a position in the new {insert} administration.

[bdamomma]

131. .......

knowing that feeling when my candidate left, I will give you this :hug:

[tigereye]

53. too bad

he has great experience.

[bklyncowgirl]

56. Too bad. He was my first choice. A qualified and decent man.

I was hoping he'd stay in until Super Tuesday.

[AnnieBW]

57. Well, crap!

Like I said before - I have the kiss of death. Anybody that I start to like drops out.

I think I'm gonna start supporting Huckabee. :D

[Hugin]

59. ...

Haha! Put it in your signature line AnnieBW. :D

[derby378]

61. Noooooooooooo!!!!

Say it ain't so, Bill! :cry:

I sincerely hope he's keeping the VP option on the table.

Never give up, Bill. Never surrender. We're proud of you for at least making it this far.

[helderheid]

62. Damn.

I wanted to see how well he'd do in Nevada.

[grizmaster]

63. Now the BIG question. Who does he endorse?

My guess is Clinton.

[9119495]

105. No one.

If he does not endorse, he can be a VP or cabinent pick for any of the 3. If he does endorse, watch for VERY kind words about the two he does not choose.

[L. Coyote]

64. Secretary of State? Senator? UN Ambassador?

[texastoast]

65. Definitely Secretary of State

Anyone not tapping in to his skills is nutters. Hope whomever is elected realizes that.

[maddezmom]

67. I'd say SOS

:thumbsup:

[rasputin1952]

68. I hope there is nothing to this...

Richardson is by far the candidate w/the best resume and experience. He has the ability to stay on track with the issues, and he is a smart and dedicated individual.

Over the past few months, I have seen so many people, all over the country, jump up and down for candidates that appeal to them, for various reasons, but those of us who want a candidate that really can deal with situations that are out there, have possibly lost the best chance we had for an all-around decent president.

Not many people have followed Richardson, he just didn't draw the press like others do. For those of us who have watched the "debates", the few times he actually got to answer questions and discuss his views, he was the best one up there. Sure, he doesn't have the "star power" of Obama or Clinton, but he knows what he's doing, and that counts for more that all of the posturing and evasion that the "front-runners" seem to toss out there.

I would love to see Richardson take on whatever hops out of the veggie bin for the GOP. His measure and his knowledge would have torn the R candidate apart.

We shall see what happens, as it is, I am leaning toward Richardson, as I have yet to see anything that moves me toward anyone else at this point. So far, as for the "front-runners", i see a lot of passion, but very little substance. Sure hope that changes soon...:)

[Olney Blue]

70. Thank you for running, Governor Richardson.

:yourock:

[defendandprotect]

71. While Richardson wasn't in any way my favorite . . . I think this is an overall loss ---

granted we have to consider the HUGE amounts of money spent on these campaigns ---
vs what they might be if they were publickly run ---
imagine these candidates at our neighborhood schools!!!


But, I think we were better off with the wider field --- but they were ignoring Richards, IMO.

It's wrong; really wrong.

[emmadoggy]

75. This is sad to hear.

How disappointing that one of the most qualified candidates ever gets relegated to the trash heap - little to no attention. I had the chance to see Richardson here in my small Iowa town back in September. He was very warm and genuine and I came away impressed with what he had to say. After looking into him more, he quickly moved up my list and became a tie for first. In the end, I put him in second place, but I would still have been very happy to see him win the nom. Though I have issues where I strongly disagree with him - on the most important issues to me, I agreed with him more than any other candidate.

He would make a great VP or SOS for anyone.

[AnnieBW]

79. Definitely

I'm wondering if HRC or Obama will tap him as Veep to shore up their foreign policy credentials. Bill Richardson or Biden would do well as VP or SecState. Hey... one could be SecState, the other could be Veep!

I was for Dodd and Richardson, but they've both folded. I have the kiss of death. Just like with sci-fi shows. I get to liking them, then they get canceled. So... should I start pulling for Huckabible, the Ghoul, Dead Fred, or Romney next? :D Or maybe McCain, since he could give either Hillary or Obama stiff competition. :D

[medeak]

80. sec of state for Hillary?

that's been the rumor for a year now?

[peoli]

83. Canada here I come!

[NikolaC]

98. Some Canada Advice

Spare yourself more frustration. If you move to Canada try outside of the Greater Toronto area :).

[bigscott]

111. Toronto, Montreal

Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler.......

some of my favorite places on earth!

[annm4peace]

89. Dang IT !!! I wanted to see how he would do out WEST

Couldn't he stay in till Super Tuesday.

IA and NH shouldn't be the deciders for the whole country.

Last time Kucinich stayed in it till the end, you would think Biden, Dodd and Richardson could stretch it out a little longer.

Thanks a lot guys.. really makes me have faith in our voting.. geezzzz.

I guess I will just vote how ever the media tells me to

[LandOLincoln]

96. Well, it costs money to keep going. When you do as badly in the early

primaries as Biden, Dodd, and Richardson did, the money tends to dry up pretty quickly, and I don't think any of those guys were exactly rolling in it to begin with.

[Eurobabe]

91. Another voice lost....

Too bad. Sympathies to the Richardson supporters. :hug:

[Fredda Weinberg]

97. My envy ... their candidate will be spared an ordeal. I don't consider

him lost - this effort gave his visibility and credit he deserved. Maybe not president ... but damn, wouldn't he make a fine secretary of state?

[NikolaC]

99. Really Sorry To Read That

I respect Governor Richardson and hate the fact that he never really had a fair hearing for his views. But, lets all get herded into choosing one of the two, forget the rest huh?

[Orsino]

100. One by one, the anti-war candidates are peeled away.

America just loves war too much, I guess.

[robcon]

110. No. They weren't impressed with Richardson

Votes are most often cast, not on the basis of issues, but on the basis of personality. Richardson didn't seem 'presidential' enough, IMO.

[Orsino]

112. I don't believe in this many coincidences.

Oh, I know that Hillary's a rock star, and therefore likely to be nominated, but yes, opposition to the war is muted so far in this campaign, and I can see which way the Dems are trending.

[robcon]

113. What coincidences are you writing about?

Are you saying that the lead for Obama (the most persistent anti-war candidate) is a coincidence? Or the fact that Edwards, the one who has vociferously renounced his pro-war vote, is trailing - is a "coincidence"? Or that Clinton, the most wishy-washy pro/anti-war candidate, is in the middle of the pack - is a coincidence?

WTF are the coincidences?????

[Orsino]

115. That Hillary's leading.

Most delegates by far.

And the antiwar voices of Richardson and Kucinich have been easily silenced. Then there's Edwards trailing Obama.

I know we have the only national anthem that mentions rockets and bombs, but I'm disappointed. I'd really thought that it would be "the war, stupid."

[LandOLincoln]

117. Obama has one more delegate than Clinton, and would have voted

against the IWR if he'd been in the Senate at the time, or so he says.

You need to get your facts straight.

[Orsino]

123. You're right to look at pledged delegates.

When we count superdelegates, however, we can read the DNC's mind. As much as I'd like to see Edwards or Obama nominated, instead, that's not the way it's breaking so far. Clinton seem preordained.

Clinton 183
Obama 78
Edwards 52

[robcon]

118. Delegates????? Are you counting delegates after 2 small states?

Kucinich has been silenced???? No he hasn't. He just didn't get enough support to get in the debate, and he tried to generate sympathy because he's not much of a presidential candidate and he couldn't attract voters. (It has NOTHING to do with Kucinich's ideas, IMO, which are fairly popular. It has EVERYTHING to do with DK's stupidity and naivete, as shown by his Dept of Peace proposal on his site.)

Richardson has been silenced?????? No he hasn't. He just can't get enough people to think he should be president. This is the Democratic Party, and the voters have spoken, and Bill's not going to be president.

You seem to have the notion that because you agree with their stances, those two have the RIGHT to be president. They only get that if the voters agree on your priority for the war issue, and if they like those two candidates.

[Orsino]

121. Please relax.

I'm only lamenting the early departure of antiwar voices from the race, not demanding the election/nomination of particular candidates.

I know that my man Dennis will keep on preaching the Good Word, while effectively silenced by the MSM. Edwards will remain vocal, but I'm also sensing that he won't even be a VP this time around.

And I'm counting delegates, because delegates are what count. Please allow me a bit of hyperbole as I come to terms with a sad state of affairs.

[robcon]

122. I am relaxed. And I'm not talking about any candidates being "silenced."

n/t

[Carrieyazel]

126. Bill, you ran an excellent, grass-roots campaign and excited a lot of people

But the Obama/Hillary media juggernaut could not be overcome.

[LandOLincoln]

127. Richardson announcement coming any minute now (l:00 MST)

Watch it live here:

http://kob.com/article/stories/s217933.shtml


Update: They're on--Tom Udall speaking first.

[bdamomma]

130. watching now.

[BrightKnight]

132. My estimation of him has gone up a lot recently.

My criticism of him has been that he has tended to come off a bit awkward and uncertain at times.

I was very impressed with his performance in the last debate. He has found his voice in the campaign. His confident, honest, heartfelt tone recently really resonated with me. He is a very capable and decent man.

I also impressed with his comments about Pakistan. I liked his nuanced policy approach was confident delivery.

Perhaps he has always been impressive and I am just discovering him now. I am sorry to see him go and wish that I could vote for all of them. I hope that he will run again and that either Obama or Clinton will find a significant role for him in the new government.

[underpants]

133. He is over qualified for the job

Okay no one is overqualified but his an incredbile mind and tremendous talent. Hopefully he will use it only for good.

[cstanleytech]

134. Ah well, I liked alot of what he had to say.

Him as well as Edwards but I think its pretty clear Hillary and Obama are the party favorites.
I'm still not sure which of those two will win but either way its ok by me as so far I have not seen a republican that I'll vote for over either one of them.
Huckabee and Romney send shivers down my spine and McCain and his pandering up to the far religious right just annoyed the hell out of me and as for the rest I'm just not impressed with any of them at all.