Democrats Nominate Richardson To Lead 2004 Convention

The Albuquerque Journal (subscription required) ^ | July 28, 2003 | Jennifer Peter, The Associated Press

[CedarDave]

July 28, 2003

Democrats Nominate Richardson To Lead 2004 Convention

By Jennifer Peter The Associated Press

   BOSTON   —   Democratic Party leaders nominated New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be chairman of their 2004 national convention on Monday, a move to appeal to Hispanic voters increasingly targeted by Republicans.
    "I think it's a recognition that Hispanics are major players in the presidential race," Richardson said in an interview with The Associated Press shortly after the announcement.
    He added, "I think there's going to be strong initiatives accompanying this appointment for the Hispanic community."
    Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe announced the nomination at a news conference also attended by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
    Richardson's appointment "reflects the diversity of our party, the strength of our party," Pelosi said.
    The nomination of Richardson   —   a former Congressman, energy secretary and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who is the highest-ranking elected Hispanic official in the country   —   is a response to demands from the Hispanic caucus of the Democratic National Committee.
    The convention chairman usually is named in the weeks prior to the convention, set for Boston next July, and the party's nominee would have input on that decision.
    But Democrats have been under more pressure to address the needs of minority groups, particularly the fast-growing Hispanic population believed to be a swing group this election cycle.
    Richardson said that "the message to Hispanic voters has to include economic empowerment issues and not just immigration and civil rights."
    As for impact the high-profile job will have on his home state, Richardson said, "I'm very honored for myself and New Mexico and I'm going to make sure that New Mexico has a strong presence at this convention so that the state can get more investment, more tourism and we've already started planning to have a very strong physical presence in Boston."
    New Mexico has a prominent place in the primary calendar in 2004, holding a Democratic caucus on Feb. 3, when several states have contests just a week after the New Hampshire primary.
    Also Monday, Alice Huffman, president of the California NAACP, was nominated to head the convention committee, which could address concerns of black Democrats that they are taken for granted by the party.
      —    —    —  
    Associated Press reporter Matt Mygatt in Albuquerque, N.M., contributed to this report.

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[CedarDave]

Didn't see this posted.

[My2Cents]

Good Hispanic name, "Richardson."

[clintonh8r]

Taco Bill....

[eureka!]

"Good Hispanic name, "Richardson.""

Don't worry, the presstitutes will make his Hispanic heritage known. Tells me the Rats are worried about the GOP's inroads. "Free Estrada" should be the GOP's rallying cry. Hehehehe.....

[Sender]

Rush was talking about this today. He said he wonders if Dean will jump up and call Richardson 'reckless and irresponsible' because Richardson stresses tax cuts. Tee hee.

[Dan from Michigan]

Richardson will be president someday. Count on it.

[My2Cents]

I understand Mel Martinez (HUD Secty.) has been all over Spanish language media (TV/radio) talking about the obstruction of Estrada. It's apparently working.

[FITZ]

Good Hispanic name, "Richardson."

It's as hispanic as "Fox".

[FITZ]

Richardson will be president someday. Count on it.

I'm pretty sure you're right. He's a hispanic version of Bill Clinton.

[Blue Screen of Death]

It's as hispanic as "Fox".

But not quite as Hispanic as "Fujimori".

[eureka!]

Re#7 Cool. Now we need Marin to take on Boxer in California. The traditional Hispanic family is GOP in ethics/morals etc. They belong in the GOP. Same for the blacks. Same for anybody that believes in this country's founding principles and their own self determination.....

[Diddle E. Squat]

aka Governor Krispy Kreme.

Currently welcoming about a dozen runaway Yellow Bellied Tax Suckers(aka Texas Senate Chickens)...

[goldstategop]

Bill Richardson... He slashed taxes, signed a Shall Issue CCW bill into law, and has welcomed business to New Mexico. And he's a Democrat! You gotta wonder what Howard Dean and John F. Kerry think of this fellow.... He's "too right wing" for the Democratic Party.

[CPT Clay]

I thought he would be a Vice presidental candidate. I guess not in '04.

[Dan from Michigan]

Yep. He's tied to Bill Klinton. That satisfies the Dem leadership.

He's a governor. Governor's become presidents.
He's Hispanic. Unlike blacks, Hispanic dems win statewide in some states.(Wilder was only black dem to do it). It would be a 'first'.
He signed a CPL bill(twice). He's at least as pro-2a as Bush(who's not great). Possibly better.
He cut taxes.
From a 'country state. It's hard to paint that elitist label on him.

2008? 2012? 2016? Especially if Hillary loses in 2008. 12 years is a long time for one party.

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't think he'll want the Veep curse.

[Quix]

I still think this guy is real bad news.

Some sort of wolf in quasi sheep's clothing.

NM is a strange place in a list of ways [no, not just because I'm here LOL] . . .

But what has this guy done to get so much grooming for kingship by the puppet masters?

My dad would say he's been great for NM. And he certainly knows how to sound nice. But Dillbo had a silver tongue too. That it was forked still doesn't seem to matter.

[PhiKapMom]

Richardson will not be President -- too much baggage and this Country will not elect someone who let Nuclear Secrets walk out of Los Alamos! Just because he is pro-2nd amendment means diddly to National Security in most folks minds!

We do not need another Clinton-lite -- the man who tried to give Monica a job at the UN!

Unbelievable!

[CPT Clay]

He doesn't have what it takes to be the president. Will he throw his hat in the ring against the Hildabeast?

[goldstategop]

I suspect he won't get the nod since he is insuffiently radical for those who run the Democratic Party.