Richardson Update Jan. 21-27

Richardson is creating big news. He has been seen with facial hair. Yes, the New Mexico Governor is working on a beard. The last time he did this was in 1999. He says that it saves him 70 minutes a week. Despite growing facial hair, Richardson proves to be working hard. He has proposed intrastate air service which no other state has. He gave a New Mexico intrastate air service $5 million in state money to attract a carrier. Currently, they are in talks about this project. Also, part of Richardson's legislative agenda was passed in the house this week. This legislation gave gay and heterosexual couples the right to form domestic partnerships and to enjoy the same rights and benefits as married couples. This bill would offer basic legal protections to same-sex couples unable to marry as well opposite-sex couples, many of whom are senior citizens and people with disabilities, that choose not to marry for financial reasons. Gov. Bill Richardson has appointed Oscar A. Simpson III of Albuquerque to the New Mexico State Game Commission. Simpson is the public land organizer for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and has served as its president as well. A former state chair for ex-presidential candidate Bill Richardson who worked in the Clinton administration has launched a Web site highlighting Rudy Giuliani's first marriage to his cousin, Regina Peruggi. This was primarily done because he thought that this would prove some interesting information on Guiliani's character. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to make a pitch to position a major international rail project so that it benefits southern New Mexico. Currently, they are just talking, but are also working on many other projects that deal with potential natural gas cooperation projects. So these are a few things that the New Mexico Governor has been up to. Still there is no word on who he has endorsed, but we will see!

Richardson Update Jan. 14-20

Although no longer in the 2008 presidential race, Richardson continues to work diligently in his elected office as Governor of New Mexico.  On the 15th, he delivered his state of the state address, recalling that "Last year, working together we had our most productive session—We gave a tax cut to every middle-income family. We ended predatory lending. We passed dramatic clean energy initiatives. And we raised the minimum wage" and this year "my agenda is focused and bold...Energy efficiency, domestic violence, ethics reform, domestic partnership, and expanding health care coverage to every New Mexican are major issues facing this state and are the heart of my agenda."  Since his speech, Richardson has already shown his dedication to achieving his goals for New Mexico by signing a bill  that changes minimum wage, encouraging a bill that requires harsher sentences for domestic voilence offenders, introducing his HealthSOLUTIONS plan, and announcing the opening of a new Fidelity Investments that will open another 1,250 jobs.  Even after a loss, Richardson does not give up--showing his true leadership.

Richardson Update Jan. 7th-13th

January 10th, 2008 was a sad day for all. This was the day Governor Bill Richardson dropped out of the presidential race, making him the third presidential candidate to drop out of the democratic race and still no republicans have dropped out. In his withdrawl speech he thanked all of his supporters, the ones who had been with him from the beginning and joined along the way and most of all the people from New Mexico. Richardson and his main committee worked hard raising over $22 million with 68,000 donors and starting committee's in 36 states and getting on the ballot in 42 states. In his speech he also had nice remarks about every Democratic presidential candidate. He wishes them all the best off luck and hopes they do not resort to personal attacks to win the nomination. As of now, he has not endorsed any candidate for president despite rumors for supporting Obama.
Richardson fell below 5% and came in fourth in the New Hampshire primary past Tuesday and came in with just 2% in the Iowa caucus last week. For now, Ricardson will return to his job as Governor of New Mexico but will be forced by tern limits in 2010.
So what will be next for Bill Richardson? Could he be the vice-president nominee?

Richardson Update Dec. 31-Jan. 4

To further express his content with Pakistan's Musharraf, Richardson wrote an oped entitled "Musharraf Must Go" for The Boston Globe on January 3rd.  Today, Richardson actually received a call from Nawaz Sharif thanking him for his support of "immediate democracy in Pakistan."  Furthermore, Richardson created a new website entitled "The Difference On Iraq" which differentiates Richardson from all the other Democratic candidates on the issues of Iraq.  In the Iowa Caucus on the 3rd, Richardson received 7% of the votes in entrance polls, putting him in the top four.  Richardson responded, "Thank you, Iowa. Now we go on to New Hampshire."As the New Hampshire Primary approaches, Richardson continues to push for votes in the Granite state, kicking off his campaign on the fourth.  However, Richardson does seem to be picking up support, for on the first he received sixty-five endorsements from prominent New Hampshire figures including eight state representatives.  On January 2nd, Governor Richardson released an ad that responded to Hillary Clinton's recent ad evoking the question who is ready to be President?  He replied, "Bill Richardson."   On the 5th, he plans to attend the ABC News/WMUR/Facebook Debate.