Why Bill Richardson’s Endorsement is Important

By Connect Mason Columnist and Convergence Director Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

When Bill Richardson dropped out of the race for the Democratic Party's Presidential Nomination on January 10, he cemented the respect that I had been garnering for him while following the campaign trail:

"Now I am returning to a job that I love, serving a state that I cherish and doing the work of the people I was elected to serve. As I have always said, I am the luckiest man I know. I am married to my college sweetheart. I live in a place called the Land of Enchantment. I have the best job in the world. And I just got to run for president of the United States. It doesn't get any better than that."

Why are there so few politicians like Governor Bill Richardson? Hell, I'll further the point, why are there so few Americans like Bill Richardson?

Just yesterday, Joshua St. Louis and I were talking about the changes that occurred as the Presidential Primaries shifted from the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. I told St. Louis then about the respect I'd fostered for Richardson, how I was disappointed that he dropped out so early and nearly overwhelmed by his choice of words when he decided to drop out.

Now, once again, my respect for Bill Richardson has been proved to be well placed. No, it's not only because he today announced his support and endorsement of Senator Barack Obama, but the reasons why and the words he chose to express his decision.

Citing Obama's recent speech on race relations in the United States as a significant reason for his decision to support the Illinois Senator, Richardson said, "[Senator Obama] understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans. [...] He appealed to the best in us. [...] As a Hispanic American I was particularly touched by his words."

Will Richardson's moving words, a number of these in Spanish, help Obama with the Hispanic-American community? We'll see. An endorsement, even one as powerfully delivered as Richardson's, does not mean a significant positive shift for a politician. But Richardson's support cannot hurt - not only as a Hispanic-American, but as a Super Delegate.

As expected, Hillary Clinton's camp downplayed Richardson's support, offering the obvious, nearly empty phrase that it is not endorsements that win elections, but voters. Richardson was a member of Bill Clinton's administration, so the New Mexico Governor's decision to support Obama is a significant blow to the Former First Lady, no matter what words she uses to try and diffuse the impact.

For the past few days, I've been reeling from the slowly augmenting negativity of the Democratic Primary. It reminds me why I've become such a politics junkie when one sees the stronger, deeper impact of positive politics. Speeches like the one Richardson gave today have the ability to refocus the reason why this election is different and important in ways that negative attacks, asinine television spots and loaded phrases cannot.

This election truly is about Change. Every candidate in this lengthy political affair has talked about change, Republicans and Democrats alike. The fact that a politician, an American like Richardson sees Obama as the best vehicle for this change should dispel any fears that Obama could be 'the next Jimmy Carter.'

Now comes the question: Is Richardson a possible vice presidential choice for Obama?