Richardson to end campaign for presidency, sources say
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will reportedly drop out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination today, ending a campaign that failed to excite voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.
A former congressman, secretary of Energy and U.N. ambassador, Richardson presented himself as an experienced problem-solver with impeccable international credentials. He finished fourth in both early contests.
A day after winning 5% of Tuesday’s vote in New Hampshire, Richardson flew to New Mexico and huddled with aides.
The Associated Press on Wednesday evening quoted two sources close to Richardson as saying the governor would withdraw today. The Richardson campaign declined to comment on the report.
From the onset, observers wondered whether Richardson was really shooting for the White House or had his eyes on another post, such as vice president or secretary of State. Richardson insisted that he wanted the presidency and was the best-qualified candidate, with deep experience at all levels of government.
The garrulous 60-year-old, the child of a Mexican mother and a wealthy New England father, is perhaps best known for his sometimes freelance negotiations in international hot spots. He convinced leader Kim Jong Il to free an American pilot shot down over North Korea and then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to liberate U.S. aid workers who had accidentally entered Iraq from Kuwait.
President Clinton tapped Richardson to be United Nations ambassador, then Energy secretary. After Clinton left the White House, Richardson returned to New Mexico, which he had represented in Congress, and was elected governor. He became a dominating force, presenting himself as a pragmatist who cut taxes, legalized medical marijuana and expanded children’s healthcare.
His background generated some early buzz in Iowa and New Hampshire, particularly with a witty ad that showed him interviewing for the presidential job. But Richardson’s campaign never created enough excitement to vault him into the top tier of contenders. He won 2% of the vote in last week’s Iowa caucuses.
His term as governor runs through 2010. There has been speculation that Richardson might run for the Senate seat being vacated by New Mexico Republican Pete V. Domenici, who is retiring this year. One of Richardson’s supporters, Democratic Rep. Tom Udall, is already running for the seat.
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