Gov. Bill Richardson dropped out of the race for President today. His candidacy was a longshot at best, although I never quite understood why. How can a former cabinet member, a current governor, a popular, smart, thoughtful, moderate man be a “longshot”? It certainly was not because he wasn’t among the most qualified for the position. Instead, it was because he was NOT among the most-funded, and NOT among the most-annointed front runners by the media.
On the Democratic side, all we’ve heard is “Hillary vs. Barack” for about the last year. Not that they aren’t qualified candidates, but they ARE NOT the “only” candidates. That John Edwards is doing as well as he is to this point is a credit to his campaign, a credit to him, and a credit to his supporters. But, truth be told, it is also somewhat of a red flag to me. It shows me that – as the best funded “white guy” - Edwards still has a chance in part because there are too many voters…FAR too many voters…who won’t vote for a female or an African American, even one who has one white parent (nor will they apparently vote, in Richardson’s case, for an Hispanic). This, of course, makes bigots like Vonster cheer heartily, but I find it sad that we still have so far to go in this country. Sad.
It also makes me worry that, with the South still not heard from (and we know how THEY feel about that “uppity woman” and that “uppity black”), the GOP has a chance to win another election they do not deserve to win. Maybe I’m just depressed because my guy (still the best candidate for the job) is now out of it, but I don’t see anything yet that shows me that the electorate, which is still littered with ignorant, bigoted idiots, can rise above itself and elect an obviously qualified individual (Clinton, Obama, to name two) who doesn’t happen to fit their “white, middle aged, protestant” description of what they think a president should be.
It isn’t just Democrat candidates that suffer from that unfortunate and sickenly wrong ideal…ask Mitt Romney about it.
8 responses so far ↓
1
Anon E. Mouse
// Jan 10, 2008 at 11:37 pm
BJ sez: “How can a former cabinet member, a current governor, a popular, smart, thoughtful, moderate man be a “longshotâ€? It certainly was not because he wasn’t among the most qualified for the position. Instead, it was because he was NOT among the most-funded, and NOT among the most-annointed front runners by the media.”
I sez: Yup, that’s the problem. Although Richardson wasn’t my man, I feel your pain. I don’t think I’ve voted for an eventual nominee in the primaries…ever. What matters is the dough you can raise…in both parties.
2
jenjw4
// Jan 11, 2008 at 9:56 am
Outlaw, I’ve been struck by the same thing. It’s crazy to me, that in the year 2008, that it’s still somehow (in the US, of all places) a detriment to be female or to be “non-white..” Crazy and sad.
3
ollie
// Jan 11, 2008 at 10:00 am
Devil’s advocate: ok, I liked Richardson. But there were some problems:
1) he isn’t as telegenic as the others. NO, being telegenic shouldn’t be an issue, but in this day in age, it is. It is a demonstrated fact that many people go by image; in fact, in a controlled study, people were able to pick the winner of a senate race 70% of the time by just looking at a photo of the candidate! (and yes, this study was limited to people who didn’t recognize the identities of the candidates)
2) B. R. also didn’t think well on his feet (said he didn’t know if gays could be “made to be gay”, said “Whizzer White” was his idea of a good Supreme Court Justice, etc.
Yes, B. R. is a smart guy, but he was prone to putting his foot in his mouth.
My guess is that he will appear in the new administration, if the D’s win, or perhaps be New Mexico’s next Senator.
4
Vonster
// Jan 11, 2008 at 11:18 am
“…another election they do not deserve to win”
Hell yeah. I mean just because people voted for them….
Archetypal liberal-think.
Irrational rant about stolen elections in 3….2…1…
5
Kris Seklur
// Jan 11, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Bill Richardson’s out to set up the way to become Hillary Clinton’s VP candidate. Simple as that.
6
Vonster
// Jan 11, 2008 at 1:41 pm
At least that’s was Rush says.
7
Vonster
// Jan 11, 2008 at 1:42 pm
*what*
8
Kris Seklur
// Jan 12, 2008 at 9:47 pm
What do Geddy, Alex, and Neil have to do with this?
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