The Candidate Who Could Beat Bush, But Won't Run

by Mark Scheinbaum

Richardson was a wildly popular New Mexico Congressman and congressional power broker; U.S. Energy Secretary; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (also with Cabinet rank), and special envoy/mediator to hotspots such as North and South Korea.

Today, the political world beats a path to Santa Fe, his state's capitol. Network camera crews actually have to ignore their affiliates and "stringers" in Albuquerque and send real, high-paid news crews to sleepy, picturesque and historic Santa Fe, time and time again.

A blackout and crisis in electric power: Richardson interviews.

Oil prices, strategic reserves, Mideast oil: Richardson. Nuclear threats from North Korea and war talk: Get Richardson on the show tonight.

France, Germany, and Russia badmouth the U.S. at the United Nations Security Council: live tonight, an exclusive interview with Bill Richardson.

U.S. governors cut jobs, educational funding, and search for prescription and health care solutions: let's book Richardson for Sunday's show.

The boyish first-term New Mexico governor, from a Hispanic-American family, with a passion for baseball and people, has some negative political "baggage" to be sure, but when lined up against the current 10 (including Gen. Wesley Clarke) members of the Democratic Rolling Vaudeville Show and Circus, he shines.

Oh, disclosure time: in print and on the airwaves, I was a relentless critic of Richardson's role in l'affaire Lewinsky. At a time of critical Mideast votes at the UN, he rushed to Washington from New York for a sudden career guidance session with a young intern who was, well, to put it kindly, well placed and well-connected. Of course, Richardson was not alone. The Clinton sleazefest saw Vice President Al Gore staring at his shoes and disappearing on a series of silent vacations, and Cabinet members -- save Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who finally packed it in -- who clucked their tongues, shook their heads, and did the Brooks Brothers shuffle in lock step to a White House script.

I'm prepared to put that sordid episode aside, simply because in his first year as New Mexico governor he has assembled a team of qualified professionals; delegated responsibilities to a dynamic Lt. Gov; walked a sage line between environmental, Native American "pueblo," and business interests, and taken a leadership role among groups of other state governors.

Part of the Richardson luster is his accessibility to media time, but much of his attraction is a refreshing candor which comes through on the tube, and apparently in person, according to people who have known him for many years.

I have heard zero suggestions that Bill Richardson throw his hat in the ring, and have heard no comment from him showing any interest. If the subject is raised, Richardson will say "The time isn't right; I have a commitment to the people of New Mexico." In doing so, he will join the ranks of potentially great leaders who froze in the headlights.

Former N.Y. Gov. Mario Cuomo, considered the most eloquent and moving speaker of his time, never pushed for a presidential nomination because the year was wrong or the opponents didn't seem right. When Rhodes Scholar and former NBA star, Sen. Bill Bradley passed up three elections because the party felt the time was "wrong" it left the N.J. senator hanging around, ready to lose to a well-funded (and sometimes dirty) primary season won by Al Gore.

In four years everyone knows it will be Hillary Rodham's turn at bat. If she loses to a Republican, the party would probably give her another shot in 2012. And by then, Bill Richardson will be playing pinochle or bocci on sunny afternoons with Cuomo and Bradley.