New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson jumps in to the Democratic race for the White House

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will announce his intention to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. AP File photo.


I found this through KGO TV News:

Jan. 19 - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson intends to take the first step toward the Democratic presidential nomination, several officials with knowledge of his plans said Friday.

The former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Energy Department secretary is hoping his extensive resume will fuel an insurgent campaign to become the nation's first Hispanic president.

He plans to announce on Sunday that he will soon file the papers to create a presidential exploratory committee, the officials said. The governor is scheduled to appear on ABC's "This Week."

Richardson's office did not immediately return a call for comment.

Richardson, 59, brings a wealth of experience in international affairs that has extended even into his governorship of a small but politically important swing state. He has hosted talks on North Korea's nuclear program in New Mexico and most recently traveled to Sudan to meet with the country's president to press him for an end to the bloodshed in Darfur.

Despite having one of the most varied and impressive portfolios in politics, Richardson enters the race as an underdog. Polling in early voting states shows him ranking near the bottom in a very crowded Democratic field led by Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards.

The Democrats have some big firsts here--a serious black presidential contender, a serious woman presidential contender (depending on when Hillary announces her decision), and now a serious Hispanic presidential contender. Who do the Republicans have? Some old Vietnam War vet who is more interested in his personal ambitions, rather than what is good for the country? A former New York mayor whose only fame is that he was the mayor during the 9/11 terrorist attacks? Another crazy Religious Right wing-nut?

It is going to be an interesting race.