Richardson is one of several strong VP candidates IMHO, like Wes Clark. He could help Dems take Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida,and he doesn't hurt you anywhere else. But I don't see him as the president and he's got to lose weight.
The only Dem candidates I believe are truly qualified to be president are Gore, Kerry, Biden and Hillary, in that order, and I am not comfortable with Hillary. Bayh and Edwards are very good-looking guys, but they don't have much gravitas. Both could also be low-risk VP choices. In today's world full of gravitas, the president should be a very serious character. Obama is a wild card. Wildly popular but equally improbable.
Vilsack is a slim possibility if he can really rouse the crowds, but has a long slog ahead outside of Iowa.
Everything now depends on whether Hillary, Obama or Gore are actually running. It's possible none of them will run. If that happens, despite the party's misgivings, I say Kerry is still the #1 choice. But if Gore runs, I think he will take it. If Hillary runs I predict she will end up being defeated for the nomination because I don't think she can win in November, even with the beloved Bill behind her. |
