Well folks, it’s almost that time again! I’m sure that you’ve been hearing the buzz, noticing the headlines, and maybe even checking in to see what new events may have transpired in our nation’s capital. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been unable to escape the frenzy and anticipation that’s been accumulating around the 2008 Presidential election. When it reaches its peak, it’s going to be a hurricane of controversy and political dispute. Although the election has moved to the forefront of our media agendas, at this point lightning has barely started to hit the ground for younger voters.
With Democratic nominees Barack OBama and Hillary Clinton capturing everyone’s attention, the nation has been speculating whether or not this next term will re-define history in regards to the race or sex of our future President. But alas, there is another, less-noted nominee who would also mark an equally important, historical moment if he were to take the Presidency.
On January 21st, 2007, Governor Bill Richardson from New Mexico announced that he would be running for the 2008 Presidential election. If he were to take the Oval Office, Richardson would be the first Hispanic American President in the history of our nation. Richardson has an extensive and impressive resume of political experience. From his time as a Congressman to his role as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Richardson has been all across the board. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Energy in the Clinton Administration, the chairman of the Democratic National Convention, the chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association, and he’s currently the Governor of the State of New Mexico. Even during his undergraduate time at Tufts University, he was President of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Perhaps he is a natural born leader.
Although Richardson doesn’t have the budget to launch a campaign as ferocious as some of his adversaries most definitely will (he is in favor of limiting the budget for Presidential campaigning), he has some interesting perspectives on politics. For one, he strongly supports Native American causes. Having served on the House on the Natural Resources Subcommittee to Native American Affairs, he strongly pushed important bills for the culture. After being signed by President Bill Clinton, these bills are considered to be some of the most valued in all of Native American history. The list of bills is quite extensive.
Richardson has seen much of the world. Having a wide history of diplomatic travels, Bill has bravely ventured into such places as North Korea, Nigeria, and Cuba. Richardson has acquired a belief in peaceful negotiation. He doesn’t find much value in the use of hostile force although ironically, he’s still in favor of more spending on our military. Years back, Richardson traveled to Baghdad to negotiate the release of two captured American aerospace workers who were being held captive. After face to face negotiations with Saddam Hussein himself, the terms were secured and the prisoners released. Richardson is also responsible for bravely negotiating the release of prisoners in the Sudan and in North Korea.
Personally, I wouldn’t be at all opposed to the idea of Richardson for President of the United States. Although we disagree on certain issues, he seems like an overall good man who stands for his own beliefs and has the best interest of the American people. In regards to the hot topic of immigration, Richardson believes that there should be a path to legalization through the payment of taxes and education of the English language. I must agree.
To me, Richardson seems like the kind of guy that you could easily have a good chat and a cup of coffee with. Keep an open eye for Richardson’s advancement throughout the political race/storm that we’re about to witness. Like I mentioned, this is only the beginning. Hopefully with time, Richardson’s name and reputation will come to the forefront of the upcoming Presidential election.
Jim Feeney '07
Wilkes University
Communications Studies Major
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