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http://www.newsmax.com/politics/richardson/2008/01/09/63111.html
AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
MERRIMACK, N.H. -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for
the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his
impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.
Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two
people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a
condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.
The Richardson campaign would not comment on the governor's decision,
reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.
Richardson had one of the most wide-ranging resumes of any candidate ever to
run for the presidency, bringing experience from his time in Congress,
President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico statehouse as well as his
unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the
unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black
and a woman.
But Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama dominated the spotlight in the
campaign, and Richardson was never able to become a top-tier contender. He
accused his rivals of failing to commit to bring troops home from Iraq soon
enough.
He portrayed his campaign as a job application for president, and ran clever
ads that showed a bored interviewer unimpressed with his dazzling resume.
The commercials helped fuel his move to double-digit support in some early
state polls, and advisers argued he was poised to move past former vice
presidential nominee John Edwards for the role of third-place challenger.
But he was not able to build the momentum and came in a distant fourth place
in Iowa and New Hampshire. Richardson didn't get quite 5 percent in the New
Hampshire primary Tuesday and came in with just 2 percent in the Iowa caucus
last week.
AP NewsBreak: Richardson Ends Bid
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
MERRIMACK, N.H. -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for
the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his
impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.
Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two
people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a
condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.
The Richardson campaign would not comment on the governor's decision,
reached after a meeting with his top advisers Wednesday in New Mexico.
Richardson had one of the most wide-ranging resumes of any candidate ever to
run for the presidency, bringing experience from his time in Congress,
President Clinton's Cabinet, in the New Mexico statehouse as well as his
unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic, he added to the
unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a black
and a woman.
But Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama dominated the spotlight in the
campaign, and Richardson was never able to become a top-tier contender. He
accused his rivals of failing to commit to bring troops home from Iraq soon
enough.
He portrayed his campaign as a job application for president, and ran clever
ads that showed a bored interviewer unimpressed with his dazzling resume.
The commercials helped fuel his move to double-digit support in some early
state polls, and advisers argued he was poised to move past former vice
presidential nominee John Edwards for the role of third-place challenger.
But he was not able to build the momentum and came in a distant fourth place
in Iowa and New Hampshire. Richardson didn't get quite 5 percent in the New
Hampshire primary Tuesday and came in with just 2 percent in the Iowa caucus
last week.