Bill Richardson Ends White House Campaign

Democratic New Mexico Governor Finished Fourth In Both Iowa And New Hampshire

(AP)  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his long-shot bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday after poor finishes in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

He praised all of his Democratic rivals but endorsed no one. He encouraged voters to "take a long and thoughtful look" and elect one of them president.

Richardson said that although his support at the polls lagged the front-runners, many of his leading rivals had moved closer to his positions on such issues as the war in Iraq and educating young Americans at home.

"Despite overwhelming financial and political odds, I am proud of the campaign we waged ... and most importantly the influence we had on the issues that matter the most to the future of this country," he said.

On a less serious note, he estimated the long campaign had included 200 debates. He quickly amended that 24 but said "it felt like 200."

Richardson, 60, announced his decision at the state Capitol, saying he was returning to "the best job in the world" as New Mexico's governor.

With the New Mexico Legislature convening for its annual one-month regular session next Tuesday, he said with a grin to all those involved: "I'm back."

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 as energy secretary, as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, in the New Mexico Statehouse as well as his unique role as a freelance diplomat. As a Hispanic man, he added to the unprecedented diversity in the Democratic field that also included a woman and a black man.

But Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama dominated the spotlight in the campaign, and Richardson was never able to become a top-tier contender, trailing well behind them and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Richardson fell below 5 percent in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday and came in with just 2 percent in the Iowa caucuses last week.

Edwards congratulated Richardson, saying he had run a good race.

There was no immediate comment from the other campaigns.

"He was a very good candidate, a serious candidate," Edwards said in Columbia, S.C. "I congratulate him. He ought to be proud of what he's done. What's happened is, over time the race is becoming more focused. I think that's good for democracy. I think this thing's going on for a long time."

Richardson was easily elected to two terms as governor but will be forced from office by term limits in 2010.

[daleesp]

Thanks for giving it a good try Bill, you have have always done a great job representing America and I am sure you always will. Good luck with everything you do and Thank You!

[g02342000]

John Edwards is the only one that will fight poverty and bring health care and education to the poor & middle class of America. The Edwards / Biden ticket would be the best Presidency for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the canidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Only Edwards can fix Bush''s mistakes!

[colonieny]

what was he thinking ?

[weezee4bill]

Big loss for America. The only "adult" the only "true diplomat".

Sorry to see him go. Bill Richardson was the only one who was "real" in this race.

For the rest of the Dems, Stick with the issues that REALLY MATTER, drop the rest of the B.S.

[sanfelz]

Richardson is an incredibly experienced and intelligent person. He would be helpful to any administration of either party.

[mcvet]

3 down 4 more dwarfs to go.


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Posted by jowand at 06:36 PM : Jan 10, 2008
+ report

Yeah but you got the TWO giants at the top Swastika Breath. Did YOU see the NUMBERS of the Turn out in NH? Iowa? Sparky this nation hasn''t seen this kind of thing since FDR or TRUMAN!! The numbers and a whole NEW generation of American''s ready to take control and move our nation ahead. Kinda exciting for this child of the 60''s I''ll tell you that. SIEG HEIL OLD TIRED ONE... SIEG HEIL!!

[mcvet]

Bill dropped out?? So sad. You see, Bill was the the little pudgy guy we all knew in 7th grade, who was always getting his a*ss kicked behind the racquetball courts after school. It was refreshing to see the fat doofus kid grow up to be a fat doofus adult, and now it''''s sad to see him gone. Back to New Mexico, the poorest and worst-run state in America. Boo hoo.


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Posted by michaelt302 at 07:23 PM : Jan 10, 2008
+ report abuse

What is it with you fascist and LIES! NOTHING and I repeat NOTHING you posted is truth but you just go right on your marry way as if it were? You people have the NERVE after that to claim you are about Family Values? What kind of Values have you given the nation over the last 8 years? What has the fascist party done to the country over the last 8 years. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[mcvet]

A great man. A great American. A great citizen of the world. It''''s early, I know. But I''''d like Governor Richardson to become "Clinton/Richardson" in our next presidential election. That it seems I''''m a Democrat? Of course I am!


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Posted by adiant at 08:21 PM : Jan 10, 2008
+ report abuse

I don''t know how it''s going to shake out... but Richardson is one true leader! Compared to the toe tappers association a GREAT leader.

[adiant-2009]

A great man. A great American. A great citizen of the world. It''s early, I know. But I''d like Governor Richardson to become "Clinton/Richardson" in our next presidential election. That it seems I''m a Democrat? Of course I am!

[tibu987]

Obama/Richardson in ''08.