Richardson has been in Congress for 14 years in the lower chambers- US House so why run for Senate. He was UN Ambassador,Secretary of Energy and Governor – He is strongly qualified to be President- but he is being overshadowed by Hillary Clinton- the likely Democratic nominee- She is the former First Lady of the United States- wife of the popular former President. Barack Obama- the rock star candidate. and John Edwards- former Presidential and VP candidate- Richardson has more experience to be President than Obama and Edwards. Hillary Clinton is going to with the Presidency in 2008. She will win re-election in 2012. Richardson will have to wait until 2016 to make another Presidential run. A Senator Richardson will not be a credible Presidential candidate in 2016. If Richardson is VP or Secretary of State from 2009-2016. He might be the front runner for the 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination and can win in the general election. Richardson has a better chance of becoming President as a popular former Governor who negotiates with foriegn leaders and a Noble peace Price Winner. He can be head a public policy think tank- dealing international issues- Trade and National Security. He can be a Public Policy Analyst of a Cable Talk Show. He will maintian his Stateman like stature if he does not run for Senate.
Look at the 2008 Republican Presidential candidate- Had Cheney or Condi Rice ran- They would have lost in the General Election to Hillary Clinton.
McCain is the only top tier candidate that is a Senator- He is unlikely to get the nomination. The front runner- Guiliani- is a former NYC mayor during 9-11 but is unaccepted by Social Conservatives and Romney is a former MA Governor but he is inexperienced. Thompson is the elders statesman candidate but he is too Conservative for the electorate. Richardson in 2016 can distant him self from the Unpopular Hillary Clinton adminstration and run as a outsider candidate with experience and stature. In 2016 Obama's star appeal will diminish. Unless he runs for Governor in 2010.

Bill Richardson has served as a congressman, Energy Secretary, UN Ambassador and is now in his second term as Governor of New Mexico. Senate would be a step backwards for him. It's time that people start listening to Richardson's message and realize that the only candidate who can truly improve the US reputation around the world is Richardson- a 4 time Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

Are we sure he's Latino and not Italian?

I'm a not a gonna run for that a Senate a seat a. I'm a gonna be a president a.

I like Bill, wish more people would look at his CREDENTIALS instead of his campaign fund-raising and silly polls.

Happy Friday,

Come on Bill, think "Big Picture" here…another Senator is huge. Another poster said this would be a "free pickup." I could not agree more.

Also today, Democratic Rep. Udall announced he would not run either, and Rep. Wilson jumped in the race, opening up the NM-1 race. Check out for other potential Dem candidates.

Richardson is the most qualified Democrat running for President. He's served in The Cabinet so he knows how to make friends on the hill. He's also been a Governor, so he knows how to be a good Executive. I met him in 2000 and he's smart, well-spoken and very down to Earth. He'll get my vote in the primary, for sure. I can only hope that others will think for themselves and not let the media tell them who to vote for based on who raises the most money.

He'll make an even greater president!

There is no shame in trying to become a senator, especially when you know you have no chance of winning the presidency. Gov. Richardson please for the sake of democracy…rethink your stance on this

He will make a great PRESIDENT!

Although Richardson would have been a superb senator, he woud be an even greater president.

His accomplishments in New Mexico prove that he has what is needed to run our great country. Also, winning with 69% in New Mexico shows that he is by far the most electable candidate.

He is correct on the issues. He will bring us experience and change.

Richardson has no chance of getting the presidential nomination but might get the VP nod. I also think he would make a great senator. Maybe he should reconsider his options.

I like Richardson, I think he could make some very strong positive contributions in the US senate, maybe he'll reconsider.

He would make a GREAT senator!

Big mistake. Richardson would be a lock for that senate seat, and frankly Senate is a lot more strategic a position for the Dems to have than governor's mansions. Now they'll have to fight, and divert party resources to take that seat. Richardson would have been a free pickup.

is he showing the audience where he lost his thumb in a tragic gubenatorial accident?

…poor guy. I'm pulling for you buddy.

This is a win-win for Richardson. He can continue to be coy about running for that Senate seat while still raking in presidential campaign contributions. His supporters may be more inclined to donate to his campaign because even if he decides to drop out of the presidential race, he could transfer those funds to his new Senate campaign.

He has no interest in being vice president, a U.S. Senator, and the democratic voters have no interest in him as a presidential candidate. Where does that leave us Bill? Oh Yeah! Secretary of State Bill Richardson! Don't attack Hillary or Barack or John too much or you may lose your seat at the table. I want YOU to talk to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I want YOU to set our diplomatic negotiations on the proper course. You can't do that as Gov. of New Mexico or as an also ran.

Richardson, pictured above, demonstrating his newly honed magic skills and describe the Democrat Tax Policy, "We take you taxes and *poof* they magically disappear"