Richardson: 'I’m gonna shock the world’
(CNN) - Bill Richardson told CNN Tuesday that his Democratic presidential opponents had more “charisma,” but that once voters start to weigh in “I’m gonna shock the world.”
“People who are voting, they want someone to bring them together they’re inspired by. Somebody that can resolve problems,” said Richardson. “And I’m gonna do well, you watch. I’m gonna shock the world as we move into these early primaries.”
The New Mexico governor is running well behind Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards in most early-voting states, registering the single digits in most surveys.
“I think this race is about who can bring this country together, who has the most experience,” Richardson told CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux. He said he’d asked voters to “not look at the candidates on not who has the most money, or the most charisma, or who was the best political pedigree, but who can change this country and give it hope. You need experience, you need a record and that is why I'm running.”
Richardson also cited his foreign policy experience, which has been a cornerstone of his presidential run. “I think I can negotiate a resolution to the Iraqi issue with diplomacy, not with force. And that’s what I think I bring to the table.”
Asked by Malveaux what his New Year’s resolution was, Richardson said it was the same as every year: “Lose weight,” adding, “I lose it a little at the start of the year, but then at the end of the year it comes back. But you know, in a campaign you just can’t lose weight. Because you’re eating, you’re tense, people give you things to eat - you can’t turn them down or you lose votes.”
- CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand
Trang, Fremont CA.. you are right..
A long resume as Hillary,Biden, Dodd,Romney and others would like us believe is not enough. CHARISMA IS AN INTRINSIC FACTOR OF LEADERSHIP.
IN 2000 ,Then 2ND TERM VP Al Gore LOST TO THE MOST INEXPERIENCED 1-and-a-half Term Governor George W Bush from Texas.!!
WHY DID AL GORE FAIL TO SELL IS EXECUTIVE AND FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIRENCE ?? GORE COULDN'T EVEN WIN IN HIS HOME STATE OF TN !
...ONE WONDERS .
OBAMA HAS CHARISMA.
FIRED UP, FIRED UP !
READY TO GO , READY TO GO !
FIRED UP, FIRED UP !
READY TO GO , READY TO GO !
If Gore was elected, the whole world will be in a better position than we are today. Now it is time to correct our Mistakes and Vote Hillary for a fresh air.
Go Silly Billy!
He has already shocked me. He is aloser among sorry candidates.
"Now it is time to correct our Mistakes and Vote Hillary for a fresh air."
Your kidding right? Hillary voted for the war in Iraq. She has recently voted to pursue stronger options with Iran. She voted for the Patriot Act. She has stated that she wanted to do something about Rwanda and also Military action in Darfer. She is just as tied into corporate America as Bush is.. She has abused her power in office time and again giving stuff back to her backers.
Just how is Hillary any different from Bush? Fresh air?? rather more of the same stale air..
Sorry Richardson...the only way you can shock me is to drop out of the race and endorse Obama, that would be a shocker since you were a Bill Clinton appointee during the 1990s, so I know you will never betray a Clinton.
All eyes are on you IOWA!
OBAMA in '08!
Billy, please just fix your homeland de'"fense" in NM fist.
After Iowa, shock us and please go away with Biden as fast as possible....
It is ashame that Richardson hasn't done any better than he has. He lacks the charisma and name recongintion that many of the other candidates have. If Clinton, Obama and Edwards weren't running, then he would have a whole lot better chance. I do think that he would be a good V.P. choice for several candidates. He might help carry the southwest.
I know Bill. He is not a bad guy when it comes to the relativity of politics. He has great international experience and appears to be more willing to listen to the rest of the world than to tell them what to do. If he does not make President he would make a great Secretary of State.
PS He would have to lose that middle name
Richardson is a decent candidate but.... I am looking for a candidate who has the leadership experience to bring both parties together to get legislation passed and a track record of proving it. I am looking for a candidate who has a vast knowledge of foreign affairs and current first hand experience with working and negotiating with the current world leaders. I am also looking for a candidate who I feel can go up against any republican nominee and win on national security,the war,illegal aliens and even the moral issues. The only candidate I see that has that resume is the intelligent, straight talking candidate Joe Biden.
Bill, you seem like an upstanding guy. But for real man, your not winning this one. NOt even close. Reverting to extremism is beneath you.
Yeah Democrats aren't the smartest people in the world. Of course neither are Republicans. The independants are the only smart ones. I love how both sides are falling for this "electability" crap. It's completely made up, by people who are losing. Last time around John Kerry started getting his arse handed to him by Howard Dean, and started jumping up and down about electability, and everyone bought it. Yeah, Kerry, you were really electable. In fact, you were the least electable, but people bought it.
In this race, I don't like any of the candidates on either side. No one inspires me the way Gore did in 2000 and Dean did in 2004. I wouldn't have a problem with a Clinton in the white house. I know she's dirty, but they all are, and if anyone knows how to play the Washington game, it's her. You need to be manipulative, and that's Hillary at her best. Obama and Edwards can be stand up guys all they want, but the white house will eat them up and spit them out. There's a reason Bush has been in there for 8 years.
On the Republican side, Huckabee actually intrigues me. A bit of a free speaker which I like. He hasn't completely caved to the pressure that Dean did in 04. I usually wouldn't let religion enter into my politics, but the mormon thing does rub me the wrong way. Of course Kerry being "catholic" rubbed me the wrong way too, lol.
Richardson is change and experiance. I used to support Hillary her, though her experiance is debatable but she wants it everyway and plays politics too much. I liked Obama, change isn't the only thing you need. The best choice would be Richardson, Biden or Dodd, but unfortunately the media didn't cover them. They were looked over in the debates. I really would love to see Richardson shock everyone in Iowa, but I don't think that as much as the media was saying Iowa scrutinizes the candidates, they actually do because then the top 3 wouldn't be who is there now.
Obama and Clinton follower are well organized and mean spirted good luck america if either gets elected.
How in the world did three one-term senators become the obvious choices in this race? Hey Democrats, we're going to lose once again if we keep nominating pretty faces instead of proven leaders.
As Julie said above, he already shocked the world by recommending a power vacuum in Pakistan. Unrealistic statements about speed of troop withdrawal from Iraq. Etc.
Biden is the ONLY candidate on either side who really understands Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, other parts of the world and how are interrelated. Don't let the advertisers pick your candidate – do your research. JoeBiden.com
I agree with Julie that Richardson was quick to jump the gun in calling for Musharruf's resignation. But i do believe he is a canidate in their election it was a three way race between Bhutto's party, his party, and another party. Thats why there is suspicion among Pakistani's of the role Musharruf's govenment in this murder.
I retract my former statement its a parlimentary election. I should know that since Bhutto was running for prime minister!
It's the same old ignorant people taking shots at Richardson. Here's a tip for you guys, if you don't want to sound like children, find real reasons Richardson isn't a brilliant candidate. Find them in a way that doesn't bring in the name of your own. Tell me why the nation should be against him, not why they should be with you.
The fact is this nation is full of different ideas and politics. polarizing politics will simply move us no where. That's not so bad when times are golden, but America needs change. And for America to change, we need to be UNITED. We need realistic agreeable policy at home, real experience, agressive reform, backing from special interests on both sides (Richardson has the support of LGTA and the NRA alike!), and proven effective and agressive forign policy. Who called him Cartner-esk? weak and apologetic? Who called him unrealistic and mad for calling for Musharef to step down? what is he? weak or agressive? You critics can't get your stories straight.
a tip: make up your mind on the candidates after researching them. You owe it to yourself and your countrymen.
And I don't know how long Biden has been saying he's gonna be a shocker, but Bill has been saying it a lot in campaign emails. No beef, Biden camp.
Richardson/Biden '08
-Roger
The only shock the world would get would be if Richardson told the truth about what he knows about the Clintons and backed no amnesty for illegal aliens.
Bill Richardson is easily the best and most electable candidate the Democrats have. He's the only one that those Repubs fear. They know he cannot be beaten in a general election, and are praying for any one of the unelectable trio of Senators, Clinton, Obama and Edwards. (Especially Clinton and Obama). Only one Democratic Senator with no executive experinece has made it to the White House in the modern era. (JFK). It isn't happening for any Senator.
Richardson will shock the world, when he finishes Top 2 in Iowa, beating the media-chosen duo of Hillary and Barack.
BILL RICHARDSON 2008
I cannot believe that the person I agree with most on here is a conservative republican (as I am a progressive democrat)
It is NOT the President's job to "inspire" (read your constitution). It is NOT the President's job to make good speeches and peak your interest for all of the 5 minutes that you are watching a CNN newsclip.
It is the President's job to Execute the Federal Laws and Foreign policy of our great nation.
Neither a few years as a senator and VP candidate, nor a few years as a senator and the wife of a politician, nor a few years as a state senator and then another few as a national senator, give a person the tool to be a President.....Richardson HAS THOSE TOOLS AND KNOW HOW!!!
Remember....you shouldn't vote for whomever LOOKS or has a personality that SEEMS like the best candidate.....If all American's did Lincoln and FDR never would have been elected.....You need to elect people with the best abilities that can get the job done.
Be a real progressive...be a real democrat.
Out of Iraq by 2010!
Richardson for President!!! (Biden for VP? hmmm,,,interesting)
Shcked...I'm shocked, who is Bill Richardson!!
How about..
Out of Iraq ordered the 2nd day he is president..
and then out of Germany, Japan and Korea..
Ron Paul for President.