Frienemies...Governor Richardson Says President Clinton Holding a Grudge

Governor Bill Richardson told an NPR reporter that despite helping Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) raised $250,000 to help retire her presidential campaign debt his former boss Bill Clinton may be holding a grudge against him for endorsing Barack Obama.

Here’s what Richardson told Renee Montagne:

Have I heard from President Clinton? No. It could be a pretty much a permanent fissure. But that’s politics, that’s O.K. I did what I thought was best for the country. I’m still very fond of the Clintons. I’ve reconciled with her, but with him, he wants to keep a grudge, that’s fine with me. I move on. I’m governor of New Mexico, I’m happy where I am.

The New York Times political blog, The Caucus, has the all the details here.

Photo Credit: MG Bralley

Does Hillary Still Get Butterflys in Her Stomache?

The runner up in the Democratic Presidential Sweepstakes will take the main stage in Denver tonight, and most of the women in NM’s delegation can’t wait.

NY Senator Hillary Clinton will get her prime time shot around 9pm MT.

Terri Holland is looking forward to Hillary Clinton’s speech. Clinton has maintained a relatively low profile since dropping out of the race. In the process, she has created a vacuum that has been filled by rumor, resentment, residual backbiting among her aides and uncertainty about how committed she is, in her heart of hearts, to Barack Obama.

The podium in Denver will be a crowded place on the second night of the Democratic convention, with more than 50 members of Congress and governors piling in to get their moments in the spotlight.

New Mexico Democrat Terri Holland says she honors the former first lady for her service to women.

Clinton Delegate Ready to Cruise to Denver.

She's 54 years old, and a political novice, but Nila Lange, took a year off work and and her advanced studies to campaign for NY Senator Hillary Clinton. Now she's headed to Denver as a pledged delegate. It will be her first trip to a national political convention.

On Saturday, Lange attend a Democratic Rally in Rio Rancho. Lange told us in this AUDIO INTERVIEW she's still rooting for Barack Obama to pick Clinton for Vice President.

She also tells us why she thinks Clinton delegates will have a voice in Denver.

Madrid: Obama Will Help Heinrich Win CD-1!

DNC Platform Co- Chair Patricia Madrid

Working as an exclusive consultant for a busy Washington, D.C. law firm, attending conferences for state's attorney generals across the country, and preparing to put the final touches on the Democratic Party's National Platform, is keeping Patricia Madrid busy this Summer.

In this AUDIO INTERVIEW (recorded in early July) Madrid talks about her selection as co-chair of the platform committee by Howard Dean, party unification after a long primary battle, diversity, Hillary Clinton, and her long ties to former Presidential Candidate John Edwards.

Madrid reports she'll meet in Pittsburgh to finalize the platform draft on August 9th. It will be adopted in Denver during the national convention the last week of August.

Madrid also goes on the record with us. She believes her campaign in 2006 opened the door for Martin Heinrich to win the CD-1 race this fall and she doesn't rule out another campaign in her future saying, "I'll certainly look at every opportunity."

"The platform process will empower Americans in all 50 states to make their voices heard as they help write the document that embodies our Party’s values and vision for the future.” --Howard Dean

Last Friday, State Democrats met in Albuquerque to discuss positions for the platform. On August 1st, in Cleveland, hundreds of delegates will compile the first draft of the party platform. Then on August 13, in Pittsburgh, Madrid, along with co-chairs Judith McHale, a former cable broadcast executive, and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will review and finalize the document.

Republicans are also getting a chance to actively participate in development of their party platform ahead of their national convention in September.

Party faithful are providing input online at GOPPlatform2008.com.

Last weekend NM GOP interim Executive Director Scott Darnell
told me he understands likely nominee John McCain doesn't adhere 100% to the party guide. But, Darnell told me in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that McCain doesn't have to be perfectly aligned with the platform. Darnell says it's the platform, is a set of ideals that most Republicans can coalesce around.

UPDATE: Almost a week after our original post Heather Clark with the AP interviewed Madrid on her role on the platform committee. Read what Madrid said to Clark in the Las Cruces Sun.

Photo Credits: MG Bralley

The Word Is: The Governor STILL has the TOUCH!

Governor Bill Richardson

Last week, on Tuesday, the state Democratic Party hosted a Unity Party / Fundraiser. The stars of the show were four of the state's Democratic Governors, including incumbent Bill Richardson, and former Governors Jerry Apodoca, Toney Anaya, and Bruce King.

Listen to Governor Richardson's SPEECH here. The Governor says New Mexico has a good chance of "turning totally blue" this fall with victories in the U.S. Senate Race, all three congressional seats, and the presidential race.

The Governor talked briefly about his failed presidential campaign. He thanked the crowed for their support said he only had "two" problems during his national bid: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

It seems Richardson forgot the other problems he had during the campaign, including:

Number Three:
We're reminded that former South Carolina Senator John Edwards collected more votes in early primary states.

Number Four:
Richardson was criticized for his poor "Meet the Press" interview with the late Tim Russert. He apparently flew into Washington for the show late the night before, looked unprepared, and was caught being a fan of the Boston-Yankees?

Number Five:
His dismal performances in the early debates.

Number Six:
His total neglect of local press during the run for the White House.

Number Seven
An outstanding campaign debt which the AP reports is down to about $285,000.

A TOUCHY Topic!

When State Party Chairman Brian Colon introduced the Governor, he mentioned Obama's visit to the Duke City the day before, and Obama's encouraging words about a possible role for Richardson if he's elected this fall.

Rub a Dub Dub: The governor reaches out and touches my dome for luck?

After his speech the Governor surprised me by rubbing my bald head (an aide says he does it for "luck" similar to rubbing a buddha's stomach). I wanted to talk to Richardson about the energy crisis and dependence on foreign oil.

As a former energy secretary, it was disappointing to hear him say in this AUDIO INTERVIEW that he won't support building a clean and green nuclear power plant in the state, despite the fact that he knows one plant may provide half of the state's energy needs. Richardson dismissed a followup question by bopping me on the head again.

As a past energy secretary he's also aware how viable nuclear plants are in countries like France.

The governor says he'll work to develop wind, solar, and biofuel technology first.

Richardson appears more eager to tow the party (read Obama) line regarding domestic nuclear power plants. On Saturday, Richardson delivered the weekly Democratic Party Radio address. We reviewed the text of the address here and listened to Richardson outline some of Obama's energy and economic policy ideas here.

During the Unity event Jerry Apodoca declined to address the crowd, Toney Anaya was saluted for first proposing a bullet train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, and the Cowboy Governor Bruce King was recognized by all as being the "most popular man in the room."

Perhaps, with new poll numbers showing his approval ratings dropping below 50% approval, for the first time, Richardson felt the need to rub a head, or two, for some fresh luck before Obama makes his "pick".

To read even more about the fundraising event check out Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Kate Nash's post on her blog, Green Chile Chatter.


Photo Credits: MG Bralley

The Word is: Udall Isn't Taking Anything for Granted this Fall!

Rep. Tom Udall is airing commercials and hitting the campaign trail, but hasn't had a chance to defend his record after it was attacked by both Pearce and Wilson during their Tuesday night debate.

I gave him the chance. In this AUDIO INTERVIEW, Udall says he's always been a supporter of both national labs.

Staffers say Udall hasn't watched the first GOP U.S. Senate primary candidate debate yet, but said he was aware of some of the attacks on his voting record by both Rep. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson.

Udall with his wife Jill standing behind him (left) has a large lead, in public opinion polls, over both of his potential general election opponents. Thursday night, Udall told a crowd, at his Albuquerque headquarters grand opening, that they should not take "anything for granted." He says the State and National Republican party are prepared to use "swift boat" tactics to narrow the public opinion polls.

Udall (a New Mexico Super Delegate) says he'll decide who he'll support in the Democratic presidential race after the June 3rd Primary. He says several issues will influence his decision. First he'll talk to both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama about their stand on issues affecting the West and particularly New Mexico. He says he wants to know how they'll deal with poor education, state wide poverty, border security, public lands and water issues.

Udall Photo:
Mark Bralley