Santa Fe Democrat's Ward 47-A

Los Angeles Times : Bill Richardson stops short of endorsing

Link: Top of the Ticket : Los Angeles Times : Bill Richardson stops short of endorsing .

He came close. Oh, so close. But Bill Richardson stopped just short early this afternoon of endorsing one of his former competitors for the Democratic presidential nomination -- a coy game he's played before.

Speaking at a conference on rogue states and diplomacy at the UCLA Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations, Richardson was asked by moderator Maggie Farley, who covers the United Nations for The Times, who he thought was best able to handle both the domestic and international challenges facing America.

Richardson, as New Mexico governor, is a Democratic Party superdelegate, and he demurred on the question. But his answer still served as tea leaves to be read. "I'm truly conflicted," Richardson said. "I'm torn. I see ... a lot of loyalty I owe President Clinton. He made me U.N. ambassador. He made me secretary of Energy. He's treated me extremely well. But you know what? I paid him back. Because I served well." Richardson described Hillary Clinton as "enormously capable ... but I did run against her."

Then he focused on Barack Obama, someone he said "I don't know as well. But I think there's ...

State Employees won't get time-off to vote in Caucus

2008 Elections, Democrats, ElectionLaw, NM

Richardson's Chief Political Advisor to Endorse Clinton

Link: TheHill.com - Key Richardson adviser joins Clinton campaign.

wo days before the key Nevada caucus, the prominent western strategist who spent the past two years organizing the state for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) has jumped to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) presidential campaign. Mike Stratton, who as member of a Democratic Party commission pushed for Nevada to get the early nominating contest, will formally endorse Clinton on Friday. “Besides my guy I think she’s the most qualified,” Stratton told The Hill. “I was raised by a strong smart woman and I think that’s what the country needs right now.”

Stratton, a Denver-based political consultant, served as a senior advisor to the New Mexico governor’s political campaign. He said he will help Clinton with fundraising and provide advice on western politics.

Stratton also ran Sen. Ken Salazar’s (D-Colo.) successful 2004 campaign against Republican beer executive Pete Coors.

Stakes are high on Feb. 5

Stakes are high on Feb. 5: "OAKLAND - The date is being called 'Tsunami Tuesday' because so many delegates will be up for grabs on Feb. 5 when more than 20 states hold elections and caucuses on the biggest single day of balloting in presidential primary history."

(Via Stateline.org RSS - New Mexico.)

Cheney Has Irregular Heartbeat

Cheney Has Irregular Heartbeat: "Vice President Dick Cheney experienced an irregular heartbeat Monday and will be evaluated at George Washington University Hospital."

(Via NYT > Home Page.)