Sunday, June 27, 2004
KRT Wire | 06/24/2004 | New Mexico governor interviewed as possible Kerry running mate
Posted on Thu, Jun. 24, 2004
New Mexico governor interviewed as possible Kerry running mate
BY ANASTASIA USTINOVA
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, one of the nation's most prominent Latino elected officials, has been interviewed as a prospective running mate for likely Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
According to sources familiar with the process, Jim Johnson, who leads Kerry's vice presidential search team, recently met with Richardson for an extended discussion.
Richardson, who spoke Thursday at a conference organized by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Washington, said he does not know anything about the status of the vice presidential search.
"I am not seeking this," Richardson said. "I am a governor of New Mexico. I love this job. I've made a commitment to stay there for four years."
Richardson, 56, served 15 years in the House of Representatives, before being appointed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and then serving as energy secretary in 1998.
He was elected governor of New Mexico in 2002. As the country's only Latino governor, Richardson could attract swing Latino voters in what is expected to be a close election in November, political analysts contend.
Richardson joins the list of potential vice presidential candidates known to include Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.).
Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, has gone to great lengths to keep the process secret. The selection of a vice presidential candidate will illustrate his decision-making skills and help shape the rest of the campaign.
Kerry is expected to pick his running mate before the Democratic National Convention, which begins July 26 in Boston.
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© 2004, Chicago Tribune.
Posted on Thu, Jun. 24, 2004
New Mexico governor interviewed as possible Kerry running mate
BY ANASTASIA USTINOVA
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, one of the nation's most prominent Latino elected officials, has been interviewed as a prospective running mate for likely Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
According to sources familiar with the process, Jim Johnson, who leads Kerry's vice presidential search team, recently met with Richardson for an extended discussion.
Richardson, who spoke Thursday at a conference organized by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Washington, said he does not know anything about the status of the vice presidential search.
"I am not seeking this," Richardson said. "I am a governor of New Mexico. I love this job. I've made a commitment to stay there for four years."
Richardson, 56, served 15 years in the House of Representatives, before being appointed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and then serving as energy secretary in 1998.
He was elected governor of New Mexico in 2002. As the country's only Latino governor, Richardson could attract swing Latino voters in what is expected to be a close election in November, political analysts contend.
Richardson joins the list of potential vice presidential candidates known to include Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.).
Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, has gone to great lengths to keep the process secret. The selection of a vice presidential candidate will illustrate his decision-making skills and help shape the rest of the campaign.
Kerry is expected to pick his running mate before the Democratic National Convention, which begins July 26 in Boston.
---
© 2004, Chicago Tribune.
