Richardson pins hopes on Texas for nomination

[Adelante]

State giving lots of cash now and could play bigger role if Democrat survives early tilts

WASHINGTON — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson concedes that many of his constituents have a love-hate relationship with Texas, their imposing neighbor to the east.

But the 59-year-old Democrat, seeking to become the first Hispanic on a major presidential ticket, voices no personal conflict. And for good reason: Texas has been a major source of campaign cash and could supply critical votes for his underdog campaign if the primary season stretches into next March.

"Texas has been good to me," Richardson said.

-snip

Although the Democratic moderate trails front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in raising Texas campaign cash, Richardson attracted more than a half-million dollars in the state during the second quarter of this year, outpacing his current competitor for third place in the early '08 contests, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Houston has been Richardson's top fundraising city in the state, followed by El Paso and Dallas.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5119813.html

[seasat]

1. His base in Western states is a plus that Richardson brings to a ticket.

Matched up against a Northeastern Repug like Ghouliani or Multiple Choice Mitt, Richardson could swing some Western states like Nevada that were close last election. I don't know if any candidate could turn Texas blue but a Richardson campaign would certainly make the Repugs have to spend more resources there.

I think that some of the Hispanic Repugs in Texas are backing Richardson because of the hard line that the party is taking on undocumented workers. He's right that he'll be attacked over that issue if by some long shot he ends up the nominee, but I think that it is one attack that he is well prepared for. His policy is a moderate one with a hard line against those that employ undocumented workers along with increased border security but a path to citizenship for the 12 million undocumented workers already in the US.

It is also an attack that could backfire since most Hispanics support a moderate plan like Richardson's. It could tilt states like Florida and put Texas into play if they take too hard of a stance on immigration.

I think he keeps repeating his assertion that the Repugs will attack him on his immigration stance in the hopes that they do so during the primary. It would be a chance for him to gain some name recognition and present his views and record on immigration.