Why is Bill Richardson still in the race?

[TeamJordan23]

What is his plan to win?

[PresidentObama]

1. I honestly don't know. Even Edwards had a good showing to keep him in the race.

And Hillary placed third, but she's still got the organization to go on.

Richardson though? I'm not sure. I think he'll drop out after New Hampshire.

[ElizabethDC]

2. Isn't it because he came in 4th in Iowa and will still get to participate in the NH debate?

that was my reading of the situation, anyway. I don't suspect he'll be in for too much longer.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

3. Because it's there?

[MH1]

4. If people start to dislike the media-anointed top 3

they will look at Richardson and see experience and competence.

I'm glad he's staying in.

[muntrv]

5. He must think he could win out west.

[John Q. Citizen]

15. Best answer so far!

[MalloyLiberal]

6. So he can attack John Edwards, so he can be VP nominee?

[jillan]

7. Because coming in 4th in Iowa allows him to make his case one more time at the debate tonite.

If he doesn't do well in NH - then I will ask the same question.

[Yael]

8. He hasn't locked in the VP slot yet?

[SoFlaJet]

9. One word

ego...and he also seems to like eating all around the country-he has zero chance-he should wake up, besides we all know he's playing for another post inside a Clinton administration which is looking less and less a possibility

[Kucinich4America]

14. If it's true that Richardson advised Iowa caucusers to go to Obama on the second ballot

I don't think he's planning on a gig with Team Hillary. But you are right that Clinton II is looking less and less a possibility.

Thank God for that.

[MethuenProgressive]

30. That debunked lie was an Obama staffer's planted rumor.

KKarl Obama.

[ClassWarrior]

10. Because he has a right to be?

NGU.

[no name no slogan]

11. Um, because 49 states haven't picked their delegates yet?

Just a guess...

[Drunken Irishman]

12. I think he's going to see what happens in NH.

If he has a stronger showing, he can go on, but if he doesn't, then I think he'll drop out.

[Bad Thoughts]

13. An adult must chaperone the junior senators eom.

[Cleita]

16. The same reason Dennis Kucinich isn't.

They aren't giving up until the fat lady sings, so to speak. It's too soon to give up just because of one state.

[kimmerspixelated]

21. I'm inclined to agree with you.

But I really like Richardson. I always wished he was one of the top three,both he and Kucinich deserve much better!

[MADem]

17. He thinks he can win some western states--then he becomes a playah! nt

[Warpy]

18. He came in fourth

which is a respectable showing in a state he was given absolutely no chance in.

Why do you want him to drop out after one unrepresentative primary?

[slick8790]

19. Respectable?

Governor Bill Richardson : 2.11%

He was tracking in the 8-10 range before the caucus. He did worse than even his low expectations had predicted.

[seasat]

20. The polls show statewide support the caucus results are different.

They have to reach 15% to be viable in a caucus. If they don't then they can not be counted or join another group. That means that unless a second tier candidate has large concentrations of support in one caucus they would not poll as high as they do in statewide polls.

[slick8790]

25. Regardless, a 4th place showing of 2% while the third place showing is 29% is NOT respectable.

[MichiganVote]

22. Could be the man wants to serve as president. Isn't it a little early to only listen to the views

of 1 Democrat?

[jillan]

23. Well said!!

[seasat]

24. He's hoping for a slip up by a top candidate or pulling in support from dropouts.

If a Biden or Dodd supporter values experience, then they may go to Richardson. If Clinton falters, he might pick up some of her supporters since polls show that a lot of folks support her based on experience. If one of the other front runners falters due to a bad gaffe or scandal, he can pick up some supporters. He's got strong support in the Western states and may be able to build on that if he does better than expected. He'll also get more attention in the 4 person debate and might be able to score some points especially with the situation in Pakistan being in the news. I'd guess that he needs either a strong third or second place finish to remain viable.

In other words, he's still got a shot, a really long shot, but a shot. I imagine that if you put that much work into a campaign, you don't walk away until it's completely played out.

Overall, his position on immediate withdrawal from Iraq with no residual forces has managed to push the others into supporting quicker a withdrawal than waiting until 2013. IMHO, that makes it worthwhile for him to stick around a little longer.

[Infinite Hope]

26. Same reason as Kucinich and Gravel. For himself. He's raising money for a potential Senate bid...

...others have predicted.

[DaLittle Kitty]

27. To Bloviate and Filibuster and to Take Time Away From John Edwards

Richardson Was Never "IN IT" For Real... He like the others was there to Distract and prevent the public from gaining focus... Very Simple actually! :smoke:

[mtnsnake]

32. That's one of the most stupid & disrespectful comments I've ever heard anyone say about Richardson

Congratulations!

[Orangepeel]

28. they had to use 4 as the cutoff because the 3rd and 4th repubs were so close

also, Richardson might be polling 5% in some poll somewhere, which they also said was the cuttoff

[ripple]

29. I'm glad he's still in

I was disappointed to see Biden and Dodd bow out so soon. Biden was my second choice, so that was especially disappointing. To see candidates drop out after only one state has voted gives credence to many objections to the current caucus and primary system.

[2rth2pwr]

31. He still wants to put a puppet in Pakistan

WTF?