|
In 2005, I worked for Bill Richardson in Florida for Moving America Forward his 527. Now why, you may ask, would Bill Richardson, the Governor of New Mexico, pay someone to work for him in Florida and at least four other swing states? Beyond his '08 political aspirations, I respected what Bill Richardson was attempting; doing what no other individual Hispanic or otherwise has been able to do, empower and unify various Hispanic cultures and the Native American communities. He would attempt to do this through voter registration, education and protection of their vote.
Unifying the Hispanic community is difficult. Beyond the obvious cultural and dialect differences, for years the Hispanic community has been unengaged politically in comparison to the size of their population. The easiest response is to say that the community has not realized their vote potential or that the majority are not eligible to vote because of their citizenship.
However, the reality is that campaigns and state parties have limited resources and they have to prioritize the allocation of those resources. A campaign can't be expected to spend all their resources on potential voting populations; they have to concentrate on those Hispanic that already vote. And while it might also be easy to blame state parties, without the right strategy , or a viable state wide race that needs the votes, smaller districts with large Hispanic populations already vote Democratic. So what Richardson was doing was great; he was creating a solution and attempting to do the difficult task of going after Hispanics that have not been engaged, eligible to vote, but not registered to vote.
My present day criticism of Bill Richardson's endorsement of Obama comes assuming he has one of three simplified choices, does he remain neutral until the eventual nominee was more evident not attempting to expend what political collateral he has on either candidate, does he support Hillary, or does he support Obama?
Before anyone makes an argument that he picked the best candidate, I'll make the statement that all three choices are political decisions but with varying statements; and that Richardson made a decision as a superdelegate not as an elected governor and a presidential candidate who represent everyone's interest.
I will excuse the Democrats that like Hillary, but have polled their district, and see Hillary's negatives are too high to support, that's not the case with Richardson. The candidate that narrowly lost his home state of New Mexico is the candidate he endorsed. So he's not voting the interest of his state's Democratic popular vote.
State Representative Senfronia Thompson is an example of a superdelegate that changed her support from Hillary to advocate on behalf of her community and her district's interest. In states where Hispanics were a significant voting bloc, the Hispanic vote went for Hillary. So, Richardson is not making his decision on behalf of the people he has been working to empower by supporting their choice.
Unfortunately, I have to believe Richardson made his decision for his own personnel gain. He'll have a strong argument for the Vice-Presidential nomination. Richardson can help Obama attract Hispanic voters that Obama has not been able to persuade to vote for him; he's a very popular Governor of a swing state that he can help carry; his experience will counter Obama's lack of both internationally experience as a former diplomat and domestic experience in dealing with Congress as a former Congressman and presidential cabinet member.
I truly believe that even when a person chooses to vote Republican for a particular candidate as long as they're making an informed choice and it's not just a "because vote" I'll respect their choice. However, I took Richardson's endorsement of Obama personally disappointing. I perceived his endorsement as a "because endorsement". I'll say he endorsed Obama because he wants to be Vice-President.
Richardson's timing to endorse Obama, further alienated me from Richardson. If Richardson would like to be a voice for Hispanics he should be more sensitive to the racial oratory of Rev. Wright and Obama's judgment regarding his pastor.
Now Obama is saying in an interview that will air March 28, 2008 that "had Wright not retired, [he'd] have left his church".
Richardson is aware that he can potentially be a voice that is representative of Hispanics. Polling three years ago said the most recognizable and respected name among Hispanics was Edward James Olmos. Not a single Hispanic famous or politically was able to garner more than 20% as a potential political voice nationally, regionally or locally.
Richardson's decision puts me and should put other progressives in a dilemma. Hispanics do not have a national voice and African Americans have found a voice. However, do I continue to look the other way when Richardson or Obama justify their bad judgment because America needs change or because voices are needed in their respective communities?
Governor Bill Richardson has made his decision and for now I will be disappointed with his decision.
|
