Richardson teases reporter about presidential run

Gov. Bill Richardson all but admitted he’s running for president during a speech in New Hampshire on Thursday, according to an article in the Albuquerque Journal.

At least, that’s how I’m interpreting his comments.

“You’re probably wondering, ‘Why is the governor of New Mexico here?’” Richardson said during one of six public appearances Thursday. “Now, I’ve got to be careful because a reporter from the Albuquerque Journal is watching me.”

Richardson then reminded the group of about 50 people that he’s running for re-election in New Mexico and must win that race before entering another.

“If I decide to run (for president) – I’ve made no decision – where’s the Journal guy?” Richardson said to the group. “I have a re-election for governor of New Mexico and that has to come first.”

Richardson, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, has three additional appearances in New Hampshire today.

Has his probable presidential run become so accepted as fact that he’s willing to tease reporters about it? What would he have said if the Journal reporter wasn’t in the room?

I guess we’ll never know.

Richardson was officially raising money for candidates in New Hampshire in his role as head of the governors association before he attends the National Governors Association’s annual meeting in South Carolina this weekend.

But, according to the Journal, he was asked several times throughout the day if he’s running for president. Richardson said each time he hadn’t made up his mind, then “touted his credentials on foreign policy and energy – two issues sure to be critical to the 2008 campaign for the White House,” the Journal article states.