Richardson campaign defends N.H. committee

Last week I reported that Gov. Bill Richardson’s re-election campaign has started a “Richardson for Governor” political committee in New Hampshire. It allegedly exists to be a mechanism for the governor to give money to candidates there and has, thus far, given $2,500 to the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus.

I called this a “flagrant” precursor to a presidential campaign.

The governor’s campaign wanted to respond. Here it is, unedited:

“Governor Richardson’s primary goal is electing Democrats here in New Mexico. Governor Richardson knows what it takes to win, and is working with New Mexico Democrats at every level to ensure victory in 2006.

“Meanwhile, as a national leader and Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Governor Richardson is often called upon to help candidates from across the country. Laws in certain states require his campaign to file campaign finance reports when he lends those Democrats his assistance. Since his days as Chief Deputy Whip in Congress and as Secretary of Energy, he has consistently supported members of his party both in New Mexico and throughout the United States.

“In New Mexico, Governor Richardson’s campaign is a primary contributor to the Democratic Party of New Mexico, and is the largest contributor of both funds and resources to county Democratic parties and to the NM Victory 2006 coordinated campaign. The Governor has personally raised funds for more than 18 county parties, as well as for candidates for statewide office, the PRC and the state legislature.

“In addition to providing other candidates with polling, messaging and voter data, his campaign has opened offices in Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Clovis and Albuquerque and fielded grassroots organizers throughout New Mexico. Those organizers are running an aggressive grassroots voter contact program that will provide hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans with information on voting options and will turn out Democratic voters across the state. Finally, with an approval rating of 65% and a strong record of moving New Mexico forward, Governor Richardson himself will draw Democratic voters to the polls, which will help candidates up and down the ticket.”

As I said last week, Richardson is attempting – apparently with success – to show he can easily win re-election, help New Mexico Democrats get elected and aid the campaigns of other Democrats around the nation all at once.

That’s impressive, but I don’t think even those who dislike Richardson would say he isn’t a skilled politician. He is showing that he’s one of the best in the nation.

Is that a compliment? It depends on whether you like politicians.