Gov. Bill Richardson will have to answer some tough questions about his support of an early caucus in Nevada when he travels to New Hampshire this weekend.
Earlier this year, national Democrats voted to move Nevada’s 2008 presidential caucus ahead of New Hampshire’s storied primary, upsetting many in the Granite State. The changes, which also included moving South Carolina’s primary to just after New Hampshire’s, were intended to diversify the changing party’s presidential candidate selection process.
The process still begins with the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 14, 2008.
Richardson was perceived by many to favor moving Nevada’s event ahead of New Hampshire’s – in part because Denver political consultant Mike Stratton, who many believe is helping prepare Richardson for a White House run, pushed the change.
It’s a hurdle Richardson will have to work to overcome if he has a shot at fairing well in the New Hampshire primary.
Richardson will be in New Hampshire for the party’s state committee meeting on Saturday. He’ll also attend a House party in Keene hosted by a Democrat who was elected in November, and will meet with the state’s governor. The trip is being paid for by Richardson’s 2006 re-election campaign.
“That’s certainly a question that New Hampshire activists are going to have of (Richardson), and he’s going to have to answer them early on,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Nick Clemons said of the Nevada caucuses. “He’s going to have a good opportunity to meet and greet with movers and shakers.”
At the same time, Clemons said, Richardson has made an effort to reach out to the state. Richardson’s gubernatorial campaign donated tens of thousands of dollars to local candidates in New Hampshire. Clemons said Richardson also recruited three staffers to go to New Hampshire and work for the state’s Democratic Party during this year’s election cycle.
“New Hampshire activists are also aware of the commitment Governor Richardson made to New Hampshire in 2006,” Clemons said. “He did not overlook us in favor of Nevada.”
That was probably by design. Richardson is a master of political maneuvering.
Richardson’s government office referred calls to his 2006 campaign manager, Amanda Cooper. I couldn’t immediately reach Cooper for comment.
Gov. Bill Richardson will have to answer some tough questions about his support of an early caucus in