Poll: Richardson most likely second-tier Democratic candidate to become a serious 2008 contender

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A new poll finds that Democratic Party insiders think Gov. Bill Richardson is the second-tier presidential candidate from their party who is most likely to become a serious 2008 contender.

The National Journal asked in a poll of 81 Democratic Party insiders which “long-shot presidential hopeful has the most potential to emerge as a serious contender for your party’s 2008 nomination.”

The poll excluded Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama, the party’s frontrunners.

Of the remaining candidates, 46 percent of party insiders said Richardson is most likely to emerge. Next was former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, with 25 percent, followed by Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd with 23 percent, retired general Wesley Clark with 4 percent, and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden with 2 percent.

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, the other Democratic candidates, received no votes.

Here are some of the comments that were submitted about Richardson by those who voted in the poll:

• “What governor also has foreign-policy credentials and a political base independent of his own state – Latino voters?”

• “Bill has it all on paper – domestic and foreign, congressional and executive, and the topper is state government. Now, if only he could get the money!”

• “His ability to have Washington experience without being ‘from Washington’ is a net plus.”

• “He’s got a great résumé. And when he’s ‘on,’ he’s on! He works relatively well with the Washington press. He’s lost weight and is ready to fight.”

On the Republican side, the National Journal also polled 81 party insiders and excluded former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, that party’s frontrunners.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich received 48 percent of votes of party insiders. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee received 20 percent of the vote. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback received 12 percent. Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel received 9 percent.

Five percent voted for no one.

Jim Gilmore, a former Virginia governor, received 2 percent. Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson received 2 percent. Former New York Gov. George Pataki received 1 percent of votes.

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