Richardson within striking distance of Obama in Iowa

A new poll released Thursday has Gov. Bill Richardson at 11 percent and within striking distance of the third-place Barack Obama in Iowa, the state that hold’s the nation’s first presidential nominating contest on Jan. 14.

Eleven percent is the highest Richardson has climbed in any independent poll of likely Iowa Democratic primary voters, though a poll conducted for his campaign a month ago had his support at 13 percent.

The news that Richardson is within striking distance of the third-place candidate in Iowa comes as Richardson has recently passed John Edwards to become the third-place candidate in the newest poll in New Hampshire.

The two states are the most critical to race and are the focus of Richardson’s campaign.

The newest poll, conducted by Research 2000 for KCCI Channel 8 in Des Moines, has Edwards at 27 percent, up 1 percent from the group’s last poll in May; Hillary Clinton at 22 percent, down 6 percent from May; Obama at 16 percent, down 6 percent from May; and Richardson gaining 4 percentage points from his 7-percent support in May. Some 16 percent were undecided.

The poll was conducted July 23-25, surveyed 600 likely Iowa Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

“This poll is consistent with the momentum we’re seeing on the ground in Iowa,” Richardson Campaign Manager Dave Contarino said in a news release. “The more Iowa voters get to know Governor Richardson, the more they like him.”

Guv in third place in Arizona

Another poll released Thursday has Richardson’s support at 9 percent in Arizona.

The American Research Group poll has Clinton at 39 percent, Obama at 25 percent, Richardson in third place and Edwards in fourth at 8 percent. Some 16 percent were undecided.

Clinton’s support grew 6 percent from February, the last time the company surveyed Arizona. Obama’s grew 1 percent, Richardson’s grew 5 percent, and Edwards’ dropped 5 percent. I’m not aware of Richardson being in third place or better in polls in any states other than New Hampshire, Arizona and New Mexico, so the move ahead of Edwards in Arizona – the first in any independent poll – is significant.

The poll, conducted July 23-26, surveyed 600 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

While we’re on the subject of Richardson, the Albuquerque Journal has an interesting article today on his flip-flop on a gun-control issue, and the New York Times has him taking his first official stand on the proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Nation in Northern New Mexico. In short: He believes the power plant “would be a step in the wrong direction.”