Debate won’t give Richardson the boost he needs

Gov. Bill Richardson had more time to speak than any other Democratic presidential candidate during the last debate before the Iowa Caucus on Jan. 3, but he squandered much of that time and failed to give the performance needed to turn around his sinking campaign.

Richardson wasn’t terrible during today’s debate in Iowa. But, while others were great, he was not.

Back were his refusal to respect time guidelines and his reliance on canned answers that sometimes didn’t address the questions he was asked – two problems that characterized his earlier debate performances but had been absent during recent contests. Back was his self-deprecating humor, which he had gotten away from in recent months.

Richardson had three truly memorable moments – all at the end of the debate – and none will earn him support in Iowa because none addressed a serious issue:

• Asked about his controversial tenure as energy secretary, which is remembered for security breaches at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Richardson said that, in 25 years of public service, “there were probably many other mistakes that I made.”

“I’ve made a lot of gaffes, and I’m glad you didn’t raise them. But I’ll stand behind my record as energy secretary,” he said.

His campaign released a follow-up answer to the question 90 minutes after the debate ended stating that Richardson increased security during his tenure – a sure sign that Richardson botched his answer during the debate.

• Asked about his New Year’s resolution, Richardson said it is the same every year – “to lose weight, and I’m going to do it again.”

• Asked what lessons he has earned from campaigning in Iowa, Richardson elicited laughter when he said he has learned that Iowans “like underdogs and you like to shake things up.”

“You’re tough, you scrutinize, you look into our eyes and hearts, you know the issues,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to be part of this process. Now I hope you vote for me.”

According to a posting on Chris Dodd’s Web site, Richardson spoke more than any other candidate, getting 14 minutes and 27 seconds during the 85-minute debate. Barack Obama came in second, getting 12 minutes and 44 seconds.

But Richardson didn’t use the time well. Asked when tax increases are necessary and appropriate, he instead talked about getting rid of a tax cut for the wealthy, balancing the budget and ending the war. Asked how he would turn a push for energy independence into a net benefit, Richardson instead laid out the points of his plan to reach energy independence.

Meanwhile, Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Joe Biden were strong throughout the debate.

One of the main reasons is that they’re all articulate speakers who think quickly on their feet. Richardson is not. Coming off several years with a president from the other party who defines the phrase “tongue-tied,” Democrats are looking to elect the anti-Bush, not a candidate who is sometimes not much better than Bush at articulating his views.

You can watch the debate by clicking here.