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.
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.
• Asked about his controversial tenure as energy secretary, which is remembered for security breaches at Los Alamos National Laboratory,
“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
• Asked about his New Year’s resolution,
• Asked what lessons he has earned from campaigning in
“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,
But
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.
You can watch the debate by clicking here.