Gov. Bill Richardson was in Florida on Monday campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis (instead of educating New Mexico voters by debating his own opponent here), and talking with the national media about North Korea’s apparent nuclear weapons test.
The Albuquerque Journal’s ABQNews Seeker blog has the most humorous account, detailing Richardson’s interview Monday with Wolf Blitzer on CNN. Richardson apparently called Blitzer “Chris” twice during the interview, obviously referring to MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, who Richardson also spoke with Monday.
That left Blitzer to scratch his head and ask, “I wonder who he’s talking about,” according to ABQNews Seeker.
“It’s hard to keep track when you’re in West Palm Beach running hard for re-election as governor of New Mexico,” notes the blog’s Bruce Daniels in his posting.
Richardson appeared on the Today show this morning, telling Matt Lauer that the Bush Administration is “finally headed in the right direction” by seeking U.N. sanctions of North Korea, according to Daniels.
Richardson said the United States must get China to pressure the North, then set up its own face-to-face meeting with North Korea.
In a separate article, Richardson told the Albuquerque Journal he would be willing to negotiate with North Korea, but said the Bush Administration should send its own representative.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who is in the fight of her life to keep her job, called for direct talks and said Richardson could be part of the team.
“Bill Richardson has said we should open another channel of communication – well, send him as part of the delegation,” the Journal quoted Wilson as saying.
“I would do it, but only if the administration asks,” Richardson told the Journal, but he suggested that the administration should send Christopher Hill, a State Department official with expertise on North Korea.
Update, 3 p.m.
The White House has rejected Richardson’s suggestion of direct talks with North Korea. Click here to read more.
Gov. Bill Richardson was in