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Richardson, Kucinich in NH, Romney Announces
 Gov Bill Richardson (D-NM) was in NH last weekend, saw a lot of people and made a good impression. He’s currently suffering from 2nd choice syndrome, but that’s an enviable spot to be in a year out. This is NH after all, the little king maker. My guess is that Richardson will continue to make inroads and be the season’s big surprise.
Before large and small crowds, Richardson reiterated his disgust with the Iraq war and pledged to end it the day he’s elected. It might take a bit longer than that, but his intentions are unambiguous – which plays well with NH
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New Hampshire 2008 Primary
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Democrats. And he’d close Gitmo on day two – again, an ambitious schedule, but absolutely right on target. Richardson is a diplomat with an impressive portfolio, and sees the bigger picture – the more harm we do to Iraq, the more harm we do to ourselves, both at home and internationally. To understand that, you don’t really have to be a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as Richardson is, but apparently it helps.
 Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) made the rounds, and many of the same points. So I have no problem with Kucinich’s politics – but enough with the singing America the Beautiful at the podium and spinning on chairs to prove he has “no strings attached.” I’m not one to stand on ceremony, but a modicum of decorum, if not dignity, is required.
 By contrast, former MA Gov. Willard “Mitt” Romney (R) formally announced his candidacy for the presidency this weekend and he, like the other Republican front runners, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, not only supports the war, but Bush’s troop surge as well.
The lines between the parties couldn’t be more clear. The Republicans believe they can hold the base by appealing to corporate donors with a taste of the war and homeland security action, factions of the Religious Right, and AIPAC. The Democrats agree with 70% of the American people that the war was a bad idea badly executed, and needs to end.
If Democrats care to take it a step further and resist the Obama charisma onslaught, or aren’t taken in by the inevitability of Clinton, and instead nominate a credible and competent candidate for president, such as Richardson, they can win.
~Jack McEnany
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