I just received a campaign update from Dave Contarino with the Richardson for President campaign, and it contained some great news. It looks like things are going well for Bill Richardson in Iowa. The campaign just heard from their pollster, Paul Maslin. He reports that Richardson is the only candidate whose numbers are still growing. Clinton, Obama and Edwards have all flattened out with numbers in the low twenties, while Richardson has gone up to 15%.
When Richardson started his campaign, he was only polling around 1 or 2% in Iowa. After a few months, he had climbed to 6%. A month ago, he stood at 12%. With the latest poll, he now stands at 15%.
This is starting to get exciting! Richardson now sits just where Kerry did at this time in the 2004 campaign, and is actually ahead of where Clinton was in the 1992 campaign. As you know, both of those men wound up winning the Democratic nomination.
Maslin also reports, "Richardson is the only major candidate who has made significant progress in his popularity in recent months -- he is now viewed favorably by 69% of Iowans and enjoys a nearly 7-1 positive-negative ratio, higher than both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama."
It's time for voters everywhere to give Bill Richardson a fresh look. He is no longer in the "others running" catagory, but is now a major candidate.
The campaign has just sent several vanloads of volunteers to Iowa and New Hampshire, and are planning a big campaign push in the final weeks before those states make their choices. I will be sending the Richardson campaign another check to help with this effort. If you would also like to help, you can donate online by using the ActBlue button in the right-hand column of this blog, or send a check or money order to:
Bill Richardson for President
PO Box 25407
Albuquerque, New Mexico
87125-9755
This is odd, because it's the first year since 1992 that I remain undecided this late.
ReplyDeleteI probably am leaning back toward Richardson, though. His missteps have not been nearly as fatal/disappointing/disturbing as Obama's or Hillary's and Edwards seems to have dropped off my radar.
I probably will not bother to make a final decision, however. After Iowa, we will be ordered to get in line behind the winner. Texans have no say in this race, not that we deserve one.
It's good to hear Richardson's making a race of it, though. I canvassed in Iowa four years ago and well remember that the front runner at this point does not necessarily wind up with the nomination.