Santa Fe New Mexican: Richardson Campaign: 'Underdog' off and running

By STEVE TERRELL | The New Mexican

January 22, 2007
Richardson declares candidacy for 2008 presidential race

Stressing his record as a diplomat, negotiator and governor of a small state, Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday launched his long-shot campaign for president.

As expected, Richardson announced his candidacy in a nationally televised interview with fellow Clinton administration veteran George Stephanopoulos.

He said he's formed a presidential campaign exploratory committee, papers for which he's expected to file today. Though an official announcement probably will come in the spring, Richardson confirmed Sunday that he is running.

``The next president must be able to make us energy-independent, must be able to make schools better, create jobs, give the American people, every American, a fair shot,'' Richardson said on ABC's This Week. ``To get that done, you need real-life experience. All I'm saying is, a lot of these folks can make speeches about all these things. I've actually done it.''

The interview was recorded last week at the governor's mansion in Santa Fe at a time when he still was refusing to confirm his plans with New Mexico reporters.

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