Richardson is saying he plans on being in the top three in IA and NH

He thinks he can pull it out. He says IA sent a surprise last time, why not this time? He notes that he's the only CEO in the state, and that his experience as a governor is a strong asset.

He's raised 22 million so far. In response to "What happens to the cash if you lose?" His answer--it's GONE.

He said "We don't need to get into food fights among the Democratic candidates" -- he doesn't mind issues-based dicussions, but he thinks the American people want the candidates to be positive and address the issues.

Good interview...

interview. Also to Imus for asking pertinent and important questions. I was glad to hear his statement re "food fights among the Dem candidates". Another grown up besides Biden. Richardson is doing a great interview.

He's reasonable, not yelling at people, even when the sound was totally fucked up he kept his cool.

And that comedienne he has on is funny as hell. I'd laugh like hell if he ends up dragging WABC to the left!!!

than I want to admit. He's been through so many changes, I agree and like this one the best. I agree, his reasonable tone is a real asset. All of his interviews whether Rep or Dem are good ones, he asks the tough questions. Now there's an idea for a moderator....lol.

I know that there was a load of blue balled bastards who liked that mean and aggressive shit, but I found it off-putting. He's so far still keeping his cool with the audio problems, and the fact that it isn't totally smooth is kind of homespun and endearing. I like the stuff he's kept and the stuff he's added. But most of all, I like the stuff he has dumped.

Huckabee up next--I wonder if that new guy will ask the FLINTSTONES question (that was funny, I say that all the time!).

....I plan on having a threesome with two hot women...doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen.

And that people in IA are notorious for fucking with pollsters (that's not what he said, but that's the bottom line, basically). He says he's in the teens in NH and polling a point back of Edwards, and he thinks he can move forward. He also has people on the ground in SC and he thinks he can be viable there, but he is looking to take Nevada...and he feels if he can get through the early days, the west will be good to him.

That's his view, anyway. It was a cool interview.

Biden: Don't trust, way too much of a politician.. much better as a legislator and with bargaining, and we don't need someone who will bargain to fix the things that need fixing in America.

Richardson: Phoney baloney. I think he has a good heart and has probably been a good gov., but he speaks like a kindergarten teacher trying to excite 5 yr olds into learning... that over the top, wow, kids I'm here and its a great day.

Kucinich: Amazing person and politician with the ability to forsee the short and long term needs of America and people... A real humanitarian. However, it would be really hard for him to immediately gain the Presidency.. would make an excellent VP...by 2012 with grassroot progress at local and state levels, he would be a shoo-in (in my opinion would make an excellent VP for Edwards)

Obama: Stuck.. Not sure which side he's going to be on or which direction will work for America (would also make and excellent VP for someone like Edwards or another progressive President... If he was VP to Hillary, he'd go the other way and business as usual would transpire). He's so undecided about who he is and what he stands for and what to fight for. Definately not a Martin Luther King.

Clinton: Republican with a D on her lapel. She is much more Conservative than her husband is. I think she has a lot of ambition and will do anything to get what she wants...one of the reasons she stayed with her husband, ran as a senator from NY, and used her position as first lady in a much more political way than any other First Wife.

Edwards: Came from nothing, and like anyone who came from nothing, does not want to go back. Worked hard as a trial laywer to right some wrongs. Probably had political ambitions since college. I think he truly wants change and for people like his dad to have a good job with benefits and hope and all that is supposed to be American. He tried to play the D.C. game and got burned... learned some more lessons and pulled some memories out of that old closet. He has poise and pride. He has hope in his eyes. I think he would be the best bet for a new direction and I think he would be best if he used Obama or Kucinich as his VP, Kucinich preferably because he would be a great follow-up in a truly progressive country... Obama if he learns that Americans make America great, and the rich people who try to control him are only making things desperately worse. Personally, I think he's looking for a VP seat, otherwise he would have a plan much like Kucinich for healthcare... Otherwise, he really doesn't understand American struggles or minority struggles. A few stats show that if you are poorer and get cancer, you die. The avg mortality rate for minority persons is much lower. He's just not Dr. King. He's still very confused about many things. He needs guidance.

Maybe a point of convergence, here or there. I'm still undecided, and this is what I see:

Biden--Yep, a politician. Loves the sound of his own voice. Smart as a whip. Probably the most intellectually rigorous individual out there. Probably the best qualified candidate in terms of experience, knowledge, and sheer reasoning ability. Damn, can he talk, though. Too much.

Richardson--Not phony at all. A regular guy who knows his shit. He's not going to be falsely modest. He's probably not going to win, either. But he'll give it the old college try.

Kucinich--A person with some good "big picture" ideas, and some flaky ones too, who has become a parody of himself. Cares more for his national image and fame than his constituency. Has jumped the shark, needs to roll it up. Would make a horrible president--out to lunch. Fork/Done.

Obama--Brilliant orator, brilliant human being, with a unique ability to excite and motivate. Potential to be one of the most beloved politicians in the history of the US. Weakness--has some assholes on his staff. Has made a few lousy campaign decisions that suggest an "anything to win" element. Biggest challenge--his race in vestigially racist America. He should plan for the "Harold Ford factor" where he needs to pull in ten to fifteen percent more in the polls than he actually needs in the ballot box.

Clinton--WAY less conservative than her husband. Runs right, will govern left. Best assets: intelligence, ability to take a punch, and her husband. Biggest weaknesses--Her pragmatic approach to issues that are will be compromise issues anyway, her willingness to take cash from anyone who will give it to her, and the stupid shit, the "unfair elements" that are a part of the campaign--her voice, clothes, hairstyles, and so on. Biggest challenges--inaccurate characterizations, her refusal to sob over her IWR vote, relentless, almost tiresome targeting by the GOP which are repeated by Democrats supporting other candidates. Oh, and the elephant in the room--her gender.

Edwards--Absolutely sincere but challenged by three things--his noveua riche love of new and expensive things, and his trial lawyer background, which makes him a target. The third thing--he will work hard, but doesn't like to--when he gets tired, it shows, and not in a good way. Populist message is just not resonating yet--he needs a breakthrough moment to force people to focus on what he is saying. Best asset--his wife. Worst asset--his freakishly young looking face, which makes him seem like Opie Taylor. I won't touch the haircut business.

Gravel--The cranky old contrarian in the corner. Has a few good points, doesn't have a rat's chance in hell. Appeals to the counterculture set who like to go against the grain because they think it makes them "individuals" somehow (See Kucinich, D. for this same characteristic). Has said what he's gonna say--time to get off the stage.

than her husband and more shrewd at politics. You right about Edwards... He needs a good administration.

is that he can seem totally-in-command, holy-shit-this-guy-could-be-our-candidate one moment and almost completely out to lunch (mumbling "we need condoms, needles" in response to an AIDS prevention question, e.g.) the next.

I like him, would be mostly fine with him, but would be concerned about his gaffability.

Think about it--at least condoms and needles (probably he was going for needle exchange programs) are "in the ballpark" of the discussion topic!!

His commercial is fantastic. Dunno what he's up to in IA to boost him up.

and Bill doesn't have much of one compared with the top three.

He compared himself to JFK in 04. (Kerry, that is)

I dunno one way or another--I don't know anyone on his staff.

I don't really know either...I do think someone will drop out of the top three and whoever squeezes in will be a big story for a day or two. How to translate that into a win in NH and major presence in the Feb. 5 states would give me a headache if I had to figure it out.

gives him viability to clean up out west. He has high hopes for Nevada, he said that more than once.

That's his take, anyway.

But the polls show that Biden is surging ahead of Richardson.

So realistically Richardson is looking at the number 5 spot.

but still possible.

one of the frontrunners is going to crash and burn - my guess is Edwards.