Bill Richardson Withdraws

Bill Richardson is out of the race for the Democratic nomination, effectively reducing the size of the field to three candidates. That doesn't mean that there was ever really a chance for Richardson to get the nomination, but there'll now only be three candidates at the debates, and we'll continue not caring about Kucinich and Gravel. Richardson's withdrawal comes on the heels of two disappointing showings in the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries, and the need as this race gets more intense to raise money quickly. Now that candidates can't stay in one state for very long but need to be mobile (and therefore, have lots of money) he couldn't really compete.

I was never bowled away by Richardson. I was impressed by his resume, but his charisma factor was missing. I found him boring in debates and interviews, which is a shame because the first Hispanic presidential candidate should have received more coverage. But alas, in a race in which there are two 'firsts' running who have a much better chance of receiving the nomination, I suppose it was to be expected.