The Phoenix

Ads Classified: The Richardson Mini-Surge

    One of the more remarkable aspects of this campaign so far has been the performance of the Bill Richardson campaign. Many consider his debate outings to be the worst in the field so far. A recent appearance on "Meet the Press" was described by columnist Robert Novak as "perhaps the worst performance in the show's history."
    Yet he continues to do OK in the polls, albeit below the three leaders. Three things appear to be going on. First, Richardson must be doing better on the stump than he's doing when we see him on national TV. He's obviously making a somewhat successful effort to organize Hispanic voters -- which may pay off at the early Nevada caucus.
    But the main thing that seems to be helping him is a set of terrific and funny ads that feature Richardson in a series of mock job interviews where he never impresses the interviewer. The latest (available here) -- on energy policy -- again gives him a chance to list his accomplishments in a way voters are likely to remember them.
    The problem for Richardson, of course, is that while his resume is impressive, he's failed to convey his vision for the future. If his next set of ads can do that -- and he can follow it up with better performances in national forums -- he might have something.

Published Jun 19 2007, 12:44 PM by Importer

LorenzoJennifer said:

OhMiGawd! Poor Bill Richardson! The man is sick, sick sick! So very unwell is he! He speaks s-l-o-w-l-y and with slurred speech. He walks s-l-o-w-l-y and needs to pause and rest every few inches. 'Course, my having a computer on phone dial-up service - with audio and video feeds powered by elderly snails on a rusty treadmill - ain't got nuthin' to do with it.

S-o-o-o, there's a disconnect between the person shown in the ads and the person seen in the debates. Mitt Romney, at least, has complementary images. To paraphrase Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Romney's a real phony while Richardson is a phony phony.

June 19, 2007 7:01 PM