Richardson Criticizes The Chattering Classes

While some New Mexico Democrats may want Gov. Bill Richardson to run for the Senate, now that Sen. Pete Domenici (R) is retiring, the governor insists he's got the resources to continue his presidential run.

"That's because of our respectable fundraising," Richardson says. Indeed, he raised $5.2 million in the third quarter, a respectable showing putting him close to third-place finisher John Edwards. "We have enough to do well in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina," the governor says.

Richardson is scheduled to speak Thursday in Washington on his military modernization plan. Among other things, the governor says he would end the use of private security contractors.

"We've privatized this war, and look at the problems we've just had with Blackwater. There seems to be no known standards of responsibility. The wages and the fees we're paying these groups is just out of control," he says.

As for recent suggestions that a Hillary Clinton presidential run could be harmful to Democratic candidates in the West, the New Mexico governor says "It's too early to make speculation like that."

"I would be the strongest candidate in Western states. We could win, if I'm the nominee, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico."

Does that mean Clinton can't win those states?

"I know for sure I can win them," Richardson said after a long pause.

The governor spoke with washingtonpost.com for "The Post Politics Program," which airs on XM Satellite Radio's POTUS '08 channel on Thursday at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. Richardson says coverage of his campaign has been fair, but he takes issue with so-called Beltway insiders.

"I do believe there is a chattering class in Washington that sits back in their chairs in Georgetown and says who's ahead based on national recognition polls, and they don't know what's happening in the living rooms of Iowa and New Hampshire, and some of the small states that are first," Richardson says. "They're out of touch. This race is not over, this race is just starting," he adds.

As for the World Series, Richardson, a former baseball player himself, thinks the Red Sox will win.

"They've go the best pitching. They've got Schilling, they've got Beckett. They've got great hitting. Manny Ramirez is back. I believe that they will win their division and then win the World Series and it will be another miracle."

(Richardson's predictions seem to match those of Rudy Giuliani, who says he thinks the Red Sox or his beloved Yankees will prevail.)

Hear excerpts of the Richardson interview below, and hear more of the interview Thursday at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on XM Channel 130.

-- Ed O'Keefe

By washingtonpost.com Editors |  October 4, 2007; 9:29 AM ET Bill Richardson
Previous: Jenna Bush's Secret Service Details Leaves The Keys In The Car | Next: You Asked For It