US news coverage yesterday was concerned with the retirement of Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico from the race for the Democrat nomination for the 2008 election. Richardson came fourth amongst Democrat contenders in both Ohio and New Hampshire prompting his resignation.
Watching Richardson in the final televised New Hampshire (NH) debates yielded some clues as to whether or not his mind was already made up as to his intentions should he fail. It was noticeable that he kept swaying from side to side in his chair, his answers demonstrated his frustration as he tried to move the question away from a glib answer about the need for change to the complex issues underpinning the question posed to him. Lastly, you could hear a tap, tap, tap noise when he was addressing the interviewer which must have been his hand tapping on the table to make his point - a clear sign of frustration. One answer saw Richardson talking about his experience, both in the Clinton Cabinet and negotiating with north Korea. frustration that the electorate at this stage are concerned more with style than substance.
Meanwhile, fourth of six for the Republicans was former New York mayor, Rudy Gulliani who was famous for his response to the challenge of the 9/11 attacks and destruction of the World Trade Center. A Brit I was talking to the other night who was visiting New York expressed surprise at Gulliani's poor showing. Akin to American surprise at British attitudes towards Tony Blair, Gulliani has suffered the drip, drip, drip of family and marital strife, questions about the activities of his consulting operation and associates and most importantly the perceived lack of response to the New Orleans disaster in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The 2008 US election process continues to provide interest.
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