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Bill Richardson, former New Mexico Governor, on how vice presidential candidates will impact the 2012 race.
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And plays well the number one priority well -- number -- it's not just President Obama vs let's say Mitt Romney.
It's who goes to bed and whether -- -- is though what it the president.
To a guy those have been on the short list for that second spot former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson I'm governor.
And you know that is the number two Q doesn't -- -- decide elections but if he's a gold bully kids -- or or Citi.
So there are many and -- Republican Party is senator Joseph Biden cost us president.
And that the president dumps and as a result of our -- -- get into that -- second because now when Mitt Romney the issue is he needs someone harder -- store or.
Of -- more popular -- conservatives.
To rally the base what what are your thoughts on those general issues get the dates back to back to near camp.
Well first you don't make VP decision until close to the convention to get buzz and you know what the primaries of brought out.
If you're -- me I could first seek to problems.
One is a problem with conservatives.
And the second problem is he could have a problem with a significant part of the electorate and those are Hispanic voters.
When you pick a VP you wanna bring somebody that can get -- votes may be a -- two and somebody that your compatible way.
If Romney sees the whole primary process extend without solid conservative support.
He's gonna need like in New Hampshire 60% -- Republicans conservatives.
Ron Paul Gingrich Santorum voted against them.
So you may be go for somebody like Christie of New Jersey that an important stayed a conservative.
But then if you have solidified the conservative vote.
Then you know because of the Republican problem on immigration.
The harshness of their position.
You may want to look towards a Hispanic.
Like senator rubio who may help you in Florida who may help you another battleground states to Mexico Nevada.
Others in the west.
But you don't make that decision until right before the convention when you see.
Where all the marbles are after you've polled dry up but it's a very important decision.
I think it's also the nominee.
Or the potential nominees interest has sort of keep their cards close -- that so we can satisfy all the disparate groups and -- That are -- having said that -- governor.
Do you think there is a serious move afoot switching to the Democrats to replace Joseph Biden that they're getting worried to -- Internal tracking surveys the White House is looking at do not look good for at the improving economic numbers notwithstanding I think it's fairly an -- they are Begin -- about it.
But not a lot better and then they know that Mitt Romney told strongly on these numbers these kind of issues.
So it's time for about a big move and maybe by Hillary Clinton over something -- what you think that.
Well I I don't think much of the idea I don't think you wanna break up a winning combination -- that doesn't residents assets in the campaign.
Yeah I do real here's why -- because foreign policy is gonna be an asset for President Obama.
The reining in of Ben laden.
The other terrorists the success -- -- I got an asset and that arms control in that area well Joseph Biden has been key.
As a former chairman of the foreign relations committee on any -- scenario set -- and it's.
I -- that you didn't get it out and talk about the -- ready to get a because I don't ever remember you saying one crazy thing maybe did privately.
He makes -- -- now there's nothing wrong with saying crazy things I've built a career and it's what my point is governor that.
Did -- do visit the -- that he brought to the table that that that resonate -- foreign policy background.
Has come back to bite empty -- -- you know you might be brave but he appears crazies.
He's also very strong and industrial states like Pennsylvania he was born in Scranton he appeals to the working.
Voter -- and Secretary Clinton not a figure Giles Martin -- steaks shipped here but feels much more.
Well I wouldn't break up that winning combination.
But I will say -- it's going to be a close race right and and and you know it's very easy to predict right now but I think it's I think Obama wins narrowly.
Because of what I said in the has -- I don't know.
Oh -- -- -- -- your -- I have taxing you know this process far better than do -- but I'm looking at this I don't think he's your President Obama and -- and erasing your life.
And you know right now.
Says that it it could be -- -- -- bottle and that you're vice president is certainly not adding to the tickets and that Hillary Clinton couldn't at a minimal.
Rally your base to a ticket that's right now sustained by many -- -- not a -- -- -- you're quite right about that.
Why wouldn't you do -- when there was a time when that would presidents routinely went -- vice president participates.
FDR had what's more the so I mean what's wrong with that.
Well what's wrong right now is that.
President Obama is on -- roll the victory in the congress on.
On the payroll tax cut the -- aggressiveness enacting end with congress.
Recent successes in the economy.
-- economic numbers.
And I guess -- knows -- -- -- that goes and by the way that's a role than that and that's that's a gimbal I'd like it's like to stage their but I.
Having said do you do you know you know this goes why not why not something sure in the pocket and something it's -- Well I think that right now it's a winning combination with oh President Obama with Joseph Biden as VP.
And Secretary Clinton secretaries.
A state you don't want to break that up.
Just for foreign policy reasons I mean we got a lot of things on the table Afghanistan -- -- -- Sort Roberts is -- all over you know where every little creek -- county of the liver is on the planet.
You look at at a guy who knows this inside that it is never said a crazy -- thing.
In his life.
Who -- you could be the guy well now I can be talking to the next vice president.
Dollar round up.
Not all of a private citizen but I love to be on your show and I'll be glad to come back but I think it's too early to look at the VP issue.
But it is going to be very interest and and it's a very important decision.
Just you know governor we did a segment on -- so we didn't think it was too early to do it but it's always there's a very good -- -- -- --
