AP News, February 16th, 2007
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson raised at least $2 million for his presidential campaign, a tally that puts him in good standing in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Almost 1,000 people attended the event Thursday night at a New Mexico resort, Amanda Cooper, Richardson's deputy campaign manager, said Friday. Individual contributors gave $2,300 _ the maximum individual donation allowed under federal law for the primary election _ and became "Friends of Bill." For $1,000, donors were dubbed "Supporters of Bill."
"We had a key group of 50 to 60 people committed to raising $25,000 each," said Cooper, who added that the campaign received some bundled checks with $25 contributions.
A former U.N. ambassador, Energy Department secretary and congressman, Richardson has an impressive resume, but faces tough odds against better-known candidates such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, and John Edwards.
As a second-term governor of a small state, Richardson does not have the national fundraising network of those rivals. He repeatedly has acknowledged his underdog status and said in announcing his intent to explore a presidential bid that he "will not have the money that other candidates will have."
Attendees at Thursday's event included Richardson and his wife, Barbara; Lt. Gov. Diane Denish; Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez; and University of New Mexico regents president and longtime Richardson supporter Jamie Koch.
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Democratic presidential candidate Tom Vilsack says being a punch line to Jay Leno's jokes is a plus.
"When you are just below the margin of error in polls, anything anybody says about you is important," Vilsack said Thursday on NBC's "Tonight Show."
In the show's opening skit, a security guard would not allow Vilsack on the set because he did not recognize him. Leno came to Vilsack's rescue and verified that he was a presidential candidate and the show's guest.
Though Leno often poked fun at Vilsack's relative obscurity in the presidential race, the former Iowa governor argued that his appearance with Leno will help his candidacy and distinguish him from the better-known candidates.
"I think any time you get an opportunity to be in front of a national audience, especially an opportunity to show an interesting life story, it's going to help," Vilsack told reporters during a conference call after the show's taping.
Leno ribbed Vilsack about having a small campaign staff and asked him how he would compete with candidates such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
"I saw your skeleton crew out there _ two guys and a Hertz rent a car. How's that work?" Leno asked.
"Well, I'm not a rock star," Vilsack replied, "I'm rock solid."
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Associated Press Writer Henry C. Jackson in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.
