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POLITICONS 2008
Whether running for the presidency,
moving millions to the polls or informing the masses on candidates’ every move, these icons are changing the political
landscape and might very well help fill the Oval Office in 2008.
To Be or not to be
What does Bill Richardson want now?
A lot of people hope it’s the No. 2 job.
By Ruben Navarrette, Jr.
The New Mexico governor ran a respectable campaign for president, earning the respect of millions of voters and making history as the first Hispanic to ever make it this far.
The candidate’s mother was born in Mexico, and his father was born in the United States. Bill Richardson was also born in the United States, but he lived in Mexico City until he was a teenager.
In a phone interview a few months ago, while he was trudging through Iowa, Richardson assured me that—despite perceptions to the contrary—he wasn’t really running for vice president.
Undeterred, I specifically asked him if he would take the job if it were offered and whether the answer depended at all on who was offering. I was curious if there was anyone in the top-tier—Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John Edwards—with whom he was so ideologically incompatible that he couldn’t envision sharing a ticket. Richardson didn’t take the bait.
“I’ll tell you the truth,” he said. “I’m really not interested. I’ll come back to be governor of New Mexico, a job that I love. I can do my foreign policy ventures. I’m really not running for that.”
Still, that was then. Now that the Democratic nomination is destined for the hands of another, Richardson could go back to New Mexico—or he could go into the history books once more by running for vice president, assuming he were offered that opportunity.
His value to a presidential ticket is obvious. Not only does he have practical foreign policy experience as the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and as someone whose “ventures” include negotiations with Cuba, Sudan and North Korea, but his ethnicity gives him additional appeal.
At a time when many candidates are pursuing the Hispanic vote, you would think that a Hispanic candidate would have an inside track. Yet Richardson has been losing significant portions of the Hispanic vote to Obama, who has created enthusiasm among younger voters, and Clinton, who’s been successful in rounding up the endorsement of a slew of Hispanic Democratic elected officials from Boston to Bakersfield, California. Now, one has to ask whether Richardson could deliver much of the Hispanic vote in November, or whether we’ve reached a point where the lead candidate could close the deal without any help from a surrogate.
On top of all that, Richardson faces an unusual predicament that may neutralize that advantage: Many Hispanics don’t know that he is Hispanic. It’s the surname, a gift from his father but a curse in terms of conveying to Hispanics that he is one of them.
During his presidential campaign, Richardson launched a Hispanic outreach effort called Mi Familia con Richardson, in part to introduce himself to the Hispanic community.
Like many Mexican Americans, Richardson wrestles with questions about his identity. But as a Mexican American running for president, he had an added challenge. He had to straddle the fence between being a mainstream candidate and a Hispanic one.
That would be tough to do under the best of circumstances, but it’s almost impossible to achieve in the middle of a heated and vitriolic national debate over immigration in which non-Hispanics might view someone like Richardson suspiciously because they assume that his sympathies lie with illegal immigrants from Mexico.
I asked Richardson about threading that needle with voters.
“I’m very candid,” he said. “I say, look I’m not running as a Hispanic candidate. I’m running as a western governor, proud to be Hispanic, but I don’t wear my Hispanic-ness on my sleeve.”
We’ll see about that. If Richardson runs on the Democratic ticket as the vice presidential nominee, he might decide to make more of his “Hispanic-ness.” In fact, if he’s going to be of maximum value to his party and running mate, he might not have a choice.
That’s when things might get really
interesting.
The Richardson Chronicles
Called the only governor with a foreign policy, Bill Richardson’s impact has been felt far beyond New Mexico’s borders. It’s developed throughout his own international upbringing and fostered through a career in international diplomacy and domestic affairs. Here’s a look at Richardson’s life and accomplishments; some might surprise you.
Lifeline
 1947
November 15, 1947
Bill Richardson is born in Pasadena, California to parents William Richardson and Maria Luisa Lopez-Collada.
 1950s
Richardson, with his parents and his younger sister Vesta, spends his childhood in Mexico City, where his father is a banker.
 1966
Tufts University
welcomes a young Richardson, and his interest in politics grows.
1970
He graduates from Tufts, spends one more year earning his masters’ and soon after, moves to Washington, D.C. for a job on Capitol Hill.
1978
The Democratic Party of New Mexico names Richardson its executive director.
 1980
Richardson loses his first Congressional race to represent New Mexico’s 1st District by less than 1 percent
to incumbent Manuel Lujan.
1982
Two years later he wins the seat and stays in the U.S. House
of Representatives until 1997.
 1994
Richardson
negotiates with the North Korean government the release of an American helicopter pilot.
 1995
He negotiates the release of two American oil workers with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
1996
He helps secure the release of Americans held in North Korea, Bangladesh and Sudan.
 1997
Richardson becomes the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
1998
Richardson becomes Secretary of Energy. He also attempts and fails to parlay a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance.
 2002
Richardson begins his tenure as governor of New Mexico.
2004
The Democratic National Convention names Richardson
its chair.
2006
Nearly 70 percent of New Mexico voters elect Richardson to his second term as the state’s governor.
 2007
May 21
Richardson announces his candidacy for the presidency of the United States.
PRESIDENTIAL PLAYERS
These power brokers, fundraisers, vote-getters, journalists and voice boxes hold the attention of candidates, the respect of potential voters and the keys to the Oval Office.
By Marissa rodriguez
 Bob Menendez
Helping Hillaryland to Grow
Clout: Menendez is a political icon in the Northeast. And nationally, his important and well-recognized work in healthcare and retirement have made him a coveted political ally.
Supporting: Hillary Clinton
When Menendez announced his political support for Clinton in June 2007, the campaign named the senator a national co-chair. New Jersey is a big state for Clinton; as the home to a large Hispanic population and neighbor to her home state of New York, it’s a crucial ally. She has a strong showing there, as Gov. John Corzine is also backing her. As a leader in the state and an influential Hispanic in Congress, Menendez has been and will continue to be a strong component of Clinton’s successful Hispanic outreach. It has been expected that the Cuban American and New Jersey native would be an exceptional fundraiser, pulling donations from his home state and nationwide.
 Mel Martinez
A Swing State Senator
Clout: A senior Hispanic senator in the most contentious, and sought after, of all swing states
Supporting: Undecided
It was a rough fall for the Republican senator, who gave up his position as national chairman of the GOP after only 10 months. Yet, Martinez remains a popular Hispanic leader in Florida, where votes count more than ever, as evidenced by the last two presidential elections. The Cuban-American senator’s blessing is likely sought to help secure some Hispanic votes; however Florida Hispanics are less likely to vote as a block than ever. Though Cuban Americans tend to vote Republican, Martinez will have to contend with New Jersey Democratic Sen. Menendez as he aims for attention from this group. It’s not yet known who Martinez will support, as he has clashed with Mitt Romney and Rudolph Giuliani over their stances on illegal immigration in the last year. “I must
 Manny
Diaz
Shining the Spotlight
on Home base
Clout: The mayor of the U.S.’s most Hispanic of cities attempts to focus the candidates’ attention on where most Latinos live.
Supporting: America’s cities
Much of the attention of this year’s political candidates has focused on such important issues as the war in Iraq, education, the mortgage crisis, healthcare, immigration, the enormous deficit and U.S. international relations. However, the candidates have remained relatively quiet when it comes to urban issues. This has not escaped the attention of the Miami mayor. He urges presidential candidates to act as if they are running for mayor of the United States and put the nation’s urban spaces on top of their agendas, as cities contribute to 90 percent of America’s economic output and are home to 80 percent of the American populace. Cities face a rough road ahead, and as candidates make their way through them in their final push to November, they are going to have to update their campaign strategies to address this growing concern.
 Luis
Gutierrez
Helping to Create
Obama Country
Clout: This Chicago native son has placed his support behind his state’s senator, helping make the coveted Midwest Obama country.
Supporting: Barack Obama
A Congressman since 1993, Gutierrez is a force in Chicago, and it was even expected that he might have a run at the mayoral seat after a harsh critique of Mayor Daley that blasted the city’s persistent corruption and problems. His party-line Congressional votes, many in direct opposition to Bush Administration policy, coupled with his call for Vice President Cheney’s impeachment, are definite pluses for current frontrunner Obama, who since his Iowa win has updated his campaign message to highlight that America has voted for a change to the status quo of problematic government. Gutierrez’ alliance solidifies Obama’s stance and links him to much-needed Hispanic voters. Puerto Rican Gutierrez is popular with Chicago’s large Puerto Rican electorate,
Monica
Lozano
A Two-Way
Gatekeeper
Clout: The vice president of a major Hispanic media group, publisher of the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country and a leader in NCLR, Lozano holds three keys to the electorate in her hands.
Supporting: Unknown
Sitting at the top of this large organization and a media maven, Lozano is effectively a two-way gatekeeper: overseeing a means for candidates to reach this crucial group and a means for readers and NCLR members to come into contact with their potential representatives. Hosting both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to sit-down chats at this past NCLR convention, Lozano opened the door for both candidates to have direct access with council members and supporters. And Lozano certainly does not shy away from advocacy for the Hispanic community. In a recent press release disseminated by Impremedia announcing poll results just before the Iowa caucuses, Lozano cautioned candidates to take a close look at Latino issues.
 Carlos
Alvarez
A Comeback
Key
Clout: Carlos Alvarez became a household name in 2004 when he helped smooth the volatile environment around the polling places, and has become John McCain’s biggest hope in South Florida.
Supporting: John McCain
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez was one of McCain’s early supporters, having thrown his weight behind the Republican in February 2007. His allegiance to the Arizona senator was instrumental in McCain’s entrance into the prized Hispanic and Florida vote, both of which have been called the keys to the election. As McCain’s hopes for the candidacy have dwindled, especially in light on his showing in Iowa in January, Alvarez is one of the keys to a comeback. McCain has pushed immigration reform on the floor alongside Democrat Ted Kennedy. His eagerness to address South Florida’s Hispanics (and indeed Hispanics nationwide as he was the first Republican to agree to attend Univision’s GOP forum) is apparent and will surely be helped by Alvarez’s popularity.
 Al
Cardenas
Leading the Way
for No. 1
Clout: Cardenas designed the strategy to build the leading Republican candidate’s Hispanic support.
Supporting: Mitt Romney
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may have come in second place after the Iowa caucus, but many pollsters still believe he will win the Republican ticket. As chairman of the Romney for President Hispanic Steering Committee, Cardenas is more than a Hispanic ambassador for Romney, he is an advisor to the candidate, who had to develop name recognition and build his Hispanic support base practically from scratch. Cardenas, the former president of the Florida Republican Party, also did a radio ad for the candidate that targets Spanish-speaking voters. Romney has taken a hard-line immigration stance, rivaled only by that of his opponent Huckabee. In Florida however, Romney has paid more attention to crucial Floridian interests such as the political situations in Cuba and Venezuela, as well as free trade agreements with other Latin American countries.
 Fabian
Nuñez
A Rising Star in
A Big State
Clout: One of California’s political golden boys lines up behind the former first lady, and finds rank in what would become Clinton’s all-star Hispanic endorsers.
Supporting: Hillary Clinton
One of Clinton’s early supporters was Fabian Nuñez, who’s has made a name for himself as a strong bipartisan politician able to work with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger though they have opposing views on many key state issues. Nuñez is enjoying a whirlwind of political success. As a young and fast-rising Democrat, he was elected to be speaker of the California house after serving only one year. He has a scope far beyond the state’s Hispanic Democratic electorate, though his sway there is very strong. He is an immigrant rights supporter and is popular with the globally conscious, as he took on environmental legislation early in his term. He was the former political director for the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, a huge and powerful labor organization. This propelled the Clinton campaign to name him one of its 30 national co-chairs.
 Federico
Peña
Swing State
Strategy
Clout: A former Cabinet member under President Clinton, Peña endorses the first lady’s No. 1 rival.
Supporting: Barack Obama
In his second mention in this magazine, Federico Peña has made a name for himself in the worlds of business and politics. The first Hispanic mayor of Denver, he ended a 14-year tenure by the previous mayor in a great upset. Under his leadership, Denver became a city transformed, and it’s something the city’s voters, Hispanic or otherwise, have yet to forget. His endorsement strengthens Obama’s ties to this key state, even if he has yet to gain the support of Colorado’s Sen. Salazar. And, it’s an attempt to win over some of the Hispanic voters who sided with Bush after his successful bid for Hispanic support called Viva Bush. Peña’s endorsement announcement came just days before the ground-breaking Univision debate, putting news of Hispanic alliance with Obama in the news at a crucial time.
 Jorge
Ramos
The Face of
Hispanic Issues
Clout: A household name and the most recognized face in Latino news, when Ramos speaks, voters, and candidates, listen.
Supporting: Hispanic voters and news viewers
As a journalist, Ramos as is objective as the day is long—his only alliance being to the millions who tune into him nightly on Noticiero Univision. Alongside co-anchor Maria Elena Salinas, he informs millions of voters and would-be voters about the candidates and their positions on major issues. As the co-host of the first-ever Spanish-language candidate forum, Ramos valiantly attempted to get candidates to offer straight answers to some very tough questions about their stances on immigration, a political and Hispanic hot button. As a columnist he has no qualms taking both parties to task for their lack of attention to this enormous pool of voters. It seems both voters and candidates have awakened to his message as candidates have courted Hispanics as never before. Hispanics are more likely to make it to the polls this November with a greater understanding of the candidates and issues than ever.
 Anthony
Romero
A Key Player for the
Change Agenda
Clout: As head of the American Civil Liberties Union, those looking for social issues change look to Romero.
Supporting: Civil liberties
September 11, which occurred just days after Romero took office, has colored his tenure and the activities of the organization he leads as defiant of the administration’s subsequent policies. Though non-partisan, the ACLU’s fierce defense of equal protection under the law, First Amendment rights and privacy rights has pitted it against the Bush Administration’s policies time and time again as the administration weighed measures for a post-9/11 defense strategy against individual civil liberties. This initially earned Romero and the ACLU a slew of opponents, but as support for the Bush policies has eroded, the ACLU’s outlook and pool of support has brightened. Now, when even top GOP candidates veer away from total alignment with the White House course for fear of losing voters, the ACLU’s stances seem less radical and are more embraced by potential voters than ever before.
 Haim
Saban
The Power of
The Purse
Clout: The No. 1 political contributor in the world of U.S. politics is also the owner of the No. 1 Spanish-language television network.
Supporting: Usually Democrats
Saban was part of the private equity group behind the multi-billion dollar purchase of Univision in 2006. This shined a spotlight on Saban, who until then had gone under the radar of most Hispanic media. To politicians, however, Saban was a household name. As the country’s largest political contributor, Saban has donated funds in the tens of millions, usually to Democratic candidates over the past nine years. For the 2008 campaign Saban has contributed close to $90,000 according to campaignmoney.com. A good friend to the Clintons, it might come as a no surprise that Hillary Clinton is a major recipient of Saban’s financial support. The rest of his contributions are split among many PACs, including Univision’s Political Action Committee. Saban fundraisers have pulled in as much as $3.5 million in one evening.
 Ken
Salazar
Waiting to
Pounce
Clout: This popular senator has had a history of supporting some surprising candidates.
Supporting: Undecided
While other Colorado Democrats have thrown their hats into the ring backing both Clinton and Obama, Salazar remains undecided. In the 2006 midterm elections in Connecticut, it wasn’t a left-leaning anti-war candidate that had the backing of this Democratic senator, it was Independent candidate Joe Lieberman. Salazar, a member of a bipartisan group of 14 senators, has a strong independent streak and has thrown his support behind such figures as President Bush appointee Alberto Gonzales. He has occasionally voted in line with Republicans, to the disappointment and frustration of members of his own party. But, that might also be one reason his support is so sought; it defies party lines and has more to do with independent judgment than partisan politics. It’s unlikely that Salazar would align himself with a member of the GOP as rumors of vice presidential hopes have circulated.
 Maria Elena
Salinas
Promoting the
Act of Voting
Clout: Known as the “Voice of Hispanic America,” she brings voters and issues square in the candidates’ field of vision.
Supporting: Hispanic voters and news viewers
Twenty-five years on the air as Noticiero Univision’s anchorwoman, a book release, a nationally syndicated column, and appearances in radio, TV, online and in print have made Salinas the journalist of record for Hispanics in the U.S. That’s why Maria Elena Salinas has accomplished so much more than simply to promote voter registration among Hispanics, a huge effort undertaken with Univision, the National Alliance of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), and National Council of La Raza, among others. That, in itself, is an act with enormous ripple effect potential that could alter the face of the electorate and turn campaign strategies upside down. But should the thousands of Hispanics to whom the campaign is targeted get their voter registration cards in time for the big day in November, candidates will scramble to address Hispanic issues head on.
 Patti
Solis Doyle
A Cool Head in the
Nerve Center
Clout: The brains and the brawn behind Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid
Supporting: Hillary Clinton.
The campaign manager for Hillary Clinton’s push for the White House this year has been celebrated in the media as a breath of fresh air for the senator’s inner circle dubbed Hillaryland. Other than being the first Latina to manage a presidential campaign, or the first Hispanic for that matter, Solis Doyle’s impact is far more significant than even that. As manager she has shaped a campaign that has led Clinton to what was at one point the frontrunner position, and grew her popularity with Hispanics to the point where polls reveal that she has become the favorite Democratic contender among this dynamic group, as of press time. And her efforts could be rewarded in November with a win. In addition, her appointment could definitely help boost or at least maintain Clinton’s strong showing in the Hispanic electorate.
 Eddie “Piolín”
Sotelo
Turning Listeners
into Voters
Clout: Has moved tens of thousands to march for undocumented rights and now might just be able to move them to the polls.
Supporting: Those who support his cause.
From his Los Angeles radio station booth, Piolín has entertained, and more importantly informed, one of the largest audiences on the airwaves. From his seat as host of the No. 1-rated Piolín por la Mañana, now in 24 markets, he has mobilized a newly politically aware force, first to the streets in 2004’s immigration marches. In that year’s elections, and in many in recent years, naturalized citizens had little impact on election outcomes. However, as thousands of residents registered to vote in recent years spurred by Piolín’s push, the next election could be different. He has the potential to drive hordes of new voters to the polls outside of his blue state’s boundaries. And as Republicans take hard-line anti-illegal immigrant stances, most notably front-runner Huckabee, who received an endorsement from Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist, this mostly benefits their Democratic opponents.
 Arturo
Vargas
In the Eye of
the Storm
Clout: The chief of NALEO’s Educational Fund, Vargas is a driving force promoting citizenship and voting among Hispanics in the U.S. and is sitting at the top of an organization of Hispanics holding office.
Supporting: Unknown
As executive director of National Association of Latino Elected Official’s Educational Fund, Vargas is one of the main figures behind an enormous naturalization movement that is expected to generate nearly 1 million people applying for citizenship. It could alter the face of campaigning in key swing states such as Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Nevada. In addition, Vargas is a critical source for media and campaign professionals trying to understand the dynamic Hispanic population, votership and the officials they choose. As an aside, it would not be a big surprise if Vargas chose to support a Democratic contender. Even though every GOP candidate was invited to address members at the NALEO conference this past summer, all declined and only Duncan Hunter changed his mind and attended. All the Democrats attended.
 Antonio
Villaraigosa
A Pied Piper
for Voters
Clout: The mayor of the nation’s second largest city is one of the most powerful Hispanics in California, a blue state that has too many good options and the potential to split.
Supporting: Hillary Clinton
Appointed to the post of national chair of Clinton’s campaign in May 2007, Villaraigosa’s endorsement is a major component of Clinton’s efforts to secure Hispanic support. Her push for Latino votes came strong and early, even as pundits believed much of the support would go Richardson, a Southwestern Hispanic Democrat. Villaraigosa has had his share of criticism in the past year, most notably for his affair with TV journalist Mirthala Salinas, and his approval ratings have dropped from 70 percent early in his tenure into the 60s. But Hispanics in California, who tend to vote Democrat and who came out in droves to support and elect the mayor, have not abandoned him—nor have they shied away from a possible reelection in 2009. Their support is something the Clinton campaign is hoping will transfer.
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