SANTA FE, N.M. — As staffers rushed around the state Capitol on Wednesday making last-minute plans for tonight's presidential debate, Gov. Bill Richardson eased himself into a big leather armchair and drank in the chaos just outside his door.
Soon he would be hosting the first official showdown of the nine Democratic candidates in Albuquerque. His state would be the focus of national attention, Western issues would be brought to the fore and the much-sought-after Latino voters would be in the spotlight. And of course, so would he.
"I lobbied hard. I wanted New Mexico to be the site of the first debate; we want to give it a Hispanic flavor," said Richardson, a former congressman who will chair the Democratic National Convention. "I think New Mexico is a barometer for what the rest of the country will eventually look like."
With 42% of its population Latino and 10% Native American, New Mexico is a state where whites are the minority. Richardson is a Latino along with his attorney general and secretary of state. New Mexico is also a Democratic outpost in a part of the country where Republicans dominate.
Richardson said Latino voters in key battleground states like New Mexico, Florida, Arizona and Nevada could carry the 2004 presidential campaign.
"Hispanics can no longer be taken for granted by the Democrats," he said. "We need to talk about mainstream issues like homeownership and entrepreneurship and not just immigration."
With his ethnic background and an extensive resume including stints as Energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration, Richardson is often mentioned as an ideal vice presidential running mate.
But he flatly ruled that out Wednesday, at least for 2004.
"I made a commitment when elected that I would serve four years," he said. "Then I will run for reelection. I think there are a lot of problems here in New Mexico that I have to deal with."
As for 2008, Richardson gave a noncommittal smile when asked if he would run for president, a post many friends say he's keenly interested in.
"Stop asking me," he said. "I don't want to look that far ahead. I want to end my career as a governor, but I know in politics you never rule anything out."
Richardson, 55, may be the most visible governor in the nation. Whatever the issue -- North Korea, energy blackouts or Iraq -- he can be found in the thick of it.
