Arapahoe County – Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson said Thursday that he expects fundraising for his campaign to go well but the bottom line for voters will not be who raises the most money.
“Voters will not vote for who is the biggest rock star,” the New Mexico governor said during a news conference after his plane landed at Centennial Airport.
Richardson visited Denver in hopes of raising $100,000. He will be in Pueblo today, where the fundraising goal is $40,000, said Richardson’s press secretary in Colorado, Joelle Martinez.
At the airport, Richardson said he will win the election based on his message of change, his strong foreign-policy background and his commitment to the environment.
He also said he is not interested in the No. 2 slot.
“You don’t go into these races to be vice president or secretary of state,” he said.
Colorado is a good state for Richardson’s candidacy for three reasons, he said: He is the “greenest candidate.” He understands economic growth issues. And he understands issues that affect the West.
Richardson said he would take on Denver and other cities’ traffic congestion.
Along with cooperating with cities and states on highway bills, Richardson said he would support more energy-efficient means of transportation, such as light rail.
He also addressed the immigration issue, saying he supports more border patrols instead of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He said the immigration compromise plan splits up families and does not provide enough labor protection.
Richardson says he plans to campaign door-to-door. “This is a marathon,” he said. “It’s not a sprint.”
Other potential presidential contenders with visits scheduled in the area:
Sunday, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will hold a fundraiser at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (formerly Jefferson County Airport). The Democrat does not plan any public appearances, a campaign spokesman said.
July 18, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is seeking the Republican nomination, will be the featured speaker at El Paso County Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner.
Staff writer Simona Gallegos can be reached at 303-954-1555 or sgallegos@denverpost.com.
