Tufts alum and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (LA '70, F '71) may be the best running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry next November, according to two Tufts professors.
Kerry has until the Democratic National Convention in July to announce his running mate, but a Kerry campaign official has predicted that an announcement may be made around the end of April.
Both former political science department chair and current Dean of the Colleges James Glaser and political science professor Jeffrey Berry said choosing Richardson could help Kerry in swing states with high Hispanic populations.
"Hispanics are a burgeoning population in this country," Glaser said. "And they are generally living in competitive states."
Berry said Richardson would be particularly helpful in Nevada and Arizona. "He might be of help in mobilizing the Latino vote in New Mexico and nationwide," Berry said.
Another potential running mate for Kerry is one-time presidential candidate and North Carolina Senator John Edwards. Many in the media have speculated that Edwards would help Kerry win swing states in the South.
However, Glaser said the gap in electoral votes would be easier to close in the Southwest, as Southern states are more firmly conservative.
"The issue for John Edwards is, it's very difficult for Democrats to win majorities in Southern states," Glaser said. "Bill Richardson gives John Kerry an opportunity to win states that are close, and Edwards doesn't help Kerry enough in states that aren't close enough."
Compared to the relatively lesser known Richardson, though, Edwards' exposure during his presidential campaign may help Kerry. "He's a great campaigner," Glaser said. "He's young and dynamic."
Richardson, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and as Secretary of Energy in 1998, has not spoken either way on the possibility of being Kerry's running mate, but he has said he plans to finish his term as governor and run for reelection in 2006.
"It's always nice to have Tufts alums in prominent places," Glaser said. "I think it's nice publicity."
