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Richardson Leads Romney in 2008 U.S. Race
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Bill Richardson could defeat a prospective Republican presidential nominee in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 42 per cent of respondents would support the New Mexico governor in 2008, while 34 per cent would vote for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Richardson won the 2002 gubernatorial election in New Mexico, and earned a new four-year term in November 2006, defeating Republican challenger John Dendahl with 69 per cent of the vote. Richardson—currently the only Hispanic governor in the United States—had previously worked as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and as energy secretary in the Clinton administration.
Romney—a Mormon—won the 2002 gubernatorial election in Massachusetts, defeating Democratic challenger Shannon O'Brien with 50 per cent of the vote. Romney decided not to seek re-election. He had gained prominence after acting as the chief executive officer and organizer of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
On Apr. 20, Richardson called for the resignation of U.S. attorney general Alberto Gonzales, declaring, "After reviewing (his) behaviour, I must reluctantly conclude that new leadership is needed. It's time for him to go."
In December 2006, seven U.S. attorneys and an Arkansas prosecutor received a dismissal notification by the Justice Department. Six of these eight attorneys had positive internal performance records. Democrats in Congress contend that the firings were politically motivated.
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, Republican George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Democratic nominee John Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.
Polling Data
Romney v. Richardson
|
Bill Richardson (D) |
42% |
|
Mitt Romney (R) |
34% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 likely American voters, conducted on Apr. 11 and Apr. 12, 2007. Margin of error is 4 per cent.