July 1, 2004
Senator John Kerry
John Kerry for President, Inc.
P.O. Box 34640
Washington, DC 20043
Dear John:
I am both honored and flattered that you are seriously considering
me for your running mate-as the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee-in
the coming election. Our recent discussion in Phoenix
and the fullness of our dialogue with you and your team about your vision
for our country and our shared commitment to a strong America at home and
abroad have reinforced my firm belief that you are truly ready to lead
our great nation in a new and promising direction.
As we discussed, America cannot long endure the failed polices of the
current administration and any Vice President must be a capable and loyal
soldier ready to work with you and Senior Administration Officials to implement
the polices of providing good paying jobs and affordable health care to
Americans, while strengthening our alliances overseas and securing our
domestic shores.
Also, as we discussed, there are numerous experienced and talented
leaders who you are also considering for your running mate. As I
told you, I believe any of these would make a superb Vice President.
It is with that knowledge and comfort that I must tell you that I respectfully
remove myself from the selection process and withdraw my name from consideration
for the Vice Presidential nomination.
As you know, when I ran for Governor, I made a commitment to the people
of New Mexico to serve a full term. We have tackled so many challenges
in my state-raising teachers' salaries and reforming our schools; developing
a high wage economy with good paying jobs for our citizens and cracking
down on the scourges of DWI, domestic violence and drug abuse. We
have cut taxes, invested in our schools and have seen our crime rates drop
and our job numbers climb. Yet, there is so much more to do.
Too many New Mexico families lack affordable health care, too many
New Mexico children go without good nutrition and immunizations, too many
of our communities lack a solid economic base and too many students drop
out of our schools or cannot afford a college education. I
have pledged to the people of New Mexico that I would work hard every day
of my term as Governor to address these problems and strive to make a difference
in the lives of ordinary New Mexico citizens. I need
to honor that pledge.
John, I know you share the commitment to fight for the people of this
country just as I fight for those of New Mexico. I pledge to you
that, as Governor, I will do everything in my power to secure your victory-in
New Mexico and nationwide. Moreover, I promise to work closely with
and support you, as President, in your efforts to create jobs, provide
quality and affordable education and health care and protect our nation
against foreign and domestic threats.
In closing, on a personal note, as an Hispanic, I am particularly touched
by your willingness to consider me for the Vice Presidency. It is
further reassurance to the Hispanic and Latino communities that you are
a man who respects and reaches out to our community and who will fight
for our interests, our values and our culture.
Also, I want to commend Jim Johnson's professionalism throughout
the selection process.
Thank you most sincerely for your faith in me. I stand ready,
as Democratic Convention Chairman and Governor of New Mexico, to work my
hardest to help make you the next President of the United States.
Sincerely,
Bill Richardson
Governor