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Was when Bill Richardson, responding to a question about nuclear proliferation, loose nukes, and nuclear terrorism, said that as president he'd work harder to cooperate with the Soviet Union on these issues. Yep, that's right, the SOVIET UNION. You know, the country that hasn't even existed for over 16 years!
The best part was, that he didn't even catch his mistake and correct himself. And this from a man who's only real selling point in this whole contest is his lengthy experience, with emphasis on FOREIGN POLICY experience. Whoops! So much for that argument.
Yes, yes, I'm aware that Fred Thompson made the exact same gaffe when answering a question not long ago, and there was some bemused chatter about it in the media and blogosphere to the effect that it shows how clueless he is. Funny that no one has mentioned Richardson's slip-up in a similar fashion.
Although I have a lot of respect for Richardson and I'm sure he'd make a great cabinet secretary, and although every candidate should be allowed the occasional verbal slip or gaffe (they are humans under enormous and persistent amounts of stress, after all) I could only shake my head in bewilderment after that comment and wonder why Richardson is still in the race? A 2% showing in Iowa convinced him of his long-term viability? Please. Was he there to bolster Clinton (they've both been running as "experience" candidates) against the inevitable tag-team onslaught of Obama and Edwards? Wouldn't he do her a bigger favor by dropping out and quickly endorsing her, and thereby throwing at least some of his support her way? Was he angling to be her running-mate if she's able to secure the nomination? If so, that comment will come back to haunt him--you can bet that Republican operatives taped that little gaffe and will use it later if he appears on a national ticket.
With all due respect, Mr. Richardson, you're a great guy and you've had a distinguished career, but I think your time in the race has passed. Drop out soon.
