"There it is! Take it!" William Mulholland, 1913, while pointing at the reservoir created by the first Los Angeles aqueduct.I meant to get to this story a few days ago, but the Chicago Marathon and its fallout has forced me to hold off on a few items. Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), despite his impressive résumé, is a long shot to win his party's nomination for next year's presidential election. As an Hispanic, he's been viewed as a attractive running mate for the eventual top of the ticket--and that person is probably going Hillary Clinton.
The most of the Great Lakes states will be viewed as key battlegrounds in 2008. Besides Ohio--Pennsylvania (especially if Giuliani gets the GOP nod), Wisconsin, and Minnesota may decide who gets sworn in on January 20, 2009.
Last week, Richardson was pandering for votes in Nevada, an early Democratic caucus state. Always thirsty Las Vegas is looking for more water, and some Nevadans have their eyes on the Great Lakes. The idea is not a new one, but is as popular in my part of the country as banning gambling would be in Vegas.
From the Las Vegas Sun:
If elected, Richardson said, he would bring states together to talk about a way for water-rich northern-tier states to help with shortages in the Southwest. He also said he would elevate the Bureau of Reclamation to a Cabinet-level post. The bureau within the U.S. Interior Department manages water resources in the West.
"I believe that Western states and Eastern states have not been talking to each other when it comes to proper use of our water resources," Richardson told the Sun. "I want a national water policy. We need a dialogue between states to deal with issues like water conservation, water reuse technology, water delivery and water production. States like Wisconsin are awash in water."
Richarson should know better. Wisconsin is not going to pull the plug on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior for a Nevada bucket brigade. Besides, disbursement of Great Lakes water is not just a United States issue, with the exception of Lake Michigan, the water of the Great Lakes also lies within the border of Canada.
And if Richardson ends up as HRC's running mate, look for him to backtrack from his water-grab suggestion.
UPDATE 1:01PM: The Detroit Free Press has an article in today's edition about thirsty Gov. Richardson.
Related posts:
Bill Richardson's "Maricón Moment" strikes out
Bill Richardson telling tall tales again
Bill Richardson résumé padding flashback: Being drafted by the Kansas City Athletics
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