New Mexico Governor Downplays Rumors He’s On VP Short List

The man who’s chairing this year’s Democratic National Convention visits Missouri and tries to snuff out rumors that he’s on Massachusetts Senator John Kerry’s short list of possible candidates for vice president. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson delivered the keynote address to several hundred gathered in Hannibal for the annual Democrat Days festivities. He insists he’s happy living and working in Santa Fe and has no desire to return to Washington, D.C. Richardson previously served in Washington as a Congressman and as President Clinton’s Energy Secretary. He was also the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Richardson suggests St. Louis Congressman Richard Gephard would be the perfect pick for vice president. Richardson says the Midwest is extremely important in the race and it would help to have a Missourian on the ticket.