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Bill Richardson Nominated For Nobel Prize
WASHINGTON (AP) November
16, 2007 Democrat Bill Richardson
often touts his four Nobel Peace Prize nominations on the
presidential campaign trail.
Now he has a fifth.
Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee said he has sent a
nomination packet to the Nobel Committee in honor of
Richardson's diplomatic efforts with countries like Sudan
and North Korea.
"He's well deserving," said Gordon, who got to know
Richardson when they served in Congress together. "It's just
a continuation of his willingness to continue to go around
the world, whether it's a matter of hostages or other tense
situations, and work with all parties."
This year's Nobel prize winner also came from a background
in presidential politics; former Vice President Al Gore
shared the honor with six scientists for their work to raise
awareness about global warming.
A nomination doesn't necessarily mean much. According to the
Nobel Committee's database, previous nominees include
dictators Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini. But
Richardson's nomination is a recognition of his unofficial
career in international diplomacy as he pursues the top
elected office in the United States.
Between campaign stops this year and his job as governor of
New Mexico, Richardson went to North Korea to recover the
remains of missing U.S. troops from the Korean War and to
Sudan to encourage a cease-fire in the Darfur conflict.
Richardson often undertakes these efforts on his own,
without an official imprimatur from the U.S. government, and
he has negotiated with some of the world's most notorious
dictators, from Iraq's Saddam Hussein to Cuba's Fidel
Castro.
Richardson has touted his past Nobel Peace Prize nominations
in at least two campaign commercials, but the Nobel
Committee won't verify that since names of nominees are kept
secret until 50 years later. Gordon spokeswoman Julie Eubank
said her boss was involved in nominations in 2000 and 2001.
Eubank said 11 of Gordon's congressional colleagues signed
the nomination letter, including one Republican - Jim
Ramstad of Minnesota. Gordon said he's still staying out of
the Democratic presidential primary, though.
In a response from his gubernatorial office, Richardson said
he was touched by the effort.
"I'm profoundly humbled by this nomination, but I was just
trying to do my part," Richardson said. "There are hundreds
of dedicated advocates, nonprofits, humanitarian
organizations and public servants who work each day to
reduce tension in Korea and try to bring peace to Darfur."
Others who signed on to the nomination were Texas Democratic
Reps. Charles Gonzalez, Solomon Ortiz, Silvestre Reyes and
Ciro Rodriguez; California Democratic Reps. Joe Baca, Xavier
Becerra, Bob Filner and Grace Napolitano; and Reps. Eliot
Engel of New York, and John Tanner of Tennessee.
