So Bill Richardson has finally taken the step we all expected when he first ran for governor.

His timing really couldn't have been worse, though. Not only has the country forgotten all about his work as Secretary of Energy, but he enters the most diverse field of Democrats in about the History of Ever. Being Latino doesn't help your minority bid much when you're going up against a woman and a startlingly good-looking black guy, especially when your name is Bill.

I have mixed feelings about this nomination. Do I want a New Mexican in the White House? Hell yes! And I'm not even speaking to qualifications; this is all regional pride. There's not one of us who wouldn't love to point at someone in a high-ranking position and say, "That guy's from here!" We do the same thing with Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears), the Shins (indie rockers), and Hank Harris (the Chef Boyardee "Beefy!" guy). Imagine if one of our own was commander-in-chief.

But on the other side of the coin, I don't know what Richardson's qualifications are. He's been a U.S. Representative, a Cabinet member, and a state governor, but I'm not sure what he's actually done. I met the guy when he was campaigning for governor, and for all the life I saw in his eyes he might have been a cyborg. The horse in his tourism commercials is more excited than he is.

I suppose, in this way, we see some echoes of Kerry: a bland, moderate candidate who can appeal to the minorities without alienating the rich white dudes. The horse isn't running, though, I assume, so leave the appearance jokes out of it.