Is Richardson Committed to Campaigning in Iowa?

On Friday, Iowa Progress reported that Bill Richardson hired a key Iowa activist to head his field opperations here.

Sources have revealed to us that Brad Frevert has been hired as Richardson’s Iowa Field Director.

Frevert has worked for the Iowa Democratic Party since 2004, when he served as Regional Field Director out of Waterloo. After the 2004 elections, he was hired as the state party’s off-year Field Director, and he served as Deputy Field Director under Jesse Harris during the 2006 election. Before working for the IDP, he worked for Bob Graham’s aborted 2004 Presidential Campaign and then for AFSCME, organizing caucus supporters for Dean.

It is good to see Richardson is putting together some kind of campaign infrastructure here in Iowa. Frevert brings a lot of experience to the Richardson campaign and Iowa Progress thinks that this means Richardson is going to be campaigning hard in Iowa. However, I don't think he will be make as strong of effort in Iowa as other candidates, which is a shame. I found this story in the New Hampshire Union Leader saying that Richardson hoping New Hampshire will his breakout state.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said today he will focus more time, staff and resources to New Hampshire than to any other early primary or caucus state.

...

He said that as a Westerner, he "must do well" in Nevada, where the Democratic National Committee has scheduled a new caucus after Iowa's traditional leadoff event but before the New Hampshire primary.

But he said, "For me, New Hampshire is going to be my main state to concentrate on, staff-wise, resources. I consider this a breakthrough state for me."

Richardson's calling card is as a successful Governor of a swing state. Here in Iowa, Vilsack has that role secured. However, there are a couple of factors that make me think Richardson could be a breakout candiate here in Iowa. First, Richardson, a former ambassador to the United Nations, brings more foreign policy experience to the table than Vilsack. I would also think that Richardson could appeal to Iowans by speaking on immigration issues since he is Hispanic and from a border state.

Since November of 2004, Richardson has only made 2 trips to Iowa for a total of 2 days. Compare that to John Edwards who has made 17 trips to Iowa for a total of 29 days during that same time period. I have been hearing that Richardson is planning on a trip to Iowa at the beginnning of March. Richardson is currently #3 in my list and I would like to get the chance to hear more from him. I am sure I am not the only Iowan who would say this.