Why Richardson Should be Obama's VP

Barack Obama has the ability to create a new map of blue states and red states. He puts a lot more states in play for Democrats to win this election than in years past.

Names of possible vice presidents, such as Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell are being mentioned by people who are only looking at the old map where Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida are the battleground states Democrats must win.

This story from last month about Obama targeting the Hispanic vote in the Mountain West tells the reason why Bill Richardson should be Barack Obama's vice president.

Polls released last week by Rasmussen Reports found Obama beating McCain in Colorado, 48 percent to 42 percent, and in New Mexico, 50 percent to 41 percent. McCain held the edge in Nevada, 46 percent to 40 percent.

Bush lost New Mexico by 366 votes in 2000, and won it four years later by only 6,000 votes.

Nevada has proved similarly competitive, with Bush winning the state both times by less than four percentage points.

In Colorado, Bush’s margin of nine percentage points in 2000 dipped to five points in 2004. Democrats have since won a Senate seat, the governor’s office, two congressional districts and control of the state legislature.