At Soy Blue, there is a post combining a recent opinion poll with an op-ed about why Richardson is good for New Mexico. It’s a great read, so go check it out. Here’s the money graf:

In some sense, Richardson’s flair for entertainment is good for New Mexico, because it gets New Mexico out there in the public eye. It brings in business and industry.

Yes, of course, it puts Richardson in the public eye, too – which is what Richardson wants, for purposes of his own career and presidential aspirations.

But having a president from New Mexico wouldn’t be a bad thing for the people of New Mexico, folks. What would we rather have – a president from Texas? Yuck!

Living in New York, I’ve seen first-hand how well the “but they’ve got higher aspirations!” line works: not at all. I’d wager that New Mexico and the entire West would be better off with a Richardson presidency; from the sport fishermen who’d benefit from a sensible environmental policy, to the kids who’d be better off with increased health care and education, to those of us who grew up in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain and prefer a leader who can effectively make peace around the world.

(Oh, and Richardson’s approval rating is sky-high, of course.)