Gov Bill Richardson To Pass on New Mexico Senate Seat

ABC News’ Mary Bruce Reports: Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor Bill Richardson, D-N.M., admitted this morning that Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has asked him to run for the New Mexico Senate seat, but reiterated his commitment to the race for the White House.

When asked by This Week’s George Stephanopoulos if the Chairman of the Senate campaign committee had asked him to run, Richardson replied "Well, yes, [and] a lot of other people.  But I’m running for president.  And I’m going to be the nominee. I’m not running for Senate." New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici announced his retirement earlier in the week.

Richardson was adamant that he would not reconsider his decision to pass on the Senate seat, even if by the time the February eight Senate race deadline rolls around it is clear that he will not be the democratic presidential nominee "I’m not going to reconsider.  By the time February 8th, I will have won the California and New Mexico and Arizona primaries.  I will be on my way," he said.

Richardson went on to also quell rumors that he may consider a vice presidential nomination. "I’m not running for vice president.  That may be your next question."

While Richardson has been gaining ground, moving up in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, a recent ABC poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton has a 50-point lead over Richardson and is favored by 57% of democrats as being the most electable candidate.

When asked if he would have to make a direct case against Sen. Clinton to win, Richardson declined to go on the offensive opting instead to highlight his experience. "The case I make is a positive one, that I’m the candidate that brings change, and that I’m the candidate that has the most experience, and that I’ve delivered change," he said.

But Richardson did emphasize where his policies towards Iraq differ from Sen. Clinton. While many of his 2008 competitors have refused to make promises regarding a troop withdrawal, Richardson reiterated his commitment to withdraw and reassign U.S. forces throughout the region.

"What they are talking about — what Senator Clinton is talking about is she’s cautious.  It’s a calculating message.  I am decisive.  I say that I will get all of our troops out, no residual forces within a year of my presidency," he said. "The time has come not to change the mission, as Senator Obama and Clinton want to do, but to end the war."

Richardson expressed his support for a resolution to de-authorize the war put forth by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va. "Instead of going ahead and proceeding with resolutions cutting funding and benchmarks, they should deauthorize the war," Richardson said. "I believe a national movement could be built to support that.  The president cannot veto that because it would be under Article I of the Constitution.  That is the decisive step that the American people want."