Bill Richardson's putting on the chile heat for more money before Saturday's reporting deadline. At his campaign Web site, you can add your pennies to his quest to boost another $500K into his coffers. (As of 8:39 a.m. today, he was at $126,615.)

But the chile pepper graphic Richardson is using as a fund-raising thermometer isn't sitting so well with everyone ...

Blogger Brendan Nyhan takes cultural offense at the use of a chile pepper, calling it a play on Richardson's Hispanic roots. "As a friend asked, isn't there something vaguely offensive about using a cultural stereotype to raise cash? It's not far from a sombrero. And you can imagine the analogies for other ethnic groups provoking a far greater reaction."

Actually, Brendan, it's more a symbol of New Mexico than Hispanicness. Apparently you're unaware that we not only have an official state question, but an official state answer.

Q: Red or green?
A: Christmas!

The Associated Press, via the New York Times, writes about how important the first-quarter money chase is. ''Money in the off year has never been more important than in this presidential cycle,'' said Michael Toner, a former Federal Election Commission chairman. As for our home boy, the story says: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has done some fundraising, though Democrats close to his campaign say he is hoping to do better in the second quarter. ''The real bench mark: $30 million by the end of March 31, and the second one is $15 million to $20 million,'' Toner said. ''If a candidate is under $10 million, it will be very difficult to continue competing.''

Owee! Here's how Time magazine's Swampland blog by Karen Tumulty portrayed Richardson's appearance at the health care forum last weekend: "Richardson: Jolly Latino Elf who wants all the children to have health care. Coolest moment -- no doubt whatsoever that mental health coverage should have parity with all other health coverage. Being a dark horse candidate gives one sympathy with the crazy people, I think."

Posted by knelson at 08:38 AM | Permalink

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