Getting the cold shoulder from Bill Richardson

By J. Patrick Coolican

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 | 3:27 p.m.

(The Sun has gone on the road to listen to voters and talk to political leaders around the West. Reporters will examine the economic, cultural and demographic forces re-shaping the region as they drive to Denver for the first of the two major party conventions the Sun will cover.)

ALBUQUERQUE -- Gov. Bill Richardson is avoiding the Las Vegas Sun again. OK, not really.

A few of you know that story well. Richardson was running for president, and his strategy was predicated on winning Nevada (at least until it wasn't.) Mike Mishak chased the failed presidential candidate Richardson for six months last year. His press people kept promising and then putting him off, until it just got ridiculous and Mike wrote a piece about it.

Here's a taste of that wonderful story:

Do you remember that indelible moment when you finally got an inkling your crush didn't really like you?

The light goes from their eyes. They can't seem to make time for you. Oh, sweet former ambassador, one-time energy secretary, erstwhile congressman and current New Mexico governor, what have I done?

Last winter, I was assigned to cover presidential candidate Bill Richardson. Although not considered a member of the Democratic top-tier, he was the only true Westerner in the race, which meant the Las Vegas Sun wanted to give him special attention.

And so my courtship began."

Then, once the story ran, rather magically, Mishak got his interview and spent some time in Santa Fe with Richardson and wrote an evenhanded profile.

Well, in advance of our trip, I e-mailed the governor's press people hoping for an interview. The rap from the local press corps was that Richardson seems to only give interviews to out-of-state press, so I thought I was in good shape. Many calls and e-mails later, nothing. Not even a call or e-mail back. I can see them not making time for me. The governor is busy. But whatever happened to courtesy?

E-mail Richardson's communications director and ask him: [email protected]