By John Robertson

Journal State Editor

Gov. Bill Richardson is at risk of becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the Democratic presidential field:  "I don't get no respect," the comedian used to say.

Richardson is obviously trying to use humor and affability to raise his profile in events like last night's nationally televised debate in New Hampshire. But the New Mexico gov sounded more whiny than funny when he asked at length, "What is wrong with having been like myself ... 14 years in Congress, two Cabinet positions..." and on and on, citing his own credentials.

There was a good point there: Richardson introduced it by asking, "Is experience kind of a leper?"  In many respects, he was the most experienced candidate on the stage. But his tone was more pleading than presidential. And I don't think anyone other than Richardson himself had actually raised the question.

It was impressive to see Richardson up there on the stage in New Hampshire, one of four  candidates.  And he had a commanding presence when addressing foreign policy questions like dealing with Pakistan. Remarkable achievement when you think about it  -- that guy from New Mexico in the national spotlight -- and due almost entirely to Richardson's own dogged determination.  Hats off to you, governor. 

But the turnoff in the Richardson no-credit-for-experience complaint was the same thing that made all four candidates hard for me to watch last night:  namely, the contortions they go through to "stay on message" and drive home, by repetition,  key themes of their campaigns.

I thought John Edwards sprang the neatest trap of the night  when he waited for the now-trailing Hillary Clinton to attack him and Barack Obama, then portrayed Clinton as a critic of "change" advocates and defender of the status quo.

But, for me, the clever moments were drowned out by the candidates talking over, under, around and through the questions in order to repeat, and repeat, campaign buzz words.

At times, it led to embarrassing "me-tooisms," as when Richardson, after hearing Edwards and Obama using the word "change" countless times, chimed in: "I love change." 

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