Will Richardson Drop Out?

The big question for reporters covering Richardson's campaign in New Hampshire (there are four of us) is whether he will throw in the towel if he finishes a distant fourth in tonight's Democratic primary contest.

Richardson has said all along that he plans to move on to Nevada and compete in its  caucuses Jan. 19. But I started to get the feeling from talking to Richardson aides in New Hampshire yesterday that he might – just might – call it quits tonight if he finishes a distant fourth. The governor's war chest is running really low. He's not even on television with commercials in New Hampshire, aides confirmed to me yesterday.

But Richardson has spent the past few days telling voters he's "not greedy" and wants to finish respectably in New Hampshire.

"I just want to finish third," he says.

And what if he finishes fourth, as he did in Iowa?

Spokesman Tom Reynolds wasn't ready to go there when I talked to him a few minutes ago.

"We are not dropping out…we're going to finish third and go to Nevada," Reynolds said.

Richardson is keeping a low-profile today. Most of the other candidates are out and about trying to lure every voter to the polls. Richardson is hanging out with his wife and trying to stay out of the way of his get-out-the-vote operation. Reynolds said that having the candidate out on election day can actually be a distraction from that effort.

The governor is scheduled to attend his own results watching party tonight in Manchester, starting after the polls close. We'll keep you posted as results come in.

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