RICHARDSON SIGNS MEDICINAL MARIJUANA LAW

"So what if it's risky? It's the right thing to do."

What did he say?

"So what if it's risky? It's the right thing to do."

That's what I thought he said.

But how can this be?

Isn't Bill Richardson a presidential candidate?

Doesn't it make sense for him to take the politically safest stance on any and all issues.

For once, I'm happy to say, that's not the way this politician made his decision.

Earlier this week Richardson, New Mexico's governor and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president, talked with enthusiasm about his expected signing into law a bill that permits the use of marijuana for medicinal (pain-killing) purposes.

Richardson did so even though he knows his decision might work against him in his bid for the presidency.

"This is for medicinal purpose, for ... people that are suffering. My God, let's be reasonable," Richardson told the Associated Press.

Richardson has little to gain politically by signing the bill, and probably - quite honestly - not that much to lose in the Demcratic primary contests. But his decision could came back to bite him should he ever find himself as the Democratic candidate in the general election.

But Richardson put politics aside to do what he thought was right.

A rare occurrence in politics and, for that reason, worth a mention.

I still am baffled as to why this guy is not getting more attention from Democrats.

He offers experience as a governor, a member of Congress and an ambassador and global trouble-shooter.

He could help his party make gains with the fast-growing Hispanic population and in an area of the country - the West - where the Democrats need to improve their lot if they are going to pick up the electoral votes they need to take back the White House.

He's not pretty. He's not especially eloquent. He doesn't have boatloads of money and notoriety. But he may just have the attributes the Democrats need and he deserves the chance to prove it.