Richardson Airs Two Campaign Commercials

SANTA FE -- Democrat Bill Richardson spoofs his standing as a lesser-known presidential candidate and the vetting process for White House hopefuls in new campaign commercials that begin airing in Iowa on Thursday.

In two humorous spots, Richardson subjects himself to a job interview for president.

In the first spot, a questioner seated behind a desk in a drab office ticks off highlights of Richardson's resume _ governor of New Mexico, diplomatic envoy, former member of Congress as well as energy secretary and U.N. ambassador in the Clinton administration.

"So, what makes you think you can be president?" the interviewer quizzes Richardson after taking a bite of a sandwich.

In the final scene, a disbelieving Richardson looks at the camera.

In the second commercial, Richardson describes his accomplishments as New Mexico governor for the skeptical questioner.

The Richardson ads are running statewide and cost the campaign an estimated $110,000 for one week. John Edwards, a Richardson rival who is better known in Iowa, is the only other Democratic candidate running ads at this early stage in the state.

Edwards' commercials, which call on Congress to stand up to President Bush's veto of a withdrawal timetable for Iraq, are about one-fourth the size of Richardson's ad buy. Edwards also ran Iraq ads in the Washington, D.C., market.

Last year in his re-election campaign, Richardson also took an offbeat approach in a TV ad that parodied a Western movie. Richardson appeared as sheriff, dressed in a cowboy hat and wearing a "tin star." In one scene, Richardson walked through the swinging doors of a saloon and deadpanned, "Gimme a milk."

___

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Republican Sen. Charles Grassley says Democrat Barack Obama was not acting like a proper senator _ let alone a president _ when he called on Iowans to lobby Grassley to change his position on the Iraq War.

The Iowa senator, speaking to reporters during a conference call on Wednesday, bristled at Obama's decision to call him out on his home turf.