RICHARDSON TO ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE RUN

Gov. Bill Richardson plans to take first step toward White House run

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson intends to say Sunday that he is taking the first step toward the Democratic presidential nomination, several officials with knowledge of his plans said Friday. The former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Energy Department secretary is hoping his extensive resume will fuel an insurgent campaign to become the first Hispanic U.S. president. He plans to announce Sunday that he will soon file the papers to create a presidential exploratory committee, the officials said. Richardson's office did not immediately return a call for comment.
The governor is scheduled to appear Sunday on ABC television's "This Week."
Richardson brings a wealth of experience in international affairs that has extended even into his governorship of a small but politically important swing state. He's hosted talks on North Korea's nuclear program in New Mexico and most recently traveled to Sudan this month and met with the country's president to press him for an end to the bloodshed in Darfur.