(October 28): Remarks by the President at New Mexico Welcome

"John Sanchez is the right man for governor." (Applause.) "When you turn out the vote, make sure you back this good man. He's going to make you one you can be proud of." (Applause.)

(November 6):New Mexico Positive Testing Ground for Former Clintonite

Richardson defeated freshman Republican state Rep. John Sanchez 58 to 36, with 80 percent of precincts reporting.

Republican Gov. Gary E. Johnson was forced to step down after being term-limited, so the GOP chose Sanchez, a businessman still in his first term in the House.

(Jan 9): Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer

Q What message does the administration want New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to convey to the North Koreans?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not sure that's quite the issue. In this instance, Governor Richardson, who was the former Ambassador to the United Nations, received communication from the North Koreans in New York -- the North Korean Ambassador -- saying that he wanted to visit with Governor Richardson. Governor Richardson called the State Department. Under all our agreements with North Korea, in order for the U.N. Ambassador to the United Nations from North Korea to travel outside of New York, the State Department has to grant permission, per the agreements. So Governor Richardson, knowing that as a former Ambassador, contacted Secretary Powell. Secretary Powell said that he had no objections to North Korea traveling to New Mexico to visit with Governor Richardson.

Q But sources close to Richardson have said that the administration initiated some contact with him about a discussion with North Korea.

MR. FLEISCHER: The conversation as it was related to me was exactly as I laid out.

(Jan 11): Richardson Hosts 3rd Day of Talks with North Koreans

Talks between a former U.S. envoy and two North Korean diplomats have been extended into a third day, with U.S. officials saying discusssions so far have made little progress on easing tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, is hosting the talks at his residence in Santa Fe, the capital of the southwestern state of New Mexico, where he now is governor.