Richardson takes step toward US presidential bid

WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) Democratic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced today he is taking the first step toward a longshot 2008 presidential bid. saying he has the experience needed to run the United States.

Richardson, 59, would be the first Hispanic president, but said on ABC's ''This Week'' that he planned a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination focused on a broad array of issues, not just those affecting the Latino community.

''I wouldn't run as a Hispanic candidate. I would run as an American proud to be Hispanic,'' Richardson said.

''I am seeking the nomination because I believe I can do the job,'' he said.

Richardson served as a member of the US House of Representatives and as United Nations ambassador and energy secretary under President Bill Clinton. He said that experience plus his his years as governor of New Mexico would serve the country well.

''The next president must be able to get us out of Iraq, must be able to restore America's international standing, the next president must be able to make us energy independent, must be able to make schools better, to create jobs ... to get that done you need real life experience,'' he told ABC.

Richardson was the latest in a string of Democrats announcing plans to form a presidential exploratory committee, which allows candidates to raise money and hire staff, and followed by one day a similar announcement by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Reuters LL DB2103