Do people really think a Governor of California or a front-running presidential candidate isn't a "moderately-successful politician?" That seems weird.
Update: Less weirdly, Brian reports on Richardson's energy plan, which sounds quite good. He's right, too, about the dynamics of energy plans in the race. "First there was Edwards' plan, then Dodd's, and now Richardson's, all asymptotically approaching the strength of Al Gore's proposal." And that's why Al Gore won't run, and why his not running is probably the best possible thing he can do for his issue.