Hi there, whoever's reading this.  As you'll notice, there's no Richardson Blog Round Up with my username as the author today.  That's because from now on, I'll be publishing the Round Ups under the official campaign username, Bill Richardson for President.

So please continue to follow the Round Ups.  Today's is right here.  And thank you for reading!

(also, sorry this is so short, I imagine this doesn't really qualify as a normal diary, but I wanted to make sure all followers of the daily Richardson Blog Round Up could continue to read it!)

Have a good weekend!

In less than an hour, the first ever presidential candidates forum held on Indian land will begin. According to USA Today's On Politics blog, the Prez on the Rez forum will be taking place at 3:30 PM PDT (6:30 PM EDT) on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' reservation in Southern California. At the forum will be Native American elected tribal leaders from all around the country. All Democratic candidates were invited to participate in this historic forum, but only three will be showing up to talk about the issues most important to Native American communities everywhere. New Mexico political blogger Heath Haussamen wondered why the rest of the Democratic field "couldn't make time for the first Americans, those who have been stepped on by their government for so long?" He isn't the only one asking this question.

Governor Richardson spent last night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was the first presidential candidate of this campaign season to visit the Cowboy State. New West's Jackson Hole editor Gil Brady covered Governor Richardson's trip. Brady reported that the governor was asked why Wyoming voters should consider "him and his clean, alternative energy proposals" given the economic importance of fossil fuels in the state. Governor Richardson replied that he believes Wyoming, like New Mexico, has great potential to transition to wind power as a significant energy source:

The candidate added he was worried about greenhouse gas emissions "threatening Yellowstone's eco-system," encouraging Wyoming to convert its gangbusters coal production to cleaner methods. He also said the United States and Wyoming had to strike a balance between fossil fuels and clean energy to remain competitive with Japan.

The governor is having a lot of success with his efforts to reach out to voters and caucus-goers all over the West.

Last week, Governor Richardson made a six-day trip to meet with caucus-goers all around Iowa before his winning performance at the ABC News Democratic Candidates' Debate on Sunday morning. He visited communities all over the state, holding Job Interviews, unveiling his policy platform for jobs and the economy, and spending a day at the Iowa State Fair. On Friday, the governor talked about his plans for his first six days as President in Oskaloosa, Iowa, home of William Penn University. For The Oskaloosa Herald, Duane Nollen covered the event:

If Democrat Bill Richardson is elected president, he will have a busy first six days in office.

Richardson told a crowd of about 80 people in Smokey Row Friday afternoon his plans for the top six priorities of his first days in office. Richardson stopped in Oskaloosa as part of a campaign swing through the state before the Democratic debate in Des Moines Sunday.

"I represent change and I have the most experience," Richardson said. He said the country needs a candidate with a proven record on foreign policy and who has managerial experience as a governor of a state...

Audience members had a favorable reaction to Richardson's speech. "I agree with a lot of the things Bill says," said Bruce Bobrtje, of Pella. He said this is the second time that he has seen Richardson speak. The big thing for Bobrtje is that Richardson is the only Democrat to advocate a complete troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Governor Richardson truly shined at yesterday's ABC News debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The governor's debate performance has drawn praise from all over the Internet. He "led the debate" on Iraq, he "adroitly handled the issues" and "rose to the occasion and to the presidential level." He was "strong on education," "assertive," "endearing," and "fiestier" than ever before. At Liberal Values blog, Ron Chusid wrote "if anyone can be declared the winner it would be Richardson." More on the governor's excellent debate performance in a minute, but first, a look at some other discussions going on.

Following up on Fredreka Schouten's front page story in USA Today this morning, Mark Memmott wrote about where and whom canidates are receiving contributions from:

OpenSecrets.org... has a new online tools for judging just how open the candidates are being about who is giving them money.

Memmott wrote that Governor Richardson scored the highest on OpenSecrets.org's "disclosure meters" out of all presidential candidates from both major parties. You can look at his score (95.8%) and more details about his "disclosure meter" rating here.

In Cedar Rapids today, Governor Richardson delivered a major policy address about the economy and jobs. At MSNBC's First Read, Mark Murray commented on the appropriate timing of the speech, considering the country's current economic climate:

When does the economy start getting more traction in the presidential race? Yesterday, per CNBC, the Dow was down for a fifth-straight day; over that five-day period, it's been down 5.8% -- the market's biggest percentage drop since January 2003. Moreover, the S&P was down 91 points over this five-day stretch, the biggest point decline since July 2002. Timed to these stock market woes, Richardson today unveils his jobs and economic plan, which includes measures promoting fiscal responsibility (calling for a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget, slashing corporate welfare, rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest), spurring investment in technology and innovation, and investing in the American workforce (tax credits for employers who create good jobs).

Governor Richardson is in Iowa today on Day 2 of his six-day trip around the state. He spent yesterday at the Iowa State Fair before delivering the keynote address to the Wells Fargo Heritage of Latino Americans (HOLA) Leadership Conference in West Des Moines. Meanwhile, the governor has two new ads running in Iowa focused on Governor Richardson's economic policies and record of effective job creation efforts. The Channel '08 Ad Watch at WashingtonPost.com described and posted video of both new ads:

The first ad, called "Focused," is similar to the biographical ads produced in the past. It talks up New Mexico's economic rebound.

"Candidates" continues the "Job Interview" ad series featuring some office workers shuffling through resumes of potential job candidates who are applying to be president. Richardson appears at the end of the ad.

These new ads, touting the governor's economic policies, come two days before he unveils a jobs and economic development plan in Iowa.

Click here for more information about the two new ads, and click here to watch the ads.

The governor had a great time at the Iowa State Fair yesterday, and so did the Iowans who met him and heard him speak. Jason Clayworth covered the governor's State Fair speeches for the Des Moines Register:

Richardson's passion shines at the Fair

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, was the second speaker Tuesday during The Des Moines Register's Soapbox for presidential candidate appearances at the Iowa State Fair. Richardson called for an end to the war in Iraq and urged a $40,000 a year minimum wage for teachers...

Richardson in recent months has run an aggressive television advertising campaign, accompanied by frequent Iowa visits. A Washington Post/ABC News poll released this month showed he had 11 percent of support among likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers...

Richardson stressed his environmental plan and energy plans, which call for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040, telling the crowd: "We need an energy revolution; we have to shift from fossil fuels to solar to wind, to biomass, to biofuels, biodiesel." ...

In addition to ending the war and improving energy options and the environment, Richardson advocated for a "hero's health card" for all military veterans that would allow them to receive medical care at virtually any hospital in the nation. He also stressed that a Richardson presidential administration would closely follow the Constitution. "I want you to know, I would say to my vice president, 'You are a member of the executive branch,' and I'm going to say to Dick Cheney, 'You're out of a job. Leave town and go hunting.'"

To watch Governor Richardson at the Des Moines Register's Iowa State Fair Soapbox, click here.