I have never been very involved in politics. Sure, I've voted in the past three presidential elections and some state races in between, but never in the primaries.

A month or so ago, after a long exhausting day at work, I fell asleep in my chair in front of the TV and woke in the middle of the night to an interview with Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico discussing his bid for the Presidency. He was discussing the need to cut our dependence on foreign oil and combat climate change, issues which are important to me, so I began to listen.

Bill's message and demeanor that night were something different then I had ever heard from a politician in the past. He addressed important issues and articulated specific solutions. He discussed filling his cabinet with qualified individuals from all parties and his ability to elicit bipartisan support to end the gridlock in Washington. He discussed a tough but fair path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Issue after issue, everything he said resonated with me.

More than the things he was saying, I was increasingly impressed with his down to Earth, humble manner. Before me was a man who could bridge the gap between the world that I live in and the aloof, inaccessible world of Washington politics. I vowed to find out more about him.

Several days later I found the RichardsonForPresident.com web site and began my study in depth. I read biographical information, position papers, and blog posts. I watched video after video. The more I learned, the clearer it became that this was a man who we desperately needed to take the helm in Washington.

I began quietly at first, printing articles from the web site and getting my family to read them. I talked about Bill with a passion that got the attention of my family, friends and co-workers. I began to wonder what more I could do to get the word out.

Enter the Iowa caucuses. 2% - ouch. Not a good showing, but it earned Bill a top four position and guaranteed him a seat at the New Hampshire debates. I began to notice that his name barely came up in the media coverage.

Next came the New Hampshire debates. Wow - what a strong showing. He nailed it! Yet again, he was ignored by the media even in the after-analysis (except for the obligatory report from the "Spin Room").

I saw my opportunity to start doing something to advance Bill's campaign. I vowed to start hammering every major media outlet with emails encouraging fair coverage, and encouraged others to do the same.

In hind sight, it was too little, too late. The following day, the New Hampshire primaries made it clear to me that sensationalism was far more important in this race than selecting the most qualified candidate.

When Bill withdrew from the race, it felt like a gut-punch. I do not question his decision; I'm sure he would have been willing to push on, but the harsh reality of campaign financing made it impossible. I felt (and still feel) much like I did last year when I lost a friend who was cut down by a heart attack when he was only 40. The finality of it, and the sense of losing all the possibility of what was ahead, is hard to bear.

I was just ramping up to be become as active as I could, and now it is over. I feel bad that I never got to contribute. We are just recovering from some unexpected medical expenses, and I was planning on making my first contribution next week. I feel bad that I only got less than 20 emails out to the media. I feel bad that I started too late to make a difference. I can't shake the feeling that if each of us might have done a little more, it might have been different.

Bill did make a difference in the campaign. As he pointed out in his withdrawal speech, he set forth ideas that shaped agendas for the other candidates and provided a moderating influence which shaped the dynamic of the Democratic campaign. If you want to really see the difference, look at the Republican New Hampshire debates compared to the Democratic. The republicans looked like a day time talk show on dysfunctional families. The Democrats listened thoughtfully to each other, and when they started to get a little wound up, Bill called them on it. In spite of their differences and competition, I sensed a unity of purpose which was completely lacking on the Republican side.

Most importantly, Bill made a difference in my life. I am 41 years old, and I have never had a "hero". There have for sure been people who have impressed me, like Stephen Covey or Robert Kiyosake, enough to affect change in my life. But it has never been to the level of considering them a hero. I am proud to say today that Bill Richardson is my hero. I will look to him for example and inspiration. I will continue to follow his career and accomplishments with intense interest, and I hope to see him back in 2012. If he is, he can count on my full support early in the game.

I leave you with this quote by Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing." Because of the life and work of Bill Richardson, much evil in this world has not succeeded.