“Reno 911” co-star to host rally for Richardson

Actor and comedian Carlos Alazraqui, who plays Deputy James Garcia on the hit Comedy Central show “Reno 911,” will take part in three events for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaign in Las Vegas tomorrow.  Ahead of his campaign swing, Alazraqui spoke candidly with PolitickerNV.com about politics, race, entertainers’ propensity toward liberalism and, of course, Bill Richardson.

 Why are you supporting Gov. Richardson for president? 

My dad first mentioned him to me.  My dad lives in El Paso and I’ve always respected his integrity.  We exchange political e-mails a lot, especially things concerning Iraq and international relations.  He first turned me on, although I don’t know the specifics, to Bill Richardson’s qualifications, especially in the international arena.  Having brokered deals, I think, with the Kyoto Conference and in Korea, speaking with those leaders and going to the Middle East, I think he has the experience that is definitely necessary in this world and national climate.  That’s obviously something that is lacking with the current administration.  He seems to have enough independent spirit, he seems to have enough Kucinich in him that he’s not bought by the corporate interests like someone like a Clinton or a John Edwards.  And having watched him speak, he seems to be a pretty real person.  I think it’s important for somebody who has a minority background, but also for somebody who has also assimilated to not be too far removed or worried about being less ethnic than he needs to be.  Bill Richardson is just Bill Richardson.  He’s a Mexican-American born person who has subscribed to the political arena of America and who has represented both cultures, I think you can argue, both cultures very well.  That’s especially important with the climate of the American population changing.  It’s a heterogeneous society now with lots of minorities growing and I think someone like him is best-qualified to lead this new wave of people and this new wave of world politics.  In a nutshell.

 Have you endorsed a political candidate before? 

I never have.  My friend Jeff Valdez’ wife, Anna is very passionate about it and asked me to get involved.  Last election I did some karaoke events for John Kerry.  I felt at that time that we needed to oust the administration and I was right.  It’s gotten worse.  So, this year I decided to do it again.  There are so many issues that make it so important to back a man like Bill Richardson and/or at the very least, if he doesn’t get the nod, hopefully we’ll see him as part of a cabinet with the Democratic Party.  I think our current past is not a good one.

 “Reno 911” is highly popular in Reno and most of Nevada.  Do you think the show’s popularity will aid Gov. Richardson’s campaign in the state? 

Sure.  I’m not Barbara Streisand or Ben Affleck or Steven Spielberg, but hey, I’m on a small, mighty cable station that’s owned by Viacom.  So yeah, why not?  It can’t hurt.  My theory’s always been that a great deal of actors and musicians that people like are pretty Democratic and lean towards the liberal side, which I believe makes them the most creative people on the planet.  If you think about Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, most rhythm and blues, I think you could probably argue that most of those people were left-leaning and creative people.  I want to be part of that.  I think that it’s important.  I think that’s why celebrities get behind candidates, because they know that people like what they do and hopefully they’ll like the way they think.

 Is this the beginning of more political activism from you? 

You know, maybe.  It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the situations that are happening in the world.  Especially today with the man walking into the Clinton campaign in New Hampshire and holding hostages.  So yeah, as the population grows and the resources of the world become more limited, I think it’s going to be important for everybody to become more active.  The things that uniquely hit home are obviously hitting home.