Imagine that: the AP wrote a little news story about Democratic candidate Bill Richardson, and the press actually picked it up.

"Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson thinks the race for his party's nomination will be all but over by the end of next January after the first four contests," the story began.

"I believe the first four states, with Iowa and New Hampshire being the top ones, will determine who the president is. I always felt that way," Richardson said Sunday in an interview as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Iowa. (What? Weren't Hillary or Obama available for an interview? Did John Edwards have some place better to be?)

"Richardson spoke over breakfast in downtown Des Moines at the end of a packed weekend that included a half-dozen house parties, meetings with party leaders and time with Iowa bloggers," the AP continued. "He said the small-group events are indicative of the type of campaign he will run."

Okay, nice to see some press coverage, but there was little substance to it. More exciting was David Brook's editorial in the NY Times:

"Then Bill Richardson walked onstage. He was dressed differently — in slacks and a sports jacket. He told jokes that didn’t seem repeated for the 5,000th time. He seemed recognizably human, unlike some of his overpolished peers. He gave the best presentation, by far.

"Then a heretical question entered my head: What if Richardson does this well at forums for the next 10 months? Is it possible to imagine him as a leading candidate for the nomination?

"When you think that way, it becomes absurdly easy to picture him rising toward the top."

Now we're talking! You can read the whole editorial - dare I call it an endorsement? - here.