Washington: Democrat Bill Richardson, took the first step toward a bid to become the first Hispanic President of the United States touting his experience as a Governor, a cabinet secretary and Ambassador of America at the United Nations.

The 59-year old governor of New Mexico announced his intentions yesterday through a video posted on his website and setting up an exploratory committee that will allow him to start raising the badly needed money for a Presidential campaign.

The entry of Richardson in the race for the Democratic Party nomination makes the 2008 race one of the most ever diverse group assembled--a woman candidate in Hillary Clinton, an African American in Senator Barack Obama and now a Hispanic in Richardson all aspiring to be the next Commander in Chief.

"What this country needs is bipartisanship and to bring back civility" in government. I've actually done what a lot of candidates give speeches on.

"As an underdog and governor of a small, Western state, I will not have the money that other candidates will have. However, I believe these serious times demand serious people, who have real-world experience in solving the challenges we face. I humbly believe I'm the best-equipped candidate to meet these challenges," he said.