Back in October, I highlighted my favorite fundraising thermometer ever — a GOP graphic that colored Ted Kennedy’s head pink:

Now, New Mexico governor and presidential candidate Bill Richardson is trading on his Hispanic ethnicity to raise cash with a chili pepper graphic:

As a friend asked, isn’t there something vaguely offensive about using a cultural stereotype to raise cash? It’s not far from a sombrero. And you can imagine the analogies for other ethnic groups provoking a far greater reaction.

Update 3/28 8:50 PM: Commenters and the Albuquerque Tribune’s Richardson blog respond that the chili pepper is actually a symbol of New Mexico — here’s what the Tribune blog wrote:

Actually, Brendan, it’s more a symbol of New Mexico than Hispanicness. Apparently you’re unaware that we not only have an official state question, but an official state answer.

Q: Red or green?
A: Christmas!

Fair enough…