My Two for One Candidacy of Change and Experience

IRAQ

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have said that all the candidates have about the same position on Iraq. Well, that is just not true. I would pull all of our troops out as quickly as possible. I would not leave any combat troops behind. They all would leave troops behind indefinitely -- up to 75,000 by some estimates. That is a serious difference; American lives hang in the balance.

Over the past few days, General David Petraeus has stood up and clearly stated his position on the war to the American people. I respect him for doing so. He is doing the best he can to support the George Bush-Dick Cheney position on Iraq. The problem is that the position is disastrous. There is no longer a military solution to the debacle in Iraq. Numerous independent reports confirm the obvious: we are not making real strategic progress. Our troops are dying in the midst of a civil war. The Iraqis will not take the necessary steps toward political reconciliation until we make it clear that we are leaving their country for good.

Unlike General Petraeus, some of my opponents in the race for the Democratic nomination have been less forthcoming about their positions. At the ABC presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, I asked the other candidates point blank: How many troops would you leave behind? 25,000? 50,000? 75,000? For how long would you leave them?

I did not get an answer. I am still waiting -- and so are the American people. We got into this mess in Iraq because we did not pay enough attention. We did not scrutinize exactly what our leaders were telling us. Now is the time to debate these matters in detail, not after we have picked our nominee. I have laid out my plans explicitly. Unlike some in this race, you know where I stand. Our troops have performed magnificently, but they have become targets in a civil war. We must get all of our troops out and get them out now. I believe any plan short of this unnecessarily risks extending a tragic war. Only when all of our troops are out can the diplomatic work begin to reconcile the parties, rebuild the country, and stabilize the region.

I am the one candidate in this race with a straightforward plan to end this war and the international experience to make it happen.

EDUCATION

Education is the key to our country's future. It may not be a sexy topic, but it should be one of the top issues discussed in this presidential campaign. We can no longer turn our backs on the needs of our public schools and teachers. We must once and for all get rid of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In many urban areas of this nation, nearly half of the students don't graduate from high school on time. That is unacceptable in America! When I am president, we are going to bring real help to our public schools. Pay higher wages to teachers. Create math and science innovation academies so our kids can compete in the 21st century. As president, I will set a national goal- American students will be #1 in the world in math and science within 15 years.

President Bush promised to be the education president. That promise got about as far as his promise not to run an arrogant foreign policy. NCLB has been a failure because like everything else the Bush administration does, after the photo-ops, the policy got stuck in a drawer and forgotten about. Well, we cannot afford to forget about our children. Schools that are in trouble need help, not punishment. That is the basic problem with NCLB -- it hurts the schools that most need help. Few things motivate me more to serve as President of the United States than the opportunity to lead on the issue of education.

HEALTH CARE

The quality of life for your child should not depend on how much money you make. Health care is literally a life and death issue for large segments of our country. We have a moral obligation to act. My plan would guarantee affordable coverage for every American. The plan will achieve its goal without creating new levels of bureaucracy. Anyone can choose to keep his or her own coverage if so desired. For veterans, I will create a Heroes' Health Card to provide the care they need. We cannot afford to fail on health care -- we need a president with a record of getting things done. In New Mexico, I offered coverage for every child under the age of 12. My "Insure New Mexico" initiative expanded health insurance for working families. I increased the number of immunizations and doubled the number of school health clinics for children. Universal coverage is not merely a pipe dreamv -- I will implement it. I am the candidate with a record of results.

Comments

[emsique]

I am an early Richardson supporter, due to his vast experience and his no nonsense approach to Iraq. He has the best resume of ANY candidate of either party. Even though I had to roll my eyes when he made his gay is a choice comment, I will also repeat the quote from my favorite congressman, Barney Frank:

""Governor Bill Richardson's apology for the mistake he made in saying that
sexual orientation is a choice did not surprise me, because he has been a
strong supporter of our right to be treated fairly throughout his public career.
It is especially relevant that he voted consistently on our side from the
start of his Congressional career in the 1980s, when the issue of LGBT rights
had far less support even from Democrats that it has today.

.....his error in the pressure of a debate should not detract from
his very strong record in defense of equality for all Americans, including
those of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans gender."
I just donated to his campaign, as should anyone who wants the most qualified candidate and the one who will really get us out of Iraq and begin the long process of repairing our shredded relations abroad.

[CountryBeforeParty]

The MSM has dictated to the American people who are top candidates should be. With respect to Senators Clinton, Obama & Edwards, the most qualified candidates on the Democratic side are Misters Richardson, Kucinich, Dodd & Biden, and have the best plans.

Today Dennis Kucinich was on the Ed Shultz radio show for the entire three hours, and I learned more about him today than I have in years. "Big Ed" has opened this invitation to all of the candidates. I hope that the Governor will take advantage of this opportunity so that he can introduce himself to the rest of the country.

[dinger]

The Governor has a wonderful resume, but part of the job description includes the ability to move or inspire the electorate and I don't believe he has shown he's capable of that yet. His public appearances -- debates, talk show appearances, speeches, etc. have been lackluster at best.

[myname]

Governor, you seem to be a very decent individual and your resume is impressive. However, you don't have the aura of an effective leader that will excite people to get up and do the right things for the country.

I think you will do a tremendous service for the country if you endorse Barack Obama.

I wish you well.

Obama 08

[Ryter]

Aura? Our country is in shambles and our foreign relations are in the toilet and you're looking for an aura? This country has gotten the kind of leadership it deserves with this nonsense.

We need a leader with experience and who can facilitate the changes we require at this time. With all due respect, myname, you'd do a tremendous service to the Barack Obama campaign if you stayed out of political discussions with your aura.

[sparegranmere]

Governor, I'm one of your New Mexicans and very much wish you well in your campaign. I will hate to lose you as Governor, but surely would like to have you as President. My only concern is your educational emphasis on math and science only. It's also important for an informed citizenry to have knowledge of history and a little literature wouldn't hurt a thing either. The ignoramus we have now illustrates my point really well!

[InofTouch]

Policy speaks louder then words, remember that before you judge just on words alone.

[BDuPont]

You're a fine person, with a serious mind. But you're fighting an uphill battle. The battle is for the votes of tens of millions of mindless Americans who could care less what our country has become, and who follow whatever nonsense the mass media throws at them.

As for immigration, keep your position. It is obvious that immigration alone can raise the average IQ and industriousness of America. By the third generation, the decline in values is painfully obvious; fresh and willing minds and bodies are welcome.

[OSIRISZ]

Where do you stand on abortion? where do you stand on gay marriage? Immigration? I love how candidates make PROMISES but never follow through. They will say anything to get our vote.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

I think that you will find that he is for aborting gay immigrants. Does that answer your query?

[dfinLA]

Obviously the Governor was only allowed a certain amount of space/wordage to cover issues in this blog post. If you are truly interested in how he stands on the above, peruse the Issues pages of his website:
www.RichardsonforPresident.com/issues

He has some of the most thoroughly detailed plans out there, particularly on "Jobs & Economy" and esp. on "Energy" (which the Sierra Club called the "most aggressive" plan of any of the candidates as far as plans to get us off petroleum and reduce greenhouse gases.)

As a border Governor, he's the only candidate who has to deal with the hard realities of illegal immigration every day. His stance is firm but compassionate.

Like all the Dems, he is "Pro-Choice" when it comes to abortion. Like the mainstream candidates, he too won't say outright that he's for gay marriage, but he created it so New Mexico is one of the 6 states left without a "Defense of Marriage" act, so gay marriage is still on the table there!

[Think82]

notice Richardson did not talk ahbout BIDEN'S PLAN, which is the only one that can work:
some helpful links

IF you like wha tyou see and read, please donate to Biden's campaign!

www.planforiraq.com
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??g=96a55
7b0-0add-4­cd0-a538-d­01bafc7308­e&f=00&fg=­copy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ehzEgU-oVI

[crewzinny]

Dear Gov. Richardson:

I live in NY and supported you until you said that homosexuality is a choice. I have a few follow-up questions. As a gay white male, do you think I woke up one day and said..hmmm let me join a minority, since I can't change my skin color, I think I will become gay. Do you really think any white male would do tha knowing that more opportunities are available to them, just by being male and white?? But here is my real question...If homosexuality is a choice then all people were faced with the choice of being gay or straight...when did you choose to be straight?? Was your choice made after trying both sides of the aisle?

Get real Gov. I did not make a choice!!!

[belikejeanvaljean]

Here is a clarifying statement from Bill Richardson about that comment: http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0219

Richardson doesn't deny people are born homosexuals, but was tired when he heard the question and answered it thinking that he was stating that people have a right to choose to live what they were born as.

Also click on the "Issues" tab at the top and take a look at the LGBT section.

[crewzinny]

Thank you and I am re-thinking my position...however, one last question...If there is a gene for homosexuality and a company could produce a vaccine to prevent that gene from exhibition through gene therapy, while in utero, would he support a public health law akin to vaccines like polio, etc...

[Ryter]

The problem with our presence in Iraq will not end with simple withdrawal. We need an experienced and diplomatic hand to heal the harm this administration has done worldwide. Governor Richardson is presenting himself as such a person, with a level head, capable of critical and forward thinking. He will unite rather than destroy us through division. Our obligation will not end with bringing our troops home. Governor Richardson, once again, is the only candidate with a clearly stated plan to help the troops once they are home. After the mess created by Bush, Cheney, Rove, Inc. we need a master planner, an intelligent diplomat, and an honest man. A man who is busy writing out his agenda as president, rather than being distracted by high-powered fund raising. God Bless America is we dare to elect anyone else.

[dansac]

Governor, I think you are a great American. I think you are a brilliant man with an incredibly impressive resume and important ideas.

Respectfully, however, your campaign performance has been somewhat clumsy. Whether on Meet the Press, the Logo forum, or the debates, you have yet to give the type of smooth Presidential performance we'll need from our candidate in a general election.

I know it sounds shallow to focus on style over substance, but style matters terribly in a general election. We need both the substance and the style. You certainly have the former, but you have to improve on the latter in order to earn my vote.

[jcc173]

Its not shallow, you are in the 90th percentile as far as Americans go. Shallow is in. Isn't that the way Bush got elected?

[bdl0715]

I like most of Governor Richardson's ideas, and think he is the most experienced candidate.

[Incredibledaze]

Look from your "gay is a choice" to your "Iowa is God's Chosen Race for first", you are making misstatements no far out of first place candidate can afford to make. Ego aside, don't you think America would be better with a stronger Democratic Senate with you replacing Domenci. Your simple mistakes would never be noticed next in a debate with a man who shows up in his pajamas.

[Dantheman99]

Replace Domenici is an excellent alternative for Gov. Richardson to consider.

He'd be great in the job, and his chances of being either the Pres or VP nominee have now imploded with these gaffes.

[xenofile]

I support your candidacy, Governor. Of all the candidates, I believe that only you and Rep. Kucinich have the will and desire to get us the f. out of Iraq.

But good intentions aside, I don't really believe that ANY candidate will actually be able to extricate us, given the entrenched corporate oligarchy that seems to control Washington. What is the plan to defeat (or at least derail) the corporate machine? What assurance can you give us that you CAN actually DO what you say you WANT to?