I just had the chance to sit down with Governor Bill Richardson as he did a press conference before he took off on a day where he will hit multiple states with a single message.
"I will end this war and get our troops out."
It's a message that, having been in NH at the debate last night, seems like it might be getting across. In fact, the Governor himself thinks that last night was his strongest performance to date because he was more successful in bringing the Iraq issue on the stage and bringing the differences between himself and Senators Clinton and Obama front and center.
At one point he commented that conceivably both of those candidates could have troops in Iraq 9 years from now, which makes no sense to him, and frankly, no sense to me.
In fact, everyone else's positions on Iraq aren't making much sense at all to me and seem to be a continuation of the failures of DC. John Kerry famously said in 1972 "Where are our leaders?" I was wondering the same thing last night.
I think all three are having trouble with basic communication on this very basic core issue. Our troops are targets, they are dying and their presence is making the situation worse not better. Add to that a litany of problems with our military being stretched thin. Sometimes the answer is clear and simple, even when the situation is not.
We have seen, last fall, the danger of thinking that our elected officials will do what we hope they will when we elect them. We better hold their feet to the fire.
I agree with my friends Chris Bowers and Matt Stoller - we need answers on Iraq. Clear, concise, CLEAR positions.
Bill Richardson has a web site, www.getourtroopsout.com
Bill Richardson says that his fundraising is strong, and respectable and improving, especially on the web. He believes he is actually within striking distance of Senator Clinton in Iowa.
Bill Richardson clearly believes in his mission, and his strategy.
The next four months will go by fast. By January, will the other candidates be where Richardson is today? Or will he still be standing alone with a very simple message.
Get our troops out.