Owner: RichardsonForAmerica: The Blog URL:http://richardsonforamerica.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 10:41:16 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Do you think the most qualified candidate should run for president? If so, you should learn more about New Mexico governor Bill Richardson's run for the White House in 2008. This blog provides the latest news and views about Richardson's quest. Site statistics:Click here
Richardson targets small town Nevada 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This article in the Tribune breaks down BR's strategy as "To get taken seriously, take Nevada
. To take it, work the small towns and talk common sense." There aren't all that many Democrats there, so he can use his charm and intelligence to wow them while other candidates concentrate on Iowa and NH. I consider Richardson
to be a VERY good campaigner...it's one of his key strengths. But whatever strategy he uses, he'll go at it whole hog, 12 hrs. a day. Might be kind of fun to watch. - Marc Coan By KATE NASH Albuquerque Tribune This is where it starts for presidential candidate Bill Richardson: a dim, red velour ballroom in the basement of the Carson Valley Inn Casino, with a plywood gray donkey and a pile of yellow "Nevada for Richardson" buttons. Minden, with a population of about 3,000, isn't Washington. It's not even Des Moines, Iowa. But this small town and others like it across this state are critical if the New Mexico governor's bid for president is Read more:targets
More proof BR is the most qualified 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Is there any doubt that BR is the most qualified to be president of any of the candidates, GOP or Dem? I don't think so. The question is: Is that enough to WIN? ------------------------------------------------------- Governor's campaign built on diplomacy By NEDRA PICKLER | Associated Press KHARTOUM, Sudan -- It's been said that Bill Richardson would negotiate with the devil. And by some definitions, he has -- several times. New Mexico's Democratic governor has bartered with some of the most notorious rulers of modern times: Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Yugoslavia's Slobodan Milosevic, Cuba's Fidel Castro, Kenya's Daniel Arap Moi, Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, Nigeria's Sani Abacha and most recently, Sudan's Omar al-Bashir. Richardson has compared himself to Red Adair, renowned for his ability to put out erupting oil well fires. He has done this work on his own ambition as an influential U.S. citizen, but usually without an official imprimatur from [con
ABQJournal.com: Interview with BR 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Written by ABQjournal Sunday, 21 January 2007 Journal politics writer Jeff Jones sat down with Gov. Bill Richardson for an interview about his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. The following are verbatim excerpts from Richardson's comments during that interview. Richardson: Let me give you some New Mexico (details). No. 1, our headquarters will be in New Mexico -- they're not going to be in Washington. They'll be mainly in Albuquerque, and we'll have a small office in Santa Fe basically for me and for Dave Contarino, who's going to run the campaign. One big message I want to convey ... I'm not going to have a formal announcement until after the session. The rollout of travel to primary states will be after the session. I'll do some now, but most of the fundraising and travel will come after the legislative session ends. My priority is the session à getting my agenda passed. And this has slowed down our efforts a bit, but I feel that New Mexico, those wh
BR's Iraq position: Reasonable, built on negotiating 1970-01-01 00:59:59 You've just GOT to like Richardson's "get the heck out" strategy for Iraq
(see it below). The key is NEGOTIATION (ever heard of it, GWB?). He says, "we'll talk to everyone." What, you mean we won't just shove our foreign policy down everyone else's throats? How positively refreshing.See, his foreign policy and negotiating
experience is a key to what Richardson brings to the table that none of the other candidates can offer...and that's HUGE when our international standing is in shambles. Read more:position
, Reasonable
FreeNewMexican.com: Richardson's man in New Hampshire 1970-01-01 00:59:59 By WENDY BROWN | The New Mexican January 28, 2007 Ex-S.F. lobbyist Maki says he'll do 'everything that's needed' to deliver state to governor NEW IPSWICH, N.H. -- When you're running for president, it helps to have friends in New Hampshire
, home of the first-in-the-nation primary. And Gov. Bill Richardson
has exactly that in Butch Maki, his former top congressional aide and a well-known Santa Fe lobbyist. Last February, Maki bought a house in his family's hometown of New Ipswich, N.H., a tiny town of about 5,000 people roughly halfway between Nashua and Keene, two of the state's larger cities. Presidential primary campaigns get under way about a year in advance here -- if not sooner. Richardson spoke at a graduation ceremony at the University of New Hampshire
at Manchester, a small offshoot of the state's flagship university, in May 2004, though a spokesman denied at the time that it had anything to do with a presidential bid. Since setting up shop in New Hampshi
Don't be so quick to discount Bill Richardson! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 What is it that makes folks automatically discount Bill because of low name recognition and early poll results? Each presidential election, we have to learn this lesson all over again: Polls are meaningless early in a campaign.Who'd heard of Howard Dean in January 2003? NO ONE! But, through grassroots and online grassroots work (led by Joe Trippi, who I consider a freakin' expert), he built a major campaign through the summer. By the fall of 2003, the press was all "a-twitter" about Dean. He snuck up on the pundits. As the article about BR's man in NH says below, the trick now is to "prove it" with raising $15-20M in the next few months. That will prove he's a "serious" candidate, and clockin' lotsa dollas is the best (only?) way to do that.But, once's he's on "the trail," in NH and Iowa and Nevada, shaking hands will count for a lot. And no one's better at that than BR. Read more:Richardson
A non-governor? Just not worth the risk! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I starting supporting Dean in March, 2003 for many of the same reasons I support Bill: A moderate governor with a good resume full of examples of bringing people together. Let's review: Experience as a governor has been required to win the presidency since 1960. The electorate has spoken repeatedly that it prefers ex-governors for presidents. Can we really risk another defeat by breaking a 48-year-old proven formula by nominating yet another senator? I say it's not worth the risk! [And to add to the risk, nominating a woman? One with significant baggage who a fair percentage of the populace doesn't like? Or a freshman senator with a "most liberal" rating? Or an ex-freshman senator who was part of the previous losing ticket and has been out of the public eye since? Puh-leez...are you freakin' CRAZY? It's not worth the risk!]Of course, I made these same arguments in 2003-2004. Then the Democratic Party Machine nominated yet another northeastern liberal senator and therefore got beat
LA Times Blog: Bill Richardson, Iraq withdrawl, and the Cambodia factor 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The affable New Mexico governor and second-tier (so far) Democratic presidential hopeful stopped by our Editorial Board Wednesday for an on-the-record chat with both Ed Board members and some news-side reporters. Early on, he mentioned he was going to get U.S. troops out of Iraq
. How are you going to get us out of Iraq? This is what I would do. It's clear, but it'll take a little while. 1) I would get us out of Iraq this calendar year. Without fail. When, I would let our military people decide that. But I would set a deadline determined by our military. Number two, I would at the same time put it to the Maliki government that you've got to do three things: 1) You've got to convene a reconciliation conference of the three ethnic groups -- the Shia, the Sunni, Kurds -- and you develop a power transition of cabinet ministries, civil administration, and you use the leverage of a withdrawl
to achieve that. I would then convene a Persian Gulf Middle East peace conference that wo Read more:Richardson
, Times
, Cambodia
, factor
, Bill Richardson
Ouch! That's gotta hurt.... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This is what I have predicted might happen: That some big-time fundraisers will find Hillary a bit too unlikely to win, so they back the most qualified candidate. And I believe we'll hear more about this sort of thing in the months ahead. BR is a workaholic, master fundraiser, and he knows "everyone that's anyone" in the party... the pundits and bloggers who don't realize that now are going to be very surprised (and look a little foolish) later.------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clinton Camp Hasn't Written Off Fundraising Couple Who Helped Competitor By Chris Cillizza And Shailagh Murray The Washington PostSunday, February 4, 2007; Page A02 The life of a big-dollar Democratic donor isn't always easy. In between attending lavish parties and being wined and dined by various luminaries, sometimes you have to make tough choices. Take Beth and Ron Dozoretz. The power couple are longtime heavyweights in national Democratic mone
A peek at BR's management style 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Hmmmm. In some ways, this sounds more George W. Bush than Bill Clinton. But, from a true managerial perspective, it's a better way to run a large organization: delegate, listen, make decision.---------------------------------------------------------------------From the ABQJournal.com profile below: A change of culture The [Energy] department's staff had to adjust to a new style— inclusive and extremely busy. Kenderdine said she loaded Peña up with thick briefing books when he left the office in the evening, and he would have read them by the next morning. "Bill, you'd give him something more than a page and he'd shoot you," she said. "He's not a detail-oriented person. He relies on his staff for that." Many in the department loved the new order, in which they were given broad mandates and then allowed the freedom to work out the details. "He wanted to hear from the people who were running the programs, doing the jobs," Falle said. "He wanted to hear
Richardson #2 In Web Poll 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Online straw poll of 5,560 on PajamasMedia.com, ["The best in global blogging, podcasts and opinion"] shows Obama with 30.5% and Richardson
with 29% and all others far behind.http://pajamasmedia.com/strawpoll2008/results.phpAnyone know anything about PJMedia?
Richardson to Congress: REALLY end the Iraq war instead of debating a do-nothing measure 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Yeah, Bill, it's easy to poke fun at Congress
when you're not there. Heck, the Senate has been debating how to have a debate for the past several days.But, still, you gotta like his idea about negotiating with the 3 main Iraq
groups. I'll see if I can dig up a link for this speech. -- MC---------------------------------------------------------------CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson
told an audience in New Hampshire on Friday that he wishes Congress would spend time working on a resolution to bring a real end to the Iraq war instead of debating a measure that will have no real effect.The Democratic presidential hopeful, former congressman and UN ambassador says the non-binding resolution condemning a troop escalation in Iraq is a political play.He says he'd rather see Congress de-authorize the war.He'd like to couple that with U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to negotiate with Iraq's three main ethnic groups.Negotiations would set territorial boundaries and divide power with Read more:REALLY
Richardson raises $2 Mil in 3 hours... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
raised at least $2 million for his presidential campaign Thursday night, a tally that puts him in good standing in the race for the Democratic nomination.Almost 1,000 people attended the event at a New Mexico resort, Amanda Cooper, Richardson's deputy campaign manager, said Friday. Individual contributors gave $2,300 - the maximum individual donation allowed under federal law for the primary election - and became "Friends of Bill." For $1,000, donors were dubbed "Supporters of Bill.""We had a key group of 50 to 60 people committed to raising $25,000 each," said Cooper, who added that the campaign received some bundled checks with $25 contributions.A former U.N. ambassador, Energy Department secretary and congressman, Richardson has an impressive resume, but faces tough odds against better-known candidates such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, and John Edwards.As a second-term governor of a small state, Richardson does not have the natio
BR supports the death penalty? Eeewww... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Okay, here's a BR position that I don't agree with: He supports the death
penalty. "He's willing to listen to the proponents, but he still supports preserving capital punishment for the most heinous crimes," an aide, who asked not to be identified, said Tuesday. " Strange for a Catholic. But, frankly, a pretty substantial majority of Americans continue to support a death penalty, so, while this could hurt him with liberal Democrats, it doesn't hurt his chances for prez. Plus, it further establishes him as a moderate, which, with the polarization of the Republic, is what we need now. - MC
Richardson, U.N. leader discuss Darfur strategies 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Edith M. LedererAssociated PressThursday, February 8, 2007UNITED NATIONS — Gov. Bill Richardson
, a former U.N. ambassador and current Democratic presidential candidate, returned to the United Nations to meet the new U.N. secretary-general and call for increased international pressure on Sudan's president to end the conflict in Darfur
.In the half-hour meeting Wednesday, Richardson and Ban Ki-Moon each talked about their recent discuss
ions with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir.Richardson in January got three rebel groups to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, though one reneged the next day.Richardson strongly backed the secretary-general's appointment of a special envoy to try to get all rebel groups to return to talks and sign a peace deal and the creation of a "hybrid" African Union-United Nations force to help end the four-year conflict in Darfur."The first message is, I believe, the United Nations, and the special envoy is the most important entity in bringing peace to Darfur and easing
AbqTrib.com Interview with BR 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Here's another interesting one-on-one with Bill Richardson. I'm impressed with his ability to answer questions head-on. His answers are clear. The best question? Does he use the state jet on his presidential campaign.... - MC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Richardson: The Tribune interview By Kate Nash , Kate Nelson Tuesday, February 6, 2007 Tribune: Tell us what you consider the three most important issues facing the nation. Bill Richardson: First, energy security and national security. The issue of energy independence, how can we wean ourselves from the 65 (percent) imported oil statistic to become a country that is not so dependent on fossil fuels and shifts to renewable technologies. Number two, how can we regain our standing in the world as a country. As part of that, how do we get out of Iraq in an efficient and honorable way. Third, the state of our education system. Our schools need to become more competitive.
Bill Richardson supports medical marijauna 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I'm glad to see BR continues to support medical
marijauna. I think that doing so shows compassion. MM has been approved in enough states, and rates pretty highly in polls, that it won't affect BR's chances at getting elected Prez. If anything, maybe it will help him stand out from the crowd. -- MC-----------------------------------------------------------------From the Santa Fe New Mexican, Feb. 8, 2007:"[New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
's office] spokesman Gilbert Gallegos e-mailed [reporter Steve Terrell] saying, "The Governor continues to support a medical marijuana bill with property safeguards, and he will work to get it passed."Then on Wednesday, the Governor's Office sent out a news release quoting Richardson saying, "I will work with legislators to get it passed this session to provide this option for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases."This quickly was followed by e-mails from advocates."We are grateful that the governor continues to support the bi Read more:Bill Richardson
Richardson says U.S. must cut nuclear weapons as part of global leadership 1970-01-01 00:59:59 What BR is calling for below is LEADERSHIP, which we have not had for the past 6 years. His comments below are logical and well thought-out. Very refreshing. Some of his proposals are pretty drastic; it will be fun to see other candidates' reactions. Now, if he can raise $25M this year.... - MC -------------------------------------------------------------------------- By NEDRA PICKLER | Associated PressFebruary 8, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson
said Thursday the United States must lead the way on global struggles by reducing its nuclear weapons, closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and dramatically cutting energy use.In the first foreign policy address of his nascent candidacy, Richardson indicated he would reverse many Bush administration policies [continued here]
Richardson would close Gitmo on his 2nd day in office 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Well, BR is certainly telling New Hampshire Dems what they want to here. Here is a portion of the story from the 12/18/07 edition of theConcord Union-Leader. Very interesting! - MC-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson
said yesterday he would shut down Guantanamo Bay detention camp for suspected terrorists on his second day in office
. "The first day I would get us out of Iraq," the New Mexico governor said, adding he would also close Abu Ghraib prison where Iraqi prisoners were tortured. Abu Ghraib is "one of the reasons this country has so many problems in the Muslim world." In Concord at the IBEW hall, Richardson joked about his low profile compared to other Democratic hopefuls, but seriously called for all Democratic candidates to pledge not to attack each other. He touted his experience both in foreign policy and at home as governor. Speaking of the current administration's foreign poli Read more:close Gitmo
FreeNewMexican.com: It's Nevada or nada 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This article basically says Richardson takes Nevada
or he doesn't stand a chance. Fortunately, he appears to be well ahead there. That makes sense because of his so-called Western Credentials. One interesting fact discussed in the article: Nevada has a 25% Hispanic population, who vote Dem but rarely vote. If the Richardson campaign could get them involved (and no one can do that if he can't), that could really help. I hope they have some plans in that regard! - MC------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Steve Terrell | The New MexicanFebruary 20, 2007When Gov. Bill Richardson goes to Carson City, Nev., this week for the first Democratic presidential forum, he'll be going to an early primary state where his campaign rhetoric of "Western values" might resonate with voters.In fact, many say it's the early primary state in which Richardson's message on Western issues like water, environment, federal land, immigration and gun rights wil
Richardson scores electric car factory for New Mexico 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I am REALLY impressed with Bill Richardson
's announcement that he and Albuquerque Mayor Chavez snagged the Tesla electric car factory and its 400 jobs for Albq.! That's just huge. In a time of declining manufacturing in most places, we're adding factory jobs in New Mexico
! And Bill Richardson deserves some of the credit...he has been tireless in working on offering attractive packages for industry to locate or stay here. Eclipse Aviation, maker of the first Very Light Jet, now employs 1,000, with more on the way. In addition, Utilicraft is going to start building their "overnight express freight feeder" aircraft in Albq. next year.I see Richardson as being able to point to all of this during the campaign...how many jobs has Clinton, Obama, or Edwards brought to their states? Hmmmmm- MCDetails on Tesla Motors factory announcement here Read more:scores
, New Mexico
Bill Richardson: "I've got to do well (in Nevada)" 1970-01-01 00:59:59 By Steve Terrell | The New MexicanFebruary 22, 2007 CARSON CITY, Nev. -- He didn't seem to get as much applause as two of the frontrunners for the Democratic presidential nomination, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. And he didn't get as many laughs as former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska.But New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
got a good reaction from a union audience Wednesday at the first presidential candidate forum of the early starting 2008 election cycle.Richardson, who is working to break out of the second tier of Democratic candidates, perhaps was under more pressure to connect with Nevada
Democrats than the other candidates. As a governor of a nearby Western state, he has to make a strong showing in next January's Nevada caucus to be considered a serious contender."I've got to do well (in Nevada)," Richardson told a room full of reporters immediately after his appearance at the forum, which was shown live on cable Read more:Bill Richardson
Richardson "deserves better look than he's getting" 1970-01-01 00:59:59 By John L. SmithLas Vegas Review-Journal Feb. 21, 2007 He's the dynamic son of parents from different ethnic backgrounds. If successful, his long-shot campaign for president would be historic by placing the first minority in the nation's highest office. So why aren't more people buzzing about the candidacy of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
? While the press continues to gush and enthuse at Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, recently sinking to the laughable low of pondering whether he was "black enough" to win black voters, Richardson's candidacy bumps along in comparative obscurity. On the upside, to date I know of no sober political pundit who has wondered aloud whether Richardson is "Hispanic enough." For the record, he is the son of a Mexican mother and Anglo father. (His just-published autobiography is titled "Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life.") Not that the major media are penning journalistic sonnets about him. Although the Neva Read more:better
Richardson: "I would have a cabinet department for Native American affairs" 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Man, the news out of the Richardson
campaign is just flying...hard to keep up here with it all. Today, Indian Country Today published an interview with BR in which he said he'd elevate Native
affairs to the level of a full department (equal to Energy, Education, Interior, Defense, Treasury, etc.) "because I believe within the Department of the Interior it does not get the attention it deserves". Richardson's history with Native issues, as Congressman and governor, is long shows not just respect, but actual activism. He doesn't appear to just play politics with it; he really seems to care about Native issues. How refreshing. Read the full interview here.I tell you, I am more impressed with him every day! -MC Read more:American
Recommend Site To A Friend
