A few questions re: Richardson

[LittleClarkie]

When and on what station is he supposed to have used a slur against gays, and only regretted it when he was made aware he'd offended people? What was the slur? (heard about this last night, but can find nothing on it)

Could Richardson be called a centrist? How Bill Clinton-like is he? (since he was in Bill's administration)

Was it Richardson who said right after the 2004 election that we'd lost because Kerry was too liberal? Was it Richardson who'd stopped a recount in his state from happening, or tried to? (I seem to remember this, but once again can find nothing.)

I've searched for articles on this stuff, but no luck. Can anyone point me to an article esp. regarding Richardson's remarks right after the 2004 election when he threw in his two cents as to why we lost?

Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[Warpy]

1. I can answer one of those, possibly a couple

Richardson was a changed man after 2004. I'm not sure what did it, but he seemed to become far less doctrinaire DLC. His first couple of years in office as governor were rough ones, though, rough for the people of NM.

Yes, he stopped a machine recount in 2004 because those crooked machines would simply have given the same wrong answer twice. He knew the court case over it would drag on for years (and is still going on, in fact), and he knew the state shouldn't be without all representation during that time, so that's why he did it. Since then, we've gotten 100% paper ballots in this state. Having 17,000+ of us disenfranchised by those voting machines did it, even if we had to suck it up for one election. Our 5 electoral votes wouldn't have made the difference.

I'm pretty amazed when I look at his record: getting a commuter rail system along the Rio Grande Valley up and running; getting a medical marijuana bill that covers and funds everything from cultivation to distribution passed and signed into law; ending the onerous sales tax on food. In the meantime, he's made several trips to N. Korea and had delegations from that country come here, since they will talk to him but not to too many people in the present administration.

He's been an able administrator. He's been able to change. We could do a lot worse.

[Delphinus]

3. Hey, Warpy.

I told a friend of mine I was leaning toward Bill Richardson and she told me he's received the most money from the NRA than any of the other candidates.

What are your thoughts? And let me say that I am a believer in the 2nd Amendment.

[Warpy]

17. My thoughts are that this is still the wild west

and, while I don't particularly like guns and can't imagine owning one, I know people in a lot of communities need them to scare the bears away from the garbage and the cougars away from the kids.

Plus, a lot of people in the small towns absolutely depend on hunting season to fill their freezers and supply with them a good part of their yearly protein.

I find his position on guns entirely consistent with the state he governs.

[xxqqqzme]

7. good synopsis of his administration.

I have friends in NM that would agree w/ you. In '03 they were not very hapy w/ Richardson. I was pleasantly surprised, after listening to him @ the CA Dem Party convention, that he has drifted (or is at odds) from the dlc position on many isues.

[Alexander]

9. Richardson allowed the DREs in New Mexico to begin with in 2004...

Despite numerous allegations that they were easy to tamper and rig.

His "medical marijuana" actions are actually regressive compared to his predecessor, Republican Gary Johnson. The law he signed forces the state to grow its own, cultivate and distribute it - which is a step backwards in ending the Drug War. The only difference is you have to get the state-sponsored herb or you go to jail.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

22. He says Gonzo is a "good guy" and excuses him because he is Hispanic

Richardson lost me forever and ever with that one. Let me repeat - forever and ever. That is too stupid a statment for a potential President to make.

[emulatorloo]

2. Gay "choice" gate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x56029

[emulatorloo]

4. self delete wrong place n/t

[King Coal]

5. LC, I live in New Mexico and I know Bill Richardson.

While he is a politician and does pander to some degree, he would never intentionally use a slur against gays or anyone else. He is way too smart for that. He helped me with an issue 20 years ago and I have never forgotten it. I do believe he is like Bill Clinton and I am afraid that I would have to say that he is somewhat of a centrist. But, he does care about people. He is a genuinely good man. He may not be liberal enough for my taste, but I do have republican friends who say they would vote for him for president just to get him out of New Mexico. They, however, are more loyal to their party than they are smart. I hope this helps, and I'll keep a look our for some articles for you. As much as I like Bill, I would have to vote for Edwards first.

[shireen]

10. it wasn't a slur ... it was either ignorance or pandering, both unacceptable.

I didn't watch the debate, I first heard about this on DU and was shocked. So far, I''ve not been able to find a transcript of the debate but found this excerpt at http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=F9975A90D37733505AFFCB9685E28710?diaryId=2585

MS. ETHERIDGE:  Thank you. Do you think homosexuality is a choice, or is it biological? 

GOV. RICHARDSON:  It's a choice.  It's -- 

MS. ETHERIDGE:  I don't know if you understand the question. (Soft laughter.)  Do you think I -- a homosexual is born that way, or do you think that around seventh grade we go, "Ooh, I want to be gay"?

GOV. RICHARDSON:  Well, I -- I'm not a scientist.  It's -- you know, I don't see this as an issue of science or definition. I see gays and lesbians as people as a matter of human decency.  I see it as a matter of love and companionship and people loving each other. You know I don't like to categorize people.  I don't like to, like, answer definitions like that that, you know, perhaps are grounded in science or something else that I don't understand. 

I have no doubt that he cares about people, and that he wants all to be treated equally, including gays. But what disturbs me is his lack of understanding regarding an important part of our society, GLBTs. To say "choice" or "I don't know" is unacceptable for a Presidential candidate, when the scientific evidence and examples in the natural world have so clearly and indisputably shown that homosexuality has biological origins. I don't expect him to comprehend celestial mechanics or sting theory, but there are some fundamental issues that anyone who wants to be president must understand.

[LittleClarkie]

11. In conjunction with last night's debate and Richardson's comment, another incident was brought up

something about Richardson saying something on a radio station. That was the incident/possible incident I was asking about. I already know about last night.

On edit: thanks for reproducing that though. It sounds like he's a bit ignorant, but teachable. And his emphasis is on compassion and equality, despite his ignorance otherwise, which is where it should be.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

14. Ignorance can be corrected.

[LittleClarkie]

15. Indeed, if he has a good heart

And it sounds like he can be taught.

I'm attracted by his resume greatly, and to a smaller extent the fact that it'd be easier to elect a governor than a senator.

[King Coal]

16. Has it ever occurred to you that not everyone is sure that the evidence or examples

have "indisputably shown that homosexuality has biological origins"? I think there are lots of people who would have completely different opinions if they knew that to be the case. So give Bill a break. You are letting one issue cloud your thinking and you're too smart for that.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

25. Ok. But

he didn't say he wasn't sure.

The question was: "do you think.." and he responded back "it's a choice." God, he's such an idiot. He's also more conservative than several of the Republican candidates. Why do people defend this guy?

[fujiyama]

21. This statement gives some more context

He sounds like he is genuinely compassionate, albeit I think he's just sort of ignorant on the subject. Either way, he made himself sound foolish. As someone said above, ignorance can be fixed.

Maybe he was uncomfortable answering the question. From everything I've heard he's done a good job as governor and his diplomatic skills could be useful. I may be mistaken, but I also think his record on LGBT issues are pretty good.

[emulatorloo]

6. 2004 Recount

http://www.iwantmyvote.com/recount/new_mexico/

[tandot]

8. DUer Seasat has a good journal entry with links:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/seasat/2

[Celeborn Skywalker]

12. Hmmm...

I would call him a centrist, but not a Ben Nelson type or anything. He's pro-small business and very pro-gun which gives him that label. I think he's done a pretty damn good job for my state since he's been governor. He's ended the food tax, legalized medical marijuana, enticed badly needed business to set up shop in the state, raised teacher salaries, and more.

He made an unfortunate mistake in the LOGO forum when he said that being gay is a "choice". He tried to clarify his answer but he was stumbling around a lot. I don't know if he believes that or not but I do know he has a relatively good record in regards to LGBT issues.

He's my second choice to Kucinich and I would gladly support him in the General.

[LittleClarkie]

13. I'm leaning heavily in his direction. But I needed tough questions answered first

which I thank you all for taking the time to do.

[CK_John]

18. I never felt comfortable with Richardson's resume. He flies off to

to negotiate with foreign governments, seems to well connected for just a governor. Same goes for (GOP)Fred T. My tinfoil radar showing.

[dsc]

19. It was on Imus

and the word was maricon.

[LittleClarkie]

20. Thanks. Can you give me the context at all?

Probably won't help, but hey, just so I have the full story.

[MasonJar]

23. The tape of R's answer was on Countdown last night. He obviously did not

get it. The questioner recognized this and said so, and then asked the question in a similar manner. Richardson made an answer about love and companionship; he was confused about the word "choice," which is usually a pro-word.

[Moderate Dem]

24. A little off topic, but

I liked Richardson a lot until I found out about the "leave Iraq right now" position, which is irresponsible and impracticle. Hillary and Joe Biden have it right, even though Iraq was a horrible mistake, we have to take some responsibility as America. It's not enough to say to the world, "It's not OUR fault, blame Bush".