Bill Richardson: Why I am running.

[MethuenProgressive]

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/about_bill?id=0010

"Why I am Running..."
I can bring a country together that is divided and partisan -- and restore civility to the political dialogue.
My background, experience and record enable me to bridge gaps, achieve political solutions, restore America's moral leadership abroad, heal partisan divisions and solve problems at home.
My Catholic beliefs reinforce my commitment to social justice like a fair minimum wage, equal and civil rights for all and a belief that government exists to help people and to be a catalyst for change -- not get in the way with barriers, unnecessary regulations and bureaucracy.
I believe in America -- the greatest nation in the world -- but we've lost our moral compass at home and abroad.
I am optimistic about the future. America should not be afraid. We have to be bold, patriotic and confident that we can resolve problems and bring peace by working together. We need hope, faith, and optimism. These qualities have always represented and defined the American spirit and are desperately needed now at a time when the nation has so many problems and is no longer a leader abroad.
America should work for everyone. Every American deserves a fair shot -- not just the privileged few.
Our vision should be to build a nation of opportunity and prosperity for all and guaranteeing real security for all our people.
That's why I believe in the New Progressivism. It's a philosophy that has its roots in the core values of the Democratic Party. These values stress opportunity, which has always been the cornerstone of any progressive movement.
What's new is the accountability that we emphasize in all of our programs. So while we've raised teacher salaries, we're also demanding accountability like never before. And it's working.
In New Mexico, we've created 80,000 new jobs and have made New Mexico 6th in job growth. And at the same time, I reinstated collective bargaining for public employees and secured the first public works labor agreement in New Mexico history.
I pushed for and signed legislation increasing New Mexico's minimum wage to $7.50. We've cut taxes for every New Mexican and targeted cuts to lower and middle income people, single parents and eliminated the sales tax on groceries.
I've made New Mexico the clean energy state by adopting environmental standards that exceed the international Kyoto standards and requiring utilities to produce energy from renewable sources.
To meet our challenges, Americans need to work together not as red and blue states, but as American states.
We must build coalitions of churches, community groups, businesses and government to create a stronger nation and address our basic needs as people such as education, health care, and energy. We have to build a safer, freer world led by an America that represents democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
We need to become a respected international leader. We need:
A national security that is tough & smart
A military second to none
A firm commitment to building diplomatic alliances
To defeat terrorism
To promote freedom
To alleviate poverty
To stop global warming
America needs a new direction:
To make our nation safer and our economy more fair
To make health care and college more affordable
To energize America w/ energy independence
To guarantee a dignified retirement for all Americans.
We need to build an America where all families can live and prosper in safe and vibrant communities.
We need a government that is ethically clear and truthful -- aware of its limitations as well as its potential to help others. Government should be a catalyst to bring constructive change and not obstruct change. Government should honor and assist entrepreneurship, science and economic growth.
Fiscal discipline, civility and integrity should be our core values and hallmarks as we advance the hopes and dreams of the American people.
from http://richardsonforpresident.com/home
Thank you for reading!

[dtotire]

1. Good Article

I believe he is more electable than Hillary or Barack. I hope he can get some delegates when the convention is held.

[BearSquirrel2]

2. Can we please stop the "bring the country together" crap ...

No candidate is going to please all Americans. Everybody may like you, but as soon as you advocate ANY policy you are going to alienate somebody. So please everybody, just cut the shit.

BTW, I'm 100% certain that he cannot bring gays and lesbians into his camp since he insists that their sexual orientation is a choice. He pandered to Hispanic voters and ended up pissing off one of the most activist groups in the party. If he thinks gays and lesbians choose their pursuation than he must believe that he chose to be hetero. And if that's actually true, that means that he must have spied some guy that was tempting to him at one point.

See, this is a double edged sword. Believing gays and lesbians "choose" makes you either stupid or gay. Stupid makes you unappealing to liberals and gay makes you unappealing to conservatives. So he's DONE!!!

[MethuenProgressive]

3. He's more than that one poor answer.

Fighting for Equal Opportunity and Equal Rights for All Americans
Governor Bill Richardson has the strongest record of achievement of any Presidential candidate on civil rights issues and support for the LGBT community. He proudly stands for domestic partner rights and against discrimination of any kind. He believes all families deserve our respect no matter their race, creed or sexual orientation.

A Record of Accomplishment From Day One

In his very first legislative session after taking office in 2003 Governor Richardson fought for, passed and signed:

The first hate crimes law in New Mexico history.
Legislation extending civil rights protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
He issued an executive order to extend access to health insurance and benefits to the domestic partners of state employees.

Pushed for Domestic Partnerships in New Mexico

Earlier this year Governor Richardson called the New Mexico Legislature back into a special session to address this important issue. Unfortunately, it lost by one vote in the regular session. But Governor Richardson will bring this bill back in the 2008 session, and this time will get it passed. Additionally, with a coalition of advocates, he successfully warded off a DOMA in New Mexico – one of only a handful of states that does not have one.

A Track Record of Inclusion and Diversity

He has also appointed gay and lesbian individuals to important posts throughout his administration -- to Cabinet posts, Division Directors, and to powerful boards and commissions. He will do the same as President, leading an Administration that truly looks like America. In Fact, he has pledged that his Vice-President will be an integral member of the HIV/AIDS Commission.

An End to "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"

And as President, he will continue to get things done. He will also end the military’s disastrous, disrespectful "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy. He voted against this as a Congressman and continues to oppose it today. It makes no sense to turn away and turn out well-qualified recruits, at a time when our country needs them most. There are currently an estimated 65,000 gay and lesbian soldiers serving in our military. They are no less patriotic and their lives and sacrifices are no less valuable because of their sexual orientation. Homosexuality is not immoral, asking someone to hide their identity and devaluing their sacrifice is.

A Commitment to Achieving Equal Rights Under the Law

Gay and lesbian families deserve respect, and as President, Bill Richardson will take a principled stand to fight for it. He strongly believes that we don’t need constitutional amendments designed to exclude supportive, devoted couples. We need to extend the rights due to all of us as Americans:

The right to visit a sick or dying partner in the hospital,
The right to make necessary legal and financial decisions when a partner can no longer do so,
The right to equal employment opportunity, and
The right to protection from violent prejudice.
A Pledge to Accomplish Full Equality for ALL Americans

As President, he will continue to fight for full and equal rights for all domestic partners, including gay and lesbian families.

Bill Richardson did all this in a "red state." With the right leadership, you can get these things done. He believes that by working together, we can accomplish the same on the national level. But before you cast your lot with any national candidate, you have to ask -- not just do they talk the talk -- but do they walk the walk? Can they get it done? As a Governor -- Bill Richardson gets things done.

[asdjrocky]

4. Kind of reminds me of a used car salesman.

[MethuenProgressive]

5. "Government should be a catalyst to bring constructive change and not obstruct change."

:thumbsup:

[sniffa]

6. he should just drop out now and get behind someone else

[MethuenProgressive]

7. "We need a government that is ethically clear and truthful,"

:kick:

[rasputin1952]

8. I think that Richardson has been, unfortunately, overlooked...

not just by the MSM, but by people here on DU as well.

i have looked at all of the candidates, and after getting rid of all of the extraneous 'Woo' stuff, Richardson has an excellent resume', he is very bright, he is the least contentious and he has some pretty darn good ideas.

I am uncommitted at this time, as I have seen little to inspire me to vote for any of the "frontrunners", and I have seen nothing but somewhat savage battles over just about everything but anything of substance...everything is based on gender, race or spurious "issues" that are meaningless to the country at large. So until someone comes out and actually has something that will garner my attention, something that will turn this nation away from the horror that bush is leaving, I shall remain uncommitted, and just hope for the best.

SOMEONE has to come out and tell us what they are going to do to reverse the damage done, and I don't want "soundbites", I want honest commitment to change.

:patriot:

[question everything]

11. This is the sad reality. He has excellent resume

but once he started appearing on talk shows and in debates he is just not convincing enough. This is too bad, but we do need our candidates to be able to look at the interviewers, or the audience, and be convincing.

This is why Huckabee is gaining. He appears real and he means what he says with not buts and however - so far.

Also, I think that Richardson missed in the Las Vegas (I think) debate when he said that human rights elsewhere in the world was more important than national security. As Dodd immediately jumped: once elected, one takes the oath to protect and defend that United States.

(Yes, I know that many DUers disdain this but no one is going to change this).

[rasputin1952]

13. No one is perfect, and anyone who believes that a single

candidate can come up w/all of the "answers" is pretty well delusional. I know what your saying about Richardson, he isn't all that "in tune" with the process...but Huckabee has years of being a Baptist preacher, he has honed his skills from the pulpit. For the record, I can't stand Huckabee, and I think he'll fall flat, but not yet. As it stands from the R POV, they have nothing, absolutely nothing, they might just go for Huckabee because he "connects", (the preacher bit again).

Looking at the slate...I am not convinced that any of the D's have "it". Far too much posturing, and these "debates" are a joke.

As of today, here's what I see:

Obama...flash in the pan. I just don't see the "substance". Might turn things though.

Clinton: Worst nightmare for her, "bush, Clinton, bush Clinton. A lot of pent up questions about the whole "heritage" presidency. Those I've spoken to, from both sides, say that is something under the surface that just won't go over well.

Edwards: Intelligent, nice guy, but he isn't carrying himself all that well. Best asset, his wife; she is vibrant, exceptionally bright, and extremely personable.

Kucinich: Many good ideas, intelligent, but, sorry to say, seen as a perpetual "loser". When on camera, it is very difficult to see "leader" in his approach.

Richardson: We've discussed him.

Others: Essentially, no chance. Time will tell, things happen.

R's: Right out of the vegetable bin. Each of them has tons of baggage, none of them has anything that could be considered a "new" idea. Guiliani and Thompson are almost to the point of being despicable. Ron Paul, running a populist shindig, but he's bat-crap crazy if he thinks that anything he come up with would ever be enacted...especially w/a D led congress.

It is incredibly far too early to say what will happen, and in a ny case, it is the D race to lose. The first one that comes off looking and acting like a true "leader", the one that actually addresses issues, will most likely be the nominee.

I find it incredible, that out of 362 million people, these people are the best the nation can come up with to take on executive power over the most powerful nation the world has ever seen. But then again, the nation, and the world, got stuck with the most inept person in history, this side of the Roman Empire, to occupy such a position of power.

I think the entire nation and world, is waiting for someone to step up and stop this lunacy. I just hope bush doesn't incinerate the earth before he's out.

[aikoaiko]

14. He's the best all -around candidate IMHO. I could trust him with our country.

Everyone else, less so.

[rasputin1952]

16. I see him as level headed and one who knows how to

delegate. He can work with people, and that is always a great asset.

So far, the little I've heard from him, I would have no problem trusting his judgment. He has that rare quality of being able to stay on message, and so far, I haven't heard anything "outrageous" from him...no "cash for kids", no "UFO's", no, "the only thing we can do is hope", type of stuff. He appears to be grounded in reality, and he has a good knowledge of the issues that need to be addressed.

I also think he could bridge the gap, at least to an extent, between the two factors. bush has been a disaster, we need someone to step up and truly show leadership and a willingness to start working with all factions. One need not agree w/those they have to work with, but there needs to be a level of respect. Rebuilding that will be tough, the neo-cons have burned their bridges, and think that bu taunting us from across the chasm will get them back into power...they are sorely mistaken. bush has not just destroyed the neo-cons, he has dealt a near death blow to the GOP. And I blame the GOP for this as well, their complacency and lack of ethics when they had power is deplorable. To top it all off, the blame th e D's for "not getting anything through", while they dance the dance of obstruction; precisely the same thing they complained about when they had power...they are...shitweasels.

[0007]

9. Bill Richardson is the perfect water carrier.

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes public abuse and corruption, has “watched” with concern the evolution of Kissinger Associates, which now also includes as “name partners,” former Clinton-Gore White House Chief of Staff Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty and former Clinton-Gore United Nations Ambassador and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. This “threesome” represents the lowest of ethical standards, even by modern American norms. For example, Henry Kissinger not only consorted with Richard Nixon over break-in’s of public interest and other groups, he tapped the telephone lines of fellow White House associates. Mack McLarty was in charge of The White House during Filegate and Travelgate, and lied to Judicial Watch during his deposition – feigning memory loss. Bill Richardson tried to bribe Monica Lewinsky with a U.N. job to keep her quiet about her relationship with President Bill Clinton, and then presided over an attempted coverup of the Los Alamos nuclear scandal, among other matters. “The firm of Kissinger, McLarty & Richardson epitomizes Washington, D.C. at its worst – sleazy ex-administration officials, feeding off special influence and power and then pretending, with the help of their enablers, to be fine, upstanding and respected gentlemen. Judicial Watch will ‘watch’ closely their activities and take action whenever warranted. Today, we will be filing Freedom of Information Act requests to learn about their activities in the recent past,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

Is Henry gonna endorse Bill, the big time baseball player?

http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2001/976.shtml

[Kat45]

10. Kissinger already endorsed fellow hawk McCain.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1054856

[0007]

17. I know! I was being facetious.

[Tejanocrat]

12. Between Richardson and Biden, who does better in Iowa? Richardson polls better, but Biden says he's

got "Joementum."

[MethuenProgressive]

15. "I believe in the New Progressivism."

America should work for everyone. Every American deserves a fair shot -- not just the privileged few.
Our vision should be to build a nation of opportunity and prosperity for all and guaranteeing real security for all our people.
That's why I believe in the New Progressivism. It's a philosophy that has its roots in the core values of the Democratic Party. These values stress opportunity, which has always been the cornerstone of any progressive movement.

:kick:

[MethuenProgressive]

18. Richardson Mourns Bhutto, Calls for Musharraf to Step Down

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3892896
Excellent thread, please read.

[MethuenProgressive]

19. Friday kick

:kick: