RICHARDSON IS ONLY CANDIDATE TO PLEDGE OPEN GOVERNMENT

[nosmokes]

OK, I'm at a loss here.What's the problem with conducting the people's business in the view of the people? The lack of Republican response is not a surprise, but only one and a half Democratic Party candidate responded positively? No wonder people are fed right the fek up.
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original-peer

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2007
Contact: Carol Goldberg [phone]

RICHARDSON IS ONLY CANDIDATE TO PLEDGE OPEN GOVERNMENT —

Huckabee Says No to Pledge but Other Candidates Are Still Thinking

Washington, DC — New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is the only presidential candidate to step up and sign the “Public Service Pledge” – a promise to adhere to principles of open government if elected. Developed by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), the “Public Service Pledge” calls upon candidates to commit their presidency to –

* Conduct the people’s business in the open and facilitate oversight by keeping vital documents in the public domain;
* Protect scientists who report inconvenient truths and remove from office those who manipulate public agency science for political ends; and
* Support public servants who tell the truth and exhibit zero tolerance for appointees who retaliate or condone retaliation against whistleblowers.

Beginning in mid-June, PEER contacted all the campaigns by phone, fax, e-mail and letter asking whether the candidate would abide by policies that avoid practices, such as suppression and political manipulation of science, particularly on environmental issues, that have become one of the dark hallmarks of the Bush administration. The organization has followed up repeatedly with each campaign over the ensuing weeks.

“We applaud Governor Richardson for being forthright and committing without hesitation to protecting the values of public service,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. “Frankly, it is disquieting that the other candidates need so much time to ponder whether an unambiguous pledge of open and transparent government fits within their campaign strategies.”

Joining PEER in this effort is a group of prominent Americans, called the Leadership Council, whose members include well-known political activists such as Robert Kennedy, Jr., former Congressman Pete McCloskey, and Al Franken. In addition, the Council features public servants notable for being honest at great cost, such as climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, ex- FBI agent Coleen Rowley and former U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers.

Former Senator John Edwards sent a supportive but equivocal letter offering “to discuss where I stand on the issues that you have presented…” One other candidate, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, gave a definitive answer, rejecting the pledge “at this time” via a phone call from his campaign staff.

“We are mystified that these candidates seem unable to express a clear opinion on these basic issues,” Ruch added. “Presumably, voters want to know whether a presidential aspirant values honesty over message control.”

PEER is urging voters and reporters to contact recalcitrant candidates to find out how they propose to treat whistleblowers, protect scientific integrity and preserve the public’s right to know – and why they are taking so long to decide.

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complete release including links to related sources here

[billyoc]

1. Sorry, yet another DLC candidate.

He's full of shit.

[trayted]

5. And one who would lose by at least 200 electoral votes, at that

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. Maybe So, But He Stinks.

I watched him in each debate and though prior to seeing the first had high hopes for him, have completely changed my opinion about him and think he isn't even close to being a good candidate. I have rarely seen such consistently poor performances within a debate setting.

Every Dem has their good points that can be highlighted. But Richardson doesn't have a holy chance in hell of getting the nom or winning the general election. He just simply isn't close to being ready.

[nosmokes]

3. I'm not Posting to Stump for Richardson but Question the Absence of the

rest of the Field? Where the hell is Kucinich? Obama? Clinton being a noshow isn't real surprising, but I can't figure why the rest wouldn't have put their mark to the dotted line.

[Gloria]

4. OH, PLEASE!!! I'm in NM....he's no different from any of the others!!

Like using school kids to push a tax to subsidize Branson (bigtime corporate screw job); not lifting a finger to help a recount in 2004, cronies all over the place pushing stuff on us, then leaving...

Really, I wouldn't vote for him!!!!! He's a real wheeler-dealer down here....