Bill Richardson on Iraq: "We should get out lock, stock and barrel."

[bigtree]

from Blog for America: http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/20307

Governor Bill Richardson responds to Democracy for America

That is just one of Governor Bill Richardson's responses to DFA members who wrote comments in our Presidential Primary Petition on Iraq. We asked each of the candidates to oppose any escalation of the Iraq War, demand a swift end to the occupation, and propose a plan that brings our brave men and women home.

The Governor believes "we need to get out of Iraq this calendar year." He supports diplomacy that brings "a reconciliation of the three religious groups into a coalition government" and "surrounding powers in the region to deal with future security." What he doesn't support is leaving a residual force in Iraq. "We should get out lock, stock and barrel."

video: http://www.dfalink.com/richardson.php

[Wwagsthedog]

1. BR is starting to get my attention.

What are his sources of campaign funding? ie. Who will he be beholden to?

[mwb970]

5. I'm sure there's something wrong with him, too.

But for right now, Bill is my choice. I like the idea of a governor becoming president, and BR has a surprising amount of foreign affairs experience, including fairly recently in Darfur.

[bigtree]

6. .

here's an earlier breakdown as governor:

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200632&c=420260

[Wwagsthedog]

8. TY BT

Nothing appears to be askew. My plans are to seek as much info as possible. Wonder if DU plans to produce an avatar?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. His policies are sound and he's an excellent public speaker.

His appearance on TDS was interesting. He projected a lot of confidence, almost bravado.

My parents were extremely involved in local NM politics as I grew up. I personally can't believe Domenici is still around, since he was (ineffectually) NM's governor when I was in my teens...kind of a while ago. :-)

But Domenici is emblematic of "life time" political appointments in NM, which, until very recently, has been very much beneath the national radar.

David Iglesias could probably write a three or four legal tomes about what he's seen and experienced, from both sides of the aisle.

Anyway, Richardson will be someone I regard skeptically for exactly the questions you cite and my personal experience with the NM political theater.

He sure hits the right notes most of the time, though. MKJ

[Eric J in MN]

2. I agree.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem to want to stay in Iraq with a smaller force for protection, counter-terrorism, and training the Iraqis.

I want all US troops out.

The Iraqis can train Iraqis.

[Nutmegger]

3. I like how he says "no residual force[s] in Iraq"

What has Clinton said? Obama? Edwards?

I want all troops out of Iraq. No "residual forces" to fight "terra" and no to permanent bases.

Bill Richardson is starting to get my attention. I know his diplomatic work is impressive and we desperately need massive diplomatic work now more than ever.

Keep talking Bill Richardson. I'm listening.

[elocs]

4. Politicians have a coordination problem--

they cannot talk while they have their finger in the air.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Too true, but they keep trying. :)

[natrat]

9. just the fact that the msm is not pimping him gets my attention

[BearSquirrel2]

11. It's a good movie ...

Yeah, it's a good flick, lets get it out and watch it!!!!

[Skarbrowe]

12. I saw him treat an underling in Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde way when he

thought he was off camera during the BRAC meetings. He was all smiles, which is just being political, nothing wrong with that, when the cameras were on him. Later, when they were setting up for another interview, the cameras were on him already but I'm sure he didn't know. Someone next to him was suggesting something about a "when and/or a where" situation and he turned to this guy like he was going to kill him and yelled something like.."I'll decided when the whatever does whatever." He was very mean with his words and I was quite shocked. At the time it bothered me, but I chalked it up to stress over the base closings. I have friends in New Mexico and they have liked him, but they also say he has a dictatorial quality about him at times that is very unpleasant.

I really don't know. I do think he would make a great Vice Presidential candidate. He's smart and has a ton of experience in many areas. He's also extremely arrogant. Not sure what to think of that.

[bigtree]

16. It takes a large ego to run for president

and prevail.

I like the toughness. It'll serve him well when confronting the republican opposition. But, he does admit to being impatient and demanding.


from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/13/crowley.richardson/index.html?eref=rss_politics


There is a bit of Energizer Bunny to Richardson. His sometimes beleaguered staff says he works constantly, usually juggling several things at once. He has brought industry, jobs, a budget surplus and recognition to New Mexico. He was re-elected in 2006 with 69 percent of the vote.

Albuquerque Journal reporter Leslie Linthicum, who has covered the governor for years, calls him "pragmatic, a fixer of problems," not so much passionate about issues, more about getting things done.

Critics say he is vindictive, short-tempered and a publicity hound. Some lawmakers accuse him of using the state agenda to buff up his presidential credentials. (Others, however, say New Mexico residents are excited about the prospects of a first-ever presidential candidate from the state).

Richardson cops to being demanding of staff and forceful in pushing his agenda, saying, "I am aggressive. I do push hard. I try to get my legislation passed. ... I go to the public a lot."

[leftofthedial]

13. especially barrel

[Deep13]

14. *ahem*

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3190992

This is a duplicate topic.

[bigtree]

17. It still wouldn't begin to match the Obama/Clinton glut of posts

let it be

[Deep13]

18. That's a good record.

I especially like the recent remix. It really sounds clean.

[DesertRat]

15. Richardson has the most executive experience of all the Dems

who are currently running.

:kick:

[Deep13]

19. And at least as much foreign experience as HRC.

I'm counting the advisory role she played in the #42 administration.

[DesertRat]

20. As former Ambassador to the UN and 15 years in Congress,

I'd say he has more foreign experience than HRC.

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/about/about_bill_richardson

[MN ChimpH8R]

21. You just got my attention, Governor

I am not committed to anyone currently running, though I like Edwards and Obama, but going to start paying a lot more attention to Bill Richardson.

Way to go! :toast: :applause: