Who Is The Real Bill Richardson? (Political Affairs) [View All]

[BayCityProgressive]

I thought some of you may like this magazine. I think it portrays Richardson fairly. He is about as good as any of the realistic candidates...if we push hard enough we can get some progressive change...but he also has right wing ties and will slip into right wing politics if we let him..just like most of them, sadly.

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/4919/1/243/

GOOD:
In a recent statement on his website promoting his candidacy for the presidency, Richardson sharply attacked George Bush on his policy towards Iran, stating that a military threat to Iran was wrong and urging diplomacy. He is also being quoted in the local press to the effect that if the United States wants countries such as North Korea and Iran to disarm their nuclear programs, that the United States should take the lead and dismantle first their own nuclear arsenal.

This Richardson policy on foreign matters has always been one of his strongest points. In the campaign of 2006, during the crisis with North Korea, he urged direct negotiations. In all other matters in regards to foreign policy, he always advocated diplomacy. No other candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for 2008 has taken such a strong position on Peace.

BAD:
In the past, up until 1994, as the Congressman from the 3rd Congressional District, he was a staunch opponent to the opening up of the Carlsbad Radioactive Waste Isolation Pilot Project. As soon as there appeared an opportunity for him to be nominated as a representative to the UN, he abruptly reversed himself. During his efforts as both UN ambassador and later as Secretary of Energy, he had no problem making various political agreements with conservative senators such as arch conservatives Senators Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond. These agreements greased the way for his subsequent appointments first to be the ambassador to the UN and then to Richardson being appointed Energy secretary.

While today New Mexico labor has a fairly good rapport with the governor, when it comes to supporting him for President, a couple of important factors should be taken into account. In 1994, at the request of Bill Clinton, Richardson became the lead proponent in New Mexico in support of NAFTA. Later he also supported CAFTA. This is in line with his family relations to Citibank of Mexico and his various dealings with the past president of Mexico, Vicente Fox. An important point for today's consideration is what is his position on the Employees Free Choice Act?