Bill Richardson's appeal

[Breeze54]

Bill Richardson's appeal

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/01/24/EDG56N75H61.DTL

Ruben Navarrette Jr., San Diego Union-Tribune

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

NEW MEXICO

Gov. Bill Richardson had a hint of boyish excitement in his voice, as if he had just done something grand. He had. In fact, as announcements go, they don't come any grander. Richardson and I spoke Sunday morning, just a couple of hours after he announced -- on ABC News' "This Week" -- that he was setting up a presidential exploratory committee.

He is out to become the first Latino president of the United States, and he's the first Latino to make a serious run at the office.

For my parents' generation of Mexican Americans -- who attended segregated schools, were paddled for speaking Spanish, were discouraged from going to college and were denied jobs and promotions -- this is a day that many thought they'd never live to see. And it's worth savoring.

Trying to gauge support for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, pollsters and pundits have spent months asking: Is the country ready for a woman or an African American to be president?

How 20th century. What good is it to be the nation's largest minority if political observers and the media still act as if they didn't get the memo?

OK, I'll ask the question: Is America ready for a Latino president?

The governor thinks so. It's not that he believes anyone should vote for him just because he is Latino. He thinks people should vote for the most qualified person. And the way he sees it, that person happens to be Latino.

Richardson said on television that he won't "run as a Hispanic candidate" but as an American who is "proud to be Hispanic." But is that even possible when so many Americans are at each other's throats over immigration, language and assimilation?

The candidate doesn't see an obstacle but an opportunity.

"I can bring people together," he told me.

The governor acknowledged that the immigration issue is the great unknown and that he isn't sure whether it would help or hurt his chances. The answer, he said, could depend on whether Republicans use it as a "wedge issue." If that happens, he said, the tactic will "backfire on them again" as it did during the congressional debate over immigration last year.

The way Richardson sees it, the crowded field of 2008 presidential hopefuls breaks down into those who talk versus those who do, those who divide versus those who heal. The nation's only Latino governor pitches himself as the best of both worlds -- a leader who puts actions before words and who can heal a divided country. He insists that it's his experience -- as a member of Congress, U.N. ambassador, U.S. energy secretary and governor of New Mexico -- that makes him the best choice.

"If you look at some of the major challenges facing the country," he said, "I've already done some of those things."

Among those things, the two-term governor says, are cutting taxes, creating jobs, improving education and expanding health care. Add in a thick foreign policy portfolio that includes serving as an envoy to Sudan and North Korea and orchestrating humanitarian efforts in bleak corners such as Darfur. Richardson also loves the game of politics and he's good at it. He's likable and bright and charismatic. And he'll need all those gifts and more.

More at Link.....

[Mojambo]

1. He's going to be a top veep prospect.

He brings a lot of different stuff to a ticket.

He's like a switch hitting utility player in baseball. He can fill in everywhere.

[Breeze54]

2. He has a lot of foreign policy experience.

I like him. He's very smart, experienced and very likeable, imho.

VP? I think he'd make a great president!!!

He has a whole lot more experience than HRC or BO.

[FyurFly]

5. He could do it!!!!!

He's got experience and could consolidate the Latino vote and is NOT a gun grabber. I think he could swing a lot of middle folks and could crush the RW in 2008 IMHO.

[benEzra]

17. Agreed. (n/t)

[FrenchieCat]

6. Yep...true. In a time of war and mayhem, Richardson is too qualified

to be President...and will be a Veep to one who needs his experience.

This country is sad.

These days, President appears to be a Charismatic ceremonial position done while the Vice President runs the country. :eyes:

[Captain Hilts]

3. I like him a LOT. nt

[crispini]

4. I like him.

I will definitely consider him if Al does not throw his hat in the ring.

What is his stance on global warming?

[Breeze54]

10. He's a greenie!

Governor Richardson Applauds Expansion of Renewable Energy Net Metering

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press.php?id=339

January 12, 2007
Jon Goldstein 505-476-2248

SANTA FE –

Governor Bill Richardson today applauded the recent approval of new rules
by the Public Regulation Commission to expand net-metering. The approval
of these new rules will help make it easier for New Mexicans to switch to
renewable energy sources and sell excess energy back into the electrical grid.

-------------------

Governor Bill Richardson Opens Discussion on Market-Based Climate Change Initiative

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press.php?id=337

January 8, 2007
Jon Goldstein 505-476-2248

(Santa Fe, NM) –

Governor Bill Richardson today opened a dialogue with the State of California and other Western states designed to create a mandatory, market-based, greenhouse gas reduction program. This program would help implement and coordinate the aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals that have been enacted by New Mexico, California and other Western states. The Governor’s action came today in a letter to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“Climate change is one of the most serious environmental challenges of our time, and the Western United States is particularly vulnerable to impacts such as reduced snowpack and more severe droughts,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “We cannot wait for federal government action to address climate change, and we must build on individual state initiatives. I believe the time has come for New Mexico to work with California and other states in the West to develop a mandatory, market-based, greenhouse gas reduction program.”

During the Richardson Administration, New Mexico has been a national leader on combating global climate change. These efforts have included becoming the first state in the nation to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and the first major oil and gas producing state to tackle climate change comprehensively.

Governor Bill Richardson also recently signed an executive order that directs state agencies to follow many of the recommendations of his Climate Change Advisory Group, which produced a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 267 million metric tons and create a projected $2 billion net economic savings for New Mexico’s economy.

The Governor’s executive order creates a state government implementation team tasked with ensuring policies from the order are carried out. Those policies include:

• Creating a market-based greenhouse gas emissions registry and reduction program
• Advancing carbon capture and sequestration technology
• Promoting the use of manure from the dairy industry in power generation
• Developing an education and outreach program on green buildings for private sector builders
• Creating new procurement rules that ensure state government offices have energy efficient appliances
• Mandating that state vehicles use mainly clean, renewable fuels
• Proposing a one-time tax credit of up to 40 percent for the purchase, construction or retrofitting of alternative fuel filling stations.

Governor Richardson has also endorsed seeking regulations to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions of new cars and trucks sold in New Mexico and more than quadrupling New Mexico’s renewable energy use by mandating that 15 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2015 and working with utilities to achieve a 25 percent of that electricity by 2020.

In spring 2005, Governor Richardson issued an executive order establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for New Mexico. These goals are 2000 levels by 2012, 10 percent below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. New Mexico, along with Arizona and California, is among a growing number of states to create climate change advisory groups.

[ramapodem]

7. He definitly is one of my top choices

[illinoisprogressive]

8. Richarson has been my #2 choice for prez for awhile. I am glad he's in.

[snowbear]

9. I like him a LOT too... but like all the candidates, he has a slew of DU'ers that don't like him...

... which of course is par for the course during primary time!

Last night we saw discussions about his incredible negotiation skills, his stellar ratings as Governor of New Mexico, and his incredible background in foreign and domestic affairs.

..........Then there were the differing opinions.

We heard all about his alleged "skirt chasing, "gropenator" days from one person.

Then we heard that he's too fat, and that he looks "short".

I posted an article from a few days ago that discussed how fit Governor Richardson is now.. He lost the double chin and has been working out BIG TIME!

..And as far as being short ------ when is being 6'2" considered being short??!!?? ... I don't think so.

I think he's going to be an awesome candidate ----- But I think they'll be naysayers here for every candidate until we see them all in action during the debates.

[Breeze54]

11. More than 90% of the initiatives Richardson proposed became reality

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/priorities.php?mm=4

Governor Richardson's Policy Initiatives
Promises made, promises kept

Governor Richardson promised when he ran for office to work tirelessly on behalf of all New Mexicans. During the Governor's first two legislative sessions, 78 out of 95 proposals outlined during his State of the State addresses have become reality - for an 82% success rate.

Overall, more than 90% of the initiatives that Governor Richardson promised during the 2002 campaign have become reality - everything from cutting income taxes and eliminating the tax on food to paying teachers better and increasing penalties for drunken drivers.

As a result, New Mexico is a state that is on the move. New Mexico is no longer at the bottom of all the state-by-state comparison lists. Under Governor Richardson's leadership, 27,400 jobs have been created since he took office in January 2003. That's more than double the 12,300 jobs that were created during the 16 previous months.

During his first year in office, Governor Richardson worked with educators, business leaders, labor activists, rural towns, urban communities, Republicans and Democrats to make major changes in New Mexico's public schools. The governor helped to convince voters to invest money in classrooms, not administration, while holding teachers and students accountable. The changes have resulted in 8 percent pay raises for teachers, and a new professional salary system that is the envy of the nation.

Governor Richardson is moving New Mexico forward, and it is
making a difference in the lives of New Mexico families.

[Breeze54]

12. Gov. Bill Richardson says we need to get out of Iraq!

Speech to the New Hampshire Democratic State Party State Central Committee

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/iraq/

"The Problem in Iraq

Like all of you, I am sure, I have struggled for a long time over Iraq.
Like most Americans, I am saddened by the horrific violence that takes dozens, scores
of innocent lives every day. And like most Americans, I believe that our country has
a moral obligation to do what we can to help the Iraqis end that violence.

And because of that belief, it has not been easy for me to come to this conclusion:
that the best thing we can do -- for them as well as for ourselves -- is to leave.

Carefully and strategically. But we must leave. And soon.
Because our military has done all it can do there.

Our troops have done a magnificent job in Iraq under terrible circumstances.
But our continued military presence is not helping the Iraqis create a stable order.

Our presence is not preventing a bloodbath. That bloodbath is already happening.
More than three thousand civilian men, women and children are dying each month.

Eighty percent of Iraqis have said they want us to leave. Sixty percent say they think it
justifiable to kill Americans. Sunnis and Shiites alike see us as occupiers, and believe
our presence there is making things worse.

There is no military solution to Iraq's political crisis. We need to end this fiasco now,
and start down the hard path back to a safer future and a more realistic foreign policy.

Our safety, as much as the safety of the Iraqis, is at stake. We need to stop throwing good
money after bad. We need to stop sending our soldiers to die for a tragic mistake."

:applause: :applause:

[Blue_In_AK]

13. I might be persuaded to support Richardson

if some of the negatives that I've read here are cleared up. I've been impressed by what I've seen of him.

[Kosmo]

14. He has a lot of appeal.

He is good on foreign policy. He was Energy Secretary for an administration that took energy policy seriously. He has spent his professional life as a government bureaucrat, so you know he can run an administration. That is the problem with shrub, he never actually ran anything, except of course into the ground. I think he will appeal to the nation as a whole.

[snowbear]

15. I wish I could see Governor Richardson & General Clark together this Saturday night !!

Wow -- both of them together on the same stage in Nevada!!

If anyone here is lucky enough to go (a couple people mentioned last night they may go)... check in with a full report!!!

~~~

Richardson will join fellow Democrat retired Gen. Wesley Clark for keynote speaking duties at the Turn Nevada Blue dinner, a fundraiser for the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee.

If you go

WHAT: Douglas County Democratic Central Committee "Turn Nevada Blue" dinner

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Shannon Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn

Cost: $60 per person


Also: Private, hosted cocktail reception with the candidates and preferred dinner seating will be from 6-7 p.m.

Cost: $150 per person. Tables of 10 can be purchased at a discount.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070125/ELECTIONS/101250124

[fujiyama]

16. Great ticket

Both can bring a real sense of decency back to our foreign policy...and help clean up the mess this administration has made.

[LoZoccolo]

18. Prove to me that he would not have voted for the IWR if he was a Senator. n/t

[snowbear]

20. How on earth can we prove that to you?

....

We can prove to you that...

Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Robert Byrd (D-WV)
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI)
Jon Corzine (D-NJ)
Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Mark Dayton (D-MN)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Bob Graham (D-FL)
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Jim Jeffords (I-VT)
Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Carl Levin (D-MI)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Paul Wellstone (D-MN)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)

... didn't vote for the Iraq War Resolution... but as far as anyone else goes ---- we just have to take them at their word.

[politicasista]

19. He needs to apologize for not having a recount

Then I will look at him.

[snowbear]

21. Maybe he'll get in line behind Kerry who didn't bitch about Ohio?

... even though two of the dirtballs running the bogus election in Ohio were finally CONVICTED today.

Someone on here from NM wrote a great piece on why Governor Richardson's did everything he could possibly do himself, and how a lot of it was beyond his power.

Maybe they'll stop in again?

KUDOS though to Ohio for finally taking action and busting the sleazebags!!!

[snowbear]

22. DUPE.... dammitall