New Jersey For Bill Richardson

"Bill Richardson Takes Election Defeat in Stride"

2008-02-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

Right now there's a lot of speculation about the Gov. Will he endorse a candidate? Obama? Clinton? Or will he sit it out and just grow a beard?

This is a great article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that discusses all of the above and gives just a little more insight into why I like Bill Richardson so much.

Bill Richardson for Vice President!!

2008-01-11T08:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a great idea. Thanks to Ken Camp. And sign the petition!!

A Class Act

2008-01-11T07:58:00.000-05:00

Here's the text of the email Governor Richardson sent out to his supporters upon his withdrawal from the presidential race yesterday. I particularly love the last bit:

Dear Stephen,

It is with great pride, understanding and acceptance that I am ending my campaign for President of the United States. It was my hope that all of you would first hear this news from me and not a news organization. But unfortunately, as with too many things in our world today, it's the ending of something that garners the most intense interest and speculation.

I knew from the beginning that this would be an uphill climb. When I entered the campaign, it was clear that we, as Democrats, had the most talented field of candidates in my lifetime running to change the direction of our country. And in the end, one of them will.

Despite overwhelming financial and political odds, I am proud of the campaign we waged and the influence we had on the issues that matter most to the future of this country.

A year ago, we were the only major campaign calling for the removal of all of our troops within a year's time from Iraq. We were the only campaign calling for a complete reform of education in this country, including the scrapping of No Child Left Behind. And we were the campaign with the most aggressive clean energy plan and the most ambitious standards for reducing global warming.

Now, all of the remaining candidates are coming to our point of view. I am confident that the next President of the United States will implement much of what we've been urging for the last twelve months, and our nation and world will be the better for it.

There are so many of you who gave so much to this campaign. For that, I will be forever grateful. Running for president has been, at times, humbling and at other times, exhilarating. I have grown and learned a great deal from the experience, and I am a better person for it.

Also, because of your close friendship and support throughout the ups and downs of what is a very grueling and demanding process, I have never felt alone.

Running for president brings out the best in everyone who graces the stage, and I have learned much from the other candidates running. They have all brought great talents and abilities to the campaign.

Senator Biden's passion and intellect are remarkable.

Senator Dodd is the epitome of selfless dedication to public service and the Democratic Party.

Senator Edwards is a singular voice for the most downtrodden and forgotten among us.

Senator Obama is a bright light of hope and optimism at a time of great national unease, yet he is also grounded in thoughtful wisdom beyond his years.

Senator Clinton's poise in the face of adversity is matched only by her lifetime of achievement and deep understanding of the challenges we face.

Representative Kucinich is a man of great decency and dedication who will faithfully soldier on no matter how great the odds.

And all of us in the Democratic Party owe Senator Mike Gravel our appreciation for his leadership during the national turmoil of Vietnam.

I am honored to have shared the stage with each of these Democrats. And I am enormously grateful to all of my supporters who chose to stand with me despite so many other candidates of accomplishment and potential.

Now that my time in this national campaign has come to an end, I would urge those who supported my candidacy to take a long and thoughtful look at the remaining Democrats. They are all strong contenders who each, in their own way, would bring desperately needed change to our country. All I ask is that you make your own independent choice with the same care and dedication to this country that you honored me with during this campaign. At this time, I will not endorse any candidate.

Now I am returning to a job that I love, serving a state that I cherish and doing the work of the people I was elected to serve. As I have always said, I am the luckiest man I know. I am married to my high school sweetheart. I live in a place called the Land of Enchantment. I have the best job in the world. And I just got to run for president of the United States.

It doesn't get any better than that.

With my deepest appreciation for all that you have done,

Bill

The Time Has Come....

2008-01-09T06:37:00.000-05:00

There's a sad part of every political campaign that doesn't finish first--the part where you have to decide when to throw down your cards and quit the game. For me, that time is now. I'm sorry to say that Governor Richardson's 5% showing in yesterday's New Hampshire primary was far short of what he needs to be a viable contender for the nomination, in my estimation. For all the reasons I've stated here so many times, I still believe that no one can match Bill Richardson's qualifications to be president. I still love the guy. I wish this had turned out differently. But it hasn't.

So it's time for me to decide which of the remaining two *viable* contenders for the nomination I support, and I've chosen Obama. Of course, my ideal pairing for the Dem ticket is Obama/Richardson, which I hope to see happen. No one could bring foreign-policy experience to Obama's White House bid like Bill Richardson.

Good luck, governor.

Washington Post Crowns Bill Richardson One of the Winners of Saturday's Debate

2008-01-07T06:07:00.000-05:00

Chris Cillizza is the Washington Post's political blogger, and he believes that one of the two winners of Saturday night's NH debate was Bill Richardson. Will that be enough to carry the Gov to a much-stronger-than-expected showing in tomorrow's NH primary? I'll be eagerly awaiting those results....

Four Tickets Out of Iowa, But the Time Is Now For a Powerful Debate Performance From Governor Richardson

2008-01-05T11:14:00.000-05:00

Iowa finished something like Obama 38, Edwards 30, Clinton 29, Richardson 2, in terms of percentage of delegates. The "real" vote in the first round had Bill Richardson at more like 7 or 8 percent, but caucus rules which demand that a candidate have at least 15 percent in a given precinct in order to have his/her votes counted made the final Richardson delegate total a lot lower.

So now, with tonight's New Hampshire debate rules in place--limiting the debate (9pm EST tonight on ABC) to the top four finishers in Iowa--this is now a four-person race for the Dem nomination.

But I'm not going to over-spin this for you. I think it's pretty clear that in order to be viewed as a truly viable contender for the nomination, Bill Richardson needs to do a couple things, and do them now: (1) give the debate performance of a lifetime tonight (he can't afford to be just another voice; he has to make himself the clear alternative to the other candidates), and (2) get a sizeable vote total in NH. No, I'm not going to define "sizeable," but right now the latest polls at Real Clear Politics have him at between 4 and 8 percent. Those kinds of numbers won't cut it on Tuesday if "electoral viability" is what we want, and, really, what else is there in a presidential primary?

So it seems to me that a lot of what we've all been fighting for comes down to tonight's debate. If tomorrow's headlines in the Union Leader, the Concord Monitor, and elsewhere are "Richardson Steps Up in Debate As a Clear, Experienced Advocate For Change," then we have ourselves a genuine horse race. If not....well, I'm sure the campaign wants to make Nevada--the first big western vote-- a huge defining win for the Gov, but if he's a single-digit fourth place out of NH, then it's going to be hard to suddenly make Nevada the shining star of a winning campaign for the nomination. On the other hand, with a strong NH performance and BR labeled the new Comeback Kid, suddenly Nevada and elsewhere look a lot more winnable.

So this is no time for moping, just realism. I believe as strongly as ever that Bill Richardson has what it takes to be one hell of a president--experience at so many levels of government; the will to get us out of the Iraq war expeditiously and safely; the steady hand and the gravitas to be a true world leader who restores the United States to a prominent, respected role worldwide; the fiscal conservatism and executive experience with balanced budgets to get our country out of the debt quagmire that it's currently in; and the electability as a Western governor that no other candidate can match in terms of delivering previously red states to the Democrats in November 2008.

But a lot of that potential for success hinges on a strong showing in New Hampshire, and a lot of that strong showing in New Hampshire hinges on a phenomenal (not just good, not just workmanlike) performance at tonight's debate. Come on, Governor. Show New Hampshire all those great qualities--*presidential* qualities--that drew all of us Richardson volunteers to your campaign so many months ago.

Go Bill!

I'm Sitting on the Edge of My Seat, Waiting For Caucus Returns....

2008-01-03T19:30:00.000-05:00

...and wondering what the future holds for BR....

Gearing Up For An Iowa Surprise?

2007-12-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

An article at RealClearPolitics.com says that what they call "Richmentum"--momentum for Gov. Bill Richardson--may be the big story Thursday when Iowans caucus.

Then, in this article in the Des Moines Register, David Yepsen, Iowa's premier political reporter, discusses the electability of each of the major candidates and has much to say--that you've already heard here--about Bill Richardson's unique strength among the Democratic candidates to win in Western states.

Four days until the Iowa caucuses....

A Break For Christmas and a Re-Run of "Why Bill Richardson? Why Now?"

2007-12-20T16:16:00.000-05:00

I'm out of the blogging world for a week or so for the holidays, but, with the Iowa caucuses only two weeks away from today, Bill Richardson is still campaigning strong. He has a new ad which stresses his position as the only one of the top four Dems who has a plan to withdraw all our troops from Iraq within a year of taking office. And, with over half of Iowa and NH voters still saying they could change their minds between now and caucus/primary day, Governor Richardson is still in this race to win. So, in the interest of making the best case I can for the Gov, I'm going to link you back to a post I did way back on March 30 of this year. It's called, "Why Bill Richardson? Why Now?" While that was a long time ago, the arguments for Bill Richardson are still as strong as they were then, albeit with an even better pitch now that he is the best person to get us out of Iraq and restore our foreign-policy credibility. Have a great Christmas season and I'll talk to you again in a week or so as caucus and primary time looms large.

"The Right Stuff"

2007-12-16T15:12:00.000-05:00

With the campaign going full-tilt in both IA and NH, there are lots of "from the campaign trail" stories running in both states these days. . Here's just one example, an article from the Laconia, NH Citizen.

Iraq: Don't Ignore the Elephant in the Room

2007-12-08T17:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a Huffington Post article by Bill Richardson addressing the Iraq war and the need to make sure that its swift resolution is a prominent issue in the campaign. Of late, it seems like the war has been taking a back seat to other topics at the debates. That needs to change.

Bill Richardson On the Rise in Iowa and New Hampshire

2007-11-27T17:40:00.000-05:00

John Edwards is dropping fast and Bill Richardson is rising, soon to be in third place in Iowa and NH and the obvious alternative to the media-annointed Big Two. Today the Washington Post did a feature on the Gov's appeal to rural Iowans, and his soon-to-be-completed goal of campaigning in all 99 Iowa counties. Then the Atlantic Monthly discussed BR's blueprint for victory in Iowa. And last, but certainly not least--particularly in Iowa--Bill Richardson unveiled his agriculture plan. Read about it here from the Des Moines Register, complete with a lot of specifics.

We Still Need NJ Volunteers

2007-11-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

Like the headline says....we still need NJ volunteers for Bill Richardson's campaign here. We need them two different ways:

(1) Right now! We need folks to collect signatures to get BR on the NJ primary ballot. The deadline (Dec 10th) is approaching fast.

(2) We need to sign up Jan '08 volunteers now so if the Gov finishes top three in Iowa, which is looking more likely every day (Edwards is dropping like a rock in IA and NH), we have an enthusiastic contingent to hit the Garden State with Richardson material in January, i.e., leading up to the 2/5/08 NJ primary.

Either way, email me now at njforrichardson@gmail.com and I'll get you signed up to help.

Thanks!

Bill Richardson's Time to Move Up

2007-11-21T05:59:00.000-05:00

We're getting to crunch time--only a little over a month until the Iowa caucuses and the NH primary--and a couple of new polls show a unique opportunity for Bill Richardson to move up RIGHT NOW!

The CNN/WMUR poll in NH has the Gov doubling his support since the last poll and moving to within a point of John Edwards, who is dropping like a rock. That poll has Clinton 36, Obama 23, Edwards 13, and Richardson 12.

In Iowa, the latest Wash Post/ABC poll has Obama 30, Clinton 26, Edwards 22, and Richardson 11. While those numbers aren't as close for third place as in NH, they are extremely significant in that they show the lowest numbers for John Edwards since the campaign started. His support is dwindling fast. Meanwhile, the Gov is on the move again.

Finishing in the top three in both of these states is critical. The media has made it pretty clear that they can only handle major coverage of three candidates. So far, Clinton, Obama and Edwards get the lion's share of the press. That will all change if Bill Richardson can continue to rise in the polls as Edwards falls.

This race is not over. The voters in Iowa and NH seem hungry for another choice outside of the top three candidates so far. That choice is clear: Bill Richardson, change, experience and electability.

"Bill Richardson did not leave me and my crew behind and he will not leave you veterans or this country behind."

2007-11-19T21:11:00.000-05:00

Here's an amazing piece from the Huffington Post. It's written by John Early, a special-forces-trained bush pilot whose plane went down in the Sudan. Who rescued him from 38 days of confinement by Sudanese rebels? Bill Richardson. Early has a lot to say that'll make you proud to support the Gov for president.

"Leading By Example"--A Review

2007-11-19T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a review of Bill Richardson's new book on energy policy, Leading By Example. The book plots a course for energy independence that works, and does so in a readable form, easily digested by the average person who isn't an energy wonk.

Bill Richardson Nominated For Nobel Prize For 5th Time

2007-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

This time, it's for his work in the Sudan and North Korea. Read about it here.

2013--What the #%$@

2007-11-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

Check it out--the new website that asks why Bill Richardson is the only major candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination to insist on withdrawing all American troops from Iraq within one year. Clinton, Obama and Edwards have all refused to promise that the US will leave Iraq completely by the end of the next president's first term--that's January 2013. Only Bill Richardson stands firm on this issue among the top four Dems.

Bill Richardson Interviewed By Charlie Rose

2007-11-10T14:41:00.000-05:00

If you have the time, watch this interview. It is an in-depth look at the man behind the candidate, and makes me even more convinced than I already was that Bill Richardson has the experience and the character to be a hell of a great president:

The Nation on Bill Richardson

2007-11-08T17:34:00.000-05:00

Here's a great piece by Rocky Anderson today in The Nation on why you ought to be voting for Bill Richardson.

Lee Iacocca Backs Bill Rchardson

2007-11-06T12:58:00.000-05:00

Big news hit while I was traveling last week: former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca endorsed Bill Richardson for president! Read about it here. It's good to hear a figure who commands as much respect as does Iacocca say things like: "I think experience counts and so does character. And after the last seven years, [Bill Richardson's] the kind of president we need right now."

And here's video of the announcement:

Bill Richardson In An Unlikely Interview

2007-11-06T12:54:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a Baltimore Sun article featuring a load of quotes from the Gov's interview in an unlikely magazine: Playboy. It's a good read and gets not only into good political detail, but helps you meet the person behind all the campaigning.

Bill Richardson on a National Energy Policy

2007-10-29T20:35:00.001-04:00

Traveling....

2007-10-28T10:06:00.001-04:00

The blog will be a little quiet for the next week or so. Governor Richardson's working hard, but I'll be away from my computer for a bit. Talk to you soon.

Bipartisanship

2007-10-28T10:02:00.000-04:00

If you look at polls from all over the country, one of the things that annoys most Americans more than any other issue is the absurd partisan divide over *everything* in Washington. If one party says it's a nice sunny day, the other is sure to point out the incoming rain clouds. It's ridiculous. So, if that sort of issue troubles you as well, check out these poll results. When congressional Republicans were asked which Dem presidential candidate they could most see compromising with to solve the nation's problems, Bill Richardson was the winner. We don't need a bigger partisan divide than ever in DC. Bill Richardson can help to solve that problem.

Electability

2007-10-24T20:54:00.000-04:00

Zogby Poll: Half Say They Would Never Vote for Hillary Clinton for President

Other top tier candidates in both parties win more acceptance; Richardson & Huckabee favored most

While she is winning wide support in nationwide samples among Democrats in the race for their party's presidential nomination, half of likely voters nationwide said they would never vote for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, a new Zogby Interactive poll shows.

The online survey of 9,718 likely voters nationwide showed that 50% said Clinton would never get their presidential vote. This is up from 46% who said they could never vote for Clinton in a Zogby International telephone survey conducted in early March. Older voters are most resistant to Clinton -- 59% of those age 65 and older said they would never vote for the New York senator, but she is much more acceptable to younger voters: 42% of those age 18-29 said they would never vote for Clinton for President.

Whom would you NEVER vote for for President of the U.S.?	%
Clinton (D)	50%
Kucinich (D)	49%
Gravel (D)	47%
Paul (D)	47%
Brownback (R)	47%
Tancredo (R)	46%
McCain (R)	45%
Hunter (R)	44%
Giuliani (R)	43%
Romney (R)	42%
Edwards (D)	42%
Thompson (R)	41%
Dodd (D)	41%
Biden (D)	40%
Obama (D)	37%
Huckabee (R)	35%
Richardson (D)	34%
Not sure	4%

At the other end of the scale, Republican Mike Huckabee and Democrats Bill Richardson and Barack Obama faired best, as they were least objectionable to likely voters. Richardson was forever objectionable as President to 34%, while 35% said they could never vote for Huckabee and 37% said they would never cast a presidential ballot for Obama, the survey showed.

The Zogby Interactive poll, conducted Oct. 11-15, 2007, included 9,718 likely voters nationwide and carries a margin of error of /- 1.0 percentage point.

Bill Richardson on the Economy

2007-10-18T06:21:00.001-04:00

One of the reasons Bill Richardson is my favorite Democratic candidate is his resistance to the notion that the only way to balance budgets is by raising everyone's taxes. In fact, Governor Richardson has lowered taxes in New Mexico *and* run huge surpluses by smart spending and budget cuts where appropriate. Here's a great interview with the Gov on CNBC stressing his balanced-budget cred (in fact, I think it's my favorite of his 2008 media interviews so far...great stuff):

"It's Time To Make a Choice In Iraq" Plus Some Video

2007-10-18T06:02:00.000-04:00

Straight from Bill Richardson, here's a link to his latest column at Huffington Post, addressing the need to get US troops out of Iraq now.

And here's Joe Scarborough's highly complimentary interview with the Gov on MSNBC, addressing the war:

Bill Richardson and Water Rights

2007-10-14T09:01:00.000-04:00

Recently, the Gov highlighted his plan to hold a "national water summit" if elected president and to establish a water-conservation position as a cabinet post in his administration. He also made a comment that was easily misinterpreted: that "Wisconsin is awash in water." That kind of talk raises the hackles of folks around the Great Lakes, who have seen their water levels dropping and, rightfully, don't want to see other regions of the country dipping into their water supply.

So let's clear this one up: Bill Richardson doesn't want to transfer water from one region of the country to another. This isn't socialized water that he's talking about. All he meant by Wisconsin being "awash" in water is that *all* states, even the more "awash" ones, need to be focused on water conservation. Folks in the Southwest have been dealing with this for years, and there certainly are many good people in the Great Lakes area who have too, but BR's point is this: *everyone* in the US needs to focus on water-supply issues and conservation. It's that important. Bill Richardson doesn't want to steal anyone's water. He just wants everyone to think of water as a precious resource that needs to be protected.

Here's the official statement from the campaign yesterday (link to website):

Bill Richardson reaffirms authority of states to oversee water distribution

SANTA FE, NM-- Presidential candidate New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's national press secretary Tom Reynolds today released the following statement on Richardson's water policy for America's future:

"As president, Gov. Richardson will launch a national dialogue on water issues affecting all parts of the country, including quality, conservation, efficiency and reuse. While certain areas of the country enjoy greater water supplies than others, Richardson in no way proposes federal transfers of water from one region of the nation to the other. Richardson believes firmly in keeping water in its basin of origin and of the rights of states to oversee water distribution.

"As governor of a western state, Richardson understands more than others the importance of protecting our water supplies. In New Mexico he has developed a statewide water initiative, he has created a statewide strategic water reserve, and he has created a water innovation fund and a water trust fund to invest in water conservation and production.

"As President Gov. Richardson will embrace a national water policy that will specifically help protect the authority of states and the rights of local communities throughout the country."

College Students For Richardson

2007-10-09T20:10:00.000-04:00

Since I put out the call for NJ volunteers just a couple days ago, we've already had some college students (and others) sign up. It's a nationwide trend, as BR's anti-war message picks up supporters. Here's a piece about Richardson supporters at Yale who are stepping up to volunteer for the Gov.

Smart Military Spending Is Not Always More Military Spending

2007-10-06T17:44:00.000-04:00

Here's an article from the Des Moines Register detailing Bill Richardson's plan to strengthen our military by beefing up recruitment numbers and anti-terrorism weapons and tactics while simultaneously getting rid of obsolete weapons--thereby saving billions without compromising American security. And it goes without saying that those increased recruitment goals will be a hell of a lot easier to reach once we're not at war any longer.

Getting Out of Iraq=Helping to Contain Iran

2007-10-06T17:39:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting piece from, of all places, The Conservative Voice, lauding Bill Richardson's plan to get all troops out of Iraq ASAP, and explaining how that plan--including the critical point of establishing an all-Muslim peacekeeping force for the region--will help contain any ambition that Iran may have to try to control Iraq.

Bet of the Year

2007-10-01T17:28:00.000-04:00

That would be Bill Richardson--to win the presidency--according to this article from Slate.

"Bill Richardson--The Only Serious Anti-War Candidate"

2007-10-01T17:04:00.001-04:00

That's the title of this article from The Individualist. The author implores the netroots community to get behind Bill Richardson, who wants the troops home in one year, and away from Edwards, Clinton and Obama--none of whom will promise that all the troops will be home from Iraq by January 2013.

Get Serious About Ending the War Now, Not in 2013 or Later

2007-09-28T17:06:00.000-04:00

Go here to check out Cara's Daily Kos diary on the Gov's plan. And go here to read Governor Richardson's Huffington Post article on the same subject.

War Until 2013, Or Not. It's Your Choice.

2007-09-27T15:47:00.000-04:00

Last night's NH debate was a watershed moment for the Democratic Party in this election. The question posed to the candidates was simple: can you promise that at the end of your first term as president all US troops will be out of Iraq? The answers--from Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards--were stunning.

They all said, "No."

I promised a long time ago on this blog that I would not "go negative" on any other candidate in this primary race, and I still won't. But I will tell you when Bill Richardson's position is starkly different than his chief rivals for the nomination, and there could be no more crystal clear example of such a difference than in his answer to that question: one year. The troops will be home within one year of him taking office. Not 2013, which, by the way, is five and one-half years from now--longer than this war has already been going on. One year.

And this is not a simple numbers game of one year versus many more. It's a difference in basic philosophy regarding the best way to end the Iraq War. There are the naysayers that quibble with Bill Richardson, telling him that one year is an unrealistically short period of time, and that troop withdrawal will take longer than that. To them, I say, "So what?" The critical point is not the precise length of time, but, rather, the commitment of the candidate to get our troops home as fast as possible, so the real process of peace and reconciliation can begin. The 2013 crowd is on the other side of that divide. They do not have the same commitment to bring our troops home as soon as possible. Instead, their plan has no end-goal in sight.

This choice isn't complicated. Yes, withdrawing troops from a war zone is complicated, but that will be true whenever it occurs. What is not complicated is deciding on which side of a simple divide you stand: should we bring the troops home as soon as possible, with a goal of no more than one year for the arrival of the last troop home, or should we keep an open-ended commitment to stay in Iraq much longer than that? If you choose the former course of action, you should have an equally uncomplicated task in choosing a candidate from among the top four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination because Bill Richardson is the only candidate who agrees with your position on Iraq. So go vote for him. Make him the nominee, and let's end this war--quickly and responsibly.

Vote Bill Richardson for president.

Bill Richardson On Iraq

2007-09-25T06:35:00.001-04:00

The Richardson Surge

2007-09-24T08:58:00.000-04:00

You may have missed this article in The Nation that lauds Bill Richardson as *the* candidate among the Dems who is still gaining ground in the polls, mostly thanks to his anti-Iraq-War efforts and his promises to bring *all* the US troops home faster than Clinton, Edwards or Obama.

Bill Richardson Meets the Press

2007-09-23T21:02:00.000-04:00

The Gov has been active on the interview circuit of late. Here's a link to an hour-long chat he had with Associated Press reporters.

New Hampshire For Richardson

2007-09-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

Things have been a little slow here at the ol' blog the last couple weeks. The Gov has been working hard, but the amount of "new" news has been a little light. He's been wearing out the campaign trail pushing the familiar themes of ending the war faster than any other Dem candidate, energy independence, healthcare reform, and the power of international diplomacy. So it's nice to see a NH voter take notice and take a stand for Bill. Check it out here.

Bill Richardson--The Energy President

2007-09-03T08:38:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons I'm a big Richardson supporter is because he walks the walk on energy issues--on both conservation and alternative energy. Here's a great interview with the Gov on energy policy, from Salon:

Sep. 03, 2007 | Bill Richardson likes to play up his image as a
horse-ridin', gun-totin' man of the Wild West, but don't be distracted
by the cowboy swagger -- the Democratic governor of New Mexico also
has a serious policy wonk side. That was on full display in May when
he unveiled a broad and ambitious climate and energy plan. Billing
himself as the "energy president," he's now calling for a 90 percent
cut to greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, a renewable-energy target of
50 percent by 2040, and a 50-mile-per-gallon fuel-economy standard by
2020.

Richardson is no newcomer to energy issues, of course -- he served as
secretary of energy at the end of the Clinton administration, and has
aggressively pushed clean energy as governor of New Mexico. But some
greens might not care for his "clean coal" boosterism or his embrace
of "all kinds of biofuel."

I rang up the governor at his office in Santa Fe, N.M., to size up his
energy and environmental vision.

You've dubbed yourself the "energy president." Why did you choose that
moniker?

Right now, the most important domestic and national-security issues
involve America becoming energy independent and reducing
greenhouse-gas emissions. I believe it's going to take an "energy
president" who will lead this country toward these goals by asking all
Americans to sacrifice for the common good and be more
energy-efficient and promote a green style of living.

Many of the candidates are trying to paint themselves as the green
candidate. What makes your platform stronger than the others'?

On energy, both the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters
have stated that my plan is the most aggressive, with the strongest
timetables.

But what differentiates myself from other candidates is I've actually
done it. I've done it as energy secretary in the Clinton
administration by tightening air-conditioning energy-use standards by
30 percent, building a strong portfolio of renewable energy, and
promoting 100-mile-per-gallon vehicles through a fuel-efficiency
initiative with the auto companies.

Then, as governor of New Mexico, I believe we have the most
clean-energy initiatives of any state. We have a renewable portfolio
standard going to 20 percent by 2020. Our state is on track to observe
the Kyoto treaty. We have no taxes on hybrid vehicles. We're the first
in the country to export wind energy. We also have a number of
incentives for solar, wind, biomass, biodiesel and
distributed-generation fuel cells.

I was also probably one of the most active pro-environment
congressmen. I pursued and made law a number of national parks,
wilderness areas, river protections and air-quality standards. When I
was on the committee [overseeing the] Interior [Department], I worked
on bills including the Jemez National Recreation Area and the South
San Juan Wilderness.

You've vowed as president to mandate a 90 percent greenhouse-gas
emission reduction by 2050 --

I've also proposed a strong standard in the short term: 20 percent
reductions by 2020.

These goals are even stronger than some environmental groups are
calling for. Why such dramatic targets?

Because we can't wait. It's a matter of necessity. It's important
because it involves our national security. Our energy dependence on
foreign oil is so unhealthy -- we could be vulnerable to an oil price
shock, to $5-per-gallon gasoline prices, to long lines at the pumps.
What I'm also advocating is a dramatic shift in mass transit, like
I've done here in New Mexico with the Rail Runner. But we'd have,
nationally, transportation policies that promote sensible land use --
not just proposing highway funding bills, but bills to establish light
rail and bullet trains and more energy-efficient transportation. Also,
land-use policies that advocate open space. This is for a better
quality of life for all our people.

Are your climate goals as much informed by your concern about energy
independence as they are about climate change?

Yes.

As president, would you subsidize the development of technologies,
such as liquefied coal, that could worsen global warming, even if they
would boost energy independence?

I'm for clean coal, but I'm not a big fan of liquefied. I do not
believe that coal-to-liquids technologies represent a viable solution
for the future because of the associated carbon dioxide emissions. I
will push for a well-to-wheels low-carbon fuel requirement that
reduces the carbon impact of our liquid fuels by 30 percent by 2020,
including alternative fuels that will substitute for about 10 percent
of our gasoline demand.

But coal does belong in a clean-energy future?

I believe that carbon-clean coal will play a role in our energy
future. There have gotta be some very strict clean-coal standards. I'm
not an advocate for continuing to use old oil, coal and nuclear. They
all have to be part of a mix, but in the past, those three have
received an inordinate amount of subsidies and tax incentives at the
expense of renewable energy. It's important to emphasize that the
future is in renewable energy, renewable fuel, conservation measures.
It's in buildings that are 50 percent more energy-efficient, solar
roofs in schools, 50-mile-per-gallon vehicles by 2030.

What about nuclear -- can you expand on that? It sounds like you think
coal and nuclear need to be part of the energy mix, but they shouldn't
be subsidized?

Yes. My dramatic preference would be for clean coal. I oppose the
construction of those coal plants in Texas -- too many subsidies for
the coal industry. And I opposed giving a tax incentive in New Mexico
to just a regular coal plant that's proposed here, Desert Rock. I
can't be the champion of global climate change and have a new coal
plant that isn't clean.

Do you think we'll have to expand nuclear capacity?

Nuclear has to be part of the mix, but I would eliminate the subsidies
that nuclear and coal and oil got from the last energy bill and shift
those to renewable energy, to a more equal playing field.

Nuclear will not be able to move forward unless we resolve the waste
issue. The [Yucca Mountain] site in Nevada has significant water,
environmental and transportation problems with it. The other
alternative of putting nuclear waste at existing regional sites around
the country is not going to work. I favor a technological solution --
let's get our best scientists at the national labs to find a way to
dispose of this nuclear waste safely. Until that is resolved, nuclear
should not get any advantages.

What role do you think ethanol and biofuels should play in a 21st
century energy system?

A very important role, both of them -- all kinds of biofuel,
biodiesel. We need to have more fuel-efficient fuels.

We should provide incentives for distribution by, for example, helping
gas stations convert at least one pump to handle E85 or other
biofuels. The federal government also should use its purchasing power
-- as we have done in New Mexico -- to transform the energy
marketplace by, for example, purchasing more hybrid and flex-fuel cars
for its own use.

And I believe in cooperative ventures with other countries. I would
expand our ties to Latin America with more collaboration in renewable
energy and technology. That's the future for that region, what Brazil
has done with ethanol, for instance -- they're totally energy
self-sufficient.

You are a strong supporter of both corn and cellulosic ethanol. How,
specifically, will you structure policies that transition the U.S.
away from corn ethanol and toward cellulosic?

Our goal should be bold -- to replace 20 percent of liquid
transportation fuels with biofuels by 2020. We should significantly
ramp up federal investments in the research and development of
biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol.

You have a strong incentive for electric cars in your auto proposal.
Do you think electric cars will win out over biofuel cars?

They will all be part of the mix. We in New Mexico were very proud to
get Tesla Motors to move here from California. It's the perfect
combination for us: It's high-tech jobs plus clean energy.

Do you think climate and energy will be front-burner concerns in the
2008 election?

Absolutely. They are among the most important issues in the
presidential campaign. The first is Iraq, the second is a close tie
between universal healthcare and energy independence.

You've said on the one hand that voters need to be willing to
sacrifice some of their creature comforts for a new energy landscape,
but also that Americans should be able to keep SUVs. Can you explain
this contradiction?

What I'm asking for is not sacrifice, like Americans' wearing sweaters
and turning the heat down. What I'm asking for is being more
energy-efficient with appliances, with vehicles, with mass transit.
Maybe, instead of driving to work, once a month go mass transit.

I believe very strongly in what John F. Kennedy asked all Americans to
do and that's sacrifice a little bit for the collective good. We need,
as a moral imperative, to reduce our consumption of fossil fuel
because it's in our national interest that we do so as a nation. It's
going to take a president to lead this dramatic shift and not just
little energy bills. We need to energize every American to become green.

But Americans will be able to keep their SUVs because the technology
is improving?

Yes. You can have an SUV with a fuel-efficient engine. We do have the
technology to achieve this.

You say your energy programs are going to produce 10 times more value
than they cost, right? How does this math add up?

Our energy programs are going to be great for the economy mainly
because they are going to create two sets of new jobs in this country
-- one in renewable technology, which are high-wage, high-skill jobs,
and the second in retrofitting homes for the construction industry,
also higher-wage jobs. It will be not just a job boom, but a
technological boom.

So that boom in jobs will add up to 10 times more than the cost of
jump-starting that trend?

Absolutely.

Can Detroit achieve the sharp fuel-economy standards you're proposing
-- an increase to 50 mpg by 2020?

Detroit will benefit from this. We've got the technology. They need a
little gentle prodding and they need incentives, but Detroit has
always stepped up with ingenuity. They must realize that to keep jobs
in America, to be part of this globalized world, they gotta compete.
I'm not at all averse to giving Detroit tax incentives for these
vehicles or having the government jointly invest in R&D with them,
rather than clubbing them over the head.

In 2005, you signed an environmental justice order in New
Mexico. How would you address environmental justice as president?

I would issue an executive order that would respect neighborhoods,
especially in minority areas; I would make it part of a "Quality of
Life Initiative." It would have several components: promoting
environmental justice, as well as a new open-space policy, a smart
land-use policy and a new transportation policy that would emphasize
light rail and more energy-efficient transportation.

After climate and energy, what do you think is the most important
environmental issue facing the nation?

Protecting our parks, not drilling in ecosystems and offshore areas,
the need to create more open space and wilderness areas, and finding
ways to conserve water more effectively are critically important.

Who is your environmental hero?

Mo Udall, because he gave me, when I first came into Congress, a very
good environmental ethic. I remember him taking me to Alaska where we
worked on the Alaska wilderness initiatives. He was a Western
environmentalist -- I patterned myself after him.

And Al Gore deserves enormous credit for pushing global climate change.

You often talk about your love of the wilds of New Mexico and the
outdoors in general. Can you describe your inner cowboy?

I own a horse -- that's my main recreational activity. His name is
Sundance. I love to go out into the mountains of Santa Fe and spend
time with him. That's my main recreation. Unfortunately, I don't have
much time for it.

If you could spend a week in one park or natural area, where would it be?

Yellowstone.

What have you done personally to lighten your environmental footprint?

We got a Ford Escape hybrid for the governor's fleet and an ethanol
vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe FlexFuel that can run on E85. The governor's
mansion has energy-efficient windows, and we've installed compact
fluorescent bulbs wherever possible. We also are involved in a
renewable-purchasing program that supplies 90 percent of the
electricity from solar and wind. We've also made water-conservation
improvements to the residence, like low-flush toilets, low-flow
showerheads, xeriscaping, and a water-efficient irrigation system.

This article is part of a series of interviews with presidential
candidates produced jointly by Grist and Outside.

-- By Amanda Griscom Little

Bill Richardson: Climbing, With a Golden Opportunity

2007-08-30T18:37:00.000-04:00

David Yepsen is one of Iowa's most respected political writers, and he sees Bill Richardson on the rise in Iowa.

In fact, Yepsen hits on a golden opportunity for the Gov. Right now, the Top Three are all having troubles of their own. Hillary Clinton's electability is coming into question and that appears to be an issue that won't go away soon. Barack Obama's experience is, likewise, being examined by Iowa voters, and John Edwards suddenly seems, to a lot of voters, like a too-angry-for-primetime kind of candidate. There's a window of opportunity that is wide open right *now* for Bill Richardson. I hope he seizes the moment.

Saturday Bill Richardson Roundup

2007-08-25T19:45:00.000-04:00

Rather than do separate posts for each of these articles, I'll give you a quick hit and run on the last few days of Bill-Richardson-related news.

The Prez on the Rez forum on Native American issues attracted only one top-tier Dem: Bill Richardson. It's great to see the Gov try to broaden his base of support in many different communities across the country. Here's another take on the same forum.

Then, on the same theme of expanding his base of support, Governor Richardson announced a new outreach program to attract Hispanic voters.

Moreover, the Gov's new book, Leading By Example, is getting rave reviews for its forward-thinking take on energy policy.

Meanwhile, Bill Richardson was not kidding when he said recently that he was amping up his Nevada operations. This past week, he was in Nevada, courting votes there at a forum with Joe Biden.

Finally, a reader at the Washington Blade has sounded off in support of the Gov.

"A Master Lesson In Political Debating"

2007-08-21T08:26:00.000-04:00

That's what Deborah White, a writer at About.com, calls Bill Richardson's most recent debate performance. Read about it here. "Richardson rallied," she writes.

And the Winner Is....

2007-08-20T08:07:00.000-04:00

...Bill Richardson! In yesterday's post, I noted that Reason magazine had declared the Gov to have been one of the winners of yesterday's Dem debate, and that Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza had nice things to say about some of BR's performance. Well, now Cillizza's latest column declares Bill Richardson to have been the winner of yesterday's debate, along with Barack Obama. That's high praise, indeed. Cillizza has been tough on the Gov in the past.

Meanwhile, the Santa Fe New Mexican says the Gov "brought his A game" to this debate.

Not Bad, Governor...Not Bad At All

2007-08-19T17:18:00.000-04:00

You might have missed it; I know I almost did but at the last minute I happened to notice that George Stephanopolous was moderating an "official" DNC-sanctioned debate this morning with the eight Dem candidates.

I have told you in the past that, with one exception, I have not been overly impressed with the Gov's performance in the debates so far. He has been, generally speaking, OK. But "OK" is not going to cut it when trying to move up high enough in the polls to challenge for the lead. He has also occasionally been less than "OK," and I've been disappointed by that because I know he is capable of so much more. Which brings us to today....

And he was good, even great at times. More than ever, he made it crystal clear that his plan is the most urgent to bring *all* of the troops home from Iraq as soon as possible. He was not perfect, but far more noteworthy political analysts than myself thought he did very well for himself. Over at Reason magazine, they say Bill Richardson and Hillary Clinton won today.
Meanwhile, at the Washington Post, Chris Cillizza, who has been rough on the Gov's past debate performances, gave him high marks for distinguishing himself well on his Iraq position.

Good on ya, Gov. Here's to doing even better next time, and the time after that....This campaign is still on the move and there's still plenty of time to win.

Bill Richardson Is Working Hard on Issues That Matter

2007-08-18T17:05:00.000-04:00

The Gov just penned a great letter to President Bush urging him to stop the madness of federally prosecuting folks who are using medical marijuana in states where it's approved (like New Mexico, thanks to Governor Richardson. Read about it here.

Then, in a move certain to distinguish him from many in the area of fiscal conservatism/responsibility, Bill Richardson unveiled a detailed economic plan designed to drastically reduce the federal budget deficit that Mr. Bush has blown through the roof.

Also, in a reaction to the news that John Edwards' campaign appears to be scaling down its Nevada operations, Governor Richardson has redoubled his efforts to win that early battle for the nomination.

You know, a few months back, Governor Richardson said he would "outwork them all," referring to how he would defeat his better-funded rivals for the nomination. He really seems to be giving it his best shot. Now what we need is some seriously great debate performances to round out what is otherwise a stellar effort. Go Bill!

More Newspaper Columnists Are Big On Bill Richardson

2007-08-18T16:56:00.000-04:00

Here's a nice tribute to the Gov from the editorial page of the Greensboro, NC News Record. It's good to see our friends in the South stepping up to the plate for Bill Richardson. Likewise, here's a nice piece in the Washington Post by William Arkin touting the Gov's obviously superior qualifications for the job. It's Called "The Man Who Should (But Won't Be) King" and its only bad point is its pessimism over BR's chances. It's still early, Mr. Arkin, but thanks for the kind words.

Let's Get This Bickering Over With Quickly, OK?

2007-08-14T21:02:00.000-04:00

Yes, the Gov blew that question at the GLBT forum on whether homosexuality is a choice, but for crying out loud, people, does anyone who is familiar with his record on GLBT issues really think Bill Richardson is anything other than the *best* of the top four Dems on these types of issues? His post-forum apologies/clarifications are well-documented elsewhere, but here's a clip, from the campaign website, quoting Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank on why Bill Richardson has been a leader regarding issues of liberty/freedom for GLBT folks, and a video clip of some New Mexicans who back up Frank's statement. Can we move on now?

Richardson on Universal Health Care

2007-08-14T21:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a Washington Post article giving the Gov his due on the issue.

Two New Bill Richardson TV Ads

2007-08-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Check 'em out here.

An Interview With Bill Richardson on Energy Independence

2007-08-07T07:16:00.000-04:00

From Grist.org...check it out here. Lots of detail about his plan, which has been hailed by the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations as the boldest, best environmental/energy strategy of the major candidates.

BTW, later today, in Iowa, the Gov will unveil his heathcare plan in detail.

Richardson On Energy, and a Chance to Vote

2007-08-04T11:43:00.000-04:00

For a nice side-by-side comparison of the Dem energy plans, and a chance to vote for the one you like the best (that would BR's :)) go to Daily Kos' page on the subject. Thanks to Carolyn for the link.

"The Fourth Man" Is the Only Candidate On the Move Everywhere

2007-08-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

With a woman in the top four for the Dem nomination, perhaps, "The Fourth Man" wasn't the best title for this article from The Economist. But you get the point....Richardson is getting noticed, even in the UK press for the fact that he is the only Dem candidate consistently moving up in all state polls, as well as the one with the most appeal to independents. That translates to electability.

"Is Richardson Quietly Surging?"

2007-07-30T18:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, he is, and this guy seems to have noticed.

Bill's Sitting This Particular Fight Out, aka Bickering Is Bad

2007-07-29T19:08:00.001-04:00

You've probably read a lot about how Hilary and Obama are going at it over who has the better strategy for a hypothetical meeting with a dictatorial leader of an unfriendly nation. As this article from the Boston Globe indicates, Bill Richardson is not going to choose sides in that fight. In fact, in both Iowa and New Hampshire, voters have a tradition of not liking these sorts of scraps, or certainly not enjoying them if they drag on. Indeed, in 2004, much of Kerry's victory was credited to Dean and Gephardt going too negative on one another. Could it happen again?

A Different Kind of Presidential Candidate

2007-07-29T19:06:00.001-04:00

That's what this piece from the Des Moines, Iowa Register calls Bill Richardson.

Bill Richardson Wins Iowa Caucuses!!

2007-07-26T21:17:00.000-04:00

At least that's what this article says is going to happen. It seems that this group of pollsters is convinced that the Gov is perfectly positioned, based on polling results, to be the guy with the momentum to take Iowa in January. Really.

Post-Debate Thoughts

2007-07-24T07:53:00.000-04:00

Hey, that was a nice performance by the Gov last night. In fact, it was *by far* his best debate yet. BR started a little behind the rest of the top tier when all these debates began a few months back. He's not a lawyer, and the other three are, and, trust me, it matters. Lawyers are, by and large, used to thinking really fast on their feet and responding in a, er, lawyerlike (slick/pointed) manner to questioning. BR had been a little behind the curve in that regard. He did *much* better last night. He was clear, concise, not repetitive, and did an overall great job of getting his message out there without any of the grimacing or uncomfortable facial expressions that seemed to be a problem in that first debate. I saw that last night's post-debate reaction on CNN had him tied with HRC as the winner among a group of 24 undecided Nevada voters.

This is all great news because it's still *really* early in this whole game. The non-politically -obsessive general public is just beginning to look seriously at the candidates. Indeed, something like 64% of New Hampshire voters said they had not permanently settled on a candidate yet. Bill Richardson is moving up. Now that the Gov has found a debating style that suits him well, let's enjoy the ride and keep it going. He was already great in person with a crowd at a campaign appearance. Now he finally seems to have found a way to be just as convincing in front of a TV camera. This is good news.

An Interesting Comment

2007-07-22T20:45:00.001-04:00

I've never reposted a blog comment before, but I found this one interesting, and because it's a recent comment but buried back in the May archive, I thought you might have missed it. I'm not finding it interesting because the guy agreed with me, but, rather, because it's a conservative voter telling us how to beat the GOP in '08: nominate Bill Richardson. My original post is here. Here's most of the comment:

"As a conservative from the Reagan era, let me say that much of what you said here is right on the money. I've thought for two years that Richardson is the one guy who could carry the states the Dems have built as a base and siphon enough votes to get Arizona, Louisiana, Kentucky, or Missouri.

This is not going to be as 'easy' for the Democrats as most of their supporters wish. Let's face it: Bush is NOT on the ballot. Saying, "I'm not Bush" (which was Kerry's ONLY argument) didn't win when Bush was the alternative, so why should it work when the GOP isn't nominating Bush AND isn't nominating his Veep, either?

It is a SIMPLE FACT that the Electoral College swings in favor of the GOP. It's not as hard a swing as it used to be in one sense - some states (NJ and IL, for example) that used to vote GOP are now pretty solid for the Dems. The PROBLEM, however, is the NUMBER of electoral votes going towards the GOP has increased as NY and PA have lost votes to places like Florida."

It's Debate Time Again (And This Is Getting Serious)

2007-07-22T20:39:00.000-04:00

Monday night July 23 at 7pm on CNN is the next Democratic debate and it's a huge opportunity for Bill Richardson. Having just moved into third place in New Hampshire recently, the Gov has the chance to make a huge impact on the race with a big performance. All past debates will be forgotten if he can seize the moment and focus on his plan for the future. It's a big moment for him and I hope he uses it well. A stellar performance tomorrow night could be the catalyst to move even farther up in the polls.

Picking Up Western Endorsements

2007-07-15T08:54:00.000-04:00

The headline says it all. Read more here.

I'm out of here for a week of vacation. Stay cool and blogging will resume in earnest in a week or so....

Working Hard

2007-07-08T20:54:00.000-04:00

There hasn't been a lot of earthshattering, headline-grabbing news on the '08 front in the last week, but the Gov is still working hard. He's been at it in SC, NH and IA, often going to spots that others are ignoring. Here's a piece on his visit with a SC Native American group, and here's one on the first-ever visit of a presidential candidate to Marlow, NH.

$7 Million in the Second Quarter

2007-06-30T18:16:00.000-04:00

The financial goal of this campaign has always been to stay competitive. Bill Richardson is never going to out finance the Obama or Hillary campaigns. But he doesn't need to. He just needs to stay in the game, in terms of ad-buys and getting his ideas out there, and it appears that he is. Here's the proof.

It's Debate Time Again, Plus Another Chance to Vote For Bill

2007-06-27T21:26:00.000-04:00

Thursday night June 28 on PBS at 9pm EDT, it's time for the next round of debates for the Dem candidates.

Also, be sure to vote for Bill Richardson in the Daily Kos monthly poll.

On the Move in Iowa

2007-06-26T08:12:00.000-04:00

The latest Iowa poll numbers are in and there are some pretty amazing gains for Bill Richardson. He's up to 13% in the overall poll, which is a steady improvement, but among the "likeliest" caucusgoers--i.e., the ones who went to the '04 caucuses, voted in '06, and say they're going to the caucuses in '08--get this: Bill Richardson just moved past Barack Obama into third place. Wow. He truly is "first-tier" in Iowa.

Richardson Makes An Impact in a Crowd

2007-06-24T13:52:00.000-04:00

Politico.com took a poll of folks attending the Take Back America conference and the results are interesting. By and large, you'll find the Gov where he's been for the past month--in a solid fourth-place position, coming on reasonably strong, but still with a long way (and a long time) to go.Not earthshattering stuff, but it gives me hope that we're on the move.

But by far the most interesting stat appears on page 15 of that report, when voters are asked whose speech made the biggest impact on them in terms of changing their minds and making them more likely to vote for a candidate. The answer? Bill Richardson, by a huge margin. That tells me that if the Gov just keeps at it, and spreads his message far and wide, especially using the personal touch of live events, and even using humor and a personable approach to advertising, he can make friends and allies fast, faster than anyone else.

The Gov Wouldn't Play Games With People's Lives By Vetoing Funding Of Stem-Cell Research

2007-06-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not big on reposting press releases, but this one strikes me as important. Yesterday, the president vetoed the loosening of federal-funding restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research. Here's what the Richardson campaign had to say about that. Good for them:

Richardson: Bush Turns His Back on Millions with Veto
of Stem Cell Bill

Lifting ban on federal funding for stem cell research
would be a priority for Richardson
SANTA FE, NM -- Governor Bill Richardson today issued
the following statement regarding President Bush's
veto of legislation to lift the ban on federal funding
for stem cell research:

"With one pen stroke, President Bush has ignored hard
science, embraced misplaced ideology and turned his
back on the millions who stand to benefit from the
advances that stem cell research holds.

"Countless Americans continue to suffer from
debilitating diseases while our country's brightest
scientists are denied critical funding needed to
search for cures and treatments.

"Congress must continue to fight this battle,
exploring every option at its disposal to lift this
arbitrary ban and give hope for a brighter future for
those living with Parkinson's, ALS, cancer, spinal
cord injuries and other debilitating ailments.

"The President's veto is not the last word on
advancing stem cell research. There is too much at
stake for Democrats to back down. We must press
forward because that's what a majority of Americans
want.

"And if the President continues to ignore the will of
the people, I promise, once elected to the White
House, I will lift this ban, giving our scientists the
funding they need and restoring hope to millions."

Richardson has a strong track record of working to
advance important medical research. Last year,
Richardson announced a major $10-million investment
plan in stem cell research for New Mexico, which
included:

$2 million to establish a nationally-recognized
training program in Stem Cell Research for medical
students, graduate students, residents, fellows,
physicians and scientists.

$4 million to recruit nationally recognized
scientists. Funding is needed to support the initial
recruitment costs plus provide start-up funds to buy
necessary equipment and supplies, and to train and
develop staff.

$4 million in capital to establish state-of-the-art
research facilities for Adult and Embryonic Stem Cell
Research. Federal guidelines currently prohibit work
with embryonic stem cells in space that has been
constructed with federal funds. This capital outlay
will be used to build a state-funded area devoted to
embryonic stem cell research.

"Dean Without The Scream"

2007-06-19T20:24:00.000-04:00

The flurry of activity from the Richardson national campaign recently has led me to wonder if the Gov is mining some potentially very productive territory of late. Right now he is, among other things: (1) the only governor in the Dem race, and, hence, the only one with chief-executive experience, (2) the Dem candidate with the clearest anti-Iraq-war position, and (3) a fiscal conservative who knows how to balance budgets without blowing taxes through the roof. Now go back to the '04 race, and think about who that sounds like: Howard Dean.

Yeah, I know, you're thinking, "Uhhhh, what are you doing, Steve, drawing an analogy to a candidate who lost the nomination?" Here's the point: go back to this time in '03, before his message was distorted by the media, and Howard Dean looked pretty damn good. I was a Dean fan back then (long before he was apparently not ready for prime time and acting a little, er, unpresidential after the Iowa caucuses) because Howard Dean was a fiscally conservative, socially-progressive governor who distinguished himself as *the* anti-Iraq-war candidate of '03/'04. Had he not been distorted by the media into the "waaaaaaaay left candidate that can't win in the general election" and had he not let loose with The Scream, he could have been a formidable candidate--a progressive centrist with heavy anti-war cred, electable as all hell in centrist red states which control presidential elections and which fear tax-and-spenders (which he is not). Instead, he got co-opted by his media-driven reputation and his candidacy crashed and burned.

Which brings us to Bill Richardson....

Governor? Check. Fiscal conservative/social progressive? Check.
Is he about to let loose with a Scream? Nope. He never struck me as the type. Will he let his image be co-opted by the media so he suddenly becomes the "too extreme on the left" candidate? Doubtful, especially because he has a much longer record on which to base a proper evaluation of him. Put differently, he's a more known quantity than Dean was back then, and he's unlikely to get painted into a corner, position-wise, by the media as a result. Finally, is his anti-Iraq-war position as attractive as Dean's was, and as distinctive as Dean's was from the other candidates for the nomination? You bet.

"Dean without The Scream." I mean that as a compliment of the highest order. Bill Richardson has all of Howard Dean's '03 positives without any of his '04 negatives. Those who want to win in '08 should take notice.

Distinguishing Himself, Part Two

2007-06-19T19:46:00.000-04:00

Bill Richardson has a new website dedicated to making it clear that he is the one candidate who wants to bring home every single US troop *now*. Check it out and sign the petition while you're there.

Additionally, today at the AFSCME event where the Big Four Dems spoke, the Gov did his best to make it clear that he stands out from the pack. Watch the video here.

Distinguishing Himself

2007-06-19T06:58:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed a different approach from the campaign in the last couple of weeks. They seem to be making a sustained effort to make it clear that Bill Richardson's plan for ending the Iraq War is stronger and more definitive than the other candidates. The Gov has even begun to criticize his rivals' positions on this issue. I think you're going to see more of an effort in that regard in the coming months and days--not to "go negative," but, rather, to make sure that voters understand that, in a number of important ways, Bill Richardson's positions and experience stand out from the pack.

The Dark Horse Emerges

2007-06-15T08:06:00.000-04:00

Here's a nice piece from Huffington Post detailing how, despite debating skills that have so far been less than senatorial, Bill Richardson is impressing a hell of a lot of people with his ideas and his record. It's good stuff and it focuses on an interesting point: do we want slickness or substance? With rising poll numbers, it's fair to say that substance is on the march.

Bill Richardson's New Book

2007-06-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

It looks like the Gov is set to author another book. He just signed a deal to release a volume in November that addresses energy policy and his sweeping, progressive plans to make energy independence a priority in the US. The book also focuses on how achieving energy independence will make us more secure as a nation and leave us less vulnerable to the whims of the Middle East. The Santa Fe New Mexican has a whole article on it that you can read here.

"Bill Richardson Is Not a Pirate"

2007-06-12T06:57:00.000-04:00

Learn more here.

New Bill Richardson TV Ad!

2007-06-11T18:09:00.000-04:00

Here it is. It's called, "What Kind of Tree?" and it's really funny, ala the original interview ads.

I'm Back and Here's a New Article

2007-06-10T21:39:00.000-04:00

Went out of town for a little no-internet-available R&R and got back to find this in my inbox. It's an LA Times article on the Gov that you might find interesting.

So, What Did You Think?

2007-06-03T22:08:00.001-04:00

I'm curious to see what you NJ For Richardson folks thought of the Gov's debate performance tonight. So leave a comment.

Very briefly, my take is that he did well, but it's hard to deliver any knockout punches in an eight-person format. Quibbling only in a very minor way, I'd say that he doesn't need to reference his status as the only governor in the race on *every* answer, but I thought his answers were clear, concise and well thought-out, and his executive experience *does* provide him with a better perspective. I think we'll see a new Zogby poll for NH soon. Let's hope the debate made a positive impact for Bill Richardson's numbers.

I'm out of town and offline Tuesday through Sunday this week. By the time I get back, I hope we'll be celebrating even better poll numbers....

Bill Richardson's New Clean Energy Ad

2007-06-02T18:32:00.000-04:00

Just in time for the NH debate tomorrow night, the Gov has unveiled a new ad touting his clean-energy cred in New Mexico. It doesn't have the funny charm of the "job interview" ads, but it's good stuff, making clear that he's the most aggressively pro-environmental of the Dem candidates.

Only a Few More Days Until It's Time to Deliver

2007-05-31T20:33:00.001-04:00

Sunday is the next Democratic debate--7pm on CNN, live from Manchester, NH--and this is Bill Richardson's chance to shine. He needs to step up and demonstrate why he is the most electable and most qualified candidate that the Dems can nominate--because he is. The first debate was OK, but he looked vaguely uncomfortable on camera. I, and a lot of folks, chalked that up to a (frankly admirable) lack of "slickness," but a *little* TV-readiness is a good thing in the long run. He then did very well on a seven-minute spot with Jay Leno, but Sunday's Meet the Press appearance with Tim Russert was a mixed bag. *I* know what he meant when he was talking about the Yanks/RedSox thing. He meant he's a Sox fan but always dug Mantle, but he didn't say that very well. And *I* know that the easy answer to the assault-weapons question was that he voted as his constituents asked him to, and that that's the job of a US Rep, and he said that, but he seemed a little tentative.

Anyway, this Sunday is big. We have a candidate who is better-qualified than any other and has electability in red states in the West and Midwest that no other Dem can touch. He's a dream candidate when he's at his best. He's also hit the magic double-digit figures in NH and IA that have him poised to make an even bigger leap in the polls. Sunday night is the time to set that kind of gain into motion. A strong, solid debate performance, big on charm and personality, big on specifics, maybe a little lighter on generalities, could propel Governor Richardson into full-on head-to-head competition in the polls with the leading three candidates. Do it, Governor. Your country and your party need you.

It's "Real Clear" That We're On the Move

2007-05-25T06:54:00.001-04:00

Real Clear Politics has a good piece on Governor Richardson's sudden and unexpectedly quick upward mobility in the polls. Check it out here.

And, hey, welcome to all the new folks who have signed up over at the official campaign site for our New Jersey For Richardson group. You can join them by clicking here.

Bill Richardson Stands Up On Iraq and Immigration

2007-05-25T06:49:00.000-04:00

Here's a piece from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer detailing the Gov's objections to the latest congressional action on Iraq and immigration reform. Good stuff, and likely to get him even more attention than he's already received this week.

David Broder Checks In on the Gov

2007-05-25T06:47:00.001-04:00

Washington Post columnist David Broder thinks that a Bill Richardson v. Mike Huckabee 2008 contest would be the most interesting. He has lots of nice things to say about the Gov.

Bill Richardson On the Radio

2007-05-23T07:50:00.000-04:00

Stephanie Miller is a great radio host. She does a highly rated morning show in LA that is nationally syndicated but hasn't made it to NJ yet, unfortunately. Hers is the rare example of an extremely successful talk-radio show with a progressive political bent. I haven't signed up for the podcasts at her site yet, but I'm close.

Recently she had Bill Richardson on the show and you can hear the interview here. It is amazing to watch/listen to the transformation of the Gov from "Well-Qualified But Slightly Nervous Guy in His First Time in the Extreme Limelight of a Presidential Campaign" to "Well-Qualified Confident Charming Knowledgable Presidential Candidate Who Can Run With the Big Dogs." He's really hitting his stride. I have very high hopes for him in the June 3 Dem debate in New Hampshire. It's a big chance to have his post-debate poll numbers reflect that he has fully reached the first tier of candidates.

New Official Campaign Site and New NJ For Richardson Group At That Site!

2007-05-22T18:27:00.001-04:00

The official campaign site was already well put together, but now it's *really* looking good. It's much more interactive, including a feature that allows you to join a New Jersey For Richardson group there at the site. Here's the link for that group. And here's the link for the homepage at the new official campaign site.

For what it's worth, I've decided to keep blogging for the Gov here at Blogspot. There's a blog feature over at the new campaign site, so I've set one up there, but all it does it redirect you back here. Seemed like the easiest way to go about it. Have fun poking around the new site and sign up for the NJ For Richardson Group while you're there. Oh, and when you do, make sure to go in and edit your profile so it lists you as a member by name rather than just "User in Trenton, NJ" or something like that.

It's Official: Bill Richardson Is Running For President

2007-05-22T06:58:00.000-04:00

It was an exciting day yesterday. First, the Gov made it official: he's running for president. I know; we knew that already, but it's all about the media events, so the deal is to do multiple announcements--one for the exploratory committee and one for the "official" announcement. So yesterday was a *huge* media day for Bill Richardson. It's good to see him getting the attention he so richly deserves. Experience and electability are what it's all about.

On a more personal note, it was an exciting day for me because the Gov took time out of his busy schedule to have a conference call with a few of us bloggers from around the country. It was interesting stuff, mostly strategy (shhhh, top secret!) and expressions of appreciation for what we BR bloggers are doing here in the blogosphere. There's clearly an air of excitement about the campaign because of the new double-digit poll numbers from IA and NH. This campaign is taking off and it's going to be a fun ride.

Double Digits in Iowa!

2007-05-20T19:47:00.000-04:00

The Nation is reporting that Bill Richardson is now polling in double digits in Iowa for the first time as well, and rising fast.

Double Digits, Baby!!

2007-05-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

Bill Richardson is now at double digits in New Hampshire in the latest Zogby poll. This is huge. The tally is: Clinton 28, Obama 26, Edwards 15(! down from 22 last time!) and Richardson 10. John Zogby himself says: "Of greatest significance is the move of Bill Richardson into double-digits from merely a blip on the screen. He is now a player in all this.”

Slow and steady...slow and steady really will win this race.

And, by the way, the "official" start to the campaign begins Monday. We're on the move.

The New Energy Plan:

2007-05-17T20:13:00.000-04:00

Here it is, in bullet-point form, straight from the campaign site, and, on that page, there's a link to the full speech. Grist Mill, the environmental news and commentary website, says: "As of today, Bill Richardson has become the boldest, most visionary Democratic presidential candidate on climate and energy policy." Read their full story here with a fine recap of the whole plan included. This is big stuff, sure to attract those in favor of doing something less than "convenient" about the problem.

More Energy Buzz on Bill Richardson From Reason Magazine

2007-05-17T15:07:00.000-04:00

I'll have a lot more on the Gov's energy-policy statement today in a little bit once I digest the whole thing, but in the meantime here's a piece from the Reason Magazine blog (along with an audio clip) that promotes Bill Richardson as the "Market Democrat" on energy policy. It's that electability thing again....

Two New Polls...Go Vote For Bill Richardson

2007-05-17T14:51:00.000-04:00

Here and here are your latest chances to show your support for Bill Richardson by voting for him in the Daily Kos and MyDD monthly polls. Now go vote! (Oh, and in the MyDD one--the first of those two links--just vote for the Gov; they ask for rankings but then your vote will get spread around too much).

The Right Stuff

2007-05-16T20:56:00.000-04:00

I stumbled over this piece today, which is a fine tribute to the Gov. The author, Mary MacElveen, says that Bill Richardson is the candidate who has two qualities that outpace the others in contention for the Democratic 2008 presidential nomination: experience and electability. It's a popular point of view, apparently. :)

Yeah! Let's Have More Like That!

2007-05-12T12:41:00.000-04:00

Bill Richardson was great on The Tonight Show last night. He was funny, charming, self-effacing, and got into some specifics without being a wonky nerd. It was nearly (Bill) Clinton-ian. Between this and the new ads, I think we're on the move.

Tonight: Bill Richardson On With Jay Leno!!

2007-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Headline says it all: 11:35 EDT tonight on NBC.
The beer and popcorn will be ready at my house. I think this appearance is really well-timed with these new ads, which are getting a lot of notice.

Bill Richardson's New TV Ads

2007-05-09T21:31:00.000-04:00

Taking a cue from those wacky Paul Wellstone ads that were so effective way back when during Wellstone's first Senate campaign, the Gov has taken an interesting tack with his new ads--humor. I like it. In fact, I like it so much that I think he should keep building on these and issue a new series of them when it's time for more ads.

"The more I see of him, the more I like him. His qualifications are spectacular."

2007-05-08T07:56:00.000-04:00

The Gov is catching on in New Hampshire. Read about it here in an article from the Eagle Tribune (from MA).

More Buzz Over Bill Richardson

2007-05-06T21:27:00.000-04:00

This article on Bloomberg.com praises the Gov's debate performance on 4/26 (thanks to our latest Zanby member for the link):

"Bill Richardson: It seems that every primary season some governor comes out of nowhere to steal the nomination. Richardson showed in this debate that it might well happen again. He was genuine and tough, the kind of guy who could pull the troops out of Iraq without looking wimpy. If he has a couple of more debates this good, money will start flowing his way. (Grade: A+)....
If the Democratic primaries continue along the path they began last week, then Richardson is the only thing between Clinton and coronation."

Welcome to the Bus; Have a Seat, But Let's Remember Whose Idea This Was

2007-05-04T07:48:00.000-04:00

Looks like Senators Clinton and Byrd have come on board for Governor Richardson's plan to have the US Senate vote to deauthorize the war. Welcome, have a seat. The bus is moving now....

Straight Talk From the Gov On Iraq

2007-05-02T18:23:00.000-04:00

He really does have the most comprehensive plan to get us the hell out of Iraq. Click here to get the full deal.

Time to Vote Again!

2007-05-02T06:40:00.000-04:00

Go here to show your support for Bill Richardson in an online poll.

It's 1988 All Over Again, aka: Have We Learned Anything in 20 Years?

2007-05-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend about the 2008 race, and how the *most* important thing to do this time around was to focus on winning the general election with a candidate who can pick up red states with the ease of a '92 (or '96) Bill Clinton, and not have this turn into a just-missed fiasco ala the last two presidential elections. Yeah, we agreed, it's 1992 all over again, when pragmatism ruled the day, and we Dems nominated the person most likely to win in the general election instead of the person we necessarily were most completely in love with on every issue.

But recent visits to places like Daily Kos and MyDD and recent conversations with others who want a change in this country make me wonder if we Dems aren't just a little too cocky for our own good. I've heard comments like, "No *way* can we lose in '08! This country *hates* this war!" Well, that type of comment is half right. This country *does* hate this war, but Democrats *can* still lose this election.

It's a polarized country, and presidential politics is more about the individual candidate than the party. I'm not here to point fingers at any Dem candidate as unelectable but I know for sure that only one Dem is *extremely* well-situated to win in places like Ohio, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, West Virginia, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, and Iowa--Bill Richardson.

Stated a little differently, it's not 1992. It's 1988. We've had eight years of GOP rule, and it looks like the country's in the mood for a change of power/party in the presidency, but go ahead and nominate a candidate whom the moderate red states think is too liberal, too out-of-touch with their concerns, too likely to tax and spend them into bankruptcy (and, yeah, I know... GWB has spent more than anyone) and we will lose like Michael Dukakis lost. Dukakis was a decent guy, a well-meaning guy, but he got trounced because this is a big country where the red/blue divide is deeper than ever and, if you haven't noticed, we've been on the short side of that divide twice in a row.

I'm old enough to remember that 1988 election oh-too-well. I thought that the country was ready for a change, and, by and large, they *were*, but only with a candidate with whom they were comfortable. In 2008 Bill Richardson can provide that necessary general-election red-state appeal and still pursue a progressive agenda for change. His foreign-policy experience is second to none and will guide us out of Iraq and into a peaceful solution. His alternative-energy cred is, likewise, impeccable. He will pursue healthcare coverage for all Americans. He is a proven defender of personal liberty and his pro-choice commitment has never wavered. *But* he also has proven that he is not a tax-and-spend chief executive, and, while that may not matter a bit in a blue state, go ahead and add up all those blue states that Kerry (or Gore) won, and what do you get? A close loss, that's what. We can't repeat that mistake again.

It's 1988 all over again, but, if we're smart, we'll treat it like 1992. Vote smart *and* progressive. Vote Richardson.