Richardson Rebukes Dems on Iraq and Immigration

SEATTLE, Washington - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said in Seattle on Thursday that fellow party leaders in Congress are wrong to abandon a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq and wrong about an immigration bill that he said would split up families.

It was the New Mexico governor’s first stop here since officially entering the Democratic primary. He made it clear he knows he has an uphill fight against better-known and better-financed opponents.

He didn’t mention them by name. But in a clear reference to candidates Barack Obama, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, Richardson said, “This race should not be about celebrity status or money or legacies.”

Richardson is a former congressman, U.S. energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations. He says the race should be about qualifications and experience.

That experience, he said, convinces him that Democratic congressional leaders are taking the wrong approach to Iraq. He said that with timetables for withdrawal now out of the equation, Congress should instead vote to “de-authorize” the war, essentially repealing the Iraq war authorization.

“Since there are no weapons of mass destruction, there is no support of the American people for this war, you de-authorize this war,” Richardson said.

Both houses of Congress passed a $120 billion emergency war-spending bill Thursday that will not require U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn. Just 86 Democrats in the House and 37 in the Senate voted for the full funding package.

Several times in his speech and in answers to reporters’ questions, Richardson expressed his unhappiness with congressional leaders.

“I’m not in a good mood on this because I love my party,” he said in response to a question from state party Chairman Dwight Pelz. “I love [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid. I love [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi. They’ve done a great job.”

He said some in Congress are “worried about being called weak. But people want this war to end. This is what is singularly dividing this country more than anything.”

Luke Esser, chairman of the state Republican Party, praised Democrats for passing the war-funding bill Thursday without timetables for withdrawal.

“Bill Richardson and the far left may not be happy, but the Democrats did the right thing,” Esser said.

On immigration, Richardson said he couldn’t support a bill like the one Senate Democrats propose that includes a guest-worker program with no labor protections for those workers.

Temporary workers should have health-care benefits, a right to join unions and the protection of worker-safety laws, he said.

Richardson also doesn’t like the provision that would require illegal immigrants now working in the United States to go back to their home countries and obtain a visa before being able to return here legally. That would split up families, he said.

Pelz asked the 100 or so people at the Richardson speech how many had come from outside King County, and about half in the room raised their hands.

Jeff Smith, a veteran Democratic Party activist and former party executive director who attended the event, said that support from the outside-Seattle crowd is a big part of Richardson’s appeal.

“He plays well, very well, in Eastern Washington and not just with Hispanics,” Smith said. “To all those people who are looking for a Democrat, they can feel good about voting for, he’s really the best candidate.”

Smith has not yet committed his support to any candidate, but he said Richardson is among his favorites.

Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, attended, too, and said she backs Richardson. Prentice said that on his first day as president, Richardson could change the direction of the country more than any other candidate.

A Hispanic, Prentice said her support was not about sharing a heritage with the candidate.

“It’s not about skin color,” she said. “But it doesn’t hurt.”

David Postman: 360-236-8267 or dpostman@seattletimes.com

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22 Comments so far

macchendra May 25th, 2007 12:45 pm

I liked his fundraising letter. He called the Bush presidency disasterous. He called for negotiating a peace and an end to “cowboy diplomacy”.
We need an ambassador to clean up this mess.

canuckchuck May 25th, 2007 1:36 pm

does he love the way Harry and Nancy sold out the troops?

dixie May 25th, 2007 3:40 pm

Richardson is absolutely correct in his opposition to the immigration bill. I know a number of illegal immigrants because I live in a SW state and teach english as a second language (ESL). The families I know have been here anywhere from 8 to 15 years, working hard, raising children, and paying state and federal social security and taxes (despite the fact that they will never see the Social security they pay). I can assure you that the heads of the households will NOT go back to mexico for an extended time while their wives and children wait for them in the U.S. What an idiotic idea! Also the worker program is a form of serfdom; the worker has no recourse if his employer treats him unfairly and the worker is not allowed to leave that employer and find a better one. Quite frankly, unless congress improves this bill it would be better not to have one because many or most of the 12 million who are already here will not go back to mexico to wait at the back of the line.(though they ared willing to pay the fine)
I sometimes think the Repubs are not very bright. In my town (a tourist area) if all the illegal mexicans were rounded up, the entire town would shut down - all hotels, restaurants, construction etc. And who owns those hotels, restaurants? Mostly rich Repubs of course so they are cutting off their nose to spite their face. For those who think Americans will come in and fill those jobs, let me ask you how much pay you would take to dig sewer lines in 110 degree heat? How much would you expect to be paid to clean 20 or 30 bathrooms?

AdeleTheCzech May 25th, 2007 3:45 pm

I’ve listened to Bill Richardson at length on C-Span, and his knowledge of foreign affairs and amazing track record in negotiations really appealed to me.

But not only does he buy the “Free Trade” snake oil and the idea that all our unemployed factory workers will be re-educated as programmers and systems analysts (Hey Bill? Those jobs are already being taken by H1B visa holders!) — but his position on allowing 12 million uninvited workers to get “Z” visas and giving the INS only 24 HOURS to check out who they are is ludicrous, as is most of that execrable immigration bill.

Call me crazy, but I was hoping that as an Hispanic he might pull off a “Nixon to China” surprise and take a stand against the catastrophic loss of manual labor jobs by America’s working families — of all races.

NMBill May 25th, 2007 4:30 pm

In the 70s Mexican workers freely crossed the border and it was no problem. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Some of the hardest workers; and you would trust them like family.

If NAFTA worked, we would not have this cheap labor source. That’s exactly why “cheap labor conservatives” want these workers, but they want them to jump through useless hoops the same way we are learning to jump hoops just to have a job.

I am interested to hear Governor Richardson’s view on nuclear energy!

destiny1 May 25th, 2007 5:01 pm

Richardson is very wise on some things - he’s got some good things to say that we should be listening to about diplomacy and foreign relations. He’s absolutely right about the Iraq war and about the absurdities of the proposed immigration “reforms”.

That said, he’s got some ideas about domestic issues and things he endorsed or at least allowed to happen in NM that absolutely scare the bejeezus out of me. While I could easily see him serving in an advisory role to a President or to the Democratic Party, as a diplomat or in certain cabinet positions; if it appears that Richardson has a chance at the nomination I’ll be doing what I can to campaign against him.

Norma J. Price May 25th, 2007 5:47 pm

I realize that the Democrats who voted for the recent amendment have previously gained economic benefits for investments made on war related business. These benefits are partially how they are able to obtain the campaign money to get re- elected. The war in Iraq is a money maker for politicians as well as the upper class. Until this is no longer the case,we will not see the end to war.
Additionally, I admire Governor Richardson’s spunk and honesty in his recommendations for immigration reform. He seems to be the only candidate who understands the Mexican culture. He has brought to our attention the fact that Americans have taken advantage of the immigrants’ willingness to do hard work for lower pay in order to gain a piece of the sky. Indeed, they have become modern day serfs. I do not see the rich and upper middle class giving up that luxury any time soon.

shakker May 25th, 2007 5:49 pm

This is an intelligence test. Any illegal alien stupid enough to pay the fines and start following the law now will destroy what is left of their meager life.

I oppose illegal aliens in any country. They are abused. They are used by criminals of all sorts as cover. Guest workers are official slaves. Charging desperate people for the honor of being slaves official or otherwise is sick.

lobster May 25th, 2007 6:13 pm

Aargh! We have no reason to allow ILLEGAL residents to stay or get in any kind of line that anyone else cannot get into.

We all know that businesses want cheap labor, but this labor isn’t cheap. The whole community has to pick up the tab for their housing, hospitals, medicine, doctors, education, free food at school, ad inf.

THINK FOLKS: What would happen to you if you and your family somehow just drifted into Mexico!

Like all other good things, allowing illegal residents to stay must come to an end!

They got here; I’m sure they can find their way home. They, like everybody else must accept responsibility for their actions.

kivals May 25th, 2007 6:53 pm

What too few mention in the immigration debate is that fascists in Mexico like Fox and Calderon can use Mexican emigration to the US as a safety valve to reduce pressure on them to change directions, and reduce the threat of revolution, as they pursue their neoliberal policies to enrich the few at the expense of the many. And US corporations benefit coming and going, as they can continue to build factories in Mexico offering jobs with pitiful wages and they can have Mexican immigrants here working at substandard wages. And we know that is why Bush is for much more open immigration.

fatfreddyscat May 25th, 2007 9:16 pm

“Bill Richardson and the far left may not be happy, but the Democrats did the right thing,” Esser said.

I like Richardson, I think he has good ideas and great experience, in fact I believe he is the most qualified candidate in the race. But implying he is far left is ridiculous, the man is a true moderate, which is why he would be a good president. Unlike Clinton and Obama he is not a corporateist, which is why he has no money. Anyhow implications like this go too show how far right things have swung in the USA, I guess if you think Richardson is far left then you can claim bush is a moderate.

To lobster - Why would anyone but a marijuana farmer want to illegally migrate to Mexico? These people were driven here in part by crappy us policy like NAFTA.

ezeflyer May 25th, 2007 9:21 pm

” It is legal to purchase a fully assembled Uzi machine gun in this country [United States] but it’s not legal to purchase a fully assembled low-watt radio transmitter. ”
Greg Ruggerio

blobber May 25th, 2007 11:25 pm

Richardson pushed NAFTA through the House as Majority whip when the other two whips, David Bonior and Richard Gephart, refused to. Richardson has said nothing about the war as Governor and presides over a hugely militarized state. He actively lobbied for Bechtel Corp. to run the Los Alamos weapons complex. It’s interesting to hear him referred to as “far left” since he’s been with Henry Kissinger since the Nixon Whitehouse, and actually was executive director of Kissinger Associates when he campaigned for Governor in 2002.

JerryfromTijuana May 26th, 2007 12:11 am

ezeflyer, can you give me an address of a gun store in California where I can buy a fully assembled Uzi machine gun? Bear in mind that a “machine gun” is a fully automatic weapon. The voices in my head told me to get one, and await further instructions….

It is very hard to fault the illegal aliens who come to the US to improve their lives. On the other hand, how can anyone defend the caves in northern San Diego County in which thousands of them live because their rich, white, liberal American employers will not pay them a living wage? Then these same wonderful Americans wax poetic about how illegals “do the jobs Americans do not want to do.” Damn right no American wants to work picking lettuce for maybe $3 an hour, and live in a cave.

So, the question is, does that mean that Americans are lazy, or that the employers are a bunch of cheapskate bastards? I opt for the latter explanation. And, I bet, that if the employers were all jailed, the illegals all sent home, that the lettuce would STILL get picked, by Americans. But, not for $3 an hour. And that would be a good thing.

Citizen May 26th, 2007 12:31 am

I am a lifelong Democrat, have lived in New Mexico for over 30 years and voted for Bill Richardson in his first run for Governor. I had great hopes for his administration, but came to quickly understand how wrong I was. He has done more damage to the structure of State government by his abuse of political patronage, than his Libertarian predecessor did in 8 years of trying to dismantle that government. He will say and do anything that will benefit him politically. He uses the media effectively to show his accomplishments for the State, but almost every one of his initiatives will have long term negative fiscal impacts. His political appointments in key State offices have used his support to place political hacks in critical positions, and almost on a weekly basis, new evidence of their incompetence is coming to light. He inevitably reacts with shock, and a call for a full investigation; but never does he point out that he is ultimately responsible for their placement. Under his watch New Mexico government has become a pay to play operation in which lucrative State contracts and favors have gone to many of his major political contributors. This guy is not what he projects in the media, and voters should beware.

FleetoCanadaNow May 26th, 2007 12:45 pm

“THINK FOLKS: What would happen to you if you and your family somehow just drifted into Mexico!”

You show how well you know your history. In the 1820s and 30s that’s exactly what Americans did. The immigrated illegaly into Texas and California–Mexican provinces–and brought their slaves with them! Then, when the Mexicans had had enough, the US declared war on Mexico and simply stole those places and made them states!

Looks like the Mexicans are getting their revenge!

NMBill May 26th, 2007 12:55 pm

Citizen,
Let me add that when Bill Richardson was in the NM state legislature he campaigned against the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant also known as WIPP.

Then he headed the Dept. of Energy under Clinton and pushed WIPP through for “low level waste”.

Now WIPP is being used to dump radioactive waste of all kinds from who knows where!

I don’t think he has a chance of winning; I sure won’t trust him again.

Gary Johnson was an independant thinking Republican, I liked his thinking, it had Libertarian traits.

moonraven May 26th, 2007 4:42 pm

Richardson has survived handily in a state where The Dead are the most enthusiastic voters on the voter rolls–especially in Rio Arriba County.

Not much of a recommendation.

Even if he were straight arrow I would still be angry that he is running–instead of throwing his considerable clout within the party to a hispanic candidate with some chance of winning–which means one from a state that has MORE THAN 5 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES.

Talk about stupid hubris….

iwarrior May 27th, 2007 9:01 pm

“What too few mention in the immigration debate is that fascists in Mexico like Fox and Calderon can use Mexican emigration to the US as a safety valve to reduce pressure on them to change directions, and reduce the threat of revolution, as they pursue their neoliberal policies to enrich the few at the expense of the many.”

There ya go. One more reason to properly and sensibly fight illegal immigration. We need to stop enabling Mexico’s corruption.

Joe Toxic May 28th, 2007 9:56 pm

Just wondering if Richardson is the DEM version of Ron Paul from the GOP. Because right now Ron Paul and Gravel and Kuchinich are my choices to first and foremost as presidential candidates, though all three sorely lacking in name recognition and dismissed as extremist from within the party and media. Those three would have their priorities in order, first to end the war/occupation of Iraq; then patch up relations in the MidEast and South America. If time allowing, then address the “problem” of illegal immigrants. The illiegal issue is just another convenient scapegoat for both the DEMs and REPs, another group to be exploited. REPs using the illegal issue to rev up the base, much like the DEMs say they want out of Iraq to rev up their “base” of peacemongers.

jwea May 29th, 2007 10:32 am

“qualifications and experience”. Don’t give me that BULL about how “Qualified” and “Experienced” Bill Richardson might be. That’s what a true “insider” would say. That makes him a suspect as someone bought and sold on the political meat market.

What small amount I have read about Bill Richardson is good, However, now that he’s OFFICIALLY a candidate, let him start telling us his ideas on how he is going to fix the disaster of the past 26 years of stinking politics by “Qualified” and “Experienced” politicians.

First it was fascist Reagan, who killed the Go-Metric push. Damn I’m so sick of having to keep two sets of tools. No wonder nothing is made in America. Go back to Death Valley, Ronnie. Oh, he’s already there.
Then it was Ronnie and oil-man Mr. Mediocre Big Daddy Bush who are the reasons we don’t have fuel efficient automobiles and decent public transportation. Let’s help our suffering oil companies like Enron. Who needs speed laws and enforcement? Nobody notices that every year over 20,000 people are killed on the nations highways. Let them buy bigger cars, let them eat cake.

Over a quarter of a CENTURY of “Do Nothing” politics to stop pollution. Even Nixon recognized that the environment needed protection from the ravages of human waste and consumerism. Over a quarter of a century of valuable time, wasted, just to put a few Trillion dollars into the pockets of already very rich men (and women).

Then it was Pot head philander Clinton who gave us NAFTA and GATT. Big Deal. No one wants those low paying jobs anyway. Right… Right? Well I say, thanks a lot. Slick. Because of anti-worker, anti-union, pro-business legislation (as in BIG business), those low wage jobs are all that’s left. Oh well, my kids didn’t REALLY need to go to college, they might be able to get a job cutting grass for some rich guy. But WAIT! Wait, those jobs have been given to illegal Aliens who are hired, in spite of laws forbidding big employers from displacing Citizen workers. NAFTA opened the flood gates. So much for enforcement of the law. Thanks Slick. Why don’t you and Hillary go smoke a joint on the roof of the Empire State Building. All Slick Willy gave America was the right for gays serve in the military. Big deal. I feel safer knowing that.

Then it’s baby Bush and fascist Cheney. Back to BIG oil. Let’s get the entire country into a frenzy and go to war so Dick, Condi, and Georgie can make their buddies at Haliburton so rich the company headquarters will need relocate to a more friendly country, a country in another hemisphere. Now their rich exec’s don’t have to pay taxes to support the troops. So much for the yellow ribbons.

Enough already! It sucks. I want someone who isn’t beholding to the Saudis or AIPAC or some hidden super-rich elite. I want someone who will represent American jobs, American Laws, Truth, and the Traditional American values of Peace and respect for human rights. Not some American Idol version of what’s hot now.

Speak Bill. Speak. I need someone to tell the truth. Are you the one?

wilsha May 29th, 2007 12:02 pm

Immigration – Oh my goodness those people want to take over our country – amusing at best, because is it really our country anymore?

Immigration - Another distraction. They wouldn’t be here if our corporation (we no longer have a government) didn’t want them here.

macchendra May 25th, 2007 12:45 pm

I liked his fundraising letter. He called the Bush presidency disasterous. He called for negotiating a peace and an end to “cowboy diplomacy”.
We need an ambassador to clean up this mess.
canuckchuck May 25th, 2007 1:36 pm

does he love the way Harry and Nancy sold out the troops?
dixie May 25th, 2007 3:40 pm

Richardson is absolutely correct in his opposition to the immigration bill. I know a number of illegal immigrants because I live in a SW state and teach english as a second language (ESL). The families I know have been here anywhere from 8 to 15 years, working hard, raising children, and paying state and federal social security and taxes (despite the fact that they will never see the Social security they pay). I can assure you that the heads of the households will NOT go back to mexico for an extended time while their wives and children wait for them in the U.S. What an idiotic idea! Also the worker program is a form of serfdom; the worker has no recourse if his employer treats him unfairly and the worker is not allowed to leave that employer and find a better one. Quite frankly, unless congress improves this bill it would be better not to have one because many or most of the 12 million who are already here will not go back to mexico to wait at the back of the line.(though they ared willing to pay the fine)
I sometimes think the Repubs are not very bright. In my town (a tourist area) if all the illegal mexicans were rounded up, the entire town would shut down - all hotels, restaurants, construction etc. And who owns those hotels, restaurants? Mostly rich Repubs of course so they are cutting off their nose to spite their face. For those who think Americans will come in and fill those jobs, let me ask you how much pay you would take to dig sewer lines in 110 degree heat? How much would you expect to be paid to clean 20 or 30 bathrooms?
AdeleTheCzech May 25th, 2007 3:45 pm

I’ve listened to Bill Richardson at length on C-Span, and his knowledge of foreign affairs and amazing track record in negotiations really appealed to me.

But not only does he buy the “Free Trade” snake oil and the idea that all our unemployed factory workers will be re-educated as programmers and systems analysts (Hey Bill? Those jobs are already being taken by H1B visa holders!) — but his position on allowing 12 million uninvited workers to get “Z” visas and giving the INS only 24 HOURS to check out who they are is ludicrous, as is most of that execrable immigration bill.

Call me crazy, but I was hoping that as an Hispanic he might pull off a “Nixon to China” surprise and take a stand against the catastrophic loss of manual labor jobs by America’s working families — of all races.
NMBill May 25th, 2007 4:30 pm

In the 70s Mexican workers freely crossed the border and it was no problem. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Some of the hardest workers; and you would trust them like family.

If NAFTA worked, we would not have this cheap labor source. That’s exactly why “cheap labor conservatives” want these workers, but they want them to jump through useless hoops the same way we are learning to jump hoops just to have a job.

I am interested to hear Governor Richardson’s view on nuclear energy!
destiny1 May 25th, 2007 5:01 pm

Richardson is very wise on some things - he’s got some good things to say that we should be listening to about diplomacy and foreign relations. He’s absolutely right about the Iraq war and about the absurdities of the proposed immigration “reforms”.

That said, he’s got some ideas about domestic issues and things he endorsed or at least allowed to happen in NM that absolutely scare the bejeezus out of me. While I could easily see him serving in an advisory role to a President or to the Democratic Party, as a diplomat or in certain cabinet positions; if it appears that Richardson has a chance at the nomination I’ll be doing what I can to campaign against him.
Norma J. Price May 25th, 2007 5:47 pm

I realize that the Democrats who voted for the recent amendment have previously gained economic benefits for investments made on war related business. These benefits are partially how they are able to obtain the campaign money to get re- elected. The war in Iraq is a money maker for politicians as well as the upper class. Until this is no longer the case,we will not see the end to war.
Additionally, I admire Governor Richardson’s spunk and honesty in his recommendations for immigration reform. He seems to be the only candidate who understands the Mexican culture. He has brought to our attention the fact that Americans have taken advantage of the immigrants’ willingness to do hard work for lower pay in order to gain a piece of the sky. Indeed, they have become modern day serfs. I do not see the rich and upper middle class giving up that luxury any time soon.
shakker May 25th, 2007 5:49 pm

This is an intelligence test. Any illegal alien stupid enough to pay the fines and start following the law now will destroy what is left of their meager life.

I oppose illegal aliens in any country. They are abused. They are used by criminals of all sorts as cover. Guest workers are official slaves. Charging desperate people for the honor of being slaves official or otherwise is sick.
lobster May 25th, 2007 6:13 pm

Aargh! We have no reason to allow ILLEGAL residents to stay or get in any kind of line that anyone else cannot get into.

We all know that businesses want cheap labor, but this labor isn’t cheap. The whole community has to pick up the tab for their housing, hospitals, medicine, doctors, education, free food at school, ad inf.

THINK FOLKS: What would happen to you if you and your family somehow just drifted into Mexico!

Like all other good things, allowing illegal residents to stay must come to an end!

They got here; I’m sure they can find their way home. They, like everybody else must accept responsibility for their actions.
kivals May 25th, 2007 6:53 pm

What too few mention in the immigration debate is that fascists in Mexico like Fox and Calderon can use Mexican emigration to the US as a safety valve to reduce pressure on them to change directions, and reduce the threat of revolution, as they pursue their neoliberal policies to enrich the few at the expense of the many. And US corporations benefit coming and going, as they can continue to build factories in Mexico offering jobs with pitiful wages and they can have Mexican immigrants here working at substandard wages. And we know that is why Bush is for much more open immigration.
fatfreddyscat May 25th, 2007 9:16 pm

“Bill Richardson and the far left may not be happy, but the Democrats did the right thing,” Esser said.

I like Richardson, I think he has good ideas and great experience, in fact I believe he is the most qualified candidate in the race. But implying he is far left is ridiculous, the man is a true moderate, which is why he would be a good president. Unlike Clinton and Obama he is not a corporateist, which is why he has no money. Anyhow implications like this go too show how far right things have swung in the USA, I guess if you think Richardson is far left then you can claim bush is a moderate.

To lobster - Why would anyone but a marijuana farmer want to illegally migrate to Mexico? These people were driven here in part by crappy us policy like NAFTA.
ezeflyer May 25th, 2007 9:21 pm

” It is legal to purchase a fully assembled Uzi machine gun in this country [United States] but it’s not legal to purchase a fully assembled low-watt radio transmitter. ”
Greg Ruggerio
blobber May 25th, 2007 11:25 pm

Richardson pushed NAFTA through the House as Majority whip when the other two whips, David Bonior and Richard Gephart, refused to. Richardson has said nothing about the war as Governor and presides over a hugely militarized state. He actively lobbied for Bechtel Corp. to run the Los Alamos weapons complex. It’s interesting to hear him referred to as “far left” since he’s been with Henry Kissinger since the Nixon Whitehouse, and actually was executive director of Kissinger Associates when he campaigned for Governor in 2002.
JerryfromTijuana May 26th, 2007 12:11 am

ezeflyer, can you give me an address of a gun store in California where I can buy a fully assembled Uzi machine gun? Bear in mind that a “machine gun” is a fully automatic weapon. The voices in my head told me to get one, and await further instructions….

It is very hard to fault the illegal aliens who come to the US to improve their lives. On the other hand, how can anyone defend the caves in northern San Diego County in which thousands of them live because their rich, white, liberal American employers will not pay them a living wage? Then these same wonderful Americans wax poetic about how illegals “do the jobs Americans do not want to do.” Damn right no American wants to work picking lettuce for maybe $3 an hour, and live in a cave.

So, the question is, does that mean that Americans are lazy, or that the employers are a bunch of cheapskate bastards? I opt for the latter explanation. And, I bet, that if the employers were all jailed, the illegals all sent home, that the lettuce would STILL get picked, by Americans. But, not for $3 an hour. And that would be a good thing.
Citizen May 26th, 2007 12:31 am

I am a lifelong Democrat, have lived in New Mexico for over 30 years and voted for Bill Richardson in his first run for Governor. I had great hopes for his administration, but came to quickly understand how wrong I was. He has done more damage to the structure of State government by his abuse of political patronage, than his Libertarian predecessor did in 8 years of trying to dismantle that government. He will say and do anything that will benefit him politically. He uses the media effectively to show his accomplishments for the State, but almost every one of his initiatives will have long term negative fiscal impacts. His political appointments in key State offices have used his support to place political hacks in critical positions, and almost on a weekly basis, new evidence of their incompetence is coming to light. He inevitably reacts with shock, and a call for a full investigation; but never does he point out that he is ultimately responsible for their placement. Under his watch New Mexico government has become a pay to play operation in which lucrative State contracts and favors have gone to many of his major political contributors. This guy is not what he projects in the media, and voters should beware.
FleetoCanadaNow May 26th, 2007 12:45 pm

“THINK FOLKS: What would happen to you if you and your family somehow just drifted into Mexico!”

You show how well you know your history. In the 1820s and 30s that’s exactly what Americans did. The immigrated illegaly into Texas and California–Mexican provinces–and brought their slaves with them! Then, when the Mexicans had had enough, the US declared war on Mexico and simply stole those places and made them states!

Looks like the Mexicans are getting their revenge!
NMBill May 26th, 2007 12:55 pm

Citizen,
Let me add that when Bill Richardson was in the NM state legislature he campaigned against the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant also known as WIPP.

Then he headed the Dept. of Energy under Clinton and pushed WIPP through for “low level waste”.

Now WIPP is being used to dump radioactive waste of all kinds from who knows where!

I don’t think he has a chance of winning; I sure won’t trust him again.

Gary Johnson was an independant thinking Republican, I liked his thinking, it had Libertarian traits.
moonraven May 26th, 2007 4:42 pm

Richardson has survived handily in a state where The Dead are the most enthusiastic voters on the voter rolls–especially in Rio Arriba County.

Not much of a recommendation.

Even if he were straight arrow I would still be angry that he is running–instead of throwing his considerable clout within the party to a hispanic candidate with some chance of winning–which means one from a state that has MORE THAN 5 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES.

Talk about stupid hubris….
iwarrior May 27th, 2007 9:01 pm

“What too few mention in the immigration debate is that fascists in Mexico like Fox and Calderon can use Mexican emigration to the US as a safety valve to reduce pressure on them to change directions, and reduce the threat of revolution, as they pursue their neoliberal policies to enrich the few at the expense of the many.”

There ya go. One more reason to properly and sensibly fight illegal immigration. We need to stop enabling Mexico’s corruption.
Joe Toxic May 28th, 2007 9:56 pm

Just wondering if Richardson is the DEM version of Ron Paul from the GOP. Because right now Ron Paul and Gravel and Kuchinich are my choices to first and foremost as presidential candidates, though all three sorely lacking in name recognition and dismissed as extremist from within the party and media. Those three would have their priorities in order, first to end the war/occupation of Iraq; then patch up relations in the MidEast and South America. If time allowing, then address the “problem” of illegal immigrants. The illiegal issue is just another convenient scapegoat for both the DEMs and REPs, another group to be exploited. REPs using the illegal issue to rev up the base, much like the DEMs say they want out of Iraq to rev up their “base” of peacemongers.
jwea May 29th, 2007 10:32 am

“qualifications and experience”. Don’t give me that BULL about how “Qualified” and “Experienced” Bill Richardson might be. That’s what a true “insider” would say. That makes him a suspect as someone bought and sold on the political meat market.

What small amount I have read about Bill Richardson is good, However, now that he’s OFFICIALLY a candidate, let him start telling us his ideas on how he is going to fix the disaster of the past 26 years of stinking politics by “Qualified” and “Experienced” politicians.

First it was fascist Reagan, who killed the Go-Metric push. Damn I’m so sick of having to keep two sets of tools. No wonder nothing is made in America. Go back to Death Valley, Ronnie. Oh, he’s already there.
Then it was Ronnie and oil-man Mr. Mediocre Big Daddy Bush who are the reasons we don’t have fuel efficient automobiles and decent public transportation. Let’s help our suffering oil companies like Enron. Who needs speed laws and enforcement? Nobody notices that every year over 20,000 people are killed on the nations highways. Let them buy bigger cars, let them eat cake.

Over a quarter of a CENTURY of “Do Nothing” politics to stop pollution. Even Nixon recognized that the environment needed protection from the ravages of human waste and consumerism. Over a quarter of a century of valuable time, wasted, just to put a few Trillion dollars into the pockets of already very rich men (and women).

Then it was Pot head philander Clinton who gave us NAFTA and GATT. Big Deal. No one wants those low paying jobs anyway. Right… Right? Well I say, thanks a lot. Slick. Because of anti-worker, anti-union, pro-business legislation (as in BIG business), those low wage jobs are all that’s left. Oh well, my kids didn’t REALLY need to go to college, they might be able to get a job cutting grass for some rich guy. But WAIT! Wait, those jobs have been given to illegal Aliens who are hired, in spite of laws forbidding big employers from displacing Citizen workers. NAFTA opened the flood gates. So much for enforcement of the law. Thanks Slick. Why don’t you and Hillary go smoke a joint on the roof of the Empire State Building. All Slick Willy gave America was the right for gays serve in the military. Big deal. I feel safer knowing that.

Then it’s baby Bush and fascist Cheney. Back to BIG oil. Let’s get the entire country into a frenzy and go to war so Dick, Condi, and Georgie can make their buddies at Haliburton so rich the company headquarters will need relocate to a more friendly country, a country in another hemisphere. Now their rich exec’s don’t have to pay taxes to support the troops. So much for the yellow ribbons.

Enough already! It sucks. I want someone who isn’t beholding to the Saudis or AIPAC or some hidden super-rich elite. I want someone who will represent American jobs, American Laws, Truth, and the Traditional American values of Peace and respect for human rights. Not some American Idol version of what’s hot now.

Speak Bill. Speak. I need someone to tell the truth. Are you the one?
wilsha May 29th, 2007 12:02 pm

Immigration – Oh my goodness those people want to take over our country – amusing at best, because is it really our country anymore?

Immigration - Another distraction. They wouldn’t be here if our corporation (we no longer have a government) didn’t want them here.

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