YouTube Debate -- Submit a question for Governor Richardson!

Hi Friends -

I apologize for not posting much of late...as many of you know, I'm the Colorado Grassroots Director for our campaign and that keeps me incredibly busy....I'm also working on a screenplay for an Academy Award winning actress, which is also intensely time consuming. So - I apologize for not posting this sooner, as I know this is time sensitive, but this has been an incredibly hectic week for me.


The CNN/YouTube Democratic Presidential Debate will be held in Charleston, South Carolina on Monday. If you have the equipment and capacity to record a video of yourself for the web, you can record and submit a question for Governor Richardson for the debate! YouTube has said that they have not received as many questions as they'd hoped for -- so if you would like to submit a video question, now is the time!

You can go to www.youtube.com/debates to submit your question! Sunday is the deadline for submitting questions!

Thank you for your continued support of Governor Richardson and our campaign to bring hope and promise back to America!

Together, we're going to change this country!

Thanks -
Michelle

Submit your questions for the YouTube/CNN debate on www.youtube.com/debates

Help Bill Richardson End the Iraq War: NoTroopsLeftBehind.com

From Governor Bill Richardson:


I've been saying it for months. And just this morning, at the Take Back America conference, I made it crystal clear: my position on Iraq is totally different than every other candidate.



I want to start bringing ALL of our troops home right now -- every last one.



While other candidates push plans to get troops out sometime in Spring 2008, I am calling for all troops out in 6 months.



And, perhaps more importantly, while every other major candidate voted for or supported recent legislation with loopholes that allow Bush to leave an indeterminate number of troops indefinitely in Iraq, I want ALL of our troops out -- every last one.



That means no airbases, no embedded soldiers training Iraqi forces, no troops in the Green Zone. Zero troops. I would leave the customary small marine contingent at the embassy, but if that became unsafe, then I'd bring them home too.



I've had my campaign set up a website with the sole purpose of generating the grassroots support needed to get our troops home: www.notroopsleftbehind.com



And I hope you will join me.



Sign the petition calling on Congress to end the war NOW and bring ALL the troops home. www.notroopsleftbehind.com



Here's the deal: over 70% of Iraqis want us out of their country. Over 60% think its okay to kill Americans. At the rate we're losing American lives, over one thousand American troops will be killed this year alone. In a war where our troops are the #1 target, who are the poor souls we'd choose to leave behind?



Every indication is that Iraq is not getting safer -- it's getting more and more dangerous. Waiting until September to act will only lead to more lost American soldiers. We must act now.



That is why I am calling on Congress to de-authorize and end this war BEFORE they leave for their summer break.



The American people are with me -- we want this war over NOW and ALL the troops out.



Now we just have to pressure those in power to do what they've been elected to do.





www.notroopsleftbehind.com



I have had it with cautious leadership -- we need bold action. Congress can end this war now -- but they seem dead-set on waiting until the fall to do anything. I see no reason to give George Bush any more time to come up with absurd excuses and stalling tactics to drag out this war any longer.



Thank you for joining me to end this war now, and bring all of our troops home.



Sincerely,





Bill Richardson

Colorado Springs to host 2008 Colorado Democratic State Convention!

The 2008 Colorado Democratic State Convention will be held in Colorado Springs!

The Road to the White House will go through Colorado Springs!

The following is from the blog of Colorado Democratic State Party First Vice Chair Dan Slater:

Remember Weld County? Remember how they were so red for years that the election of Jim Riesberg to represent Greeley in 2004 was seen as a fluke by many? Then, do you remember how we held our 2006 State Assembly in Greeley? Maybe you didn't notice, but people came from out of the woodwork to help put on a great event in Greeley for us. Those volunteers didn't just go back home and sit in their easy chairs after the Island Grove Events Center was cleaned up. Instead, they spread out across the communities of Weld County and worked for victory in 2006.

Then, something amazing happened. Bill Ritter -- a Democrat -- won Weld County. Now, I'm not saying it was all due to that little soiree we held at Island Grove in May that did it. But I think most folks would agree that it helped.

Last night, the members of the State Party's Site Selection Committee made another historic decision: they are recommending that the road to the Democratic National Convention in Denver go through Colorado Springs. They are recommending that the road to the second Democratic United States Senator from Colorado go through Colorado Springs. To be fair, the decision was not easy. Broomfield Democrats put together an amazing bid; I was foaming at the mouth to be able to produce a state convention and assembly at the new Broomfield Events Center. But there were just too many advantages to going to El Paso County to ignore, and that's why the decision by the Committee was unanimous.

Here's some of the Party's press release this morning:

DENVER, Colorado

The Colorado Democratic Partys Site Selection Committee last evening unanimously voted to recommend that the 2008 State Democratic Convention and Assembly be held at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. The decision followed intensive work, including site visits, by leaders of both Colorado Springs and Broomfield to woo the Democrats to their respective communities. Pursuant to Party rules, the Partys Executive Committee will vote in July on whether to accept the recommendation.CDP First Vice Chair and Site Selection Committee Chair Dan Slater talked about the process. "The members of the Site Selection Committee have worked extremely hard over the past two months to ensure that every possible angle of these bids have been examined. While we were very impressed with the bid from Broomfield, in the end, the bid from El Paso County Democrats excelled in every area: technical, political, and in terms of community support. El Paso Countys Democratic Party has proven to be one of the most energetic in the state, and we are confident that they will be the ideal hosts for us in May of 2008."

State Party Chair Pat Waak praised the work of the Committee. "I am very pleased that we had such a hard-working group of people willing to work on this task. Im confident the Executive Committee will support their recommendation, and Im excited to nominate our next United States Senator in Colorado Springs." Waak said that the choice of historically-Republican El Paso County meshed well with the Partys "64-County Strategy". "Were competing in all parts of this state. Democrats have better ideas, are better organized, and have better candidates. To consistently win statewide, we have to be willing to take on Republicans everywhere, and were doing that. Colorado Springs is changing, as weve seen with the elections of Representative Michael Merrifield and Senator John Morse. Were proud to honor those changing dynamics by bringing the state to Colorado Springs next May."

This was the second time the Colorado Democratic Party had used a competitive site selection process to choose the site for the state assembly/convention. In 2005, the Party chose Greeley as its site for the 2006 State Assembly, and the resulting energy from that event is partially credited by many for Governor Bill Ritters historic victory in Weld County in 2006. The Site Selection Committee is comprised of 10 members, plus a non-voting chair, appointed by the State Party Chair. Of the ten members, at least one must come from each of Colorados seven Congressional Districts, guaranteeing geographical diversity. A Request for Proposals was sent out to each county Democratic chair in April, 2007, with Broomfield and Colorado Springs submitting bids in May, 2007.As noted, the decision has yet to be ratified by the State Executive Committee, which will likely be meeting on July 21 in Pueblo. But I'm hopeful that the Executive Committee will see the same advantages we saw and endorse this decision.

Dan Slater: "I had to drive through Colorado Springs to get back home last night. Since there was already a fundraiser for Representative Michael Merrifield and Senator John Morse going on, I thought I'd stop by and somewhat-informally congratulate the El Paso Dems on their success.

There just happened to be a reporter from the Colorado Springs Gazette there, and here's some of what is up on the Gazette today:

A site-selection committee for the state party unanimously agreed Wednesday that Democrats hold the partys 2008 state convention in Colorado Springs. The partys executive committee still must ratify the recommendation next month, but several sources said thats merely a formality. The May convention will be a two-day affair at several hotels and the World Arena, culminating in the expected nomination of Congressman Mark Udall as the partys U.S. Senate nominee. It is a separate event from the weeklong Democratic National Convention that will be held next summer in Denver. Still, the state convention is expected to attract 6,500 peo- ple, most of whom will come from outside the area, staying at city hotels and eating in local restaurants. No figures were available late Wednesday on the exact economic impact, but Mayor Lionel Rivera, who wrote a letter to support the bid, said Republican state conventions that have been here have typically filled all the hotel rooms in the southwest part of town. "Were going to play everywhere, including the reddest parts of the state," Dan Slater, chairman of the selection committee, told Democratic leaders at The Warehouse restaurant. "This county is in play." His optimism as well as the idea of a state Democratic convention in El Paso County would have seemed laughable in mid-2002, when no Democrats held local office and Libertarians put more candidates onto the ballot here. State Rep. Mike Merrifield, a Colorado Springs Democrat elected in the fall of that year, said he would have been "shocked" by such an announcement at that time. But local Democrats put together an enticing package this year, showing that hotels and the convention could be within walking distance of each other. They also emphasized the importance of El Paso County Democratic votes to winning statewide races. "Pretty clearly, the state party recognizes the tectonic shift thats occurring in El Paso County," said state Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs. A tectonic shift indeed. And we're just beginning...

As a resident of Colorado Springs, I am thrilled by this exciting news -- and I look forward to a strong show of support for Governor Richardson -- at BOTH of next year's Colorado conventions!!

Together, we're going to change America!

Richardson for President ~ I Believe!

Campaign Press Release: Governor Bill Richardson Has Strong Showing in Second Democratic Presidential Debate

Official press release from the Richardson Campaign:

Governor Bill Richardson Has Strong Showing in Second Democratic Presidential Debate

Governor Richardson's strong and bold positions on key issues show the clear difference between real experience and political rhetoric

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE— At tonight's Democratic Presidential debate in New Hampshire, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson tonight firmly established himself as the candidate with the strongest positions on the key challenges facing this country and showed that he is the most qualified to be the next President of the United States.

"The other candidates have policy positions and Bill Richardson has real-world experience dealing with those challenges," said David Contarino, Governor Richardson's campaign manager. "Tonight he separated himself from the other candidates and showed voters in New Hampshire and across the country that he will be a strong and effective President that can bring this country together and restore America's standing in the world."

On Iraq:
Bill Richardson has the strongest plan to get US forces out of Iraq without leaving residual troops. Congress should vote, before the summer recess, to de-authorize the Iraq War under Article I and the War Powers Act and to withdraw all US forces- with no residual troops – within six months after that vote.

On Energy and Global Warming
Governor Richardson is calling for a "man-on-the-moon" effort, a ten-year intensive plan to reduce our dependence on oil by 50% and our global warming pollution by at least 20%. He is proposing tough fuels mileage standards for vehicles and incentives to stimulate production of more efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. The Governor also believes that a mandatory carbon emission cap-and-trade program will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The League of Conservation Voters calls Governor Richardson's plan the "most aggressive of all the candidates", and the Sierra Club says Governor Richardson has "raised the bar."

Health Care
Governor Richardson believes in universal health care to provide quality, affordable coverage for all Americans. His plan would give people the choice to keep their current coverage or obtain coverage through an existing, well-established program. The Richardson plan can be paid for without raising taxes and will not create a new bureaucracy. The plan will also ensure our Veterans have the quality health care they deserve by providing them with a Hero's Health Card, meaning they can get care at a provider of their choice instead of traveling long distances to the closest VA facility.

Education
Governor Richardson was the only candidate to say he will make education a priority, including increasing teacher salaries (including a national minimum wage for teachers), access to pre-k for all four year olds, eliminating junk food from schools, mandating physical education in schools, and giving every American the chance to attend college or vocational school.

Darfur
The Governor is very familiar with Sudan and the conflict in Darfur and believes the United States must lead the world in helping to stop the genocide that has already claimed more than 200,000 lives. The US must use every available diplomatic tool, including the possibility of the US boycotting the upcoming summer Olympics, to persuade China to pressure Sudan to allow UN peacekeeping forces into Darfur.

Immigration
Governor Richardson believes in comprehensive immigration reform that includes dramatically improving border security, enforcing sanctions against employers that knowingly hire illegal workers, using diplomacy to engage Mexico, and creating an earned path to legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants already in the country, providing they meet strict requirements- passing a background check, learning English, paying fines and back taxes, and following a detailed application procedure. The Governor believes keeping families together must be a priority with any immigration plan, and he will not support any guest worker program that does not provide basic worker protections and could create a permanent underclass of immigrant worker.

www.RichardsonForPresident.com

CNN: Richardson appears to be winning sign wars

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — He may be fourth in most polls, but New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson appears to be winning the sign wars here in Manchester.
We did an informal count of the number of campaign posters and signs as we drove from downtown Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city, to Saint Anselm College, where tonight’s debate is being held — and the winner appears to be the New Mexico Democrat.
There were Richardson signs on the front lawns of just about every house as we drove through a residential area right next to campus.
We’re giving second place in our informal poll to former Sen. John Edwards. There were a number of Edwards supporters posted at all four corners of a busy intersection about two miles from the debate site. And just outside of the school, there’s a large Edwards banner on an elevated platform machine.
Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton apparently will not be out done. Just four driveways up the street from the Edwards banner, there was an even larger Clinton banner on another such cherry-picker machine.
There were a few Dodd and Biden signs, but we didn’t witness any signs or supporters for Sen. Barack Obama.

Gov. Richardson's official announcement to be carried live on CNN

Governor Richardson's official announcement of candidacy for President of the United States will be carried live tomorrow (Monday) on CNN - at 1:00 pm Eastern time (11:00 am Mountain time) - from Los Angeles, California.

For those of you who will not have access to a television at that time, I will have the video of the announcement up here, on the blog, later in the day.

Hot New Poll Numbers!!!

A new Zogby poll has Governor Richardson polling at 10% in New Hampshire --- and a fresh Des Moines Register poll has the Governor at 10% in Iowa!!!

The times they are a changin' !!!

~ Richardson for President - I Believe! ~

Richardson to announce candidacy

Richardson to announce candidacy

By Bruce Smith, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who has been campaigning for weeks for the nation's highest office, plans to announce Monday in Los Angeles that he is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

Richardson, who was born in California and lived there briefly, will make his announcement at the Los Angeles Press Club. Aides to the governor said the backdrop will be several Hispanic leaders, underscoring Richardson's Hispanic heritage and the importance of California's Feb. 5 primary.

Governor Bill Richardson touts energy plan

Governor Bill Richardson touts energy plan


By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Democratic presidential contender Bill Richardson on Monday proposed dramatic increases in automotive fuel economy in the next 10 years and the near-elimination of industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Previewing the national energy strategy he will unveil later this week, the New Mexico governor and former energy secretary called for "an Apollo program" that would vault the nation into a massive undertaking to wean itself from fossil fuels. He also said he would encourage shared sacrifice, but he was quick to add that under his vision Americans could keep their SUVs. Those big vehicles would get better gas mileage, he said.

"We need to become energy-independent," Richardson told about 200 employees of search-engine giant Google Inc. at its Mountain View headquarters. "Having our dependence on foreign oil is not worth it."

Richardson said he would reduce U.S. imports of foreign energy from 65 percent to 10 percent; require that 20 percent of all electricity generated in the United States come from such power sources as wind or solar by 2020; and mandate a 90 percent greenhouse gas-emission reduction by 2050.

And he called for "a massive public and private investment — yes, tax dollars — in promoting renewable technologies."

Richardson, who was energy secretary in the Clinton administration, was disdainful of
President Bush's announcement Monday that his administration will decide how to regulate pollution from new motor vehicles by the time he leaves office. Bush signed an executive order directing federal agencies to craft regulations that will cut gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

The new rules could help Bush implement his plan to reduce gas consumption by 20 percent over 10 years.
"It's insufficient," Richardson said of Bush's plan. "It's weak. It has no mandates. It's all voluntary."

Richardson said the notion of sacrifice has been missing during the Bush administration. He added, however, that he would not urge Americans to "stop heating your home."

"I'd say be more careful, everybody pitch in — kids, companies, citizens," Richardson said. He would encourage purchases of energy-efficient appliances, lighting and cars, he said.

"I don't mean sacrifice in a negative way," he said. "I think sacrifice (would be) for the common good to become less energy (dependent) to countries that jeopardize our national security — OPEC countries."

Richardson is to outline the complete energy proposal on Thursday in Washington.

Several Democratic presidential candidates have sought to make energy a centerpiece of their campaigns. One,
Hillary Rodham Clinton also has called for an "Apollo program" on energy.

Richardson is the third presidential candidate to submit to a grilling by employees of Google. Clinton visited in February, Republican John McCain earlier this month.

Bill Richardson's Poll Numbers are Rising -- Is He the Next Top Tier Candidate?

From PRWEB and Yahoo News:

Bill Richardson's Poll Numbers are Rising -- Is He the Next Top Tier Candidate?

Bill Richardson's improvement in the polls and his successful release of two television advertisements on YouTube to be aired on Iowa indicate that Richardson is up and rising.

Bill Richardson released two new television ads on the popular internet video sharing website YouTube.com on Tuesday May 8, 2007. In just a few days, these ads have had over 100,000 views and over 250 comments from others.
About three weeks ago, the Washington Post reported that Bill Richardson would be the first Democratic candidate running television advertisements in Iowa.
Since then, things have improved for governor Richardson. For the first time ever, American Research Group has Richardson polling above the margin of error according to its latest poll taken from April 27-30, 2007 approximately a week after the Washington Post article.
David Terr, who holds a PhD in Math from UC Berkeley and is the lead content developer at PresidentPolls2008.com, says, "Polling better than the margin of error is significant because it affirms that Bill Richardson has true suport." The idea behind all of that is the fact that you could add anybody's name, even a dead person, and still get 2% but getting more than the margin of error would theoretically requires true support.
"The fact that Bill Richardson is still a relatively unknown candidate according to the latest familiarity ratings, Richardson stands the most to gain as each of these candidates get their names and positions out there," says PresidentPolls2008.com.
With the successful launch of his new television ads on YouTube since May 8, things bode well for Richardson in Iowa and the rest of the presidential campaign.
To view all of the latest polls regarding the 2008 election, PresidentPolls2008.com is the nation's leading centralized location for free access to all of the latest national and state polls.
To view Bill Richardson's television ads on YouTube, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjOuL5qwNIc

More "Tonight Show" coverage: Albuquerque Tribune

Guv doesn't yuk it up on the `Tonight Show'

By Kate Nash, Albuquerque Tribune

SANTA FE — Maybe Gov. Bill Richardson thought he was on CNN instead of the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" because he sure didn't yuk it up like other guests on late-night comedy shows.

The governor spent eight minutes with Leno on Friday night, talking mostly about his background and foreign forays.

The second-term Democrat was second on the show, following a woman who showed off exotic animals including a pink bird with a spoon-shaped bill.

In his introduction, Leno said the governor had been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize - "That's why he's following two toads, three birds and a cat," Leno quipped.

The tired-looking governor talked about growing up bilingual in Mexico, his love of baseball and his negotiations with Saddam Hussein.

The line that drew the most applause came when Leno asked Richardson about his standing in the polls. He had earlier said Richardson was "the most qualified presidential candidate you have never heard of."

"Is that a little discouraging when you go out there with your résumé‚ and everybody is kind of going crazy for sort of the rock stars?" he asked.

Richardson said people won't vote based on the hype. "They're not going to make a decision on who the biggest rock star is and who raised the most money."

"You don't think so?" Leno asked, prompting laughter from the audience.

Richardson got some laughs when talking about how he got to the recent Democratic candidate debate in South Carolina. Leno had said the Democrats all flew to the event in private jets.

Richardson interrupted, saying he flew commercial. "I took - I think it was Southwest, because I couldn't fit in the seat."

The dieting governor also drew heavy applause, but not laughs, with a line about his approach to foreign policy.

"I believe, Jay, that we don't practice diplomacy enough. We ought to talk to our enemies. We ought to practice diplomacy and mediation and negotiation before we send our troops."

Richardson today speaks to the Service Employees International Union in Los Angeles.

AP: Richardson on The Tonight Show

Richardson on The Tonight Show

By Barry Massey, Associated Press Writer

SANTA FE - Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson bantered with comedian Jay Leno about hitchhiking, baseball and diplomacy as the New Mexico governor appeared Friday on "The Tonight Show."

He's "the most qualified presidential candidate you have never heard of," Leno proclaimed in his introduction.
Richardson, elected governor twice, also served in Congress, was U.N. ambassador and energy secretary in the Clinton administration and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize.

During his appearance, taped Friday afternoon in Los Angeles, Richardson recounted his experiences as an unofficial diplomatic troubleshooter which over the years took him to such places as Sudan, North Korea, and
Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where he negotiated the release of American hostages in 1995.

"We don't practice diplomacy enough," said Richardson. "We ought to talk to our enemies. We ought to practice diplomacy and mediation and negotiation before we send our troops."

Born in California, Richardson was raised in Mexico before attending prep school and college in Massachusetts.
"My mother only spoke Spanish to me. She was Mexican. My father. He wouldn't speak to me," said Richardson, drawing chuckles from Leno. "But when he did, he would speak to me in English. It was totally a bilingual background."

Richardson recounted how he met his wife, Barbara, while hitchhiking when he was attending Middlesex School in Concord, Mass.

"So you would encourage women, if you see Mexican guys hitchhiking, pick them up," said Leno.

Richardson was a baseball standout during his prep school days, Leno pointed out, and the show featured a picture of the young Richardson.

"By the way that was a few pounds ago," said Richardson, who has been dieting to slim down for presidential campaign appearances.

NEW RICHARDSON ADS -- AWESOME AND ON THE AIRWAVES!!!

Governor Richardson has two new ads --- and they are awesome!!

The first of the two is already on the air in Iowa, with the second to follow shortly. Both ads are in hot circulation on the internet! They are already hugely successful and are gaining in popularity!

The ads, showcasing Governor Richardson's vast - and unmatched - experience, as well as his terrific sense of humor, are serving to introduce the populus to this great man, diplomat, and leader who will make an outstanding president!

Please view the ads and forward them to everyone you know!!

Let's make sure that everyone knows about the most qualified candidate in this race -- and let's get them on board as true believers in this movement to bring hope and promise back to America -- through the presidency of Bill Richardson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjOuL5qwNIc

Gov. Richardson: De-Authorize the War Now

Congress has the power to end this war. They authorized the invasion of Iraq under the War Powers Act and they can now de-authorize it and bring the troops home.
De-authorization can't be vetoed. The President won't listen to the American people, and he won't listen to Congress -- together we can show him that being stubborn isn't a foreign policy.
For several months, I have been calling for de-authorizing this war and leaving no residual troops because I believe that this is is the best approach to ending the violence.
But many Americans don't even know that de-authorization is an option. They know the proposals coming out of Washington don't go far enough, but they don't know a better way forward.
That's where you come in. I need your help to send the message to Congress that they need to execute their authority to end this war immediately. It is increasingly obvious to me that only an overwhelming public outcry will force our leaders to act. So let's create that outcry.
Click here to sign the petition calling on Congress to use its power to de-authorize the war and bring the troops home now. We need their help to end the violence in Iraq.
Our presence in Iraq worsens the violence and enables our enemies to portray us as imperialist occupiers. If we announce that we are getting out completely, we undercut this propaganda. We need to get all our troops out of the crossfire of this civil war.
Anything less than immediate de-authorization and the withdrawal of all American troops is not a real plan to end this war. We can't leave behind airbases. We can't leave behind embedded troops to train the Iraqi army. We can't leave behind any residual force whatsoever in a country where American troops aren't wanted and have targets on their backs.
Click here to sign the petition calling on Congress to use its power to de-authorize the war and bring the troops home now. We need their help to end the violence in Iraq.
I know this region well and understand how people there see the world. I served as Ambassador to the UN, President Clinton's Special Envoy, and as Secretary of Energy. I have been there. I even met with Saddam Hussein and secured the release of hostages. Diplomacy can work in this region -- I've done it before -- there is no military solution in Iraq.
Last Thursday, Senators Clinton and Byrd introduced a proposal to de-authorize the war. I'm pleased to have their support, but I encourage them to go further.
We must de-authorize the war and set a timetable to get our troops out by the end of this year.

Sincerely,
Bill Richardson

Richardson wants Dems to be party of science

From the AP:

Richardson wants Dems to be party of science

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. Presidential hopeful Bill Richardson told New Hampshire Democrats during the weekend that their party should be the party of science and technology.
Speaking at the Rockingham County Democrats' Clambake, the former federal energy secretary said he would make America the leader on global climate change and find ways to be more energy independent through renewable energy.
Richardson also pledged to support New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status. He said he'll compete whenever New Hampshire holds its primary.

Richardson, FDR, and Newsweek

Newsweek is running a feature -- including mini-interviews with each candidate -- on the topic of which former president the current crop of contenders most admirers.

Governor Richardson's response....

Bill Richardson: "When you look at FDR's presidency, there are so many heroic actions to choose from, but his leadership during World War II remains his most courageous act. America had to become a global leader in the fight against fascism. This meant more than leading the military charge; it meant working with other countries to bring about lasting change."

New Daily Kos Diary by Michelle

Hi friends...

I recently posted a new diary on Daily Kos:
"Bill Richardson: You've got to be part of causes you believe in"

I will post the piece here as well, but I would also like to ask everyone to please forward it to their friends and family (or at least forward the address of this blog [www.Colorado4Richardson.blogspot.com] and the link for the below mentioned San Francisco Chronicle article [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/01/BAGGQPIDK41.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea] )

If there is one Richardson article that everyone should read, that S.F. Chronicle article is the one.

Also, if you are registered at Daily Kos, please visit the the post with my diary and recommend it, so that it will pop up on the front page and everyone can find that great Chronicle article on the Governor.

Thanks so much!

-- Michelle

__________________________________

Bill Richardson: You've got to be part of causes you believe in

The world won't become a better place unless we help make it so.

I'm a true believer in the Bill Richardson for President movement.

Call me a kool-aid drinker...because, well, I am. Every now and then there's some kool-aid that's actually worth drinking... Because every now and then, there's a special person with the character and vision that can change this country...and for the resolute better. Every now and then there's that special candidate worth believing in...and worth going to the front lines for. I've only found that candidate twice - John Kerry - and now Bill Richardson.

I don't need to sound off with superfluous platitudes about my candidate. He makes his best case himself - right here: "Richardson: 'You've got to be part of causes you believe in'."

(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/01/BAGGQPIDK41.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea)

And it's not just his words that make the case, but rather his actions. When everyone else was glad handing and politicking, Richardson was speaking up for the cause he believes in....a cause not about himself, or about campaigns, or money, or votes, or flash bulbs...but a campaign about giving a voice to those without, and of making an effort to save their lives.

I was - and forever will be - a proud drinker of the Kerry Kool-Aid Club... And I'm now proud to drink and serve the Richardson Kool-Aid.

Bill Richardson believes in speaking - and acting - on behalf of the causes he believes in. An example worth noting, worth following...and worth believing in.

The world won't become a better place unless we help make it so.

Richardson for America ~ I Believe

Richardson: 'You've got to be part of causes you believe in'

San Francisco Chronicle

CAMPAIGN 2008

Richardson: 'You've got to be part of causes you believe in'

Tyche Hendricks, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

While well-funded presidential contenders Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama were jockeying for center stage at the California Democratic Convention in San Diego over the weekend, another Democratic presidential candidate ducked out to appear at a San Francisco rally calling for an end to the genocide in Darfur.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson mounted the stage at Civic Center Plaza Sunday afternoon, cowboy boots livening up his standard-issue khakis and navy blazer, and exhorted an earnest crowd of about 600 to join the Save Darfur Coalition.

"It's not going to get votes," Richardson acknowledged in an interview with The Chronicle before his speech. "But you've got to be part of causes you believe in."

The former U.N. ambassador has made three trips to Sudan, visiting stricken refugees in makeshift camps, negotiating the release of kidnapped aid workers and pressing President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to accept U.N. peacekeepers.

Richardson, who has also represented New Mexico in Congress and served as President Bill Clinton's energy secretary, said he is not worried about getting blowback for controversial positions he has taken recently, including supporting New Mexico laws legalizing medical marijuana and creating concealed-weapon permits, and or for his endorsement last year by the National Rifle Association.

"I'm not your usual candidate," he said. "But I do believe I have the most experience. I'm the most electable."
One hot-button issue he has had to confront as governor of a border state is illegal immigration. He said he is unequivocally opposed to building a border fence, calling it "a terrible symbol" that sends the wrong message to a friendly neighbor.

"If I'm president, I'll tear it down myself," he said.

But he does favor tightening border security, calling for a doubling of the 12,000-strong U.S. Border Patrol and increasing surveillance technology such as motion sensors and night-vision cameras.

He also supports an "earned legalization plan" for illegal immigrants in the United States, stiffer enforcement of sanctions on employers who hire undocumented workers, expanded legal immigration and a relationship with Mexico that encourages its economic development.

"Mexico needs to not view this as a cash cow of remittances. It's got to step up," said Richardson, the first major Latino candidate for president. "President Calderon, I like his words. He agrees Mexico bears responsibility. "
On Iraq, Richardson said the war is "a disaster" and he wants to see all U.S. troops withdrawn by the end of 2007.

"But accompany that with diplomacy," he said. "I want an international donor conference, including Japan and the European Union, to deal with Iraq's reconstruction; a security conference, with Iran, Syria and other Middle East countries to create an all-Muslim peacekeeping force; and a reconciliation conference led by the United States forcing the three groups, Sunni, Shia and Kurd, to come together in a coalition government."

On energy, Richardson said he would work aggressively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make America independent of foreign oil.

Richardson has raised just over $6 million so far for his presidential bid compared with the $36 million amassed by Clinton, $26 million by Obama and $14 million by former Sen. John Edwards.

But in the online world, Richardson seems to have eclipsed Clinton and holds third place after Edwards and Obama in unscientific straw polls conducted by Democratic-leaning Web sites such as MoveOn and Daily Kos.

Richardson said his experience at the United Nations during the Clinton administration, where he worked extensively on Iraq, and leading a variety of international missions, including a trip earlier this month to North Korea, make him the candidate with the greatest foreign policy expertise.

"My skill is to bring people together," he said as Sudanese musicians warmed up nearby. "I'm a great believer in diplomacy."

Richardson talks to CHS students about Darfur and the need for diplomacy

From the Nevada Appeal

Richardson talks to CHS students about Darfur and the need for diplomacy

By Jarid Shipley/Appeal Staff Writer,

Monday morning, Carson High School history and government students got a chance to voice their concerns to a man seeking the highest office in the country.

New Mexico governor and presidential hopeful Bill Richardson stopped at the high school to talk to the students about the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of the Sudan.

"I have long felt that we have neglected the third world, including Africa and Latin America," Richardson said.

Richardson spoke about how students and citizens can effect change in Darfur as well as his solution to the ongoing struggles in the region.

"American not only has a responsibility to protect its interests, to protect us from a terrorist attack, but also look at countries and regions like Darfur and help them out," Richardson told the students.

Richardson was in the area two months ago and has helped negotiate the release of three American Red Cross workers and an American journalist taken captive in the region.

Richardson also praised the students for their recent fundraising drive, which garnered $825 to help provide relief to refugee camps through Catholic Relief Services.

"I feel like the world kind of stood by with Rwanda, we didn't do anything and it's happening again," said Will Houk, the CHS history teacher who organized the fundraiser. "I want the students to believe in being a part of the world community and how important that is to history."

Students are holding a silent auction fundraiser from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Starbucks in the Wal-Mart shopping center on College Parkway. The auction includes rounds of golf, a Starbucks coffee maker and a night at the Bliss Mansion.

"With this fundraiser you are doing what I believe all Americans should do, care about all areas, not just areas of strategic importance," Richardson said.

Sophomore Jessie Sinclair had the honor of introducing Richardson and said she hoped he would share ways to help. "I want him to talk about how we can stop what's going on in the Sudan. I don't know if anyone can answer that question but I'd like to ask him how he would do it," Sinclair said.

Richardson also put forth a four-part proposal to help end the situation in Darfur, which included providing humanitarian aid to the region, pushing for economic sanctions both from the U.S. and members of the United Nations, deploying U.N. peacekeepers to the region and making the genocide a national issue in the United States.Richardson cautioned however, that he would not advocate sending U.S. troops into the area, instead opting for U.N. peacekeepers.

"I believe America doesn't need another conflict, we need more diplomacy," he said.

"Richardson is the only thing between Clinton and coronation."

Op/Ed columnist Kevin Hassett has written a piece which grades the performances of each candidate in last Thursday's debate.

His take on Governor Richardson:

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.


To read the column in its entirety:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_hassett&sid=aVfHmPSs.KAU