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.

First Lady Barbara Richardson Hosts Ceremony to Honor Victims of Virginia Tech Tragedy

First Lady Barbara Richardson Hosts Ceremony to Honor Victims of Virginia Tech Tragedy

Office of New Mexico Governor Press Release

(SANTA FE) Today outside the State Capitol Building First Lady Barbara Richardson hosted a ceremony to honor the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy. New Mexico joined Virginia and more than a dozen other states as bells were rung simultaneously nationwide to remember the victims. First Lady Barbara Richardson offered the following remarks:
“Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has declared today a day of mourning and has asked states across America to stand with Virginia Tech to honor the victims of this tragedy. The Governor and I are honored to stand with Governor Kaine and his wife Anne. New Mexico is proud to stand with Virginia.”
“We stand with those who have lost loved ones and those who are on the road to recovery. We stand with those brave police officers, doctors, and educators who worked to bring students and teachers to safety. And we remain inspired by stories of teachers and students, who put themselves in harms way so that others might live.”
“At 10am today bells in Virginia, New Mexico, and across America will ring in remembrance of each life tragically cut short. The bells will ring and we will remember.”



Additional coverage from Albuquerque's KRQE News 13:

First lady Barbara Richardson said holding a service like this and ringing bells across the state is one way people can feel a connection to Virginia and the rest of the country.
“I think it's very important we do have this expression of support for those families and also to let the nation know we care,” Richardson said.
She also said connecting like this as a country helps in the healing of people who have had tragedies in their own lives.

For video coverage, please click here: http://www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?RECORD_KEY%5BNews%5D=ID&ID%5BNews%5D=21019

Richardson Vows More Emphasis on Africa

From the Associated Press

NEW YORK - Democrat Bill Richardson told black leaders Thursday that he would make Africa a major foreign policy priority if he's elected president in 2008.
Speaking to a meeting of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, the New Mexico governor said the continent had been neglected by the Bush administration in favor of the Middle East and other regions thought to have greater strategic significance.
"Somehow it's not considered by American policymakers to have the importance it deserves," Richardson said. "Issues related to AIDS, refugees, issues related to governance, international poverty - somehow this continent is forgotten."
Richardson, a former ambassador to the United Nations, said that as president he would press to add an African nation to the U.N. Security Council. He also touted his recent efforts to help bring about a fragile cease-fire in the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.
"Why is it that America forgets about the Rwandas and the Sudans but is quick to move into other areas that are considered more strategically important?" he asked.
With black voters a key part of the Democratic electoral base, all the major Democratic candidates were scheduled to speak to the NAN conference during its three-day annual convention.
Attendees were getting a double dose of the Clintons: President Bill Clinton was set to address the group later Thursday, and Hillary Rodham Clinton was scheduled to speak Friday afternoon.
Richardson acknowledged he was not well known to most voters, but said he felt "very good" about his campaign so far. A Hispanic American, he said he was proud to be part of a diverse field of candidates that includes a woman - Mrs. Clinton - as well as a black man, Barack Obama.
"I'm going to be, hopefully, the first Hispanic elected president," he said to applause. "If it's not me, we may have the first African-American president, or the first woman president.
"We may also have the first Mormon president," he said, referring to Republican Mitt Romney. "Although I'd prefer the other three."

Richardson Leads Race To TV Ads

The Washington Post

Friday, April 20, 2007; Page A06

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will take to the airwaves in Iowa and New Hampshire next week, making him the first Democratic candidate to run television ads in the states that will lead off the presidential caucus and primary calendar.
"This is an effective way to reinforce the governor's extraordinary record," Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley said of the commercials. "But the ads are just part of the strategy -- the biggest piece is campaigning town to town, meeting people and earning votes in person."
The 30- and 60-second spots were produced by Murphy Putnam Media and are meant to introduce Richardson to voters in two of the most critical states in the nomination fight. The shorter ad details Richardson's rationale for running and outlines his plans for moving forward in Iraq; the 60-second spot highlights his record as governor.

Governor Bill Richardson Issues Statement on VA Tech Shootings

Governor Bill Richardson Issues Statement on VA Tech Shootings
SANTA FE –
Governor Bill Richardson today issued the following statement in response to the tragedy at Virginia Tech:
“On behalf of all New Mexicans, Barbara and I extend our condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were cut short by this horrific tragedy,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “This is a sad day and our hearts go out to the Virginia Tech community as it grieves this loss.” As a result of the tragedy, Governor Richardson instructed New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Beverlee McClure to immediately begin working with institutions in state to ensure adequate safety measures are in place. These measures may include having a safety plan in place and a disaster response plan. The state will also be looking into the security personnel on each campus and the level of training those personnel have in an effort to determine how to better prepare campus police and security officials to respond to such incidents. A Safety Task Force will be formed to make recommendations to the Governor for improving the safety of our students, faculty, and staff on our campuses in the state. The Governor is committed to creating a safe learning and working environment for all New Mexicans.

Governor Richardson Enacts Four Clean Energy Bills for New Mexico

Governor Richardson Enacts Four Clean Energy Bills for New Mexico
Measures promote advanced energy technologies, green buildings and biodiesel.

Santa Fe, New Mexico
[RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Bills recently signed four significant renewable energy bills: SB 994 (Advanced Energy Tax Credit); SB 489 (Biodiesel Blend Required by 2012); HB 318 (Power plant mercury emissions control); SB 463 (Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Amendments).
"New Mexico is showing that we can create jobs through spurring significant investment in electricity generation from our world-class solar and wind resources," Richardson said, "promoting advanced coal technologies, building more efficient homes and offices, and increasing the production and use of biodiesel."
SB 994 (Cisneros) is the first tax credit in the nation to cover carbon capture technology and include specific capture goals at coal-fired power plants. SB 489 (Ortiz y Pino) will require that 5% of every gallon of diesel fuel sold in New Mexico comes from an agricultural source by 2012. This will help boost New Mexico's growing biodiesel industry, reduce our use of foreign oil and combat climate change. HB 318 (Wirth) allows New Mexico to continue to protect its citizens from the damaging effects of mercury pollution. This bill allows New Mexico to pass more protective mercury standards than the federal government. SB 463 (Cisneros) contains several tax incentives that were originally proposed as separate bills: Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Amendments, Sustainable Building Tax Credit, Advanced Energy Product Tax Credit, Biodiesel Fuel Production Tax Incentives, Solar Energy System Gross Receipts, and Agricultural Water Conservation Tax Credits.
"These vital pieces of legislation will work hand in glove with the other major clean energy bills I enacted earlier this session -- the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority and the quadrupling of the Renewable Portfolio Standard -- to continue to make New Mexico the nation's Clean Energy State," said Governor Richardson.

RICHARDSON BROKERS NUCLEAR DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA

Sometimes words fail to capture the magnanimity of a situation...and this is just such a situation.
Governor Bill Richardson has brokered a deal with North Korea over their nuclear reactor.


This Breaking News Announcement:
While in North Korea this week to negotiate the return of US remains from the Korean War (at which he was successful), 2008 Presidential Candidate Governor Bill Richardson was also able to broker a deal with North Korea -- resulting with them agreeing to dismantle their nuclear reactor and allow inspectors back into their country.
Please spread this to everyone you know, as this is a great success for both the United States and Governor Richardson.

Link for the video: http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??g=e42bcb7d-a47c-45f3-831b-aa3b6e4f01f3&f=00&fg=copy


One of the finest diplomats and peacemakers in our nation's history is running for President...he's my candidate...and I'm so very proud to support him.
I'm so very proud to support Bill Richardson.

Richardson's North Korea Visit Yields Nuke Breakthrough

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's visit to North Korea appears to be yielding unexpected fruit.
Richardson, part of a bipartisan delegation dispatched to North Korea to return remains of U.S. MIAs, appears to have secured a concession from the communist state on its developing nuclear weapons program.
Monday, a North Korean nuclear arms negotiator relayed to Richardson that the country would be willing to allow international U.N. arms inspectors into the country if some $25 million in North Korean money that has been frozen is released.
On Tuesday, U.S. envoy Christopher Hill signaled from Tokyo the U.S. willingness to deal.
What was positive coming out of Pyongyang (the North Korean capitol) yesterday is the report that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is prepared to take these actions to get the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in there, and take these first steps, said Hill.
The North Koreans also told Richardson that it will be difficult to stop production at the country's main nuclear reactor by Saturday, a pre-negotiated deadline. A State Department spokesman responded that the U.S. might not object to extending the deadline.
Richardson, a Democratic candidate for president, is expected to return to New Mexico on Friday.

USNews: Giddyup, Sundance!

From USNews' Washington Whispers:

Giddyup, Saundance

We told you (below) that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had lost enough weight to make his horse, Sundance, very happy. And here's the proof from his campaign.

Also from Washington Whispers:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee isn't the only fatty who hit the treadmill and dieted—he lost 110 pounds and several chins—to get ready for a 2008 presidential run. Now we can add New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to the list. "When I made the decision to run for president, I realized it was time to get serious about losing weight and exercising more," he says. "The campaign lifestyle can wreak havoc on your diet and your waistline." Once a lean kid athlete, Richardson chubbed up during his days as a lawmaker and cabinet official in Washington and as United Nations ambassador in New York, where he was known for his big appetite, long cigars, and sips of wine. But that was 30 pounds ago.
After trying virtually every fad diet, he's now on a doctor-prescribed, nutritionist-supervised diet familiar to thousands: He replaces two meals with special shakes, actually eating only one real meal a day. He snacks on veggies or an energy bar. And he works out with a trainer. "He loves to eat," says spokesman Pahl Shipley, "so it has been difficult." Richardson says he still wants to shed 10 pounds, but his staff isn't so happy with that news. "I've got even more energy and stamina," he says, but he also admits, "I get cranky." Still, says Richardson, the only Hispanic in the 2008 race, "I'll tell you what. My horse is happy about my diet."

Bill Richardson: "I have done here in New Mexico what I can do as president - make a difference in the lives of the American people"

Richardson says he'll call special session

Associated Press
Saturday, March 17, 2007

SANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson says lawmakers did great work in the legislative session that ended Saturday - just not enough of it.
The governor said while it was the most productive session in state history, "we still have business to finish."
He said he will call the Legislature back into a special session beginning Tuesday to act on a highway package, ethics measures, crime bills, a domestic partnership proposal, and more.
"We're on a roll, so let's continue that roll," Richardson told a room full of bleary-eyed legislative leaders and cabinet secretaries just after the 60-day session ended, by law, at noon.
"I have done here in New Mexico ... what I can do as president ... make a difference in the lives of the American people," Richardson said.

Read more: http://abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/17/richardson-says-hell-call-special-session/

Governor Bill Richardson Signs New Mexico Cockfighting Ban

March 12, 2007
(Santa Fe, NM) – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today enacted a ban on cockfighting in New Mexico.
With his signature, Senate Bill 10, a long sought statewide ban on cockfighting, became the law in New Mexico.
“Senate Bill 10 is fair and it is humane, said Governor Richardson. “I am proud that New Mexico will now move beyond cockfighting and join the 48 states that have already banned this outdated practice.”


More press coverage to follow....

Governor Richardson Enacts Landmark Clean Energy Bills

Governor Bill Richardson Enacts Landmark Clean Energy Bills to Create Jobs, Keep Air Clean

March 5, 2007
SANTA FE --

Governor Bill Richardson today signed two major cornerstones of his clean energy agenda. Senate Bill 418 will dramatically increase New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and our use of clean electricity. House Bill 188 creates a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to promote clean energy jobs and help New Mexico both develop our clean energy resources and market them to other states.
“I am proud today to sign a bill that will quadruple New Mexico’s use of clean electricity by 2020,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “Promoting renewable electricity keeps our air clean and it will help New Mexico meet my aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. It will also help continue to create new jobs, like those at Advent Solar in Albuquerque, and aid ranchers who want to diversify into the lucrative wind energy market.”
In 2004 Governor Richardson signed New Mexico’s first Renewable Portfolio Standard into law. This mandated that 5% of New Mexico’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2006, increasing to 10% by 2011. Senator Michael Sanchez’s Senate Bill 418 requires that at least 15 percent of an electric utility's power supply come from renewable sources by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.House Bill 188 – sponsored by Representative Jose Campos -- establishes a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority that will help New Mexico export solar, wind and other renewable energy and further build our high-wage, and high-tech economy.“
The Transmission Authority and the Renewable Portfolio Standard work in combination to dramatically position New Mexico to develop our vast renewable energy resources,” said Joanna Prukop Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources. “We've just positioned our state to become extremely competitive in all aspects of clean energy development and the benefits that come with it.”
Under Governor Richardson’s leadership, New Mexico has become the nation’s the Clean Energy State. In the past few weeks alone Governor Richardson has signed a major, five state climate change agreement, announced a new Tesla electric car plant for Albuquerque and a biodiesel plant in Clovis, NM.
“I am proud that both these bills passed with bipartisan support,” said Governor Richardson. “That is because New Mexico is hungry for clean energy and the good jobs that come with this new industry.”

From the New Hampshire Union Leader...

Richardson's party: Is anyone left to back him?

NEW MEXICO Gov. Bill Richardson stopped by last week during his two-day swing through New Hampshire. Among the Democrats vying for their party's Presidential nomination, he stood out as someone not very interested in playing to the far left, or to anyone else's expectations.
With Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards tacking hard left, and Sen. Hillary Clinton trying to sound moderate while still holding on to the liberal base, Richardson was quick to note that he is a different kind of Democrat.
For one, he's all for tax cuts. "I'd have middle-class tax cuts. I'd cut capital gains," he said, adding that he might have to repeal tax cuts that went to wealthier Americans to pay for more middle-class cuts, but it would be a last resort. He believes that low taxes stimulate business investment and job creation.
"The Democratic Party, our first solution is to tax, but I'm not of that school," he said.
He's also pro-Second Amendment (he was endorsed by the National Rifle Association in last year's race for governor), for a stronger, larger military, against gay marriage, and in favor of letting states experiment on policy rather than forcing them to accept Washington's dictates.
On Iraq, he supports withdrawal, provided the United States can bring together the warring ethnic and religious groups and create some sort of political agreement first.
Richardson is not a candidate polished and shined by some D.C.-area spin machine. He's a Western governor who talks convincingly like a Washington outsider despite his years in the capital. Plus, he has some interesting ideas. The question is whether in the current political climate any Democrats will be willing to hear them.

Richardson Brings Hope...

...and hope is the American dream.

INTRODUCING THE LAUNCH OF RICHARDSON BRINGS HOPE -- AN INSPIRING NEW GRASSROOTS WEBSITE SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY OF BILL RICHARDSON

Bill Richardson brings hope...

We are concerned Americans who believe that this great nation must move beyond the clouds of fear and shadows of division and into a new tomorrow of hope and promise – and the destiny of the American dream.
These extraordinary times call for extraordinary leadership. We yearn for a peacemaker. We need to believe in honesty and promise and honor in our government. We need to believe once more in our dreams – as individuals, and as Americans. We need to believe in hope again.We need Bill Richardson.

Richardson brings hope - and hope is the American dream.

* A proud member of the Richardson Brings Hope team *

We believe in the hope and promise of a better America under the wise, visionary leadership of Bill Richardson.

Dream big dreams and believe in hope again:

www.RichardsonBringsHope.com

Richardson Eyes the White House

The Albuquerque Journal is running a five-part, in-depth series on Governor Richardson, with the installments appearing each Sunday for five consecutive weeks.

The first part ran last Sunday and can be found here:
http://www.abqjournal.com/richardson/531607nm01-21-07.htm?lrail

The second part, which ran this Sunday, can be found here:
http://www.abqjournal.com/richardson/533643nm01-28-07.htm

RICHARDSON ENTERS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Richardson Enters 2008 Presidential Race

From ABC NEWS

Jan. 21, 2007 — The field for the Democratic presidential nomination got still more crowded this morning, with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announcing he will take the first step in a run for the White House by forming a presidential exploratory committee. Richardson followed the announcement with an exclusive interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week."

"The next president must be able to make us energy independent, must be able to make schools better, create jobs, give the American people, every American, a fair shot," said Richardson. "To get that done, you need real-life experience. All I'm saying is, a lot of these folks can make speeches about all these things. I've actually done it."

Read the story:

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Politics/story?id=2810224&page=1

Watch the interview:

On ABC:

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Politics/story?id=2810224&page=1

On YouTube:

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj3QFQ4IxxA

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKHXmAuSACk

RICHARDSON TO ANNOUNCE WHITE HOUSE RUN

Gov. Bill Richardson plans to take first step toward White House run

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson intends to say Sunday that he is taking the first step toward the Democratic presidential nomination, several officials with knowledge of his plans said Friday. The former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Energy Department secretary is hoping his extensive resume will fuel an insurgent campaign to become the first Hispanic U.S. president. He plans to announce Sunday that he will soon file the papers to create a presidential exploratory committee, the officials said. Richardson's office did not immediately return a call for comment.
The governor is scheduled to appear Sunday on ABC television's "This Week."
Richardson brings a wealth of experience in international affairs that has extended even into his governorship of a small but politically important swing state. He's hosted talks on North Korea's nuclear program in New Mexico and most recently traveled to Sudan this month and met with the country's president to press him for an end to the bloodshed in Darfur.

GOVERNOR RICHARDSON BROKERS CEASE FIRE IN SUDAN

More to follow on this extraordinary story - but for starters, here is the transcript from Daily Kos and Gov Bill Richardsons Online Ops Team's diary :


This morning at 6:55 MST, Governor Bill Richardson and members of the Save Darfur coalition delegation arrived in Albuquerque after their trip to Sudan. We held a press conference where Governor Richardson spoke about what he saw first-hand the human toll taken by the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan as he toured a relocation camp and spoke with citizens forced from their homes and villages by war. The Governor visited the As Salaam IDP (internally displaced persons) Camp in El Fasher, home to more than 43,000 people, mostly women and children.

He also received a briefing from top United Nations officials in Sudan and met with the Commander of the African Union peacekeeping forces, Major General Luke Aprezi. General Aprezi expressed his frustration that the relatively small numbers of AU troops cannot provide adequate security for the 65 IDP camps as well as serving as observers and running patrols to protect civilian activities such as gathering firewood.
In addition, the Governor urged several field commanders from different rebel Sudanese forces to do their part to reduce violence against women and humanitarian workers and to undertake efforts to restore peace and stability to their region and throughout Sudan.

But the most successful part of trip came when he secured a commitment from Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir to agree to a 60-day cease fire in the Darfur region to allow for a new political process under the Darfur Peace Agreement and the auspices of the African Union and the United Nations.

There's still a long road ahead for the people in the Darfur region but this cease fire is definitely a step in the right direction.

Accompanying Governor Richardson on the trip were 5 members of the Save Darfur Coalition delegation. They were:
David Rubenstien, Coordinator, Save Darfur Coalition
Michael Bergman, Dep. Chair of Mitigating Religious and Ethnic Conflict, Clinton Global Initiative
Ambassador (ret) Lawrence G. Rossin, Senior International Coordinator, Save Darfur Coalition
Kenneth H. Bacon, President of Refugees International
Amjad Atallah, President of Strategic Assessments

********************

Governor Richardson's remarks:

Thank you for being here so early.

I will try to summarize what we have been able to accomplish over the past several days, and then I’d like to ask each member of our delegation to introduce themselves and say a few words as well. Then we’d be happy to take your questions.

First, I would like to thank the members of the Save Darfur Coalition for the important work that they do. For joining my delegation and for paying for this trip.

Usually when I am asked to take on a mission like this it is to help get one or two or a few people out of a dangerous situation. In this case we are talking about millions of people in the Darfur region of Sudan who are victims of a brutal, seemingly endless conflict. They are facing the loss of family members, their homes, and their lives.

During our trip we saw with our own eyes just how desperate the situation is. We met twice with President Omar Al-Bashir and spoke with top officials of his government. We spent a day in Darfur hearing from representatives of the United Nations and African Union, as well as rebel commanders who are fighting this war. We visited one of the camps for those left homeless by the war, and met some of the courageous Sudanese people caught up in this human tragedy.

I believe we made important progress on this trip, and took some critical steps toward finding a solution that will provide a lasting peace for the people of Darfur, and all of Sudan.

Most importantly, we got a commitment from President Bashir and the leaders of the rebel factions for a 60-day cessation of hostilities. This is critical. Before more African Union and UN troops can provide effective protection for the people of Darfur, there must be a cease-fire. You can’t have peacekeepers if there is no peace to keep.

The cease-fire will give the African Union and the United Nations an opportunity to build a framework for the political process to address the remaining differences between those who signed the Darfur Peace Agreement, or D-P-A, and those who did not.

President Bashir reaffirmed his commitment, as he had agreed with the UN Secretary General, under the DPA, to allow the deployment of UN personnel and equipment into Darfur.

We reiterated that sexual violence must be condemned and prosecuted no matter which party or organization is responsible, and the government agreed to extend existing efforts to support Sudanese women against all gender-based violence.

We got an agreement from the government not to paint their military aircraft white, the same as the aircraft of the UN and other relief agencies, and we underscored the need to disarm all armed groups, in particular the government-supported janjaweed militia.

The President agreed to have government forces improve security conditions in all areas of Darfur and provide protection for humanitarian convoys and workers.

President Bashir also agreed to cut the red tape for humanitarian workers in Sudan, and he agreed to allow and facilitate the travel of journalists from around the world to report on the situation in Darfur.

And, importantly, President Bashir has opened a dialogue with the Save Darfur Coalition and committed to building that relationship, toward the goal of ending the violence in Darfur and achieving a lasting political solution to the crisis.

I believe we have opened the door for the peace process to take hold and move forward. It is now up to the leaders of the UN and AU to monitor and ensure implementation by the Sudanese government and rebels, and to use this opening to pursue the durable political solution that will end the tragedy afflicting the people of Darfur.

***************

Please visit: :: :: Gov Bill Richardsons Online Ops Team's diary :: :: on Daily Kos

Special thanks to the marvelous Joaquin Guerra for fielding questions today on the Kos Diary and for taking his time to chat with readers -- muchas gracias, Joaquin!