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.

FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE --- TODAY ON MSNBC!!!

I've been trying to add some updates here for the past two days and, once again, faithful Blogger.com was not cooperating. *sigh* Somedays I think I'm going to lose what's left of my mind.... So, apologies for not getting this on here sooner:

FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

The debate will be broadcast live, from South Carolina, on MSNBC at 5:00 pm MST. MSNBC has day long political coverage - with spotlight on the debate - featuring a debate preview at 4:00.

For those who are unable to watch it live, check your schedules, as it may re-air at another time.

Press articles, and other coverage of the debate, will follow here (providing blogger.com gods look upon me with favor) on Colorado for Richardson over the next several days.

I'll also try to upload some YouTube clips of the debate for those who may not get to watch it.

Be sure to also visit: www.RichardsonBringsHope.com, which will feature debate coverage as well --- and the official Richardson for President site: www.RichardsonforPresident.com

Thanks so much for your support!!

RICHARDSON FOR AMERICA ~ I BELIEVE!

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.

Richardson Wins Democratic Nomination in Presidential March Madness

We did it!!!

Thanks to your enthusiasm and support, Governor Richardson has won the final round of voting (for the Democratic nomination) in the Presidential March Madness poll!!!
Governor Richardson previously defeated Al Gore and Hillary Clinton and - in the final round - defeated Barack Obama by 20%!!!

** I'd especially like to thank my fellow Coloradans -- your votes truly made the difference! I was told that Governor Richardson received more votes from Colorado than any other state! Way to go, team! Many thanks! **

Thank you for voting and for supporting Governor Bill Richardson!!!

Richardson Kicks Off Colorado Campaign

Governor Richardson was in Denver on Wednesday to officially kick off his campaign in the Centennial State. He announced his Colorado campaign team during a news conference and then attended a fundraiser.

The exciting events were covered in the following articles:

Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5276654

Rocky Mountain News:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5369729,00.html

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.

Governor Richardson to visit Denver!!!

From CBS in Denver and the AP:

Presidential Hopeful Richardson To Visit Denver

(AP) DENVER

New Mexico governor and presidential hopeful Bill Richardson will visit Denver next week to launch his campaign in Colorado.
Richardson has formed a presidential exploratory committee, the first step in an official run for the Democratic nomination.
Richardson is in his second term as New Mexico's governor. He represented New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives for 15 years and served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. He's also served as the U.S. Secretary of Energy.
Richardson is scheduled to arrive in Denver on Wednesday to announce the formation of his Colorado campaign team. He hopes to raise more than $100,000 at the fundraiser.

Gov. Richardson in NY Times Magazine

There's a terrific Q & A with our Gov in the current issue of the New York Time's Magazine:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/magazine/04WWLN_Q4.t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin

A MUST-READ!!!!

An excerpt:

"A lot of other candidates can give speeches about renewable energy and Iraq and creating jobs. I’ve got the experience. I’ve got the background. I’ve got the training. I believe as a negotiator I can bring people and the country together."

USNews.com: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Bill Richardson

From USNews.com's Washington Insider:

10 Things You Didn't Know About Bill Richardson

By Danielle Burton
Posted 1/29/07
Compiled by the U.S. News library staff

1.William Blaine Richardson was born on Nov. 15, 1947, in Pasadena, Calif. He grew up in Mexico City before moving to New England to attend boarding school (Middlesex, outside Boston), where he was a star baseball pitcher. His father, Will, was a banker, and his mother, Maria Luisa Zubiran, a secretary and homemaker.

2. He received a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 1970 and a master's from its graduate school of international relations, the Fletcher School, in 1971.

3. Richardson was elected to the House of Representatives (representing the Third Congressional District in northern New Mexico) in 1982. He served in the House until 1997.

4. He was the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 1997 to 1998. The Albuquerque Journal reported that on his first day as ambassador, he introduced himself to the translators who work during the U.N. proceedings. For one, it was "the first time in her 27-year career that an ambassador had ever spoken to her except to complain."

5. He was the secretary of energy under President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001. The president noted during the nomination process: "If there's one word that comes to mind when I think of Bill Richardson, it really is energy."

6. Richardson was elected as governor of New Mexico in 2002. During the campaign, he reportedly shook 13,392 hands in an eight-hour period, setting a world record (at one point held by Theodore Roosevelt). He was re-elected in 2006.

7. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times (1995, 1997, 2000, and 2001) for his diplomatic work and his concern for human-rights abuses. He has also helped to negotiate the release of hostages in a number of countries, including Iraq and North Korea.

8. During his career, Richardson has taught at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, the United World College in Montezuma, N.M., the University of New Mexico, and New Mexico State University.

9. His likes are said to include baseball, boxing, the Rocky movies, cigars, reading, and Chinese food. He was selected as the most valuable player in the annual congressional baseball game three times.

10. He has been married to Barbara Flavin (his high school sweetheart) since 1972.

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 makes first campaign stop

Governor Richardson campaigns in Nevada!

From the Reno Gazette-Journal:

Acknowledging the importance of Nevada's role in the 2008 presidential election, New Mexico governor and Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson made Reno his first official campaign stop Saturday since announcing he was creating an exploratory committee.
"I want to be the first candidate for president who has accepted invitations to Nevada's two debates; the first one (Feb. 21) in Carson City and the health care forum in Las Vegas" on March 24, Richardson told a crowd of about 50 supporters at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Richardson, who announced his exploratory committee a week ago, is planning a grass-roots campaign and expects to visit all of Nevada's 17 counties.
"I'm not after big-name endorsements, just votes," Richardson said.

To read the article in its entirety: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070128/NEWS/701280373

From the AP and Yahoo News:

Richardson accepts Nevada forum invites

RENO, Nev. - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sought to separate himself from a crowded Democratic presidential field as he campaigned Saturday in Nevada.

Richardson became the first Democrat to accept an invitation to appear in two candidate forums in the state — Feb. 21 in Carson City and March 24 in Las Vegas. He also pledged to campaign in all 17 Nevada counties.

"I know I'm the underdog, but I'm going to outwork the other candidates," Richardson told more than 50 supporters who greeted him at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
"Nevada is going to be a critically important state because of its early caucus. I'm going to campaign very hard, door to door. I'm after voters, not big endorsements," he added.

Richardson pointed out that he's the only Democratic candidate who hails from the West.
"I'm a fellow Westerner," he said. "The main issues today require someone with the background and heart, and I believe I have the best qualifications."
Richardson said he's proud of his heritage but is not running as a Hispanic in a state that is nearly 23 percent Hispanic.
"I think it's a growing population, and I'll fight for every vote," he said.

To read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070128/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail_1

Richardson visits Nevada

Governor Richardson is in Nevada this weekend.

From the Nevada Appeal:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is wasting no time visiting this nearby Western state in his fledgling bid for the presidency.
On Saturday, the "blue" candidate is headed for a very "red" Douglas County.Richardson will join fellow Democrat retired Gen. Wesley Clark for keynote speaking duties at the Turn Nevada Blue dinner, a fundraiser for the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee.
Nevada's caucus, one year from Friday - Jan. 19, 2008 - is sandwiched between the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary, which have traditionally kicked off the presidential-nominating contests.
The new schedule is expected to bring intense attention to Nevada as candidates seek to pick up early wins.
"It's the first time the West has gotten any kind of attention. And Nevada happens to be a red state, and we're trying to turn it blue," said Bud Orange, co-chairman of the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee and second vice-chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party. "And we got him in Douglas County."
Richardson is set to make his first campaign swing through Northern Nevada on Saturday, one week after joining the burgeoning field of Democratic presidential hopefuls.

For more info:
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070125/ELECTIONS/101250124

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

ATTENTION COLORADANS!!!

I'd like to invite all Colorado supporters of Governor Richardson to join the Zanby meet-up group:

http://colorado-for-richardson.groups.zanby.com/

I look forward to meeting all of you and working together to elect Bill Richardson the next President of the United States!!!

Thanks!!!

Questions: Michelle@RichardsonBringsHope.com

Richardson surpasses Obama on fundraising site ActBlue

Since Governor Richardson announced his candidacy on ABC this morning, the ActBlue fundraising site has been inundated with enthusiastic supporters inspired to pony up the $$$ to help bring hope and promise back to America through a Richardson presidency.

In just over 24 hours, upwards of $40,000 was donated to the Richardson Exploratory Committee -- surpassing the donation sum for Barack Obama!

The Richardson for President movement is on fire -- it's here, it's real, it's now -- and it's worth your commitment, your dedication, your contribution, your effort, your energy, your passion, and your belief.

Please visit ActBlue to donate to the Richardson for President Exploratory Committee:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/richardson

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.

SPECIAL RICHARDSON PROJECT

I'm currently accepting cards, letters, photos, etc., for a special book that I'm sending to Governor Bill Richardson. It's going be a collective message of encouragement and inspiration, from his supporters, in hopes and great anticipation of his candidacy for President of the United States.

Please participate!!! The deadline is January 23 -- so please send your items to me ASAP!!!

Visit my website for more info: http://hometown.aol.com/mlindsey5/billrichardson.html

Thanks so much!!!

Governor Richardson's remarks on Denver '08

Governor Bill Richardson:

“This isn’t just a win for Denver and Colorado, but for the whole mountain west. From Montana to New Mexico, the west is the most fertile ground for Democrats. The Denver convention in 2008 will only further these efforts.”

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!