Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
From CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson officially entered the 2008 presidential contest Monday in an event designed to highlight his resume and Latino heritage, attributes his advisers say will help him stand out in a Democratic field with little elbow room.
"Some are rock stars, I am not, but I have a proven record," Richardson told supporters in Los Angeles, California, acknowledging that Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have dominated the White House contest so far, both in fundraising and media attention.
Richardson touted himself as a proven problem solver who can "bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad."
"We need a president who is not dismissive of diplomacy, but someone who embraces it as the primary instrument of foreign policy because he has practiced it," he said.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called for all American troops to be pulled out of Iraq by the end of this year and said there needed to be a "political compromise" among the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in addition to a donor and security conference to help secure Iraq's future.
"Some will tell you that we only have two options: Either stay in Iraq and try to referee a civil war or leave and collapse into chaos. I've spent a lot time in this part of the world and let me tell you this: That is a false choice," he said. "Removing all of our troops and healing Iraq are one and the same."
Richardson touched on the current immigration debate in Congress, calling a bipartisan Senate proposal "a step in the right direction toward establishing a path to legalization. But at the same time it's a step in the wrong direction because it separates parents from children and loved ones from families."
Born in California to a Mexican mother and an American father, Richardson spent his childhood years in Mexico City. Speaking in both English and Spanish, Richardson acknowledged he made his "symbolic announcement" in California because of the state's large Latino population, a voting bloc he hopes to dominate in other states such as Florida and Texas.
California has moved its primary to February 5, 2008, making it a potentially crucial contest.
A Des Moines Register (Iowa) poll released Sunday showed Richardson was the choice of 10 percent of likely Democratic Iowa caucus participants, fourth behind former Sen. John Edwards (29 percent) and Obama (23 percent) and Clinton (21 percent).
The Richardson campaign touted the poll results as a sign of "momentum," sending out a release stating: "Our biggest hurdle is penetrating the media coverage that is mainly focused on the early poll leaders."
Richardson's official announcement was another chance for him to get a little more of that media spotlight.
The event was a bit anticlimactic given that Richardson's candidacy was a given. He raised $6.2 million in the first quarter of this year, participated in last month's televised presidential debate and has been up on the airwaves in Iowa with two irreverent campaign ads designed to highlight what his campaign hopes will be his strongest selling point: his experience.
"The game plan is you stress that I am a governor, I am the only one with executive experience, CEO experience. I have the most foreign policy background," Richardson said.
First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, Richardson served seven terms as a congressman from New Mexico and then went on to work for the Clinton administration in various capacities, including ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary.
"I not only can talk about energy independence and creating jobs and making schools better and global climate change. I have actually done it as a governor, as a member of Congress, as an ambassador, that is what I will stress," Richardson said. "I have actually done some of these things that everybody talks about. I've brought countries together, I have engaged in cease-fires with bad guys."
Richardson was re-elected to his second term as New Mexico's governor last fall with 69 percent of the vote.
New Mexico could be essential to the Democratic nominee taking the White House in 2008. Advisers think Richardson's strong showing in a state John Kerry narrowly lost in 2004 makes him a strong contender.
"Some are rock stars, I am not, but I have a proven record," Richardson told supporters in Los Angeles, California, acknowledging that Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have dominated the White House contest so far, both in fundraising and media attention.
Richardson touted himself as a proven problem solver who can "bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad."
"We need a president who is not dismissive of diplomacy, but someone who embraces it as the primary instrument of foreign policy because he has practiced it," he said.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called for all American troops to be pulled out of Iraq by the end of this year and said there needed to be a "political compromise" among the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in addition to a donor and security conference to help secure Iraq's future.
"Some will tell you that we only have two options: Either stay in Iraq and try to referee a civil war or leave and collapse into chaos. I've spent a lot time in this part of the world and let me tell you this: That is a false choice," he said. "Removing all of our troops and healing Iraq are one and the same."
Richardson touched on the current immigration debate in Congress, calling a bipartisan Senate proposal "a step in the right direction toward establishing a path to legalization. But at the same time it's a step in the wrong direction because it separates parents from children and loved ones from families."
Born in California to a Mexican mother and an American father, Richardson spent his childhood years in Mexico City. Speaking in both English and Spanish, Richardson acknowledged he made his "symbolic announcement" in California because of the state's large Latino population, a voting bloc he hopes to dominate in other states such as Florida and Texas.
California has moved its primary to February 5, 2008, making it a potentially crucial contest.
A Des Moines Register (Iowa) poll released Sunday showed Richardson was the choice of 10 percent of likely Democratic Iowa caucus participants, fourth behind former Sen. John Edwards (29 percent) and Obama (23 percent) and Clinton (21 percent).
The Richardson campaign touted the poll results as a sign of "momentum," sending out a release stating: "Our biggest hurdle is penetrating the media coverage that is mainly focused on the early poll leaders."
Richardson's official announcement was another chance for him to get a little more of that media spotlight.
The event was a bit anticlimactic given that Richardson's candidacy was a given. He raised $6.2 million in the first quarter of this year, participated in last month's televised presidential debate and has been up on the airwaves in Iowa with two irreverent campaign ads designed to highlight what his campaign hopes will be his strongest selling point: his experience.
"The game plan is you stress that I am a governor, I am the only one with executive experience, CEO experience. I have the most foreign policy background," Richardson said.
First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, Richardson served seven terms as a congressman from New Mexico and then went on to work for the Clinton administration in various capacities, including ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary.
"I not only can talk about energy independence and creating jobs and making schools better and global climate change. I have actually done it as a governor, as a member of Congress, as an ambassador, that is what I will stress," Richardson said. "I have actually done some of these things that everybody talks about. I've brought countries together, I have engaged in cease-fires with bad guys."
Richardson was re-elected to his second term as New Mexico's governor last fall with 69 percent of the vote.
New Mexico could be essential to the Democratic nominee taking the White House in 2008. Advisers think Richardson's strong showing in a state John Kerry narrowly lost in 2004 makes him a strong contender.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Polling Notice
Washington D.C. (PRWEB) May 14, 2007 -- 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.
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.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Richardson in North Korea
PANMUNJOM, Korea — U.S. envoys returned to South Korea after securing the remains of six American soldiers from the Korean War and pushing for action on North Korea's nuclear disarmament.
Gov. Bill Richardson and Anthony Principi, former U.S. Veterans Affairs secretary, were greeted at the border by U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow and U.S. military officials.
Richardson spent four days in North Korea, also joined by the top White House adviser on Korea, Victor Cha.
"Hopefully, we've done our bit to relieve the tension between our two countries," Richardson told reporters, referring to the United States and North Korea.
On Wednesday, the Americans drove two hours from the North Korean capital along virtually traffic-free roads, seeing farmers working fields and people walking along the highway.
The remains of the soldiers were transported separately in small, black cases.
Before crossing into the South, the delegation toured the buildings where the armistice that ended the Korean War was negotiated and signed, with a guide showing them where each party sat.
They then walked across the North-South frontier at the truce village of Panmunjom, where the two Koreas stand face-to-face across the border that has divided the Korean Peninsula since the 1953 cease-fire.
Principi said the mission to deliver the remains was one of the most emotional moments of his life. - AP
Gov. Bill Richardson and Anthony Principi, former U.S. Veterans Affairs secretary, were greeted at the border by U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Vershbow and U.S. military officials.
Richardson spent four days in North Korea, also joined by the top White House adviser on Korea, Victor Cha.
"Hopefully, we've done our bit to relieve the tension between our two countries," Richardson told reporters, referring to the United States and North Korea.
On Wednesday, the Americans drove two hours from the North Korean capital along virtually traffic-free roads, seeing farmers working fields and people walking along the highway.
The remains of the soldiers were transported separately in small, black cases.
Before crossing into the South, the delegation toured the buildings where the armistice that ended the Korean War was negotiated and signed, with a guide showing them where each party sat.
They then walked across the North-South frontier at the truce village of Panmunjom, where the two Koreas stand face-to-face across the border that has divided the Korean Peninsula since the 1953 cease-fire.
Principi said the mission to deliver the remains was one of the most emotional moments of his life. - AP
The MoveOn Iraq Online Meeting Last Tuesday
The National Journal's "Hotline" blog notes the weird disparity in how MoveOn members scored Tuesday's Iraq debate. Overall, Barack Obama was judged the most likely to get the United States out of Iraq by 28 percent; John Edwards had 25 percent; Dennis Kucinich 17 percent; and Richardson 12 percent. But when you looked only at the votes of those who gathered at house parties to watch, rather than watching it on their own, Obama came in third with 19 percent. Edwards held the lead with 25 percent and Richardson surged to second with 21 percent. - Bill Richardson Log: Friday, April 13, The Albuquerque Tribune
- What should this tell the average politco? Were the solo MoveOn attendees loaded by certain campaign volunteers? Maybe that's too conspiratorial. I think the best explanation is down-home conversation among Democrats. Go with the "partying" MoveOn gatherings!
- What should this tell the average politco? Were the solo MoveOn attendees loaded by certain campaign volunteers? Maybe that's too conspiratorial. I think the best explanation is down-home conversation among Democrats. Go with the "partying" MoveOn gatherings!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Good News from the Zanby Blog
Friends,
I am proud to announce that while in North Korea this week to negotiate the return of US remains from the Korean War, which he was successful at, 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 is below.
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??g=e42bcb7d-a47c-45f3-831b-aa3b6e4f01f3&f=00&fg=copy
I am proud to announce that while in North Korea this week to negotiate the return of US remains from the Korean War, which he was successful at, 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 is below.
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??g=e42bcb7d-a47c-45f3-831b-aa3b6e4f01f3&f=00&fg=copy
Democratic Pollster Paul Maslin joins Team- April 9th
SANTA FE, NM – Governor Bill Richardson today announced that Paul Maslin, a leading Democratic pollster, has joined his Presidential campaign. "Paul will be a great addition to my campaign and will serve as a senior advisor,” stated Governor Bill Richardson. “His over twenty-five years of political experience will help guide my campaign and our message to the American people.” Paul Maslin is a senior partner at Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, one of the leading public opinion firms in the country. Paul has advised six presidential candidates, a dozen U.S. Senators, and scores of Governors, mayors and members of Congress. In 2003-2004, he was the pollster and one of the key strategists in Howard Dean's groundbreaking run for President which opened new venues for grassroots organizing and fundraising “Governor Bill Richardson is the most qualified candidate running for President,” stated Paul Maslin. “And I am looking forward to working with the team to develop key policy initiatives and messages that will connect with the American voters.”
In 1998, Maslin played an instrumental role in the election of Gray Davis — California's first Democratic governor in 16 years and only the fourth Democrat in the 20th century.
Additionally, Maslin has advised many major organizations and foundations including the American Federation of Teachers, the League of Conservation Voters, the National Education Association, and the Wellness Foundation; as well as corporations such as American Express, Coca Cola, Disney, Levi-Strauss, Pacific Bell, and Pacific Gas and Electric.
In 1998, Maslin played an instrumental role in the election of Gray Davis — California's first Democratic governor in 16 years and only the fourth Democrat in the 20th century.
Additionally, Maslin has advised many major organizations and foundations including the American Federation of Teachers, the League of Conservation Voters, the National Education Association, and the Wellness Foundation; as well as corporations such as American Express, Coca Cola, Disney, Levi-Strauss, Pacific Bell, and Pacific Gas and Electric.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
A history of Bill Richardson's diplomatic travels
Sunday, April 8, 2007 · Last updated 11:38 a.m. PT
Bill Richardson's diplomatic missions
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Some of Bill Richardson's diplomatic efforts:
Late 1988: Traveled to Angola to meet with rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, who was fighting against the Marxist government.
August 1993: Traveled to Myanmar and became the first nonfamily member permitted to visit pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi while she was under house arrest.
July 1994: Met with Gen. Raoul Cedras, the head of the Haitian military who ruled the country, to urge him to step aside and allow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to return to power. Cedras refused to step aside but left the country three months later under pressure from President Clinton.
December 1994: Spent five days in North Korea trying to negotiate the release of two U.S. Army helicopter pilots who had been shot down. Richardson left with the remains of one who died in the crash. The surviving pilot was released eight days after his departure after a Clinton administration official made a separate visit.
July 1995: Flew to Iraq and successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of two U.S. oil workers who wandered over the Iraq-Kuwait border.
January 1996: Visited Cuban leader Fidel Castro to press for the release of political prisoners and improvement of human rights. After a return visit a month later, Castro released three of 10 prisoners Richardson had requested.
March 1996: Met secretly with Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, who gave him a Balkan peace plan to take back to Washington. The Clinton administration found it unacceptable.
July 1996: Richardson brought home an American woman, Eliadah "Lia" McCord, who was being held on a life sentence in Bangladesh for carrying heroin.
November 1996: Richardson made a fourth trip to North Korea and his first as a special U.S. envoy. He successfully negotiated the release of a troubled 26-year-old American named Evan Hunziker who swam across the Yalu River into the country. Hunziker killed himself a month later.
December 1996: Successfully negotiated the release of three Red Cross workers held captive by Sudanese rebels.
April 1997: Richardson goes on his first mission as U.N. ambassador, traveling to Zaire to try to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power from Mobutu Sese Seko to Laurent Kabila. He could not get the two enemies to agree to a meeting place.
April 1998: Became the first Cabinet-rank American to visit Afghanistan in 24 years. Tried to persuade the Taliban to make peace with the Northern Alliance, improve the status of women and expel Osama bin Laden.
September 2006: Successfully negotiated with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for the release of a New Mexico journalist and two aides from Chad who entered the country without a visa to report on atrocities in Darfur.
January 2007: Made a third trip to Sudan, this time to negotiate with al-Bashir and rebel leaders for an end to the fighting in Darfur. Al-Bashir refuses Richardson's request to allow in U.N. peacekeepers. He agreed to a cease-fire, but broke it days later.
April 2007: Made his sixth trip to North Korea to try to recover remains of U.S. servicemen killed in Korean War.
---
Source: "Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life" by Bill Richardson.
Bill Richardson's diplomatic missions
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Some of Bill Richardson's diplomatic efforts:
Late 1988: Traveled to Angola to meet with rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, who was fighting against the Marxist government.
August 1993: Traveled to Myanmar and became the first nonfamily member permitted to visit pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi while she was under house arrest.
July 1994: Met with Gen. Raoul Cedras, the head of the Haitian military who ruled the country, to urge him to step aside and allow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to return to power. Cedras refused to step aside but left the country three months later under pressure from President Clinton.
December 1994: Spent five days in North Korea trying to negotiate the release of two U.S. Army helicopter pilots who had been shot down. Richardson left with the remains of one who died in the crash. The surviving pilot was released eight days after his departure after a Clinton administration official made a separate visit.
July 1995: Flew to Iraq and successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of two U.S. oil workers who wandered over the Iraq-Kuwait border.
January 1996: Visited Cuban leader Fidel Castro to press for the release of political prisoners and improvement of human rights. After a return visit a month later, Castro released three of 10 prisoners Richardson had requested.
March 1996: Met secretly with Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, who gave him a Balkan peace plan to take back to Washington. The Clinton administration found it unacceptable.
July 1996: Richardson brought home an American woman, Eliadah "Lia" McCord, who was being held on a life sentence in Bangladesh for carrying heroin.
November 1996: Richardson made a fourth trip to North Korea and his first as a special U.S. envoy. He successfully negotiated the release of a troubled 26-year-old American named Evan Hunziker who swam across the Yalu River into the country. Hunziker killed himself a month later.
December 1996: Successfully negotiated the release of three Red Cross workers held captive by Sudanese rebels.
April 1997: Richardson goes on his first mission as U.N. ambassador, traveling to Zaire to try to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power from Mobutu Sese Seko to Laurent Kabila. He could not get the two enemies to agree to a meeting place.
April 1998: Became the first Cabinet-rank American to visit Afghanistan in 24 years. Tried to persuade the Taliban to make peace with the Northern Alliance, improve the status of women and expel Osama bin Laden.
September 2006: Successfully negotiated with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for the release of a New Mexico journalist and two aides from Chad who entered the country without a visa to report on atrocities in Darfur.
January 2007: Made a third trip to Sudan, this time to negotiate with al-Bashir and rebel leaders for an end to the fighting in Darfur. Al-Bashir refuses Richardson's request to allow in U.N. peacekeepers. He agreed to a cease-fire, but broke it days later.
April 2007: Made his sixth trip to North Korea to try to recover remains of U.S. servicemen killed in Korean War.
---
Source: "Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life" by Bill Richardson.
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson has arrived in North Korea for a rare visit by a prominent U-S official, but he says he won't be negotiating nuclear issues.Richardson's visit to the isolated country has been endorsed by the Bush administration and it comes days before a crucial deadline in the recent nuclear disarmament accord.The New Mexico governor says his delegation is there to recover the remains of U-S servicemen killed during the Korean War. But during the flight to Pyongyang, Richardson told The Associated Press that the timing of the visit is important and will show North Korea the good intentions of the U-S.There had been little progress toward fulfilling last month's breakthrough nuclear agreement because of a delay in the transfer of 25 million dollars in frozen funds back to North Korea. But the State Department says that glitch has now been resolved.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
South Carolina Progress
COLUMBIA, S.C. One of his political aides has confirmed that Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson's campaign has hired two of South Carolina's top Democratic operatives to help his White House bid in this early voting state.Trav Robertson has run Democratic campaigns in the state.
He told The Associated Press he and James Dukes -- a former state party executive director -- join another former party chief, Lachlan McIntosh, on the New Mexico governor's campaign.
While Richardson has raised less than a quarter of the contest's front-runners, the hires give his organization deep roots in the state, putting it on par with that of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, a South Carolina native.
He told The Associated Press he and James Dukes -- a former state party executive director -- join another former party chief, Lachlan McIntosh, on the New Mexico governor's campaign.
While Richardson has raised less than a quarter of the contest's front-runners, the hires give his organization deep roots in the state, putting it on par with that of former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, a South Carolina native.
What can you do?
Bill Richardson made the decision to serve his fellow Americans years ago. He has served in Congress, in the department of energy, as ambassador to the U.N. and is currently serving the people of New Mexico as Governor.
If you have come to this blog, I must assume you are for Bill Richardson and need only to remind you to serve your country like Bill. Serve the political process to help him be President.
Join others to help Bill in Missouri. Become informed on issues and compare what Bill says as compared to others. Share these differences with friends. One major difference we can see is Bill believes there are no easy answers to our problems. He sees more work to be done than a political slogan or blurb can express.
Commit to share his vision and hard work to get there.
Volunteer, network....just have an opinion and make that opinion count!
If you have come to this blog, I must assume you are for Bill Richardson and need only to remind you to serve your country like Bill. Serve the political process to help him be President.
Join others to help Bill in Missouri. Become informed on issues and compare what Bill says as compared to others. Share these differences with friends. One major difference we can see is Bill believes there are no easy answers to our problems. He sees more work to be done than a political slogan or blurb can express.
Commit to share his vision and hard work to get there.
Volunteer, network....just have an opinion and make that opinion count!
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