Bill Richardson

Opinion Source Information:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was the only one to suggest a pullout date for the American military, saying Iraqi security forces should be trained to take over by the end of this year or early next year.

"The time has come for a withdrawal," he told a group of Democrats gathered at a private home.

"Our obsession with Iraq has caused us to glaringly miss some of our real challenges," he said of Iran, North Korea and al-Qaida

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TalkLeft

Bill Richardson:

I don't think so. I think that, you know, infidelity is ... a serious problem in any marriage. But, you know, everybody sins. And it's whether you're forgiven, whether you forgive yourself, whether you have faith in God. You know, perfection ... is something that politicians, they should not stand themselves for perfection. Nobody's perfect.

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Richardson co-sponsored protecting the reproductive rights of women

* Provides that a State may not restrict the right of a woman to choose to terminate a pregnancy:
* before fetal viability; or
* at any time, if such termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.
* Allows a State to impose requirements medically necessary to protect the life or health of such women.
* Declares that this Act shall not be construed to prevent a State from:
* requiring minors to involve responsible adults before terminating a pregnancy; and
* protecting individuals from having to participate in abortions to which they are conscientiously opposed.

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Assault weapons ban did not work; despite his vote for ban. (May 2007)

link

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Larry King Live

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO, SECRETARY OF ENERGY, CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, SUPPORTS OBAMA: Well, Senator Obama, because he has an overall energy comprehensive plan -- plug in hybrids, fuel- efficient vehicles; by the year 2025, renewable energy for our electricity. He has drilling in a sensible way. He today announced that he's ready, as we did in 2000 under President Clinton, use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Richardson touts Obama's plan as sensible and comprehensive.

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From the Council on Foreign Relations Website:

The governor of New Mexico, who supports bilateral negotiations (NPR), says “What [North Koreans] respond to is dealing with them directly.” He has visited North Korea six times, beginning with a trip in 1994 when he secured the release of the remains of a U.S. serviceman. He also traveled to Pyongyang while U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. As energy secretary during the Clinton administration, he oversaw the delivery of fuel assistance under the terms of the 1994 Agreed Framework.

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From 2008ElectionProCon.org:

Waterboarding is torture, and anyone who is unwilling to identify it as such is not qualified to be the chief legal officer of the United States of America...

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From 2008ElectionProCon.org:

"I support a sensible, compassionate plan that makes medical marijuana available to patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. Such a plan must have proper safeguards and restrictions against abuse. I oppose any plan to decriminalize any drug that is currently illegal for recreational use."
Feb. 7, 2007 Bill Richardson

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From theCouncil on Foreign Relations Website:

Richardson says he believes “there is such a thing as a global war on terror.” He believes the focus should be shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan, al-Qaeda, and “jihadist terrorists.” Particularly, he says, U.S. efforts should center on preventing terrorists from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Opinion Source Information:

From the Council on Foreign Relations Website:

Richardson says the United States should renew its commitment to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. He opposes building a new generation of nuclear weapons, and pledges to reduce nuclear arsenals if elected. Richardson supports the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and says its ratification will “send a signal to the world that America has turned a corner.”

Opinion Source Information:

From the Council on Foreign Relations Website:

Richardson often cites his work in the mid-1990s as a hostage negotiator for the Clinton administration, specifically his efforts to free a pair of American hostages in Iraqi custody, as evidence he understands the politics of Iraq. He calls the current war “a disaster” and advocates a redeployment of U.S. troops. He says some troops should be sent to Afghanistan “to stop the resurgence of the Taliban and to fight the real terrorists who attacked this country on 9/11.” His seven-point “new realism plan” for Iraq calls on Congress to de-authorize the war and set a deadline for troop withdrawal by the end of 2007. Unlike Clinton and Biden, Richardson says there should be no residual troops left in Iraq after the United States pulls out of the region. “Most Iraqis, and most others in the region, believe that we are there for the Iraqis’ oil,” he says. By pulling out completely, “we would deprive our enemies of this propaganda tool,” he says. Richardson also calls for an “Iraqi reconciliation conference” and supports more regional participation from Iraqi neighbors like Syria and Iran. 

Opinion Source Information:

From the Council on Foreign Relations Website:

Richardson often cites his work in the mid-1990s as a hostage negotiator for the Clinton administration, specifically his efforts to free a pair of American hostages in Iraqi custody, as evidence he understands the politics of Iraq. He calls the current war “a disaster” and advocates a redeployment of U.S. troops. He says some troops should be sent to Afghanistan “to stop the resurgence of the Taliban and to fight the real terrorists who attacked this country on 9/11.” His seven-point “new realism plan” for Iraq calls on Congress to de-authorize the war and set a deadline for troop withdrawal by the end of 2007. Unlike Clinton and Biden, Richardson says there should be no residual troops left in Iraq after the United States pulls out of the region. “Most Iraqis, and most others in the region, believe that we are there for the Iraqis’ oil,” he says. By pulling out completely, “we would deprive our enemies of this propaganda tool,” he says. Richardson also calls for an “Iraqi reconciliation conference” and supports more regional participation from Iraqi neighbors like Syria and Iran. 

Opinion Source Information:

From the Council on Foreign Relations Website:

Richardson says the United States must stop proliferation and production of nuclear weapons and reduce its nuclear arsenals. The United States should also “halt or secure civilian programs that require or produce bomb-grade materials” and “consolidate and secure” fissile materials, he said in a March 2007 speech entitled “Preventing a Nuclear 9/11.”

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From a The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation survey:

Do you support negotiations for the global elimination of nuclear weapons, as required by Article VI of
the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (which has been ratified by the US and 187 other nations)?
 

Yes _X_ No ____ Policy Unformed _____
 

We also need to strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which has been weakened in
recent years, as India and Pakistan and North Korea have gone nuclear, and as Iran
attempts to do so. We need a new global non-proliferation agreement which prevents
states from developing nuclear fuel-enrichment capabilities, and then abandoning the
NPT as they rush to make bombs. We also need to negotiate a tough universal
verification system that gives international inspectors immediate and unfettered access to
all sites, worldwide.

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THE RICHARDSON APPROACH:

1. Open up existing sources of affordable, portable coverage to more Americans:

Working families and small businesses will be able to purchase coverage through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan.

Americans 55 and older will be able to purchase coverage through Medicare. Seniors and persons with disabilities will also receive all of their care through Medicare, rather than multiple, uncoordinated, inadequate programs, as they do now.

Lower-income Americans will obtain affordable coverage through expanded Medicaid and State Child Health Insurance (SCHIP) programs.

Veterans will get access to the high-quality care they deserve, when they need it, without bureaucratic hassles.

2. Help families pay for coverage:

An advance refundable tax credit based on income will help families obtain coverage through the FEHBP or Medicare.

All employers will be required to do their fair share to contribute to a healthy and covered work force.

All Americans will be required to obtain coverage once these reforms are in place.

3. Provide relief from high health costs by:

Passing a Medical Borrower's Fairness Act to provide immediate relief to families forced to borrow to pay for medical expenses.

Streamlining health care administration through common forms, common reporting requirements, and widespread use of health IT.
Investing in prevention by addressing the root causes of chronic diseases.

Improving quality of care through payment systems that reward performance