Richardson Starts to Break From the Pack (by John Nichols for The Nation)

[marmar]

Richardson Starts to Break From the Pack
John Nichols


New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, whose combination of humor and unscripted responses may yet make him the John McCain of the 2008 presidential race (while McCain remarks himself as the grumpy Bob Dole of this year's contest), seems to be making a break from the also-ran pack on the Democratic side.

Several new polls from early caucus and primary states have Richardson moving up -- not quite even with the prince of the second tier, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, but up.

Consider New Hampshire, the first primary state, where a new Zogby telephone poll of likely voters puts Richardson, the former congressman, cabinet secretary and UN ambassador -- who, it happens, is running on his resume -- in a much more solid position than in the past.

According to Zogby, New York Senator Hillary Clinton's still leading among Granite State Democrats, with 28 percent to Illinois Senator Barack Obama's 26 percent. Edwards is in third with 15 percent, a number that is frankly disappointing considering the amount of time and energy he has poured into the state.

The poll has Richardson, who has gotten good marks for his debate appearances and is now promoting himself with good-humored advertisements touting what he and his backers clearly see as superior experience in domestic and foreign affairs, breaking into double digits at 10 percent. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=197074

[w4rma]

1. The worst free-traitor of the bunch. (Aside from Hillary and Biden) (nt)

[MH1]

5. "We need fair trade, not just unabashed free trade"

Q: Should further rounds of the World Trade Organization agreements incorporate internationally recognized workers rights?

A: What I believe we need in this country is fair trade, not just unabashed free trade. What I would do is, first of all, any future international trade agreement should have the following components as part of the law, not as a side agreement.

1. Worker protections, because this is critically important comparing work standards in America and in other countries.
2. We should have environmental protections. One of the unfortunate sides of NAFTA, which I supported, was that it was supposed to improve air quality. It hasn't happened. So there has to be very, very strong labor protections and environmental protections.
3. Last, wage disparities. I think it's critically important that any future trade agreement look what other countries have in terms of wages and find ways to promote equity in those wage disparities. But we are in a global world.

Source: 2007 AFSCME Democratic primary debate in Carson City Nevada Feb 21, 2007

http://www.issues2000.org/2008/Bill_Richardson_Free_Trade.htm

Works for me.

[w4rma]

8. And that is why he is better than Hillary or Biden. But his record is still among the worst. (nt)

[MH1]

17. In what way?

Can you provide some facts and why you think they reflect badly on Richardson?

As for Hillary, she will do whatever will help her stay in power. She is untrustworthy. I have a much better feeling from Richardson that at least I know where he stands and he will hold to some principles.

Biden - I like him on some things but to be a Senator from Delaware I believe he has had no choice but to get in bed with the credit card companies. Perhaps he can be independent as President, or perhaps I will decide that's a smaller issue than the problems I have with other candidates, so I haven't 100% ruled him out. He's definitely behind Richardson though - I agree with you there!

FWIW, I am still undecided for 2008. But I would like to see Richardson's ideas get more press, and I think he may very well be the best candidate we can put up. Considering myself very liberal on most issues, that will tell you I have serious issues with all the other candidates. I refuse to overlook misgivings about character, experience or ability just because I like where a person says they stand now. I would rather elect someone of solid character and ability to turn this country around to a better general direction, than someone who claims to agree with my ideals but will totally fail to implement them and only make us "libruls" look bad. (That's not aimed at any particular candidate or person, just a summary of why I am posting positive things about a more moderate candidate.)

[seasat]

21. How about Edwards vote to grant China permenant MFN status?

Richardson recently gave a very detailed speech on US relations with Asian countries that outlines his views on trade.

China must also improve its human rights record and respect the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In my experience as a diplomat, public scoldings do not work, but economic incentives often do.

* Accordingly, we should negotiate firmly with the Chinese on human rights, and develop trade agreements should be used to incentivize human rights improvements.
...
But for trade agreements to be fair, environmentally-beneficial, and politically-sustainable, they need to take account of the huge gaps in levels of development around the world.

* Trade accords must have enforceable mechanisms to insure respect for core ILO standards, including work conditions, minimum wages, occupational safety, child labor, the right to collective bargaining and the prohibition of compulsory and slave labor.

Trade agreements also must incorporate environmental protections.

* The United States should not enter into trade agreements with countries that do not sign the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
* The US also must join the Kyoto Protocol, negotiate a new global warming agreement that goes well beyond Kyoto, and make participation in it a condition of future trade agreements.

The position tying trade with China to improvements in their human rights record is one that he has held since the early 90s when he cosponsored a bill on it in the US legislature. He has mentioned this issue in several speeches since then.

[nevergiveup]

2. Richardson/Obama

I do not believe there is a Repub who would stand a chance against this ticket. I would quit my job and hit the road for this team.

[w4rma]

3. Sure, if you think the idea of a "North American Union" is something Americans would support. (nt)

[MH1]

7. Link? Explanation of what you are talking about?

Richardson supports liberal trade throughout North America. He recognizes the failings of NAFTA because the side agreements weren't implemented.

I do think he needs to document a plan that implements liberal trade in North America while dealing with the serious issues presented.

[w4rma]

9. NAFTA was only a step towards that goal (nt)

[MH1]

14. Still no link?

I think leveling the playing field and agreeing to common standards among Mexico, Canada, and the US so that we can trade more freely between the countries is a great idea, that will go a long way to solving our US/Mexico border issues. Of course leveling the playing field means harmonizing environmental and labor standards (bringing theirs up to ours in some areas which are non-negotiable).

Does that make me a supporter of some evil cabal? Help me out here, because I really don't know what you are complaining about.

[Adelante]

20. Meet the "No Linkers"

They say anything they damned please with no proof to back up their arguments. They might tell you to Google for your own self, as if it's your obligation to disprove what they say rather than theirs to prove what they say. The quality of DU posting is rapidly going downhill because of it. Now that Richardson is moving up, you will see a lot more of them, I predict.

[nevergiveup]

12. A "North American Union"

is not going to happen in our lifetime. You have been listening too much to Lou Dobbs. Of course we should be working more closely with Canada and Mexico on such things as energy and the environment but it doesn't mean we would ever go to the extreme of giving up our sovereignty. This was one of the fears and rallying calls of the John Birch Society back in the 50's and 60's.

[Adelante]

4. I love Richardson's ads

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Richardson4President

They're a hoot :D

[skipos]

6. I'm liking Richardson, Edwards and Obama.

Clark and Gore too, if they get in.

[nevergiveup]

13. Yep, me too

It is really exciting that we have such great candidates. I do a lot of flip flopping in terms of my preference.

[wakeme2008]

10. for one I like him

I am against most Senators because of their voting history WILL always be used against them.

One of my die-hard OLD style republican friends has said he would vote for him. OK Mac is Pro-Choice also. :)

[MaineDem]

11. Good news! n/t

[OHdem10]

15. Bill Richardson --likeable but more DLC than DLC

I have watched him on Fox News over the past few years.

Only Bob Novak (RW Reporter) can promote Taxcuts more
than Richardson.

[w4rma]

16. That's true. Richardson instituted a state version of Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy in NM. (nt)

[MH1]

18. Hmmm...I don't remember these from the Bush tax cut:

Successes included raising the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour over the next two years. Passing a working families tax cut returning $52 million to low and middle income families and eliminating taxes on the salaries of active duty military.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press.php?id=375

Oh, and what's New Mexico's deficit running at these days? Is it going up or down?

Oh, wait, I think I found that:

On the budget, a $5.6 billion dollar budget that was fiscally responsible and maintained a 10 percent reserve was approved. And the Governor carefully scrutinized the budget and capital package to ensure that it meets the needs of New Mexicans.

Teacher salaries were raised by 5% and an additional 2% on average for support professionals, principals and assistant principals.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press.php?id=375

I guess I missed the part where Bush balanced the budget and raised teachers' salaries and raised the minimum wage?

[seasat]

19. That's false.

Richardson cut the top rates because of competition issues not because of supply side economics. Arizona, Texas, and surrounding states had lower rates. Folks looking to start or relocate businesses in the South West were taking into account the NM tax rate that was almost double the other states.

Richardson also lowered rates for lower income folks, instituted an earned income credit for NM poor, and eliminated the sales tax on groceries and medicals services.

Richardson was Deputy Whip in the US house of Representatives and earned recognition for his work in helping push through the Clinton tax increase on the wealthy.

While he has released little detail regarding his tax policy proposals, he has said that he wants to restructure the Bush tax cuts to provide relief for the middle class.

Of course, Edwards supporters are going to attack Richardson on this issue. Edwards back in January started it off by accusing Richardson of being a con artist on taxes. Richardson responded back by stating that he didn't automatically assume tax increases were needed. He'd rather try and reduce costs and waste. However, Richardson has never made a, "Read my lips. No new taxes." statement.

IMHO, Richardson is pursuing a strategy that, if he becomes our nominee, would leave him in a strong position for the general election. The Repugs can't effectively attack him on the issue. The Bush tax cuts are intentionally temporary and most expire in 2010. The Democratic congress is not going to make permanent the tax cuts that affect the wealthy. Therefore, a candidate can honestly state that he is against tax increases but allow the temporary Bush tax cuts to expire since they were never intended to be permanent.

[Colobo]

22. Barack is only 2 pts away from Hillary, Richardson is surging...

Ain't that beautiful, folks?

[SteveM]

23. ONLY Democrat who can't be swift-boated by NRA (nt)