RICHARDSON WHACKS DEM FRONT RUNNERS

[babylonsister]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/04/397315.aspx

RICHARDSON WHACKS DEM FRONT RUNNERS

From NBC’s Julia Steers and Kristin Wilson

"If you haven't seen enough to know that we need to get all the troops out, then you aren't watching the same war that the rest of America is seeing."

Presidential candidate Bill Richardson took that implicit shot at his rivals for the Democratic nomination Thursday at a speech at Georgetown University. Although the New Mexico Governor he insisted he "wasn't criticizing anybody," he didn't mince words when it came to the Iraq policies of his opponents.

"Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have said we have to wait and see how things go to know how many troops they bring out and how quickly,” Richardson said. “I
say there has been enough waiting and seeing."

He saved his harshest criticism for the Democratic frontrunner, saying that she is "wrong" and that her policy is "exactly backward."

"Senator Clinton has said she might well have troops still in Iraq at the end of a second term -- nine years from now ... Military analysts have said that Senator Clinton's plan could require leaving up to 75,000 troops in Iraq. That is changing the mission, not ending the war."

He also attacked Clinton's position on Iran, saying that she has aided the "wrongheaded" Bush Administration policy "by voting for their irresponsible resolution on Iran."

A Georgetown sophomore got the best of the governor when he asked if Richardson would accept the VP position in a Clinton or Obama Administration despite his opposition to their Iraq policy. Smacking his forehead and a burst of laughter, Richardson said he was "just pointing out the differences" between the policies, but insisted, "I don't have to worry about being vice president, because I'm going to win the nomination."

[movonne]

1. I really like this...it is about time we stand up and get out of Iraq... and

make sure we do not start another one with Iran...

[yurbud]

2. Richardson is looking better all the time. He's somewhere between Kucinich & top 3 in idealism

and electability.

[tekisui]

3. As long as he holds their feet to the fire, I'm behind him.

[yurbud]

4. they need their feet to look like marshmallows that catch fire

but no one should blow them out.

[jsamuel]

5. Both Richardson and Edwards would leave troops at the Embassy in Iraq.

The difference?

John Edwards realizes that he would be lying to say he would have all troops out in 2013.
Richardson doesn't mind saying he will have all troops out in 2013 despite keeping troops in Iraq.

[seasat]

9. Edwards would leave 3000 to 5000 combat troops and an uspecified number of noncombat troops.

He would not commit to pulling them out before 2013. That is the difference.

Here's what Richardson said about embassy troops.

But if it said 1,000 to protect the American embassy, that's fine with me. It's a Marine detachment. It's part of our diplomatic corps. I wouldn't even consider that a residual force. Of course I would permit that. But residual forces -- 5,000 to guard an embassy -- that means that the embassy is not safe. I would pull the embassy if it is not safe.

[jsamuel]

12. John Edwards plan calls for ZERO combat troops.

the troops he would leave would be non-combat troops to protect the embassy (just like Richardson)

[seasat]

13. From the 9/26 Debate

Edwards said:

Those humanitarian workers have to be protected. I think somewhere in the neighborhood of a brigade of troops will be necessary to accomplish that -- 3,500 to 5,000 troops.

[jsamuel]

15. NON COMBAT TROOPS

that number includes the embassy

[mmonk]

17. But not limited to an embassy detail.

[jsamuel]

19. limited to (non combat) protection of humanitarian workers

[mmonk]

20. That's fine. I don't have a problem with Edwards.

However, his stance differs a little from Richardson's.

[laststeamtrain]

6. Right on, Bill. Keep saying it. People are listening. n/t

[kimmerspixelated]

7. Richardson impresses me a lot!

I wouldn't be disappointed if he got the nom.

[janx]

18. All hype aside, he's the best qualified.

There's no doubt about it.

[HeraldSquare212]

8. He's my choice, and his Iraq policy is only part of it. nt

[reggie the dog]

10. The man

is talkin sense....

[mmonk]

11. A kick for Bill

:kick:

[bklyncowgirl]

14. Good for Bill. nt

[Carrieyazel]

16. Gov. Richardson needs to keep this up, What the three frontrunners said in that debate

(especially Hillary's dismal answer) about not getting troops out of Iraq, is absolutely unforgivable. Richardson must show the distinction between his position and the detestable inside Washington mentality: "We can't end the war too soon, we have to wait a long while", and the exasperating: "quick withdrawal would be a terrible mistake".

This is freakin' madness!!!

[janx]

21. Agreed. n/t