Why we should support Bill Richardson for Vice President.

[MethuenProgressive]

He was right on Iraq:
www.thedifferenceoniraq.com
He's still the most qualified person who ran for President this cycle,
and ran an honest and positive campaign at all times:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/about_bill?id=0006
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-boyce/thank-you-bill-richardso_b_81735.html
The one thing about Bill that troubles progressives was his gaffe on if being Gay
is a choice or not. He gave the wrong answer, but Barney Frank came to his defense:
http://www.bilerico.com/2007/08/barney_frank_defends_bill_richardson.php

"I regret Gov. Richardson's mis-statement"”as I sometimes regret one or two of my own"”but his error in the pressure of a debate should not detract from his very strong record in defense of equality for all Americans, including those of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender."�- Openly gay US Rep. Barney Frank, D-MA, in an Aug. 13 statement.

Bill Richardson's record on GLBT issues:
from http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/lgbt

Fighting for Equal Opportunity and Equal Rights for All Americans
Governor Bill Richardson has the strongest record of achievement of any Presidential candidate on civil rights issues and support for the LGBT community. He proudly stands for domestic partner rights and against discrimination of any kind. He believes all families deserve our respect no matter their race, creed or sexual orientation.

A Record of Accomplishment From Day One

In his very first legislative session after taking office in 2003 Governor Richardson fought for, passed and signed:

The first hate crimes law in New Mexico history.
Legislation extending civil rights protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
He issued an executive order to extend access to health insurance and benefits to the domestic partners of state employees.

Pushed for Domestic Partnerships in New Mexico

Earlier this year Governor Richardson called the New Mexico Legislature back into a special session to address this important issue. Unfortunately, it lost by one vote in the regular session. But Governor Richardson will bring this bill back in the 2008 session, and this time will get it passed. Additionally, with a coalition of advocates, he successfully warded off a DOMA in New Mexico – one of only a handful of states that does not have one.

A Track Record of Inclusion and Diversity

He has also appointed gay and lesbian individuals to important posts throughout his administration -- to Cabinet posts, Division Directors, and to powerful boards and commissions. He will do the same as President, leading an Administration that truly looks like America. In Fact, he has pledged that his Vice-President will be an integral member of the HIV/AIDS Commission.

An End to "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"

And as President, he will continue to get things done. He will also end the military’s disastrous, disrespectful "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy. He voted against this as a Congressman and continues to oppose it today. It makes no sense to turn away and turn out well-qualified recruits, at a time when our country needs them most. There are currently an estimated 65,000 gay and lesbian soldiers serving in our military. They are no less patriotic and their lives and sacrifices are no less valuable because of their sexual orientation. Homosexuality is not immoral, asking someone to hide their identity and devaluing their sacrifice is.

A Commitment to Achieving Equal Rights Under the Law

Gay and lesbian families deserve respect, and as President, Bill Richardson will take a principled stand to fight for it. He strongly believes that we don’t need constitutional amendments designed to exclude supportive, devoted couples. We need to extend the rights due to all of us as Americans:

The right to visit a sick or dying partner in the hospital,
The right to make necessary legal and financial decisions when a partner can no longer do so,
The right to equal employment opportunity, and
The right to protection from violent prejudice.
A Pledge to Accomplish Full Equality for ALL Americans

As President, he will continue to fight for full and equal rights for all domestic partners, including gay and lesbian families.

Bill Richardson did all this in a "red state." With the right leadership, you can get these things done. He believes that by working together, we can accomplish the same on the national level. But before you cast your lot with any national candidate, you have to ask -- not just do they talk the talk -- but do they walk the walk? Can they get it done? As a Governor -- Bill Richardson gets things done.

Nominated for four Nobel Peace prizes. Experience *and* Change. And he's wicked funny.
Please support Bill Richardson for Vice President.

[sunonmars]

1. Well he would bring the governor experience also

i like Richardson, I wonder if thats what BC is talking to him about, possible?

[MethuenProgressive]

2. Good story on "Richardson's Choice" of endorsing either Clinton or Obama:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/29/richardsons_choice.html

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Gov. Bill Richardson's phone has been ringing off the hook. Sen. Hillary Clinton called Sunday night. That was followed by a call from former president Bill Clinton, then a call from Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who's supporting Clinton. Sen. Barack Obama called twice Monday morning.
~snip
Richardson's torn. He served in the Clinton White House, first as ambassador to the United Nations, then as Clinton's Secretary of Energy. "I have a history with the Clintons," Richardson said. "And I've always liked her. She always seems very genuine." But Richardson considers Kennedy, who's long been respected by Hispanics, as "a mentor." In 1982, when Richardson ran for Congress for the second time -- he lost two years before -- Kennedy flew to Santa Fe and campaigned for him. "That might have been the reason I was elected," Richardson said.
~ snip
Richardson, like Clinton and Obama, waged a historic campaign. He was the first Hispanic -- he's half Mexican -- to run for president, yet his candidacy was overshadowed by Clinton and Obama. He finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire and dropped out of the Democratic race on Jan. 10, citing a lack of funds. Some political observers here are surprised that he's waited this long to endorse a candidate, though they wonder if he's negotiating a vice presidential spot in the Democratic ticket, or perhaps a place in the cabinet.
If Richardson is to endorse either Clinton or Obama -- "I might, I might not, how's that for an answer?" -- he said he'll do so by the end of the week.
"If I do endorse, it's going to be a gut feeling. It's not going to be about statistics, about past ties," Richardson said. "I've been on the campaign trail with both of them. I feel that I know them. I feel I know the issues. I feel I know what makes them both tick."

He tells a nice story above about Obama prompting him in a debate when he missed hearing question.
Richardson's endorsement won't come by being told he's on the short list for VP - he knows politics better than that.

[Tellurian]

5. Richardson or Biden..

Richardon brings a wealth of experience to the table plus his Hispanic background would ensure a lock on the hispanic vote.. Biden would also make a great AG for the Clinton Administration!

[Political Heretic]

3. What about Biden??

[MethuenProgressive]

6. This is a pro-Richardson thread, I'm not going to do 'contrast'. Joe's a fine choice too.

:hi:

[robbedvoter]

4. He would be a pretty good choice, IMO. that or Secretary of State

[MethuenProgressive]

9. He'll have a National position, whether VP or not, in the next administration.

SoS would be a great fit.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. I'd LOVE to see Richardson as VP.

However, I suspect that regardless of who our nominee turns out to be, our VP candidate will be a white male from the south or west who is not John Edwards.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. You're probably right with that prediction...

...but I hope you're wrong!

[Rock_Garden]

10. I hear Bill Clinton's watching the Superbowl with Gov. Richardson.

[MethuenProgressive]

12. Old friends. But Richardson is old friends with Ted Kennedy, too.

Teddy flew out to help Richardson campaign back during his first bid for congress.

[MethuenProgressive]

11. Where Bill Richardson stands on Civil Liberties:

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/civil_rights

Protecting Rights and Freedoms
As Congressman, Ambassador, Secretary and Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has been a champion of civil rights, equality, freedom and the rule of law. As President, Bill Richardson will continue to fight for and protect the rights and freedoms that make America so great.

Champion of Choice
In January of 2007, Bill Richardson was named a "Champion of Choice" by NARAL-NM for his career spanning record of protecting and fighting for the right to choose. We can work together to make abortion safe, legal and rare. And we should do everything we can to support quality prenatal care and early child health care so that newborns and infants have the support they need to grow.

Expand Equal Rights
As Governor, Bill Richardson has expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation, signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation, and provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships. He supports domestic partnerships and worked hard to secure them in New Mexico in a special session this year. His legislation failed by only one vote and he will fight for domestic partnerships again in the next legislative session.

Protection for Native Americans
Throughout his career, Bill Richardson has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Native Americans and protect the sovereign rights of tribal governments. He has worked to uphold government-to-government relations, has reaffirmed Native peoples' right to self-determination and has successfully protected Native American religious freedom rights.

Count Every Vote
In 2006, Governor Richardson signed into law the landmark New Mexico Make Every Vote Count Act, that moves the state to a single paper ballot system, makes New Mexico's elections system more transparent and helps guarantee that every New Mexican's ballot will be counted.

No Torture
America is too great of a nation to support such retrograde measures such as torture. There is no place for torture, water boarding, Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo in American policy or law. As president, Bill Richardson will work to restore American greatness by putting an end to these inappropriate (and ineffective) policies and by following the Geneva Conventions.

A Free and Open Internet
The internet has revolutionized communication, education, and commerce. It has also become an essential part of exercising our right to free speech. And the very reason why the internet has become such an important part of our lives is because its network infrastructure transmits data at the same rate and with the same quality to every user.

Government built the Internet, and, while it has been improved by the market, profits shouldn't be made by destroying the egalitarian nature of online information. I support net neutrality and as President I will fight to keep the internet free and open.

[surfermaw]

13. I am for Edwards, for V.P,but both Richardson and Biden should be in the cabiner

[MethuenProgressive]

14. I don't think John is interested.

Been there, done that, dosen't want to do that to his family.

[AndyTiedye]

15. Might Be Able to Win New Mexico with Richardson on the Ticket

The whole Southwest would be a lock for McCain, except that we might be able to win New Mexico with Richardson on the ticket because it's his home state.

[MethuenProgressive]

17. I think the support will be broader across the SW.

Might lose some anti-Mexican voters, but who wants 'em?

[AndyTiedye]

19. We Will Be Running Against McCain, Most Likely

so New Mexico is probably all we can get in the SW, even with Richardson on the ticket.

[MaineDem]

16. I thought this is '04 as well

I think Richardson is a marvelous choice!

[MethuenProgressive]

18. I agree!

:hi:

[rusty fender]

20. It used to be a choice--

remember when being Gay was referred to as "sexual preference." Again, the right-wing wackos have won with their campaign against sexual freedom. Many people are multi-sexual--they have sex with whichever consenting adult they want to have sex with--and there's nothing wrong with that! So, Richardson was right--it is a choice. It's the right-wing that wins when they make "choice' a bad thing.

[PresidentObama]

21. He would make a fine VP.

[tokenlib]

22. He's on the short, short list for both I'm sure n/t