Bill Richardson talks Sec. of State with Obama

[JI7]

Eyewitness News 4 has learned Gov. Bill Richardson met with the Barack Obama transitional team Friday in Chicago about a possible position as Secretary of State.

Richardson, the former secretary of energy in the Clinton administration, is considered a top contender for secretary of state.

Democrat insiders say Richardson, along with Sen. Hillary Clinton, both met with the Obama team Friday for Obama's top cabinet post.

Tune in to Eyewitness News 4 at 6 and log on to KOB.com for the latest on this breaking story.

http://kob.com/article/stories/S662623.shtml?cat=520

[JVS]

1. Wooohooo!

Go Bill! Yeah!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

2. yes!

[marylanddem]

3. Yes yes yes yes yes - Bill would be perfect

And he took a lot of shit for supporting Obama - he deserves it.

[redstate_democrat]

4. lol

jujitsu

[El Supremo]

5. Who'd become Governor if he took it?

I'd rather keep Hillary in the Senate.

[JI7]

8. Lieutenant Gov ?

[LiberalCommiePinko]

13. The Lt. Gov.

is Diane Denish.

[JI7]

15. she is a Democrat , i believe in NM the Gov and LT run on the same ticket

but it wont be any loss for us in terms of political office if Richardson is picked for Sec of State

[burrowowl]

23. Diane and she is a great Democrat

and for Gay Rights and hopefully she will be our next elected Governor!

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. Funny how the mediawhores aren't jumping all over this like they are with Hillary

Richardson is clearly the better choice for a number of reasons.

[vanderBeth]

14. It is funny how they aren't jumping on this.

This is just like the VP selection. Whatever gets people worked up.

[peace frog]

7. Guess Hil turned him down

;-)

Richardson is the better choice anyway, assuming any of these leaks are true.

[Pirate Smile]

9. AP article on it: Obama weighs Clinton, Richardson as sec. of state

WASHINGTON – Democratic officials say President-elect Barack Obama is considering former primary election rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Richardson to be his secretary of state. The officials said Obama met with Richardson Friday in Chicago, a day after meeting with Clinton.

Richardson is the governor of New Mexico and has an extensive foreign policy resume. He was President Clinton's ambassador to the United Nations and has conducted freelance diplomacy as governor in such hot spots as Sudan and North Korea.

Both meetings were at Obama's transition office in Chicago and kept secret until after they were over.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081115/ap_on_el_pr/obama_rivals;_ylt=AqfOY70NshNCon4XZgKfaHGyFz4D

[babylonsister]

12. That list could be incomplete. No one knows nothin' definitively.

They're grasping at straws, I tell ya!

[vanderBeth]

10. I'm happy about this.

[babylonsister]

11. Bwhahaha! So much for the leaks. nt

[Muttocracy]

16. Maybe Obama, Richardson, and Clinton are just planning their inaugural potluck party?

:shrug:

:hide:

[Skwmom]

17. Amazing how we've heard nothing about this.

So is Hillary trying to make it impossible for Obama to pick someone else?

[ClarkUSA]

18. All those Clinton insiders who leaked about Hillary just choked on their dinners.

Heh

[Metric System]

75. God you haters are pathetic.

[ClarkUSA]

85. Is that all you do here at DU? Harass and demonize anyone who doesn't kowtow to the Clintons?

Who's your role model, James "Richardson = Judas" Carville?

I love it that Richardson met with Obama... nice to see that Team O values real experience in foreign policy.

[Mass]

19. More democratic insiders leaking. Probably trying to defuse rumors from previous leaks...

BTW, as I read it, it does not say Richardson met with Obama, but with his transition team. Clearly, Richardson is considered for SoS, so it makes sense.

[progressive_realist]

20. Richardson is by far the best candidate for the job.

They keep tossing out all these other names, but IMO Richardson and Clark are the only suitable candidates. Both have loads more foreign policy experience than the various Senators bandied about. And most importantly, neither are hawks.

[HeraldSquare212]

21. YAY!

[FrenchieCat]

22. This makes all what is going on pretty interesting.....

There is definite political "stuff" going on here.

Verrrry interesting.

[jenmito]

24. CNN reported tonight (AC360) that Richardson is "back-up" in case Hillary doesn't want it?!

:wtf: Candy Crowley reported that HE came away from the meeting with Obama thinking Hillary was "not a done deal." So now everyone supposedly knows that Richardson is second best according to these "leaks"?

[Beausoir]

25. Richardson is a joke. He believes that gay people choose to be gay.

Google it.

Richardson is also a conniving back-stabber.

Richardson is pathetic. Pathetic.

[jenmito]

26. And Hillary lied about being under sniper fire in Bosnia. Which one's more relevant to the position

of S.o.S.?

[Beausoir]

27. Do you agree with Richardson that being gay is a "choice"?

I'm guessing you do.

You can try and distract from that horrific stance all you like, but if you support Richardson...you support a hateful bigot.

You can try and distort and distract all you want but YOU still have to answer the main question.

Do you believe, as Bill Richardson believes, that being gay is a "choice'?

Simple question.

[jenmito]

28. HELL NO!!!

Do you think it's ok for Hillary to repeatedly lie about being under sniper fire?

Which is more pertinent to the job of Sec. of State?

Simple questions.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Beausoir]

39. Do you support Bill Richardson? He believes that being gay is a choice.

Do you support that?

If you do.....you are a bigot.

[Colobo]

62. That's some fucked up logic.

[Sebastian Doyle]

77. And you're talking out your ass.

Instead of dwelling on one misstatement he made, why don't you look at his record on GLBT issues as governor of New Mexico.

Governor Bill Richardson to Receive International Role Model Award at International Equality Dinner

PHILADELPHIA, May 1 /USNewswire-PRNewswire/ -- Equality Forum, a national and international GLBT civil rights organization, will recognize New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with its 13th annual International Role Model Award, and Wachovia Corporation will receive its 2008 International Business Leadership Award. The awards will be presented at the International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 3 during Equality Forum 2008.

As Governor of New Mexico, Richardson has expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and signed into law the state's hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships, and called a special legislative session to enact civil union benefits.

"Throughout his career in public service, Governor Richardson has been a strong supporter and friend of the GLBT community. Governor Richardson has repeatedly used his political standing to champion GLBT civil rights," stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum.

Prior International Role Model recipients include former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Martina Navratilova, Phil Donahue, MTV, Chinese Gay Pioneer Zhou Dan, among others.

http://newsblaze.com/story/2008050106330600004.pnw/topstory.html

Not like any of that really has anything to do with him being Secretary of State, but it certainly shows that he's hardly a bigot or a homophobe.

[jenmito]

86. I suggest you repeat this post after every response of the person calling us all "homophobic bigots"

because s/he keeps going with the name-calling while avoiding the FACTS (which I was glad to see). And STILL s/he refuses to answer how s/he feels about Hillary repeatedly lying about being under sniper fire, which seems to be VERY relevant to the position of Sec. of State.

[joshcryer]

35. It's about innuendo, conjecture, not substance.

[latinolatteliberal]

29. While I disagree with Bill, I think the question sucks.

I don't think it should matter whether homosexuality is a choice or not. I think that by arguing that it is not we tacitly take a position of inferiority where none should be taken.

Equal rights for all. I know my man Bill would probably disagree with me there, too, but I'm not saying he should head up the civil rights wing of the DOJ.

[Beausoir]

31. So..you endorse a known bigot in Richardson?

Wow.

That's fucked up.

[blonndee]

34. "A known bigot"?

Richardson has worked for GLBT rights in NM more than any governor in years past. He is not a fucking bigot and for you to spout such bullshit is ignorant at the very least.

[Beausoir]

38. What is your response to Richardson's belief that being gay is a "choice"?

Do you think that being gay is a choice?

[Occam Bandage]

49. It's unfortunate, because such ignorance tends to justify bigotry.

However, that is not in and of itself bigoted. Suppose, for a minute, that it were true that homosexuality was a choice, and that all people were born with not only the capacity to love both genders equally, but the capacity to shut off love for a particular gender. Is that naive statement in and of itself hateful? Does that statement, in and of itself, call for discrimination? Of course not. After all, people are born with the capacity to choose whatever religion (or lack thereof) they so desire, and America was founded with the recognition that the freedom to choose whatever is best for yourself, so long as it does not harm others, is sacred.

It is true that bigots often claim that homosexuality is a choice, because that lets them ignore the fact that they are discriminating against people who cannot possibly be anything but how they were born--and if they were to accept that homosexuals were born that way and could not change, then it would immediately defeat every single argument they have for discrimination.

When you look at his statement, you need to look at his record as well. Is he claiming that homosexuality is a choice to cover a record of bigotry? Well, no, he actually has a pretty good record on equal rights. It therefore seems it was made out of ignorance (whether it was a mental short-circuit or deeper-seated is hard to tell). Such ignorance is certainly not harmless, but it is not malevolent either.

And, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with anything that goes on in the State Department.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

36. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him....

n/t

[Beausoir]

41. Yep. Apart from the fact that he is a homophobic bigot...he has difficulty with loyalty.

The dude would sell his own grandmother if he thought it would advance his career.

A complete and total moronic bigot.

[Cosmic Charlie]

37. and yet he will be chosen over Hillary as SOS

;)

[Beacool]

40. Yep, he seems to have issues with gays.

Also, never trust a man who betrays his friends.

:eyes:

[Beausoir]

42. Richardson doesn't believe in Basic Human Rights for all people.

He's a filthy bigot.

[marimour]

43. Thats a lie and you know it. FLAMEBAIT! Dont fall for it!

[Beausoir]

44. Does Richardson believe that being gay is a "choice"? Answer the question.

[Occam Bandage]

46. Quite possibly. What, exactly, does that have to do with the price of tea in China?

[marimour]

47. He supports marriage equality for all. Therefore: NOT A BIGOT

“Let me be clear — I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice,” Richardson said in the statement. “But I’m not a scientist and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law.”

Statement of Bill Richardson. He fully supports equal rights and marriage for all. The more you throw bigot word around for every little thing the less power it has and the less people care when they hear it.

[Occam Bandage]

51. That is not representative of his positions. He's stated

that he is in favor of gay marriage as a long-term goal, but doesn't think it's achievable in the short term, and therefore would work for universal civil unions first.

[marimour]

48. if you think that then you obviously haven't looked at his record on this issue.

And stop rehashing the primaries with that Judas crap.

[Beacool]

50. Well, a friend doesn't lie to someone's face and betray that friendship.

As for the gay issue, I remember his statements and he didn't seem too comfortable with the issue. I don't think that he's a bigot, but finds the subject discomforting.

[Occam Bandage]

56. "Friends do not do anything but offer political favors for their friends!"

You seem to have confused "friend" and "crony."

[JVS]

59. Gee, where have I read that before today?

[Occam Bandage]

60. I honestly have no idea, sir.

[JVS]

61. I could have sworn that someone (not you) used it when talking about a possible Kerry appointment

I guess it's only cronyism when it doesn't go the way one wants it to.

[Occam Bandage]

63. From this thread, perhaps?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7869232&mesg_id=7869261

A brief scan down GDP, and "OBAMA OWES KERRY" seemed like a likely target. Similar argument, shoe on the other foot. I suppose that's change we can xerox*, or something.







*It's totally the primaries again! Woo!

[marimour]

64. the primaries are over! the primaries are over! the primaries are over!

If he is really considering Hillary for SOS of state he is a far more reasonable person than many on DU. Seriously people, holding grudges and feeling betrayed is a waste of time, for Obama supporters and for Hillary supporters and it shows a serious lack of maturity. Get over it!

[Occam Bandage]

65. The primary is over, but it lives on in each of our hearts.

[JVS]

67. The General Election is also over.

This puts us in a strange situation. What exactly is unity needed for now? I wonder if there will be a new set of rules to deal with the new situation. I think the current rules have been very good for keeping us on focus against McPalin and fostering the proper mentality for the election. Just like you don't have arguments on the football field while playing, we needed to be unified. But now that the game is over, it might be ok to watch the films and deal criticism where it belongs. We'll have to wait and see. Democraticunderground with a democratic administration is going to be new territory.

[Beacool]

69. I hope they lift the ban.

Dissension is good for democracy, censorship is not. Too many people were banned because they expressed opposing views and that to me belies anything that the party is supposed to represent. How is it "democratic" if people are afraid to be free to express their opinions?

;-)

[Beacool]

68. I don't care if they are over and this has nothing to do with maturity.

This is not about the primaries but about a betrayal of a friendship. I would never trust a man who lies repeatedly to a friend and betrays his trust, be it Richardson or anyone else. To me, he's nothing but a self serving weasel. It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Furthermore, I don't blame Bill for holding a grudge and not wanting to have anything to do with him.

:shrug:

[marimour]

74. There are 3 sides to every story.

His, Hers, and the truth. Do you know any of them personally? This whole backstory is just useless gossip unless it comes out of their mouths. Its pretty obvious that you are eating up anything negative about Richardson that "Clinton insiders" throw at you. This has everything to do with maturity. If Bill is actually holding a grudge b/c his friend supported the person he thought best for the job over the person who did him favors then he is immature. James Carville was immature for calling it a betrayal and people on DU are immature for buying into it.

[Beacool]

76. It is precisely because I know people that I can be emphatic about it.

Bill is not known to keep quiet when he's angry, and boy was he angry at Richardson!!! Richardson knew that he had betrayed his friend, he didn't even have the guts to return Bill's phone calls. When he came back from vacation he didn't call Bill with the news, he called Hillary. Enough said......

:eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

45. So what?

I'm not really seeing where one's views--however backwards--on homosexuality come into play as a potential Secretary of State.

[JVS]

53. Why would Hillary and Bill be such personal friends with a homophobic bigot?

[marimour]

66. Exactly! By DU logic that wold make Bill and Hillary bigots! lol

Just because someone is ignorant about homosexuality does not make them a bigot. I'm a black woman. I don't go around calling every ignorant person racist or sexist. This is when being PC goes to far!

[Beacool]

70. Bill is no longer his friend and won't even speak to him.

BTW, what's your sig? What's the Auto League?

[sniffa]

88. People are fucking idiots

Can someone let me know when the ignored causing the ruckus above gets TSed. TIA.

[Kahuna]

80. Didn't he apologize like almost immediately for saying that?? nt

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v4.1
==================



This week is our fourth quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Please take a moment to donate! Thank you!

[sniffa]

52. Ugh. The Richardson haters will be out in droves.

The same Richardson haters that made the primaries so divisive are still here while the sweet and wonderful Richardson supporters were banned FOR NO REASON.

The primaries are fucking over! Why rip that scab off again!?

HATER!

[Occam Bandage]

55. My favorite posts of yours

are the ones where I laugh, then have to stop and realize, no, wait, that's actually sort of true.

[JVS]

57. I fucking hate the fucking Richardson fucking haters!

They make me want to puke red-hot rivets!

[joshcryer]

71. This is the sort of disrespect I'm talking about.

Pretty typical.

[Zombie2]

54. EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K & R

:kick:

[firedupdem]

58. I think he would be a great choice..... n/t

[camera obscura]

72. YES YES YES!

This is the guy who's qualified for the job. Not my first choice but of the main names being bandied around he's my favorite.

[Hieronymus]

73. Please, God, let him choose Richardson ....

[cboy4]

78. I'm still angry with Richardson for backstabbing Hillary

during the primaries.

I think he's do a good job, but because of the reason I mentioned, I don't want him to get the job.

[Kahuna]

81. "Backstabbing???" Oh brother..Here we go again..

:eyes:

[Brooklyns_Finest]

83. "backstabbing"

I wonder if these people were angry at Colin Powell win he endorsed Obama? I mean he didn't even bother to call his friend McCain.

[alteredstate]

79. This is great!

:)

[janx]

82. Kickerooski and recommendation

[blogslut]

84. Richardson seems an entirely plausible choice

Former U.N. Ambassador. Nominated 5 times for a Nobel Prize. Negotiated the release of hostages and servicemen in three different countries...

The man is eminently qualified for the job.

[mmonk]

87. That is who I prefer for the job. Of course, it's Obama's call.