Bill Richardson for Vice President!

[MethuenProgressive]

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/index.html

Bill on the issues:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/ (Click on any onetopic for details)

He's been absolutley right on Iraq, while Edwards/Clinton/Obama were saying they'd have us there til 2013:
www2013IsTooLate.com www.TheDifferenceOnIraq.com

The one knock, and usually from people who don't give a rat's ass about GLBT issues, is that he once made a gaff about if being gay was a 'choice' during a debate. Barney Frank came right to his defense, and endorsed Bill's strong record on GLBT issues:
http://www.bilerico.com/2007/08/barney_frank_defends_bill_richardson.php

Barney Frank defends Bill Richardson
Filed by: Bil Browning
August 13, 2007 5:34 PM
Congressman Barney Franks has now weighed in on Bill Richardson's gaffe at the HRC/Logo Presidential Forum. The Representative released the following statement to The Bilerico Project today:

"Governor Bill Richardson's apology for the mistake he made in saying that sexual orientation is a choice did not surprise me, because he has been a strong supporter of our right to be treated fairly throughout his public career. It is especially relevant that he voted consistently on our side from the start of his Congressional career in the 1980s, when the issue of LGBT rights had far less support even from Democrats that it has today. I regret Gov. Richardson's misstatement - 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."

That's a darn good friend to come to your defense, eh? The Guv does have the best record on LGBT civil rights - hands down... Personally, I'm willing to forgive an obviously stupid mistake, but I've liked him since the beginning. Even I have to admit, if anything else happens it is going to look like he's never been educated on our issues or just isn't interested enough to learn, but this one I can forgive when I balance it against his record. Hell, I don't really care if the candidate understands the science behind homosexuality so much as I do what they'll do for my civil rights if they get in office. After all, Lincoln had no idea what made black people have a different skin color but it wasn't really pertinent to the idea of "equal." What do you think? Are you willing to forgive it as a slip of the tongue - realizing that most of our straight allies screw up something every now and then? Or are you still angry and distrustful?

Bill's strong record on GLBT issues:
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.

Bill Richardson, the best person for the job. The more you know about him, the more you'll agree.

thanks for reading!

[Donnachaidh]

1. uuhhhh -- no. Just NO.

"best person for the job." :rofl:

[MethuenProgressive]

2. Bill Richardson, probably the most qualified person EVER to have run for President.

Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor,former Congressman, former UN Ambassador, former Energy Secretary, and negotiator extraordinaire.

Bill Richardson fought for and won settlements totaling in the BILLIONS of dollars for radiation safety workers that the federal government, Democrats and Republicans, had ignored fo 50 years. When Edwards won his legal cases, he personally took 33-40% of the settlement. Richardson took not a single dime.

Best person for the job.

[OwnedByFerrets]

3. Agreed 100%. Ive been saying it for weeks. He will make a

GREAT VP.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. Bill Richardson on Protecting our Civil Rights and Freedoms:

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.

[MethuenProgressive]

5. Bill Richardson on Iraq: "END IT!"

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

The Richardson Plan for Ending the War
I have a one-point plan on the Iraq War -- END IT.
We must get all of our troops out quickly and safely so that a new political process can begin.
Our military presence in Iraq is prolonging the violence, costing us more than $10 billion a month, and distracting us from the war against Al Qaeda. George Bush's "surge" has suppressed some of the violence, at least temporarily, but it has failed to bring about political reconciliation. Our troops have done everything we've asked them to do -- but they cannot win someone else's civil war. Now it is up to the Iraqis. We need to get our troops out so that a new political process can begin.

My plan will end the war and stabilize Iraq, and the most important step, upon which all others depend, is to remove ALL of our troops quickly.

What we need to do:
Remove ALL Troops: Only when the Iraqis know we are leaving will they start seeing us as partners, instead of occupiers. A complete withdrawal gives us the leverage we now lack to get the warring factions to compromise, while our presence fuels the insurgency. The Iraqis must take responsibility for their country, and only a complete withdrawal gives them the incentive to kick out al Qaeda and heal their country. Any plan that leaves troops behind will allow the war to drag on, and will cost more American lives.
Withdraw as Quickly as Possible: We should start redeploying now. The longer we stay, the more people die, the further the situation deteriorates, and the more damage we do both to our military and to our reputation. Only when we are out of this quagmire can we refocus on the real war against Al Qaeda -- the terrorists who attacked us on 9-11, and who are still headquartered along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border -- not in Iraq .
A Diplomatic Surge: Iraq's crisis is a political crisis. It cannot be solved militarily. We need a surge of diplomacy to bring Iraq's factions together, to engage all of Iraq's neighbors in stabilization, and to put together a coalition of donor nations to aid reconstruction.
How We Do It:
De-authorize the War and Fund Redeployment: Last November, the American people voted for the Democrats because they expected them to end the war. Congress should do what it was elected to do, by passing a resolution that de-authorizes the war under Article 1 of the Constitution and the War Powers Act. And they should pass funding only to safely redeploy our troops, not to leave them endlessly in the middle of a civil war. Congress can and should act now to end this war.
Remove ALL the troops from Iraq: We must get our troops out of Iraq as safely as possible no later than 2009. Since the war began, we have rotated up to 240,000 troops into and out of Iraq in as few as 3 months. The logistics and details of a withdrawal must come from our military commanders on the ground. I hope Congress will force President Bush to end this war, but if Congress fails, I will instruct our military leaders to get our troops out as quickly as possible. Steps should include:
Identify the units we can phase out quickly. Support units and their large bases should go first and combat units next.
Identify the equipment we can leave to the Iraqis and the equipment we must bring home .
Move troops and equipment into Kuwait, and to regional bases where we are welcome such as in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Redeploy troops from these regional bases to Afghanistan and other locations where they can fight actual threats to America. In addition, we should bring as many troops as possible home to start rejoining their families.
Lead a Regional and Global Diplomacy: The hard political work begins as our troops start to leave.
We must use the leverage of our withdrawal to bring the factions to the negotiating table.
The United States must lead this effort and involve all of Iraq's neighbors, including Syria and Iran, in a regional conference modeled on the Dayton conference which ended the war in Bosnia. Key objectives of the conference should be assurances of non-interference and the creation of a multilateral, UN-led Muslim peacekeeping force.
We must also convene a donor conference of wealthy Arab states to fund Iraqi reconstruction. All of Iraq's neighbors have an interest in preventing Iraq's civil war from spiraling even further out of control, and they should all play a part in stopping the violence.

[nickinSTL]

6. On paper, Richardson's great....

In debates, he's...not good.

I know that the VP nominees only debate once, and it might be fine depending on who McCain picks, but a strong debater, Richardson isn't.

He's good on a lot of issues, and is best on his requirements to raise mpg standards for autos, which I'm very much in favor of, but I'm not sure he's the best candidate. He'd be better off as Sec of State or UN Ambassador again, or some post that utilizes his experience without making him campaign.

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Bill Richardson on Defense:

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

[AnnieBW]

8. I heartily agree

Richardson would be great. Their campaign slogan could be, "Together, we make one white guy!"

[MethuenProgressive]

9. Bill Richardson on the Environment:and Conservation

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

A Career Spent Fighting for Conservation
Throughout my career in public service, I have been fighting for conservation because I understand the importance of protecting our most valuable natural resources. I have been honored to be recognized as an Environmental Leader of the Year by the National Environmental Trust, the National Wildlife Federation, and Vanity Fair magazine for our work in New Mexico. The very first piece of legislation I passed as a young Congressman was to protect and create a new wilderness area in northwestern New Mexico. As President, I will do even more to protect our environment, just like we did in New Mexico.

Restore the Clean Water Act
We must protect our rivers, lakes, and streams. As the governor of an arid Southwestern state I know that water is our most precious natural resource. The Clean Water Act is the primary vehicle for preserving America's rivers, lakes, and streams and it must be restored.

Revive Clean Air Act Standards and Help States Enforce Them
We must fund federal programs and states to identify violations of the Clean Air Act by industrial facilities. We should also expand the Clean Air Act to include protections from old and dirty power plants and provide incentives for the use of cleaner fuels. We must stop attempts by the Bush administration to weaken controls on toxic mercury pollution and I strongly oppose Bush Administration policies allowing old coal plants to renovate without upgrading pollution controls.

Expand Disclosure of Toxic Pollution
The public's right to know about toxic pollution must be restored by reversing the EPA's lax position on corporate reporting. Polluting facilities must report on the release of toxic chemicals at least once a year.

Preserve and Protect our National Parks
Our National Parks represent some of our greatest national treasures. We must ensure that they are there for generations to come. Every American should be able to experience our nations' natural beauty and enjoy the recreational opportunities they afford.

Protect and Enforce the Endangered Species Act

Accurate scientific data must be used in assessing Endangered Species Act issues and ensure that corporations and other special interests adhere to the law when challenging ESA. We must find the right balance between preservation and growth, but to do so we must first have accurate data and compliance with the law.

Establish Smart Growth Criteria for Preferences in Federal/State Funding
Give preference to funding for sites that comply with Smart Growth guidelines.

Prohibit Thinning of National Forests in Roadless Areas
I oppose new road building in our pristine national forests. Their ecological, recreational and riparian values are far greater than anything a logging company could gain from their timber. Under certain circumstances, the lumber industry can and should thin and harvest trees in roaded areas near communities, so long as they also clear the undergrowth that feeds wildfires.

Encourage States with Low-Recycling Rates to Increase Their Recycling by Linking State Funding to Improvements
Recycling rates vary greatly across states and regions, ranging from a high of 30-50% in some states to a low of less than 5% in others. As we did with the interstate highway system and national speed limits, we should encourage a national recycling system by making federal funding contingent on participation. This will help create a national market for recyclables as well as a new industry and jobs on the process.

[MethuenProgressive]

10. Bill Richardson on Veterans (I really like the "Heroes Health Card"!)

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

I believe that we have an obligation to defend those who have defended us. It is a national disgrace that our veterans return home from war to horrific conditions at Walter Reed and endless waits to get medical care. Our veterans deserve the highest quality care that this country can offer, and as President, I won't be satisfied until they have it. That is why I am proposing a $15 billion per year veterans plan, paid for entirely by closing a tax loophole on under-reporting of capital gains earnings. Here's what I'll do as President:

Create a "Heroes Health Card"

This card, which will be issued to every single veteran upon leaving the military, will provide our returning servicemen and servicewomen with the healthcare they need, when and where they need it. As President, I will call on every provider in America to accept this card and coordinate care with the veteran's local VA hospital.

Guarantee Full Mandatory Funding for Veterans' Healthcare

Currently, veterans have to beg Congress for their healthcare funding each year, rather than receiving it as an entitlement. I will end this travesty. And I will ensure that we fix President Bush's mess, at Walter Reed as well as those at other VA hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Our veterans and military personnel deserve high quality healthcare, and it is a travesty to provide them with anything less.

Offer Tax Cuts for Veterans

I will also ensure that veterans, who endure real financial hardships while protecting us, enjoy real financial benefits after they remove their uniforms. I will fight for Senator Jim Webb's proposal to give all vets a five percent cut in their federal income taxes for the rest of their lives. And because the transition to civilian life is often difficult, my plan also eliminates federal income taxes for veterans in their first year after separating from the military.

Take Care of Military Families

It is crucial that we address the hardships that many family members face when a loved one is critically injured. Often, spouses and parents are forced to leave their jobs to care for their wounded. As President, I will offer up to one year of disability insurance for the family member who leaves a job to care for an injured troop.

Fight for a GI Bill for the 21st Century

The G.I. Bill has been one of the most successful pieces of federal legislation in our nation's history, helping millions of veterans attend college over the decades. Unfortunately, it has not kept pace with inflation or the skyrocketing costs of higher education. As President, I will augment the G.I. Bill and the services' College Funds with up to $24,000 in loan forgiveness for our veterans.

The Bottom Line

We ask so much of our men and women in uniform -- far too much to treat them as shabbily as President Bush has these past years. It is time for a change. We must honor those who have put their lives on the line defending our nation. When I am President, we will.

[MethuenProgressive]

11. Bill Richardson on Education

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

Giving our children a good start in their education has been a key priority of mine as Governor, and it will continue to be a priority for me as President. If we are to maintain our position as the world's leader in business, technology and innovation, we must strengthen the American education system that has made us the most powerful country in human history.

I am optimistic about our country's ability to improve our education system and prepare young Americans for a successful future. It will require resources -- some $60 billion a year -- but this is money we must spend, as an investment in our people. And I have already outlined nearly $60 billion in specific cuts to nuclear weapons and other weapons systems to cover this necessary investment. Quite simply, American schools -- designed for the early 20th century -- must be restructured to meet the demands of the 21st.

Provide Universal Access to Quality Pre-K Programs

As an investment in early education, I will create a program to provide universal access to full-day pre-kindergarten to all four-year-olds for the entire school year, and I will fully fund Head Start.

Scrap No Child Left Behind

It is imperative that the next President ensures that states receive appropriate funding and are no longer forced to accept one-size-fits-all programs. I will reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but eliminate the punitive approach of No Child Left Behind and replace it with a fairer, more comprehensive, and more supportive system of measuring progress.

Increase the Availability of Quality Teachers

To attract and retain the best and brightest teachers, we must raise teacher's salaries to a national average starting salary of $40,000, improve and expand teacher training, increase the number of nationally-certified educators, increase standards and accountability, and hire an additional 100,000 math and science teachers.

Oppose Private School Tuition Vouchers, Increase Public School Choice

I oppose public tax dollars going to private schools, but will increase school choice with charter, magnet, and other public school options, as well as more flexible course options.

Create 250 Math, Science, and Innovation (MSI) Academies

We need to raise the bar on education to meet America's needs, especially in math and science. We can revitalize America's innovative talents by bringing together students, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Put the Arts and Music back into Education

To retain this critical education element, I will invest up to $500 million in arts and music education programs.

Increase Graduation Rates

I will invest $1 billion a year in states' dropout prevention programs to encourage the one million students who drop out each year to stay in school.

Take Action to Improve the Health of Our Children

If children's health suffers, their education will suffer too. I would help our children lead healthier lives by insisting on strong nutritional guidelines for school meals and reinstituting physical education.

Promote More Meaningful Parental Involvement

Our work to improve education depends on parental involvement. We should provide all federal employees with eight hours per year of paid, one-to-one time with their children, and encourage private businesses and the rest of the public sector to do the same.

Create a Nation of Service

Teaching the importance of community service should be a focus in our schools. To create incentives for more student participation, in my Administration, the federal government will forgive two years of the cost of tuition and fees at a public university for each year of service.

Eliminate the FAFSA and Expand Access to Student Aid

The Richardson plan for college affordability calls for increasing the number of student loan applicants by simplifying and consolidating the federal government's loans, grants, and scholarship programs. We will also provide financial incentives for schools to keep their tuition costs under control.

Increase Aid to Those Who Need It Most: Expand LEAP and GEAR UP

I will expand need-based federal programs that assist students from low-income families and eliminate the enormous subsidies to banks and private lenders and redirect that money to students who need it.

Beyond School: The Richardson Plan for Promoting Life-Long Learning and Adult Education

We must revive the federal government's role as workforce development coordinator. The first step is to revive the national job bank that in 2002 placed nearly 345,000 job seekers in new jobs before it was terminated by the Bush Administration. We will also create a new generation of manufacturing jobs that move our country toward energy independence and to clean energy sources.

Transitional Jobs and Career Training (Perkins II)

Expanding transitional jobs will give lower-income people a chance to learn the valuable skills that can lead to greater success. In addition, career and vocational education should be expanded so those without a college education can develop valuable skills.

[MethuenProgressive]

12. Bill Richardson: Addressing Issues of Importance to Women

Addressing Issues of Importance to Women
Women are not a special interest or a "minority" group -- women are the majority. As President, I will not only continue the commitment I have made to women’s concerns in New Mexico, I will go farther than any other candidate to support women and their families. I am out front on women's workplace rights, health, and stopping violence. And I am the only candidate that has pledged to support only Supreme Court Justices that will uphold Roe v. Wade, and the only candidate to propose a caregiver credit in Social Security.

Affirmative Action Advances Equal Opportunity

Affirmative action is still needed to overcome discrimination in hiring, promotion, and educational opportunities. We must keep affirmative action strong to ensure that women and people of color get a fair shake.

Access for Female Business Owners

I will work to assure woman-owned businesses receive their fair share of government procurement dollars, which are paid for by all taxpayers.

Head Start and Pre-K

We must fully fund Head Start, and establish a federal Pre-K program that helps every state offer voluntary pre-kindergarten for every 4-year-old child.

Click here for Governor Richardson's plan for education.

Expand Science, Math and Title IX

I will reverse the weakening of Title IX, and I will also create 250 new science and math academies – and make sure our young women know they're welcome in these academies.

Economic Justice and Pay Equity

Adult women are the largest group earning the minimum wage, and women of color are at the bottom. I support an increase, indexed for inflation. I am the only candidate to call for employers to report pay data by job classification, gender, and race.

Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

New Mexico has an Equal Rights Amendment, something I am very proud of. Women should be equal in the U.S. Constitution as well.

Paid Family Leave

I voted for the Family and Medical Leave Act while in Congress, and while it was a great step forward, we should now institute paid family leave. It will help businesses reduce turnover and will help working families by granting a much needed benefit at a small shared cost.

The United States should ratify the women's human rights treaty. I will restore full funding for international family planning.

Women's Health

I want every state to provide sexual assault survivors who are treated in emergency rooms with counseling regarding risk of pregnancy and objectively offer emergency contraception. I will also restore full funding to the Office of Women's Health.

Click here for Governor Richardson's healthcare plan.

Iraq War and Women in the Armed Services

We know that the first priority of women voters is ending the war. The solution is to get all of our troops out of Iraq. Click here to read the plan. I will assure that women have the full range of health care in the military, including sexual trauma counseling and reproductive services.

Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health

I am pro-choice and will continue to support abortion rights and medical privacy for women. I am the only candidate explicitly committing to appoint only judges who consider Roe v. Wade settled law.

Strong Social Security

Social Security is the main retirement program for American women, and I oppose any efforts to weaken or privatize it. I am the only candidate calling for a caregiver credit in Social Security.

Fair Taxes

I will work with Congress to permanently abolish the "marriage penalty" in the tax code, making the system fairer to working women and their families.

Fund Work to Stop Violence Against Women

We must restore full funding for the federal Violence Against Women Act, and for the Family Violence Prevention Act, and increase funding for health professionals who help rape survivors.

[benEzra]

13. Yes, in a heartbeat. (n/t)

[MethuenProgressive]

14. Bill Richardson's strong record on GLBT issues:

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.


Bill Richardson, the best person for the job. The more you know about him, the more you'll agree.