Pres Candidate Gov. Bill Richardson: "U.S. Must Lead by Example"

[bigtree]

February 8, 2007; 3:51 PM



WASHINGTON -- Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said Thursday the United States must lead the way on global struggles by reducing its nuclear weapons, closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and dramatically cutting energy use.

In the first foreign policy address of his nascent candidacy, Richardson indicated he would reverse many Bush administration policies if he is elected to the White House in 2008. The New Mexico governor called his proposals "new realism."

"This administration's lack of realism has led us to a dangerous place," Richardson said during a speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "So America needs to take a different path _ a path based on reality, not unilateralist illusions."

He said that would mean sacrifice to cut oil imports from 65 percent of fossil fuel use to 10 percent in 15 years. He said it would require a massive public and private investment in renewable technology and a drastic increase in automobile fuel economy standards. "This has to be led by a president," Richardson said.

Richardson also said to win the war against Jihadism, the United States must first live up to its own ideals.

"Prisoner abuse, torture, secret prisons, renditions, and evasion of the Geneva conventions must have no place in our policy," Richardson said. "If we want Muslims to open to us, we should start by closing Guantanamo."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020801199_pf.html


Click here to watch the video.
http://media.csis.org/csistv/070208_richardson.html

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I'm kind of liking Bill Richardson...

If Al Gore or Wes Clark don't enter, he may end up being my favorite.

[beingthere]

2. oh I agree so strongly. nt

[oldtimecanuk]

3. Yep, I really like this guy.. Sure hope he gets a shot at it...

I think he would be very good for the country..

ww

[Captain Hilts]

4. I've always liked him. We have a great selection of candidates this go 'round. nt

[Nite Owl]

5. Keeping him on my radar

I like him very much so far. I would like to hear more about what he plans for things like health care. He's a very qualified candidate, and he has a good sense of humor too.

[bigtree]

6. the speech is very comprehensive and impressive

a very good and important presentation covering Iraq, Iran, Syria, immigration, health care, Darfur, Middle East peace . . .

streams well: http://media.csis.org/csistv/070208_richardson.html

[skipos]

7. He deserves to be in the top tier with Obama, Edwards and HRC

I think more people will like him as they get to know him.