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10.03.07

            Fundraising was on every candidate minds last week.  On Sunday Governor Richardson’s campaign said that he raised $5.2 million in the last three months.  This brought his total fundraising for the year to over $18 million.

            Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hilary Clinton continue to lead in fundraising for Democrats, but Governor Richardson’s performance could bring him close to John Edwards.

            In an article on msnbc.com Richardson’s spokesman Tom Reynolds said, “We continue to count contributions as they come in throughout the day, but this figure obviously separates us from the second-tier candidates and make clear this is a four-person race.”

            Another issue that has been brought up in Washington was taking military action against Iran.  Governor Richardson says this plan is unwise and he thinks that troops should be taken out of Iraq first.  

            “I believe it would be enormously unwise for the Bush administration to start another war before ending this tragic war we’re in today and it does sound like the administration is ramping up. You can just see it,” Governor Richardson said in an article from the Associated Press.

            There is much tension in Washington because there are some allegations that Iran is going to develop nuclear weapons and then giving them to Iraq’s Shiite militias to kill U.S. troops. Iran denies that this is going on.

            Being a former U.N. ambassador, Governor Richardson says that as president he will not talk to the Iranian President Ahmadinejad because he does not think he is a key player in the situation.  Instead he would talk to people such as business leaders, students, and university professors in Iran.

            Governor Richardson was also active last week participating in the MSNBC debate at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. One of the main topics that came up was the War in Iraq.  Governor Richardson was the only candidate to say that he would get all troops out of Iraq within his first year of the presidency.

10.10.07

           Governor Bill Richardson made his first trip to Georgia this week.  On Friday the Governor made remarks at a luncheon of 300 state black lawmakers and union leaders.  Governor Richardson came to talk about getting rid of President Bush’s attempt at education reform.  He also came to talk about replacing it with a nationally guaranteed minimum salary of $40,000 for beginning teachers.

            Richardson also criticized his democratic opponents for saying they would leave “a residual force” of U.S. troops in Iraq.

            According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Governor Richardson says “You’re either in or you’re out.”  He also said that leaving those troops in Iraq would be more vulnerable to attack.

            Governor Bill Richardson also said that the three top runners, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards all plan on taking the troops out in 2013, which is the last year of their presidential term.  Governor Richardson says they are all taking a “wait-and –see” method.

            According to www.reuters.com Governor Richardson said, “I say there has been enough waiting and seeing.  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 I and the rest of America are seeing.”

            Governor Richardson also went to Georgia Tech University to talk to Hispanic voters who called themselves Mi Familia.

            “Mi Familia con Richardson” is a group that hopes to get Hispanics to register and vote.  The campaign hopes that people on a short budget will still vote, put up signs, and volunteer.

            A recent Iowan poll just came out from the Des Moines Register.  Bill Richardson is in forth place with 8 percent. This is slightly down from May.  Hilary Clinton is in first and Barack Obama and John Edwards are following close behind. 

            The poll telephoned 399 Democrats who were likely to go to the caucus.

10.17.07

Governor Bill Richardson has said in numerous debates that he will pull out all the troops in Iraq if he becomes president.  On Friday, in Bedford New Hampshire, Governor Richardson accused his rivals and said that they cannot end the War in Iraq and still leave behind troops.  According to Yahoo News Governor Richardson said that he would only leave U.S Marines to guard an embassy.

According to Philip Elliott, from the associated Press, Governor Richardson said, “Taking our troops out is the only way I believe that we can forge a diplomatic solution and political compromise.  The reason I believe we need to take all our troops out is because out kids have become targets.  They’re caught in the crossfire between al-Qaida and the insurgents.” 

Governor Richardson is hoping that his antiwar stance will push him in the top three.  According to the New York Times Richardson said that he is the only candidate to keep moving up in the polls.  Richardson feels that they are where they want to be and that his objective is to be in the top three.

Governor Richardson is supported in Iowa and New Hampshire mainly because of his humorous television advertisements.  The commercials have been broadcasted 4,000 times in Iowa and his campaign has spent $2 million on the advertisements.

According to the New York Times polls said Governor Richardson has support in Iowa and New Hampshire with 1 in 10 voters.

On Thursday Governor Richardson spoke in Ottumwa and said that he withdrew from the Michigan primary.  Richardson knows that Iowa is an important state and he commented that he has been to 78 counties out of Iowa’s 99.

According to The Ottumwa Courier Richardson said, “I know how you Iowans are.  You want to see your candidates seven times. I’m glad there are three months left.”

10.24.07

            This week Governor Bill Richardson did some campaigning in New Hampshire.  On Sunday the Governor spoke at Franklin Pierce College for the First in the Nation Project and it was streamed over the internet for people to see at Wartburg.  Governor Richardson joked after he talked for only 12 minutes leaving the rest of the time for question and answers from people at Franklin Pierce College and Wartburg College.  Governor Richardson talked about a number of issues ranging from the War in Iraq to health care. 

            When asked about the War Governor Richardson commented by saying that we need to get out of “a war that is going no where.”  Governor Richardson says that he wants to get all troops out in his first year as president.  He feels that every troop needs to be out.

            Another issue that Governor Richardson talked about was the state of our schools.  The Governor thinks that we need to upgrade in science and math.  He also says that we need to put a better emphasis on the fine arts and he thinks that it is very crucial for students to be well rounded.  Governor Richardson also said the he wants to have preschool for all four year olds and he wants to scrap No Child Left Behind.  Teacher pay is also a big thing for the Governor.  Governor Richardson says that he would like a minimum wage for teachers of $40,000.

            College was also another topic that was brought up with schools.  Governor Richardson says that he would have college students give one year of national service in exchange for two year in college.  The national service would be like serving in the military, working in a park, or helping people in the community.  Governor Richardson wants every college student to have the chance to go to college.

10.31.07

            Every election year there has always been a candidate known as the “dark horse.“ This year experts think that Bill Richardson could be that “dark horse.”  Bill Richardson is from a western state and he knew that he would be a long shot nomination. 

            Nevada is the first western state to vote but according to an article at voanews.com Stuart Rothenberg said, “He needs a win somewhere.  He needs to impress.  He’s making some ground up in Iowa but it’s still a long shot even if he were to win Nevada.”

Governor Bill Richardson has been in the news talking about how he is qualified to work for peace in the Middle East.  Governor often talks about his experience being a former United Nations Ambassador.  In Michigan this week Governor Richardson talked to Arab Americans at the Arab American Institute’s National Leadership.  In Michigan there are about 300,000 people in that community who have roots in the Middle East. 

As the Governor spoke to the Arab Americans he assured them of his experience and told them that he would work for peace in the Middle East.  Governor Richardson has also been getting heat about bringing the entire United States troops home from Iraq.  In his defense he argued with his rivals saying that they would end the war, but leave behind troops.

The Arab-American Institute did have to get permission to have the candidates in Michigan because all of the Democratic candidates agreed not to campaign there after Michigan broke the Democratic National Committee rules.

Richardson said that the reason he came to Michigan on Sunday was because he was giving a national speech.

According to David Eggert, an Associated Press Writer, Governor Richardson said, “I regret not being able to campaign here.  It doesn’t mean I don’t come.”

11.07.07

            Bill Richardson recently awarded the Purple Heart to a family after 57 years of missing in action during the Korean War.  On Monday the family of Cpl. Clem Robert Boody was awarded Boody’s Purple Heart for his work in the Korean War.  Stacy Brewer, Boody’s niece, said that they had been trying to get his Purple Heart for years but it never came through.  She then contacted Bill Richardson and let him know that her uncle’s remains were identified among the group.

            According the Associated Press Boody’s nephew Robert VanNevele said, “I didn’t think I’d see this day in any shape or form.  After a while, you just give up.” 

            Bill Richardson was quoted in the Concord Monitor that he thinks congress is wimpy.  He thinks that they have forgotten about some important issues that are crucial in America such as the war in Iraq, Health Care, and the budget deficit.

            In the Concord Monitor Richardson said, “The Congress today is at an 11 percent approval rating.  You know what’s higher that the Congress? Dick Cheney.  The only entity that is less popular than Democrats is Republican in Congress and the president.”

            Governor Bill Richardson has said that he would get the U.S. troops out of Iraq in his first year in office.  On Saturday he made a stop in Waterloo at Sullivan Brothers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1634.  Governor Richardson feels that we could pull out all the troops with no problem because he thinks that Iraq can fend for themselves. 

11.14.07

            Energy is considered a very important issue and when Bill Richardson is asked what he is going to do he says that leadership will be a big part of tackling it.  The former Secretary of Energy and Governor of New Mexico has been busy promoting his book “Leading by Example: How We Can Inspire an Energy and Security Revolution”  and talking about energy policy.  According to an article on Seacoastonline.com by Michael Mccord, Richardson says “What is needed is presidential leadership on energy policy.”

            In Washington there has not been any such thing as a long-term energy policy so Richardson says he is going to fight it by creating a “national movement.”  He is going to make the country change and be energy independent.  Richardson says that ending the war in Iraq and energy was his two biggest priorities.   

            Along with energy Bill Richardson has talked about his plans on cutting oil.  According to the article on Seacoastonline.com “Richardson’s plans include a goal to cut oil dependence by half by 2020 and reduce carbon emissions 20 to 30 percent by 2020 and by 90 percent by 2050.”

            This week another issue that has come up for Governor Richardson is the war in Iraq.  Richardson says that he wants to take out all the troops if he becomes president.  According to National Interest Online Bill Richardson says, “Getting out of Iraq will be the first essential step in restoring our reputation and beginning a new strategy of U.S. global leadership.”

            Because of Richardson’s promise for the war in Iraq he has recently been endorsed by a peace group called The Central Committee of STAR*PAC (Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee of Iowa).

11.21.07

            Bill Richardson has been nominated for his 5^th Nobel Peace Prize.  Richardson was nominated by Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee.  He said that he sent in the nomination packet for Richardson’s efforts with countries like Sudan and North Korea.  According to and article from the Associated Press by Nedra Pickler, Gordon, who knows Richardson from serving in congress together, said, “He’s well deserving.  It’s just a continuation of his willingness to continue to go around the world, whether it’s a matter of hostages or other tense situations, and work with all parties.”

            Along with Gordan, 11 of his colleagues signed Richardson’s nomination letter.  According to the article Gordan said that he is still going to stay out of the Democratic presidential primary.

            If Bill Richardson would win the Nobel Piece Prize he will join another political politic Vice President Al Gore.  Gore won his prize after working to raise awareness about global warming.

            Richardson has worked on his own going to North Korea to get the remains of missing U.S. troops from the Korean War.  He also went to Sudan to help the Darfur conflict by encouraging a cease-fire.

            In past commercials Richardson has talked about his past Nobel Peace Prize nominations, but according to the Nobel Committee’s database a nomination does not really mean much.  Some other people that have been nominated is dictators Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini.

            In Manchester New Hampshire Governor Richardson had described the government as a cowboy diplomacy referring to President Bush.

            According to and article from the associated press by Beverley Wang, Richardson said, “We have to find ways again where American diplomacy is not considered cowboy diplomacy, but is considered diplomacy where we’re not the policemen of the world, but the conscience of the world.

11.28.07

            According to a WMUR-CNN poll in New Hampshire Bill Richardson has doubled his percentage from 6 percent to 12 percent. 

            Richardson said that he thinks that many Americans are starting to figure out that he is be most qualified to run the country and for change.

            According to WMUR 9 in New Hampshire Richardson said, “What’s happening in New Hampshire is they are seeing me as a candidate who has serious experience—as a governor, as a diplomat and as a secretary of energy.  That I’ve been able to bring change.”

Richardson also said, “I have campaigned everywhere, shook so many hands and visited so many New Hampshire towns.  I love doing it, but when you see the frits of your labor producing momentum, that’s where I want to be.”

            Senator Hillary Clinton was in the lead with 36 percent but has fallen from 43 percent in September.  Senator Barack Obama is still in second place raising 2 percent, going from 20 to 22 percent.  Coming in third is John Edwards who went from 12 percent to 13 percent. 

            The WMUR-CNN polled Democratic voters and it was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.

            Governor Richarson talked in New Hampshire this week about his health care plan.  Richardson says that he wants to offer the public the same health care that Congress is offered.  He also wants to lower the age of Medicare to 55.

            Governor Richardson likes his idea of a single-payer health care, but he wants to get tough on insurance companies and he would like to get rid of them.

12.05.07

Bill Richardson spoke this week at a farm near Council Bluffs.  He came out with a farm package that restricts big meatpackers, gives incentives for alternative energy production, and limits payments to large operations.

            According to an article by the Associated Press by Mike Glover Governor Richardson said “Let’s keep the mud where it belongs.  We cannot build America up by tearing each other down.”

            According to the article it calls for a $250,000 cap on farm subsidy payments and a ban on meatpackers owning livestock.  This was made to improve the competition for farmers’ products. 

            Even though Governor Richardson’s speech focused mainly on farming he also talked about his Democratic rivals.  He talked a lot about their increasingly bitter debates and according to an article by Mike Glover he said, “That is not what we need and I call on my colleagues to stop it.  Winning an election is not worth sacrificing our principals.  Unfortunately, in Washington today there is too much negativity, negativity over health care, negativity over immigration.”

            Governor Richardson says this with the Iowa caucuses only about a month away.  He says that he understands there are going to be differences between the candidates, but he feels that everything should stick to policy matters.

            The latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll has Bill Richardson in 4^th with 9 percent.  Richardson does feel like he is getting momentum in Iowa.  In an article in The Daily Nonpareil Richardson said, “I have been going town to town, door to door.  As of today, I’ve been in 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties; and by the end of the day tomorrow, I will have been in 98 counties.”

            Iowa’s caucuses are January 3^rd.