 |
|
|
 News from Around the Americas | September 2007 
Richardson Deflects Criticism of Campaign Gaffes
 Steve Terrell - The New Mexican
go to original
| Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., left, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson speak at the same time during a debate at Dartmouth College Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Hanover, N.H. (AP/Jim Cole)
|
Governor touts achievements, holds firm on Iraq stance during debate
One question at Wednesday’s Democratic presidential candidate debate at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire must have seemed like a bad flashback to Gov. Bill Richardson, bringing back bad memories of his much-criticized appearance on Meet the Press last May.
Debate moderator Tim Russert — also the host on Meet the Press — fired off a barrage of things that might embarrass Richardson. He reminded him of campaign gaffes such as saying Byron White, who opposed abortion, was his ideal Supreme Court justice, and being gay is a choice. These were interspersed with other spots on Richardson’s record, such as security breaches at Los Alamos National Laboratory during his tenure as energy secretary and New Mexico’s high level of poverty.
Russert then asked why, in light of all this, is Richardson qualified to be president.
The governor seemed unfazed. His immediate answer was something he’s said before: “I’ve been in public life for 25 years. I may not be the perfect consultant blow-dried candidate. I make mistakes. I admit ‘em. ... I’m going to continue making ‘em.”
Richardson listed a number of his achievements that have become a staple of his campaign speeches such as retrieving remains of American soldiers from North Korea and helping convince North Korea to stop its nuclear program in a negotiating trip to that country in April.
But some of his “achievements” he listed were questionable.
While correctly saying some of New Mexico’s problems were there before he became governor, he added, “Today, we have a balanced budget.” That statement seemed to imply that before he was governor there wasn’t a balanced budget. Actually the state Constitution requires a balanced budget, as is the case in most states.
Richardson also boasted he negotiated a “fragile cease fire” in the Sudan’s Darfur region. He did travel to the war-torn region in January and won an agreement between government and rebel troops. However, the fighting has continued.
He also repeated his line that he’s the candidate of both change and experience. It won a good response at a previous debate in Iowa, and the line has been transformed into a slogan for a campaign commercial. But it appeared to get little response from the Dartmouth audience.
Richardson has been trying to separate himself from the rest of the pack — especially the front-runners — in his position on Iraq. He has said he is the only major candidate who favors removing all American troops — except a small force to guard the U.S. embassy.
He made his case early on in the debate when asked, like all the other candidates, whether he would guarantee all troops would be out of Iraq by the end of his first term. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all refused to commit to that. “Their position is basically changing the mission,” Richardson said. “... My position in bringing all troops out of Iraq is ending this war. ... Our kids are dying. You cannot start the reconciliation of Iraq until we get our troops out.”
Richardson created his own opening to bring up his Iraq stance late in the debate. He was asked a question about whether he’d accept the title as honorary head of the Boy Scouts of America in light of the organization’s prohibition against homosexuals.
He quickly said no, he would not accept the title, then quickly moved beyond the question. At first, it seemed he was rambling. He said he’d “follow the Constitution,” bring back habeas corpus and shut down Guantánamo. Then he reiterated he is the only major candidate promising to remove almost all American troops from Iraq.
This prompted some brief sparring between Obama and Richardson. Obama said it wouldn’t be possible to immediately and completely withdraw from Iraq. “It’s important for candidates to tell the truth,” he said.
Interviewed on MSNBC after the debate, Richardson said he is “angered and frustrated” at Congress for not taking action to end the war.
Contact Steve Terrell at sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us