New Mexico Governor Formally Declares 2008 Candidacy
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson frames agenda around Iraq withdrawal.
May 21, 2007 — -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson formally announced today in Los Angeles his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Framing his policy agenda around an unconditional withdrawal from Iraq, Richardson called perceived options of keeping U.S. troops in Iraq to "referee a civil war" or withdrawal that leaves Iraq in "collapse and chaos" a "false choice."
"Removing all our troops and healing Iraq are one and the same," said Richardson. "A diplomatic solution will only become feasible when it is clear that U.S. troops will leave Iraq."
"I would leave no troops behind in Iraq," continued Richardson. "No air bases, no security patrols, no embedded soldiers training Iraqi forces." Richardson said any such forces would "have targets on their backs."
Richardson also touted his roots: Both his status as the governor of a Western state and that he is the first Latino to run for president in the Democratic Party. Richardson welcomed early primaries in California, Texas and Florida, noting that strong Latino constituencies in those states give him an advantage.
Fielding questions in English, Spanish and even a bit of French for effect, Richardson first called the Senate's immigration proposal "a step in the right direction" and immediately countered that it was simultaneously "a step in the wrong direction." Richardson said the Senate's plan makes progress toward a path to legalization but would also separate families.
"We should not support any measure that would divide families," said Richardson, who criticized plans to build a border fence. "No fence built has ever stopped history."
Instead Richardson called for a doubling of the border patrol, a "reasonable" guest worker program and strengthened diplomatic efforts with Mexico and other Latin American nations to stem the tide of illegal immigrants entering the United States.
Richardson said he chose California to make his announcement because it is the place of his birth and a very important electoral state, adding that he intends to win the California Democratic primary. He thanked supporters who have been with him since his candidacy polled "within the margin of error" and claimed his campaign saw polling last night that has moved him into the double digits in Iowa and New Hampshire.
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