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Observations, jokes and appeals to sanity

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/us/politics/21richardson.html?_

In 1998, Bill Richardson, then the United States ambassador to the United Nations, flew to Japan in search of backing for potential military strikes in Iraq.


Landing in Tokyo, he asked how a previous session, conducted by his boss, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, had gone. Not well, Mr. Richardson learned. Dr. Albright�s Japanese counterpart requested permission to smoke, she lectured him on the dangers of tobacco, and things never improved from there....

See link for more
This Wednesday, December 5th,at 9PM EST we will be holding an extremely IMPORTANT National Campaign Conference Call. Official agenda to include one of Governor Richardson's National Surrogates is still being finalized.

With less than 1 month until the Iowa Caucus, Please alert all of your list-serves, and internal state blasts that they should join in with our candidate! We are on a countdown clock to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and then Super Tuesday. This is when we all have to double our efforts to get the message out to every voter in every state.

PLEASE send the link for the event to your group members. If you run a state group, please send an email with call information to your email list.

RSVP for the call at the following link: Link
Here's another poll...Vote for The Governor!

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Aslo, we're trying to grow the campaign in honor of Gov. Richardson's Birthday, tomorrow. Please Go to the official site www.richardsonforpresident.com and contribute to the campaign. We'd like to challenge the one day record of Ron Paul's campaign.
Gov. Richardson's birthday is November 15! Let's give him and the campaign the best present yet and out-collect the Paul campaign in honor of the the Most Qualified Candidate in the race!

Here's a link to set up by a Califonia supporter, set your calendar to the 15th and post a reminder and GIVE on that day. This will be the frosting on the cake to help organize Iowa and GOTV in New Hampshire.

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Send this link to EVERYONE you know!
SANTA FE, NM-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today was endorsed by former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca. Iacocca also appears in a new online ad on behalf of Governor Richardson's candidacy.

"Richardson's been a successful Governor," Iacocca said in a statement on his blog. "He's been a successful CEO. He's demonstrated that he knows how to negotiate with foreign leaders and lead on issues like global warming. Unlike others on the stump, he's offering bold plans, not just pandering talk. I like his jobs plan, his healthcare and energy plan, education plan and his plan to get us out of Iraq. I also just plain like the guy.

"While I believe every citizen should vote their own mind and conscience, I'd encourage you to take a long hard look at Bill Richardson for yourself. With his experience, character and vision, I believe he's the President we need right now."

Lee Iacocca is the founder of the Iacocca Foundation for diabetes research. A graduate of Lehigh University with a master's degree from Princeton University, he began his career at Ford Motor Company as an engineer but moved to sales shortly thereafter. Iacocca's innovative approach to the automotive industry led to his becoming President of Ford in 1970.

After a seven-year stint, he moved to Chrysler Corporation and became CEO at a time when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. By taking short-term loans from the federal government and shifting the company's inventory to more fuel-efficient models, Iacocca had Chrysler turning record profits within six years. Since his retirement as CEO in 1992, Iacocca has been active in philanthropic projects around the world.

Governor Richardson thanked Iacocca for his support and promised to promote economic growth and the development of renewable energy sources as President.

"Lee Iacocca has lived the American dream," Richardson said. "He went to school, worked hard, and, with a bit of luck, brought his creative ideas to fruition. I am glad to have the support of such a legendary problem-solver.

"I want every child in America to have a chance to be the next Lee Iacocca, and education is the first step. I have proposed a comprehensive plan that spans from pre-kindergarten to career training to improve our children's competitiveness in the global economy. Next, we need to grow our economy and provide jobs. We do not need new taxes to keep Social Security viable; increasing the economy's growth rate will do the trick. Finally, to save our planet and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels, we must research and develop renewable energy sources. Global warming is a serious threat to the livability of our planet; America must lead the world by adhering to the Kyoto Protocol and working to improve fuel efficiency standards.

"As President, I will be a leader, even when it is unpopular. America will rejoin the international community. Together, we will take on the problems of the day and defeat them."

To see the new online ad featuring Lee Iacocca, click here.

To see the full text of Iacocca's endorsement of Governor Richardson, click here.
It was a fast and furious pace during the convention, but an over-riding feeling of having a missing visitor permeated the Convention Center at Disney's Yacht Club. With the major candidtes holding to their "pledge" to stop campaigning in Florida, there were no candiates' forums or speaches from the podium. It was up to the Grassroots to build a presence in Orlando.

Openning/Registration day delegates were serenaded by a Mariachi band that walked the corridors of the convention. Every one knew who that music represented when they heard it.

The core group of the Grassroots Florida for Richardson organizing committee showed what true team-work and hard work by a few people can do. Our candidate's area was staffed all throughout the convention, with MANY people stating that they were still undecided, or that they felt the the Governor was their second choice. When asked why, they always said that he has more experience than anyone else. We always asked, if he has so much experience, why are your supporting .....? Why wouldn't you vote for the best? They usually gave us an impressed and somewhat confused look at that time. Our self-created tee shirts started showing up on many peoples backs or in their backpacks for later use. Our labels turned up on MANY peoples' jackets. Bumper stickers were taken with promises of immediate use. And more than one person flipped from undecided into the Governor's camp.

Although we have had NO direction from New Mexico since the pledge was made, it seemed that the Hillary and Obama camps had organizers and professional help with their outreach in Orlando. We built momentum while there, while their followers made noise and chanted.

I think that it's safe to say that Governor Richardson's campaign had the third largest prominence at the convention. There was very little support shown for Sen. Edwards, in events, shirts, banners, yard signage or buttons. He was relegated into the Biden/Dodd/Kucinich level of support.

We are looking to fight for every vote from now to January 29th. With momentum building it's possible to see the Governor breaking into the top two in Florida by then. Get you yard signs out and tee shirts on. Make people know that the man with the best pedigree and ideas should be their primary candidate, rather than their secondary.
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Why can't anyone else see that as loing as we're in Iraq, we're a target. Gov. Richardson's plan is NOT Cut and Run, it's replace our soldiers with Muslim soldiers from around the world. Using Diplomacy (a lost art) we can stabilize Iraq, when our de-stabilizing presence is gone.
GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON PROPOSES PLAN TO BRIDGE THE HEALTH CARE GAP FOR AMERICA'S FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Richardson also proposes fully funding programs for fire fighters and police officers, National Fire Fighters' Survivors Fund   Read More »
"Two for One": Richardson the Candidate of Change and Experience at Iowa Presidential Debate


Richardson challenges opponents with a plan to get all American troops out of Iraq with no residual forces left behind

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2007 Contact: Pahl Shipley
(505) 803-7119

DES MOINES, IA -- Bolstered by growing support in Iowa, Governor Bill Richardson participated in the second DNC-sanctioned Presidential debate this morning in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate was moderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos and David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register.

"Senator Obama provides change and Senator Clinton experience. With me, you get both," Governor Richardson stated. "We're going to need change to become energy independent. We're going to need experience to deal with foreign leaders. I've met already with most of them. All my life I've been a diplomat and from day one I will be ready."

During the debate, Governor Richardson's plan to leave no residual forces behind dominated the discussion on Iraq.

"I have a plan to end this war," Richardson said. "We have to get all our troops out. Our kids are dying, our troops have become targets. We need reconciliation among the three groups, a division of oil revenues, and an all-Muslim peacekeeping force headed by the UN. None of this peacekeeping begins until all of our troops are out. It's critically important that we do this by an orderly timetable. In the Iraq war, through Kuwait, we have moved, over three-month periods, approximately 250,000 of our troops into and out of Iraq. We could move them out through roads to Kuwait. We could move them out through roads to Turkey. We can do this negotiating with the Turks."

Generals and experts agree with Richardson. Once the war is de-authorized and withdrawal begins, all our troops can be redeployed from Iraq in a quick, orderly, and effective manner.

"When a President talks about foreign policy, a President has to be clear," Richardson said. "You can never take the military option off the table. The Bush administration has relied on the military option, preemption. America needs to find ways that it can get its allies to aid in the fight against terrorism."

As the most vocal presidential candidate on the issue of education Richardson reiterated his proposal of a minimum wage for our teachers of $40,000.

"I have a one point plan for No Child Left Behind, as I do for Iraq - scrap it," Richardson stated. "Once again we need to be number one in Math and Science. I would have full-day kindergarten. I would revise our high school curriculum to include arts-in-the-schools."

"This is the Katrina of the mortgage lending industry," Richardson stated in response to a question about the current mortgage crisis. "What we need is more transparency. What we need to do is not appoint officials in the industry to regulate the industry. George Bush has shown a total lack of leadership, a total lack of competence. I strongly support additional measures to increase transparency and build firewalls between credit raters and financial institutions. I have a strong record in New Mexico both on cracking down on unscrupulous lenders and in leading on affordable housing issues. And that is what we have lacked in the last six years, and especially in the last couple weeks on this threat to our economy -- leadership."

The most recent poll of likely Iowa caucus-goers shows Richardson just five points behind Barack Obama. Please find a link to the ONE Campaign poll here:

http://www.one.org/polls/
Daily KOS's polls do "make the market". Vote for Bill Richardson NOW!

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Bill Unger
Here's the link to Chris Cizilla's "Th Fix" from the Washington Post

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Bill Richardson: Slowly But Surely

Much of the attention today will be focused on the detailed financial reports filed by the Big Three in the Democratic field -- Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

With the focus on the "top tier" New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson may be overlooked. But Richardson is as well-positioned financially as he could possibly have hoped for when he announced his candidacy for president earlier this year.

Between April 1 and June 30, Richardson raised $7.1 million, bringing his year-to-date fundraising total to more than $13 million. Richardson, like Obama, raised more money in the second quarter of the year than in the first.

Richardson spent roughly five million in the second quarter and ended June with a very solid $7.1 million on hand. His biggest expenditure -- $1.3 million -- went to the production of television ads and purchase of air time, a necessity given the fact that Richardson is far less well known to Democratic primary voters than Clinton, Obama and Edwards.......
I spent most of Saturday watching the Concerts, getting the message and really enjoying the music. BRAVO should be congratulated for its full day live coverage.

MoveOn used the concerts as a method to create a national town meeting. Each candidate asnwered three distinct questions from a MoveOn member. (My question was not chosen)

Watch the Guv's performance and comapre to the others. Who REALLY has the experience?

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Then VOTE! Bill Richardson is the ONLY candidate that has actually DONE something about the environment. He has the strongest positions and a measurable program for success.

Bill Unger
Make a statement. Show the world the Governor Bill Richarson is in the Top Tier. Vote TONIGHT!

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He continues to gain traction in New Hampshire and is essentially tied with Edwards there. His numbers in Iowa are even with Obama and he'll be in the top two in Nevada.

Money is on an uptick, and the campaign continues to grow.

MAKE A STATEMENT!

Bill Unger
On Independence Day, I'm Grateful

By Governor Bill Richardson - Jul 4th, 2007 at 11:18 am MDT


Today as we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our great nation we remember the sacrifice of those who fought for freedom in 1776, and those who have fought to preserve that freedom ever since.

There are approximately 150,000 brave American men and women serving in Iraq , more than 24,000 in Afghanistan , and tens of thousands more serving around the world. Each of us owes all of them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

More than 3,987 American troops have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They died serving their country, and they are heroes. My wife Barbara and I send our thoughts and our prayers to the families and loved ones of those who have fallen, and we ask all of you to remember and honor them, and never forget what they have sacrificed on behalf of this nation.

This is a day not for partisan politics, but for grateful remembrance and joyous celebration. A day of optimism and hope. A day to remember that we live in the greatest nation on earth, where our best days are still ahead of us. A day to celebrate our freedom, but also to remember that freedom comes at a cost.

God bless you, and God Bless the United States of America .
Dear Friends,

The decisions you make in the next few hours can truly influence who wins the White House in 2008.

We've got 8 hours before the crucial second quarter FEC fundraising deadline. Can you help keep our momentum alive by making a contribution now?

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If you've been waiting to see if this campaign is going to take off, now is the time to act. Right now is when your contribution can make the biggest difference.

Governor Richardson's poll numbers are skyrocketing. Now is the time to capitalize on this momentum with a fundraising haul that will really make the media sit up and pay attention. If we put enough $25 and $50 donations together before Saturday's midnight fundraising deadline, we can shake up this entire race.

The clock is ticking -- we need your help now to meet our goal and keep the momentum going.

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Thank you,
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