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Democratic Governor (NM); Secretary of Commerce-Designee |
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Bill Richardson
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![](../../Clinton_Cabinet.jpg) Clinton Cabinet members actions and issues
![](../../2016_Hopefuls.jpg) Sunday Political Talk Show interviews throughout 2013-2015
![](../../2012_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../Legis_NM.jpg) New Mexico state legislative records
![](../../Game_Change.jpg) Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
![](../../2010_State.jpg) 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
![](../../Obamanomics_Carney.jpg) Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You, by Timothy P. Carney
![](../../2009_Gov_Web.jpg) Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009
![](../../Battle_2008.jpg) The Battle for America 2008, by Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson
![](../../Unite_Conquer.jpg) Unite and Conquer, by Kyrsten Sinema
![](../../2009_State.jpg) 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches
![](../../2008_Meet_the_Press.jpg) Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series, with Tim Russert
![](../../2008_Late_Edition.jpg) CNN Late Edition, throughout 2008
![](../../2008_Dems_Facebook.jpg) 2008 Democratic primary debate, sponsored by Facebook, Jan. 5, 2008
![](../../2007_Exec_Power.jpg) Boston Globe questionnaire on Executive Power
![](../../2007_Dems_DMR.jpg) 2007 Democrats debate sponsored by Des Moines Register, Dec. 13, 2007
![](../../2007_Dems_Brown_Black.jpg) 2007 Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum, Dec. 1, 2007
![](../../Contenders_2008.jpg) The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.
![](../../2007_Dems_Las_Vegas.jpg) 2007 Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas
![](../../Leading_by_Example.jpg) Leading by Example, by Bill Richardson
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_Dartmouth.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
![](../../2007_Dem_Drexel.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Drexel University
![](../../2007_Univision_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate, broadcast in Spanish
![](../../2007_Dems_Mashup.jpg) Democratic Mash-Up: 2007 on-line debate sponsored by the Huffington Post, Slate.com, and Yahoo.com
![](../../2007_Stephanopoulos_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate hosted by George Stephanopoulos, August 19, 2007
![](../../2007_HRC_LOGO.jpg) 2007 HRC-LOGO debate on GLBT issues (all Republicans invited but only Democrats accepted)
![](../../2007_AFL-CIO_Dems.jpg) 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum
![](../../2007_YouTube_Dems.jpg) YouTube Democratic Primary Debate, July 23, 2007
![](../../2007_NAACP_Primary.jpg) 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum
![](../../TBA_2007.jpg) Take Back America 2007 Conference
![](../../2007_Dems_Howard_U.jpg) 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University, June 28, 2007
![](../../2007_Dem_St_Anselm.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at St. Anselm College, Manchester N.H., June 3, 2007
![](../../MoveOn_Town_Hall_2007.jpg) Virtual Town Hall on Iraq, sponsored by MoveOn.org
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_SC.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate in South Carolina, sponsored by MSNBC
![](../../2007_SEIU_Las_Vegas.jpg) SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas
![](../../2007_IAFF.jpg) IAFF Presidential Forum in Washington DC
![](../../2007_Dem_AFSCME_NV.jpg) 2007 AFSCME Democratic primary debate in Carson City Nevada
![](../../2007_Late_Edition.jpg) CNN Late Edition, throughout 2007
![](../../2007_Fox_News_Sunday.jpg) Fox News Sunday, throughout 2007
![](../../2007_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates
![](../../2007_AdWatch.jpg) Analysis of 2001-2009 campaign ads
![](../../Between_Worlds.jpg) Between Worlds, by Bill Richardson
![](../../2004_State.jpg) 2004 Governor's State of the State speeches
![](../../1998_NPAT.jpg) 1994-8 National Political Awareness Test
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![](../images/spacer.gif)
Bill Richardson on Abortion
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Click here for 4 full quotes on Abortion
OR other political leaders on Abortion.
- Stem cell research as part of preventive healthcare. (Jul 2007)
- Supreme Court model cannot be justice who dissented on Roe. (May 2007)
- Resist any effort to weaken a woman’s right to choose. (Oct 2002)
- Protect the reproductive rights of women. (Jan 1993)
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Bill Richardson on Budget & Economy
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Click here for 9 full quotes on Budget & Economy
OR other political leaders on Budget & Economy.
- Hiring freeze & 7% budget cut in state agencies. (Jan 2010)
- Balanced 5 state budgets; priority to balance federal budget. (Dec 2007)
- Supports restricted Constitutional balanced budget amendment. (Dec 2007)
- Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them. (Dec 2007)
- Balanced Budget Amendment to address $9 trillion debt. (Dec 2007)
- Constitutionally require balanced budget & fiscal discipline. (Sep 2007)
- Mortgage industry needs more liquidity & more transparency. (Aug 2007)
- Grow the trade link to Mexico and attract Hollywood business. (Jan 2004)
- Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Civil Rights
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Click here for 17 full quotes on Civil Rights
OR other political leaders on Civil Rights.
- Extend Domestic Partnership rights as anti-discrimination. (Jan 2010)
- Won’t accept honorary chair of Boy Scouts due to gay issue. (Sep 2007)
- Focus on achievable civil unions as a path to full inclusion. (Aug 2007)
- Voted for DOMA, but now regrets vote; repeal it. (Aug 2007)
- Included transgender in hate-crimes law. (Aug 2007)
- Apologizes for “maricon” comment; but look at the record. (Aug 2007)
- The country isn’t there yet on gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
- Homosexuality is a choice, but it’s not an issue of science. (Aug 2007)
- Full civil unions with full marriage rights. (Jul 2007)
- Diversity isn’t just talking points; it’s facts of life. (Jun 2007)
- For hate crimes law, domestic partnerships, civil unions. (Jun 2007)
- Let gay and lesbian servicemembers serve openly. (Jan 2007)
- Added sexual orientation & gender identity as NM civil right. (Jan 2007)
- Defeated DOMA in NM by tying it to civil union legislation. (Jan 2007)
- Voted for federal Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. (Jan 2007)
- New Mexico is first “majority minority” state. (Nov 2005)
- Supports minority preferences for government contracts. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Corporations
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Click here for 5 full quotes on Corporations
OR other political leaders on Corporations.
- Eliminate $73 billion in corporate welfare. (Dec 2007)
- Resigned from Peregrine Systems amid 2002 financial collapse. (Nov 2007)
- Government is needed to keep markets competitive. (Oct 2007)
- Corporate role is profit, not protecting national interests. (Oct 2007)
- Reward companies that pay over the prevailing wage. (Jun 2007)
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Bill Richardson on Crime
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Click here for 9 full quotes on Crime
OR other political leaders on Crime.
- Pushed “Marissa’s Law”--tougher penalties for sex predators. (Nov 2005)
- Toughened DWI and sex offender laws. (Jan 2004)
- Domestic violence incidents start with drinking. (Jan 2004)
- Mandatory jail time, especially for repeat offenders. (Oct 2002)
- Supports death penalty: zero tolerance for heinous crimes. (Oct 2002)
- Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals. (Nov 1996)
- Voted NO on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals. (Mar 1996)
- Voted YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
- Voted NO on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
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Bill Richardson on Drugs
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Click here for 8 full quotes on Drugs
OR other political leaders on Drugs.
- Supports national ban on smoking in public places. (Sep 2007)
- Keep drinking age at 21; enforce but also rehab. (Sep 2007)
- Treatment & education over enforcement & incarceration. (Mar 2007)
- Pushed “War on DWI”--you drink, you drive, you lose. (Nov 2005)
- Crack down on illegal drug labs. (Jan 2004)
- No legalization: drugs play an insidious role in crime. (Oct 2002)
- Drug Courts and treatment instead of incarceration. (Oct 2002)
- Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Education
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Click here for 25 full quotes on Education
OR other political leaders on Education.
- FactCheck: NM teacher salary only moved from 44th to 36th. (Dec 2007)
- FactCheck: NM test scores have not made “enormous progress”. (Dec 2007)
- Make education a top priority and scrap No Child Left Behind. (Dec 2007)
- $60 billion plan to make American education #1 in world. (Dec 2007)
- Create science and math academies with 100,000 new teachers. (Nov 2007)
- Commit to extending school day and/or the school year. (Oct 2007)
- Start earlier with preschool for every child under 4. (Sep 2007)
- Pay off college loans in exchange for national service. (Sep 2007)
- Minimum wage for our teachers: $40,000 per year. (Aug 2007)
- One-point plan on No Child Left Behind: Scrap it. (Aug 2007)
- Scrap No Child Left Behind; it doesn’t work. (Jul 2007)
- Help failing schools; don’t penalize by defunding them. (Jul 2007)
- Minimum wage of $40,000 for teachers. (Jul 2007)
- Supreme Court backstabbed equality of Brown v. Board of Ed. (Jul 2007)
- Nobody asks how we pay for war; why do we ask on education? (Jun 2007)
- Eliminate junk food in schools; statewide smoking ban. (Mar 2007)
- Equip every 7th grader with a laptop computer. (Jan 2004)
- Increase the salary of school teachers. (Jan 2004)
- A plan that can reach straightforward education goals. (Jan 2004)
- Charter schools show tremendous promise. (Jan 2004)
- Expand the lottery scholarship program for college students. (Jan 2004)
- No vouchers: they abandon public schools. (Oct 2002)
- Provide parents with vouchers, even for religious schools. (Nov 1996)
- Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
- Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible. (Jan 1993)
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Bill Richardson on Energy & Oil
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Click here for 36 full quotes on Energy & Oil
OR other political leaders on Energy & Oil.
- Green Jobs Cabinet: lead renewable energy export. (Jan 2010)
- Start carbon trading in 11-state Western Climate region. (Jan 2009)
- About time we got Saudis to increase production. (Jun 2008)
- Windfall profit tax to shift obscene profits from Exxon. (Jun 2008)
- New oil refineries and nuclear plants ok, if done right. (Jun 2008)
- FactCheck: No, NH gas prices are not highest ever. (Jan 2008)
- FactCheck: Reducing GHGs by 90% costs households $800/yr. (Dec 2007)
- 30% renewable sources in our electricity by 2020. (Dec 2007)
- Recommends 90% GHG reduction to IPCC. (Nov 2007)
- Served on boards of three large oil companies. (Nov 2007)
- Need an energy revolution in the US. (Oct 2007)
- Supernova of clean energy policy in New Mexico. (Oct 2007)
- 2020 Vision: An energy revolution in 5 simple steps. (Oct 2007)
- States have addressed global warming; now feds should too. (Oct 2007)
- Hydrogen cars only in 30 years; need plug-ins & hybrids now. (Oct 2007)
- Opposes gas tax: it burdens everyday people. (Oct 2007)
- Regulated utilities can profit by “selling efficiency”. (Oct 2007)
- Iran & Russia are exploring natural gas control like OPEC. (Oct 2007)
- Energy incentives are just anti-government ideology. (Oct 2007)
- Climate change cynics don’t consider cost of inaction. (Oct 2007)
- 50-mpg cars by 2020 even if it costs $6000 per car. (Oct 2007)
- Carbon auction: use market to make emitter pay for emissions. (Oct 2007)
- Bush won’t follow the Kyoto treaty, but my state does. (Jun 2007)
- Buying carbon offsets not enough; sacrifice for common good. (Jun 2007)
- Claimed too early that secrets were safe at nuclear labs. (May 2007)
- Supports nuclear energy, but not waste storage at Yucca Mt. (May 2007)
- Cap-and-trade CO2 emissions, including 50-mpg cars by 2020. (May 2007)
- Sacrifice for Apollo-like program for renewable fuel. (Apr 2007)
- Mandatory emissions reductions to make US energy-independent. (Feb 2007)
- 50 mpg efficiency and 30% renewable electricity. (Jan 2006)
- Oppose carbon tax, favor a cap-and-trade system. (Jan 2006)
- Oversaw Dept. of Energy during nuclear lab security breach. (Nov 2005)
- Tapped Strategic Oil Reserve to pierce bubble in oil prices. (Nov 2005)
- $6M for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. (Jan 2004)
- Develop alternative energy, including wind & solar. (Oct 2002)
- Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
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Bill Richardson on Environment
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Click here for 9 full quotes on Environment
OR other political leaders on Environment.
- Green Jobs Cabinet: build aggressive clean energy strategy. (Jan 2009)
- Invest in bike lanes & commuter bike facilities. (Oct 2007)
- Lack of Katrina response by our government was inexcusable. (Jul 2007)
- Katrina response “disgraceful”; reform FEMA & insurance. (Jun 2007)
- Require renewable technologies and ask for conservation. (Jun 2007)
- Expand and create new state parks. (Jan 2004)
- Develop a comprehensive water management plan. (Jan 2004)
- Regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act. (Oct 1993)
- Declare a forest health emergency on federal lands. (Jan 1993)
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Bill Richardson on Foreign Policy
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Click here for 29 full quotes on Foreign Policy
OR other political leaders on Foreign Policy.
- Nominated for five Nobel Peace Prizes. (Jul 2009)
- 1996: Negotiated release of Red Cross hostages in Sudan. (Jul 2009)
- 1996: Negotiated release of American hostages in Cuba. (Jul 2009)
- Al Qaida gets stronger while Musharraf governs Pakistan. (Jan 2008)
- Set conditions on foreign aid assistance to Musharraf. (Nov 2007)
- Make $10B in aid to Pakistan conditional on democracy. (Nov 2007)
- No conditions on aid to Pakistan, but push for democracy. (Nov 2007)
- 2001-2: Worked on energy strategy for Kissinger Association. (Nov 2007)
- At UN,embraced Clinton’s vision of international cooperation. (Oct 2007)
- US can inspire world with sacrifice instead of arrogance. (Oct 2007)
- US is isolated; need vision to rejoin world. (Oct 2007)
- Jaw-boning is a non-military way to get things done. (Oct 2007)
- Alliance with Latin America on microlending & human needs. (Sep 2007)
- Be tougher on China; it’s a strategic competitor. (Aug 2007)
- UN troops in Darfur, & UN-enforced no-fly zone. (Jul 2007)
- We always forget about Africa; I will care. (Jul 2007)
- Pressure China & Europe to enforce no-fly zone in Darfur. (Jun 2007)
- Talking to your enemies can produce results, like N. Korea. (Jun 2007)
- Israel is less safe with Bush’s policies. (Jun 2007)
- Strategic interests in Russia: loose nukes & Chechnya. (Apr 2007)
- Being stubborn isn’t a foreign policy--diplomacy is. (Apr 2007)
- Re-evaluate embargo for post-Castro Cuba. (Apr 2007)
- Bad guys like Richardson; he can make peace with enemies. (Feb 2007)
- Ask Musharraf to step aside as Pakistan’s ruler. (Jan 2006)
- When negotiating, focus on goals, not locale or format. (Nov 2005)
- First to visit Aung San Suu Kyi under Burmese house arrest. (Nov 2005)
- Negotiated with Castro to halve fee to emigrate from Cuba. (Nov 2005)
- Clinton administration negotiated North Korea nuclear freeze. (Feb 2005)
- US military force only when US territory attacked. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Free Trade
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Click here for 10 full quotes on Free Trade
OR other political leaders on Free Trade.
- Ban contaminated toys and food from China. (Dec 2007)
- No such thing as completely free market; so regulate. (Oct 2007)
- Communism is teaming up with corporations to open up China. (Oct 2007)
- Enforce labor & environmental standards & job safety. (Aug 2007)
- Fair trade includes no slave labor & no child labor. (Jun 2007)
- We need fair trade, not just unabashed free trade. (Feb 2007)
- NAFTA critically important for US as well as Mexico. (Nov 2005)
- Expand regional trade with Chihuahua. (Oct 2002)
- Supports NAFTA, GATT, & WTO. (Nov 1996)
- Declined state commitment to CAFTA. (Aug 2005)
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Bill Richardson on Government Reform
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Click here for 11 full quotes on Government Reform
OR other political leaders on Government Reform.
- Whistleblower protections, & ban corporate donations. (Jan 2010)
- Focus on Iraq, energy reform, and restoring the Constitution. (Dec 2007)
- Use regulated free market for food, drugs, land, & energy. (Oct 2007)
- Same-day registration to increase voter participation. (Jul 2007)
- FactCheck: 28 states have verified paper trails, not just 10. (Jul 2007)
- When all minorities can vote, Democrats win. (Jul 2007)
- Delayed call for Gonzales to resign until failed testimony. (Apr 2007)
- Instituted all-paper ballots for all N.M. elections. (Nov 2006)
- Focus on eliminating waste and fraud from public spending. (Jan 2004)
- Prohibit PAC contributions; restrict campaign spending. (Nov 1996)
- Supports line-item veto. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Gun Control
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Click here for 8 full quotes on Gun Control
OR other political leaders on Gun Control.
- 1993: Opposed Brady Bill in Congress. (Nov 2007)
- No guns for mentally ill or those with criminal background. (Jul 2007)
- Attack poverty at the core of gun violence. (Jul 2007)
- Assault weapons ban did not work; despite his vote for ban. (May 2007)
- Endorsed by NRA for governor; would accept endorsement again. (May 2007)
- The 2nd Amendment is precious. (Apr 2007)
- Endorsed by NRA; has his own concealed carry permit. (Oct 2006)
- We should ally with pro-gun recreationists in West. (Apr 2005)
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Bill Richardson on Health Care
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Click here for 25 full quotes on Health Care
OR other political leaders on Health Care.
- ObamaCare will be crowning achievement once we get it done. (Aug 2013)
- 2007: Pushed for New Mexico universal health insurance. (Nov 2009)
- FactCheck: Between 7% and 31% of costs are administrative. (Dec 2007)
- Universal health care is a right for every American. (Dec 2007)
- Give students incentives to become health professionals. (Oct 2007)
- Universal health care, no matter who you are. (Sep 2007)
- New healthcare system in one year, with no new bureaucracies. (Sep 2007)
- Cover undocumented workers under health plan. (Jul 2007)
- FactCheck: Correct that 33% of Medicare is diabetes. (Jul 2007)
- Fund fight on HIV/AIDS both nationally and internationally. (Jun 2007)
- FactCheck: AIDS rate in Africa is 5.8%, not 20% as claimed. (Jun 2007)
- NM plan: mandatory; prevention-based; choose your own plan. (Jun 2007)
- Focus on preventive healthcare without raising taxes. (Apr 2007)
- All Americans need same coverage as members of Congress. (Mar 2007)
- State flexibility creates universal coverage without taxes. (Feb 2007)
- Shift Medicaid costs back from states to federal. (Nov 2005)
- Secure lower prescription drug costs for seniors. (Jan 2004)
- Focus on raising childhood immunization rates. (Jan 2004)
- Increase access to affordable health care. (Jan 2004)
- Consolidate mental health and substance abuse therapy needs. (Jan 2004)
- Restrain Medicaid costs and maintain benefits. (Jan 2004)
- Affordable access to healthcare for all New Mexicans. (Oct 2002)
- New Mexico Cares: invest in our health. (Oct 2002)
- Supports managed competition & medical savings accounts. (Nov 1996)
- Adopt national health reform legislation before the end of the year. (Oct 2009)
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Bill Richardson on Homeland Security
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Click here for 24 full quotes on Homeland Security
OR other political leaders on Homeland Security.
- Habeas corpus may not be suspended in war on terror. (Dec 2007)
- 2 years of college tuition for 1 year of national service. (Dec 2007)
- Human rights can be more important than national security. (Nov 2007)
- Qaeda targets oil infrastructure until we wean ourselves off. (Oct 2007)
- Ignoring Nuclear Test Ban creates world distrust. (Oct 2007)
- I will restore habeas corpus and the rule of law. (Sep 2007)
- Maintain Geneva Conventions; keep restrictions on torture. (Sep 2007)
- Rescind authority to eavesdrop without court order. (Sep 2007)
- No first use of nukes; but keep options on table. (Aug 2007)
- Voted against don’t-ask-don’t-tell; get rid of it now. (Aug 2007)
- Focus on international terrorism & fissionable material. (Aug 2007)
- Provide veterans with health care anywhere they want. (Jun 2007)
- Hero’s health card gives veterans access anywhere, anytime. (Mar 2007)
- Reorder priorities: shift $400B from war to human needs. (Mar 2007)
- We should not be known for Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. (Feb 2007)
- Convince Muslims by closing Guantanamo & stopping renditions. (Feb 2007)
- Seek immediate negotiations with the Soviet Union on nuclear. (Jan 2006)
- 9/11 shifted world focus from nukes to terrorism. (Nov 2005)
- Negotiated for 1994 release of pilots downed in North Korea. (Feb 2005)
- Negotiated for 1995 release of US workers arrested in Iraq. (Feb 2005)
- Spend $250K annually to fight base closures. (Oct 2002)
- Homeland Security Department at federal AND state level. (Oct 2002)
- Eliminate funding for SDI. (Nov 1996)
- Establish a Women's Bureau in Dept. of Veterans Affairs. (Aug 1993)
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Bill Richardson on Immigration
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Click here for 23 full quotes on Immigration
OR other political leaders on Immigration.
- Lived in Mexico (as American citizen) until age 13. (Dec 2018)
- Allowed giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
- Driver’s license for illegals helps public safety. (Nov 2007)
- Declared state of emergency in NM’s four border counties. (Nov 2007)
- We pay for immigrant healthcare; have them pay into system. (Sep 2007)
- Increase H-1B visas to permit more skilled workers. (Sep 2007)
- Border wall is horrendous example of misguided policy. (Sep 2007)
- Federal raids are ineffective; we dehumanize immigrants. (Sep 2007)
- Sanctuary cities ok until we have comprehensive policy. (Sep 2007)
- Include same-sex couples in binational marriage sponsorship. (Aug 2007)
- Comprehensive reform needed; but McCain-Kennedy bill flawed. (Jun 2007)
- McCain-Kennedy bill is not amnesty; it has strong standards. (Jun 2007)
- A wall on Mexican border is not America. (Jun 2007)
- A wall divides families and doesn’t solve the problem. (Jun 2007)
- The 2007 immigration bill is not an amnesty bill. (Jun 2007)
- Opposes compromise immigration bill: it tears apart families. (May 2007)
- Border fence hasn’t worked; border patrols & tech have. (May 2007)
- Driver’s licenses & scholarships for illegals; not amnesty. (May 2007)
- Legalization plan, not this stupid wall being proposed. (Mar 2007)
- Declared state of emergency on Mexican border. (Nov 2006)
- Path to legalization if illegals pay taxes & learn English. (Nov 2006)
- Reduce immigration; no automatic citizenship for kids. (Nov 1996)
- Guarantee human services to illegal immigrants. (Nov 1996)
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Bill Richardson on Jobs
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Click here for 9 full quotes on Jobs
OR other political leaders on Jobs.
- AdWatch: Over 80,000 new jobs; NM 6th in nation. (Aug 2007)
- FactCheck: NM gained 68,100 new jobs, not 80,000 as claimed. (Aug 2007)
- FactCheck: NM ranks 17th in job growth; not 6th, as claimed. (Aug 2007)
- Focus our farm policy on renewable fuels. (Aug 2007)
- Would accept minimum wage as president. (Jul 2007)
- Tax credit for creating jobs paying over the prevailing wage. (Mar 2007)
- Increase the minimum wage to $7.50. (Mar 2007)
- Film industry initiatives create jobs. (Jan 2004)
- Increase small business access to credit. (May 2010)
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Bill Richardson on Principles & Values
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Click here for 22 full quotes on Principles & Values
OR other political leaders on Principles & Values.
- Served 7 full terms in Congress in 1980s and 1990s. (Dec 2018)
- 2008: Appointed by Clinton, but endorsed Obama. (Jan 2010)
- Withdrew nomination under scandal from $1.5M donations. (Nov 2009)
- Endorsed Obama despite intense pressure from Bill Clinton. (Aug 2009)
- Giuliani left Iraq Study Group; uninterested in war deaths. (Nov 2007)
- Predicts a win in New Hampshire primary. (Nov 2007)
- Well-off childhood in Mexico as son of Citibank executive. (Nov 2007)
- Lead by example by climate negotiations with the world. (Oct 2007)
- The New Realism: end policy based on unilateralist illusions. (Oct 2007)
- Would not leave NM governorship to be vice president. (Sep 2007)
- With me, you get both change AND experience. (Aug 2007)
- My sense of social justice comes from being a Roman Catholic. (Aug 2007)
- Decisive political moment: wife agreeing to marry him. (Aug 2007)
- I have the most experience and I represent change. (Aug 2007)
- Running on resume & record, to be president of middle class. (May 2007)
- Offered MLB contract, but mistakenly called that drafted. (May 2007)
- Biggest mistake is impatience, like pushing minimum wage. (Apr 2007)
- I can bring people together. (Apr 2007)
- Pledges to not engage in negative campaigning on Dems. (Feb 2007)
- Richardson’s Rules for negotiating. (Nov 2005)
- New Progressivism: combine opportunity with accountability. (Nov 2005)
- In Guinness Book of World Records for most handshakes. (Nov 2005)
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Bill Richardson on Tax Reform
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Click here for 7 full quotes on Tax Reform
OR other political leaders on Tax Reform.
- Any tax increase must expire in 3 years or less. (Jan 2010)
- End unfair & unequal tax structure for wealthiest 2%. (Dec 2007)
- Replace Bush tax cuts with cuts for middle class. (Jun 2007)
- Cut NM capital gains tax & income tax from 8.2% to 4.9%. (Nov 2005)
- Continue to cut taxes and reform the tax code. (Jan 2004)
- Reduce income tax; create Taxpayer Bill of Rights. (Oct 2002)
- $12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants. (Jan 2008)
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Bill Richardson on Technology
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Click here for 8 full quotes on Technology
OR other political leaders on Technology.
- Launched Spaceport America; signed Virgin Galactic as tenant. (Jan 2009)
- Doesn’t believe in UFOs, but wants more info on Roswell. (Nov 2007)
- Nurture & invest in science and technology. (Oct 2007)
- Subsidize inter-city rail--it works in New Mexico. (Oct 2007)
- Partner on rail & smart growth; no privatized toll roads. (Aug 2007)
- 250 science & math academies to limit technical outsourcing. (Jun 2007)
- Pushed R&D tax credit--3 year tax holiday for high tech. (Nov 2005)
- Allocate capital to education and water projects. (Jan 2004)
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Bill Richardson on War & Peace
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Click here for 38 full quotes on War & Peace
OR 4 older headlines
OR other political leaders on War & Peace.
- Surge failing politically, even if reducing violence. (Jun 2008)
- Only Congress has authority to declare war on Iran. (Dec 2007)
- Pledge that Iran will not develop a nuclear bomb. (Oct 2007)
- Negotiate with Iran without any conditions. (Oct 2007)
- UN pressure in 1997 kept Saddam from restarting nuke program. (Oct 2007)
- Multilateral security with Iran; instead of saber-rattling. (Oct 2007)
- Leaving some troops is just changing mission, not ending war. (Sep 2007)
- When US exits, Iraqi insurgents will fight terrorists. (Aug 2007)
- African-American community has disproportionate war pain. (Jul 2007)
- Sanctions would work on Iran. (Jun 2007)
- Open an ideological front in the war against Jihadism. (Feb 2007)
- Get bin Laden in Pakistan unilaterally, if Pakistan can’t. (Jan 2006)
- We have an opportunity to get Musharraf to step aide. (Jan 2006)
- Negotiated with Taliban in 1998 to extradite Osama bin Laden. (Nov 2005)
- Move troops to Afghanistan to fight al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
Iraq War
- Donor conference: get EU & Arabs to pay for reconstruction. (Nov 2007)
- The surge is not working; Petraeus just being team player. (Sep 2007)
- Iraqi situation is about to implode; withdraw all troops. (Sep 2007)
- Tri-partite entity within Iraq; reconcile three groups. (Aug 2007)
- Move out troops, through Turkey & Kuwait, in 6-8 months. (Aug 2007)
- Withdrawing from Iraq lets real peace & reconciliation begin. (Aug 2007)
- Iraq has become an endless quagmire. (Jul 2007)
- Long road ahead is hauntingly similar to 1968. (Jun 2007)
- No troops left behind at bases; green zone; or for training. (Jun 2007)
- No long-term Korea-like presence in Iraq. (Jun 2007)
- Obsession with Iraq makes us more vulnerable to al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
- Deauthorize the war; original resolution no longer operative. (May 2007)
- Iraq now in civil war, & US troops are nothing but a target. (May 2007)
- Time for Iraqis to take over their own security. (May 2007)
- Supporting war initially was a mistake. (May 2007)
- Stop funding for Iraq war-it is a disaster and must end. (Apr 2007)
- Withdraw US troops by end of 2007, with no residual force. (Apr 2007)
- Iraq policy is a massive failure; Iraq is in civil war. (Apr 2007)
- Congress should de-fund and de-authorize the war. (Apr 2007)
- Congress authorized this war; now de-authorize it. (Feb 2007)
- Find ways to withdraw from Iraq, but with diplomacy. (Feb 2007)
- Iraq was single biggest issue as Clinton’s UN ambassador. (Nov 2005)
- Voted against Kuwait war but later regretted it. (Feb 2005)
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VoteMatch Responses
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VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background) |
Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation) |
Strongly Favors
topic 1:Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Stem cell research as part of preventive healthcare: Favors topic 1 Supreme Court model cannot be justice who dissented on Roe: Strongly Favors topic 1 Resist any effort to weaken a woman’s right to choose: Strongly Favors topic 1 Protect the reproductive rights of women: Strongly Favors topic 1 |
Strongly Favors
topic 2:Legally require hiring women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Diversity isn’t just talking points; it’s facts of life: Favors topic 2 New Mexico is first “majority minority” state: Favors topic 2 Supports minority preferences for government contracts: Strongly Favors topic 2 Establish a Women's Bureau in Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Favors topic 2 |
Strongly Favors
topic 3:Comfortable with same-sex marriage
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Extend Domestic Partnership rights as anti-discrimination: Favors topic 3 Focus on achievable civil unions as a path to full inclusion: Favors topic 3 Voted for DOMA, but now regrets vote; repeal it: Strongly Favors topic 3 Homosexuality is a choice, but it’s not an issue of science: Opposes topic 3 Full civil unions with full marriage rights: Strongly Favors topic 3 For hate crimes law, domestic partnerships, civil unions: Strongly Favors topic 3 Let gay and lesbian servicemembers serve openly: Strongly Favors topic 3 Added sexual orientation & gender identity as NM civil right: Strongly Favors topic 3 Defeated DOMA in NM by tying it to civil union legislation: Favors topic 3 Voted for federal Defense of Marriage Act in 1996: Opposes topic 3 |
Opposes
topic 4:Keep God in the public sphere
(+2 points on Social scale)
| Increase tax deduction for charities: Favors topic 4 NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer: Strongly Opposes topic 4 |
Strongly Favors
topic 5:Expand ObamaCare
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| ObamaCare will be crowning achievement once we get it done: Favors topic 5 New healthcare system in one year, with no new bureaucracies: Favors topic 5 Shift Medicaid costs back from states to federal: Strongly Favors topic 5 Affordable access to healthcare for all New Mexicans: Strongly Favors topic 5 New Mexico Cares: invest in our health: Strongly Favors topic 5 Supports managed competition & medical savings accounts: Opposes topic 5 Adopt national health reform legislation before the end of the year: Strongly Favors topic 5 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 6:Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Stop talking about privatization; stop raiding trust fund: Strongly Opposes topic 6 Focus budget reform like Soc. Sec., avoiding future burden: Opposes topic 6 |
Opposes
topic 7:Vouchers for school choice
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| Make education a top priority and scrap No Child Left Behind: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Scrap No Child Left Behind; it doesn’t work: Opposes topic 7 Help failing schools; don’t penalize by defunding them: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Charter schools show tremendous promise: Favors topic 7 No vouchers: they abandon public schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Provide parents with vouchers, even for religious schools: Strongly Favors topic 7 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 8:Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Green Jobs Cabinet: build aggressive clean energy strategy: Opposes topic 8 Climate change cynics don’t consider cost of inaction: Opposes topic 8 Invest in bike lanes & commuter bike facilities: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Buying carbon offsets not enough; sacrifice for common good: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Require renewable technologies and ask for conservation: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Expand and create new state parks: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Develop a comprehensive water management plan: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act: Strongly Opposes topic 8 |
Strongly Favors
topic 9:Stricter punishment reduces crime
(-5 points on Social scale)
| Mandatory jail time, especially for repeat offenders: Favors topic 9 Supports death penalty: zero tolerance for heinous crimes: Favors topic 9 Impose “truth in sentencing” for violent criminals: Strongly Favors topic 9 NO on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment: Strongly Favors topic 9 YES on making federal death penalty appeals harder: Strongly Favors topic 9 NO on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals: Favors topic 9 |
Favors
topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership
(+2 points on Economic scale)
| No guns for mentally ill or those with criminal background: Opposes topic 10 Assault weapons ban did not work; despite his vote for ban: Favors topic 10 The 2nd Amendment is precious: Strongly Favors topic 10 Endorsed by NRA; has his own concealed carry permit: Strongly Favors topic 10 We should ally with pro-gun recreationists in West: Favors topic 10 |
Favors
topic 11:Higher taxes on the wealthy
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| End unfair & unequal tax structure for wealthiest 2%: Strongly Favors topic 11 Replace Bush tax cuts with cuts for middle class: Strongly Favors topic 11 Cut NM capital gains tax & income tax from 8.2% to 4.9%: Opposes topic 11 Continue to cut taxes and reform the tax code: Opposes topic 11 Reduce income tax; create Taxpayer Bill of Rights: Opposes topic 11 Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible: Favors topic 11 $12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants: Favors topic 11 |
Favors
topic 12:Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
(+2 points on Social scale)
| Allowed giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants: Favors topic 12 Border wall is horrendous example of misguided policy: Strongly Favors topic 12 Federal raids are ineffective; we dehumanize immigrants: Strongly Favors topic 12 McCain-Kennedy bill is not amnesty; it has strong standards: Strongly Favors topic 12 The 2007 immigration bill is not an amnesty bill: Favors topic 12 Opposes compromise immigration bill: it tears apart families: Strongly Favors topic 12 Declared state of emergency on Mexican border: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Path to legalization if illegals pay taxes & learn English: Favors topic 12 Reduce immigration; no automatic citizenship for kids: Strongly Opposes topic 12 Guarantee human services to illegal immigrants: Favors topic 12 |
Opposes
topic 13:Support & expand free trade
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| Government is needed to keep markets competitive: Strongly Opposes topic 13 No such thing as completely free market; so regulate: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Enforce labor & environmental standards & job safety: Strongly Opposes topic 13 We need fair trade, not just unabashed free trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13 NAFTA critically important for US as well as Mexico: Strongly Favors topic 13 Expand regional trade with Chihuahua: Strongly Favors topic 13 Supports NAFTA, GATT, & WTO: Strongly Favors topic 13 Declined state commitment to CAFTA: Opposes topic 13 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 14:Support American Exceptionalism
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| US is isolated; need vision to rejoin world: Strongly Opposes topic 14 UN pressure in 1997 kept Saddam from restarting nuke program: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Maintain Geneva Conventions; keep restrictions on torture: Opposes topic 14 UN troops in Darfur, & UN-enforced no-fly zone: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Being stubborn isn’t a foreign policy--diplomacy is: Strongly Opposes topic 14 |
Favors
topic 15:Expand the military
(-3 points on Social scale)
| Spend $250K annually to fight base closures: Strongly Favors topic 15 Homeland Security Department at federal AND state level: Strongly Favors topic 15 Eliminate funding for SDI: Strongly Opposes topic 15 |
Favors
topic 16:Make voter registration easier
(+2 points on Social scale)
| Whistleblower protections, & ban corporate donations: No opin. on topic 16 Instituted all-paper ballots for all N.M. elections: Favors topic 16 Prohibit PAC contributions; restrict campaign spending: Strongly Favors topic 16 |
Strongly Favors
topic 17:Avoid foreign entanglements
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Surge failing politically, even if reducing violence: Strongly Favors topic 17 US military force only when US territory attacked: Favors topic 17 Withdrawing from Iraq lets real peace & reconciliation begin: Strongly Favors topic 17 Stop funding for Iraq war-it is a disaster and must end: Strongly Favors topic 17 |
Strongly Favors
topic 18:Prioritize green energy
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Green Jobs Cabinet: lead renewable energy export: Strongly Favors topic 18 About time we got Saudis to increase production: Opposes topic 18 Windfall profit tax to shift obscene profits from Exxon: Strongly Favors topic 18 New oil refineries and nuclear plants ok, if done right: Strongly Opposes topic 18 30% renewable sources in our electricity by 2020: Strongly Favors topic 18 Recommends 90% GHG reduction to IPCC: Strongly Favors topic 18 Invest in bike lanes & commuter bike facilities: Strongly Favors topic 18 Bush won’t follow the Kyoto treaty, but my state does: Strongly Favors topic 18 Sacrifice for Apollo-like program for renewable fuel: Strongly Favors topic 18 50 mpg efficiency and 30% renewable electricity: Strongly Favors topic 18 Develop alternative energy, including wind & solar: Strongly Favors topic 18 Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025: Strongly Favors topic 18 |
Favors
topic 19:Marijuana is a gateway drug
(-3 points on Social scale)
| Treatment & education over enforcement & incarceration: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Crack down on illegal drug labs: Favors topic 19 No legalization: drugs play an insidious role in crime: Strongly Favors topic 19 Drug Courts and treatment instead of incarceration: Opposes topic 19 Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs: Strongly Favors topic 19 |
Favors
topic 20:Stimulus better than market-led recovery
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| Any tax increase must expire in 3 years or less: Favors topic 20 Balanced 5 state budgets; priority to balance federal budget: Opposes topic 20 Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them: Favors topic 20 Eliminate $73 billion in corporate welfare: Favors topic 20 Constitutionally require balanced budget & fiscal discipline: Opposes topic 20 Increase the minimum wage to $7.50: Strongly Favors topic 20 Supports Balanced Budget Amendment: Opposes topic 20 |
Bill Richardson is a Populist-Leaning Liberal
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