NY Observer > Bill Richardson

Spinning St. Louis: McCain Supporters Loved Palin Performance, Debate Format

Jason Horowitz — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:21:56 -0400

At the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Rudy Giuliani set the tone for Governor Sarah Palin and the sharp, well-delivered attack speech that brought her to national prominence. Then, last night, after a poor stretch for Palin highlighted by embarrassing interview performances, Giuliani was back to confidently herald Palin’s return to form.

“I mean, this was a fabulous performance,” said Giuliani, walking at a two-step-per-minute rate with his wife, Judith, in a frenzied scrum of reporters in the media center at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 2. read more »

Richardson on McCain's Immigration Stance, Part One

Katharine Jose — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:08:49 -0400

In light of Bill Richardson's remarks to USA Today--he said John McCain has "good record on immigration" and noted, "You can't underestimate John McCain with Hispanics"--it's worth looking back at his recent appearance at the Council of Foreign Relations.

During that interview, with C.F.R.'s Garrick Utley, Richardson spoke at length about McCain, immigration and Hispanic voters. He offered praise for the Republican nominee, but also said he thinks McCain is moving in the wrong direction.

Excerpts from the transcript:

And I believe what my candidate, Senator Obama, can bring is the ability to heal, and bring people together and develop coalitions. And I am optimistic that a Republican candidate -- Senator McCain, who also has a good record on immigration, although because of conservative pressures is moving in the wrong direction; that immigration reform could be an issue that is effectively dealt with, comprehensive immigration reform, securing borders, a legalization plan, a stronger relationship with Mexico, because most of these problems are economic; finding ways to -- those that knowingly hire illegal workers be punished, and many other ways to deal with the need for seasoned and educated workers that needs a reform in the legal immigration area. read more »

Carrion Hosts McCain and Obama at Latino Conference

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:07:12 -0400

Adolfo Carrion will host Barack Obama and John McCain at a national conference of Latino elected officials meeting in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 28.

Some Democratic officials, like Representative Nydia Velazquez, have said Obama has a problem connecting with Latino voters, and argued McCain's immigration policy is viewed so positively among Latinos that some may decide to vote Republican.

In a public statement, Carrion, who is president of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, said, "Latino voters are going to play a decisive role in the general election and the community is ready to hear both candidates make their case."

Also attending the four-day event are Bill Richardson, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Richardson Pushes for Holbrooke Inclusion on the Obama Team

Jason Horowitz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:29:10 -0400

Governor Bill Richardson said today that he has spoken with former U.N. Ambassador Dick Holbrooke, a Clinton loyalist, about supporting Barack Obama and said that he will suggest to the Obama campaign that they include Holbrooke on Obama's foreign policy team.

At a Council on Foreign Relations event today, I asked Richardson why he thought Holbrooke's name was missing from the working group on foreign policy that Obama announced and met with today, and whether Holbrooke potentially had a useful role to play as part of such a working group.

"I think he does," said Richardson. "Getting the reintegration of the Clinton people, that will take a little time. read more »

Richardson Defends Free Trade, But Not for Obama, Exactly

Jason Horowitz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:59:52 -0400

Bill Richardson thinks that when it comes to Barack Obama's position on Nafta, an agreement which he calls "a plus, a slight plus, at least for my state," voters should look at Illinois Senator's record.

"He voted for the Peru Free Trade Agreement," said Richardson, who immediately proceeded to make it clear that he was in no way speaking for Obama or his campaign. "You've got to be realistic," he said, and "you've got to deal with globalization."

Richardson said that during his ill-fated candidacy, he became more aware of the antagonism to Nafta in the Midwest, and the anxiety about free trade among the middle class around the country.

"I'm a free-trade Democrat. I'm also an endangered species in the Democratic Party," said Richardson.

Richardson Says It Would Be an 'Honor' to Run With Obama

Jason Horowitz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:19:35 -0400

Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event just now in Manhattan, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico said that being picked as Barack Obama's Vice President would be an "honor."

"Look," said Richardson when asked by a moderator if he would take the job. "How can anyone turn down an honor like that, honestly?"

Richardson said that he loved being an ambassador to the United Nations, energy secretary and governor, but added, "of course, how can you turn something [like that] down?"

He then transitioned into a discussion about immigration policy, the topic for the day's discussion.

UPDATE: He was asked later on what attributes a vice president should have. His answer, in part: “Regional balance -- can you bring votes.” He went on to say, “We’ve ignored the Southwest Hispanic vote.”

He also said, “If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona…he’d be president today.”

Velazquez: Obama Needs Clinton's Latinos

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:03 -0400

Before Hillary Clinton’s speech last night at Baruch College, Representative Nydia Velazquez waded into a thicket of reporters and explained why she thinks Barack Obama should choose Clinton as a running mate. read more »

Richardson Adviser: He Won't Endorse, I'm With Hillary

Choire Sicha — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:20:36 -0500

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will hold a press conference this afternoon at 1 p.m. Mountain Time to officially announce his departure from the Democratic presidential race—but he won't be endorsing another Democratic candidate at this time.

"He wants to make a considered choice," said Martha Burk, his senior adviser for women's issues. read more »

Bill Richardson Not Expected To Endorse Another Candidate Today

Choire Sicha — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:04:19 -0500

"He wants to make a considered choice," said Martha Burk, his senior advisor for women's issues.

Burk, a syndicated columnist and an editor at Ms. magazine, has made an endorsement, however. She said that "I expect I'll be going to work for Hillary Clinton. She is by far, by far, the most qualified candidate viable in the race right now."

Why not John Edwards or Barack Obama? "I would guess if you ask particularly Obama, but Edwards as well, to talk about the nuances of social security or whether we need a caregiver credit or we need paid leave. i doubt they'd have the depth," she said.

"I was so turned off by what Mr. Edwards said after the emotional moment that Mrs. Clinton had: What few female voters he had would have left him at that point. Making cracks about how being commander in chief is tough?" she said. "That was so sexist. Did he ever tear up? I imagine that he has. He's had some very emotional things happen in his life, not least when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. I thought it was a big disservice to Mrs. Clinton when he did it."

O-blammo!

Choire Sicha — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:12:01 -0500

Bill Richardson gave his speech.

"The national media has kinda put the Iraq war aside," he said at the New Hampshire State Democratic Party Dinner. (For the record, he'd like to have the troops home in a year.)

By the time he was wrapping up, railing about how the primary should be settled by the voters, not by the "national media," hundreds of Obama supporters had begun gathering near the stage, chanting and yelling.

Then: an eruption. The majority of the hall that holds the party dinner--the hall, a dome actually, is enormous, by the way--jumped to their feet for Obama. Definitely a minority were sitting.

"In four days you can do what Iowa did last night," he said, to roars. read more »