Bill Richardson in Univision

On Education: Pay off college loans in exchange for national service

A: Of course it would. I’m a strong supporter of bilingual education. This is what I would do as president.

1. Preschool for every child. You have to get the kids before they’re 4.
2. Full-day kindergarten.
3. Science and math. We are behind. We’re 29th in the world in science & math in K through 12.

On Foreign Policy: Alliance with Latin America on microlending & human needs

A: For one, I would pay attention to Latin America if I’m president. This president does not. Number two, we’ve got to fix the immigration issue. That is central not just to Mexico but Central America. Number three, we’ve got to deal with the Cuba issue. What we need there is possibly start lifting the embargo but only after Fidel Castro releases political prisoners and their democratic freedoms. Then I would have a new alliance for progress with Latin America like John F. Kennedy that would improve contacts in renewable energy, and microlending, and human needs. I would try to associate myself, too, with democratic populist movements like that are taking place in Brazil, in Argentina, in Chile, but most importantly recognize that what happens in Latin America is key to America’s future. A kid here in Miami has more contact and more opportunities in Latin America than anywhere else.

On Health Care: New healthcare system in one year, with no new bureaucracies

A: I would pass it in one year. It would take two or three years to implement. This is what I would do.

1. Every American--black, brown, white, yellow, rich or poor--everyone should have access to the best possible health plan.
2. No new bureaucracies.
3. We also have to share. Everyone shares in my plan.
4. If you have a health care plan and you’re satisfied with it, you can keep it. But we need to have everyone accessible to the best congressional plan.
5. We also have to lower Medicare from 65 to 55 and over.
6. For all veterans: I would give veterans a Heroes Health Card, and they could get their health care anywhere they want.
7. What I also want to do is focus early on prevention, on cancer research, stem cell research, autism, heart disease.
8. But we’ve got to start with kids. We’ve got to get rid of junk food in schools. We have to have healthy breakfasts for every child.

On Immigration: Border wall is horrendous example of misguided policy

A: Yes, I would do it my first year. I want everybody to look at the Statue of Liberty. This symbolizes freedom, diversity, and that we’re a nation of immigrants. This is what we need to do in immigration my first year.

1. Yes, more border security, technology at the border.
2. A stronger relationship with Mexico and Central America, to create jobs so that flow doesn’t come here.
3. Enforce the law. Those that knowingly hire illegal workers should be punished.
4. But what is fundamental is a path to legalization, a path to citizenship for the 12 million that are in this country that just want to make life better for the families.
5. This wall is a horrendous example of Washington misguided policy. Congress only funded half of the wall. And in addition that, if you’re going to build a 12-foot wall, you know what’s going to happen? A lot of 13-foot ladders. This is a terrible symbol of America.

On Immigration: Federal raids are ineffective; we dehumanize immigrants

A: Yes, I would, because it shows that a dysfunctional relationship between the Congress and the president caused the breakdown of a potential compromise. Now we have to wait till 2008 and 2009, and these raids are ineffective, they’re a symbol of what’s wrong with a broken immigration policy. I also object to the fact of dehumanizing immigrants. You know, when the media pictures them crossing the border, swimming across a river, doing something like jumping a fence--why don’t they depict the Latinos that today are fighting for America in Iraq and are dying for this country, or the Congressional Medal of Honor winners? And I object to the dehumanizing of people that are part and that want to be part of an American dream.