Bill Richardson on Principles & Values Democratic Governor (NM); Secretary of Commerce-Designee

2008: Appointed by Clinton, but endorsed Obama

Withdrew nomination under scandal from $1.5M donations

Richardson was forced to withdraw his nomination, but he still embodies Obamanomics: a politician who increases government influence in the economy with the assistance of Big Business. That his actions and policies would lead to scandal is to be expected--the business-government coziness he and Obama both favor is a breeding ground for corruption.

The root of Richardson's scandal was his much-touted "public-private partnerships," which were pitched as a kind of "third-way" compromise where government calls the play but private industry carries the ball. But putting money and power that close together is asking for trouble. Richardson's record as governor turns up a string of dubious dealings.

Endorsed Obama despite intense pressure from Bill Clinton

In a highly public moment of courtship, Bill Clinton had come to Santa Fe to watch the Super Bowl with Richardson. After the game, Richardson spoke to Hillary by phone. "She said, 'Bill, we need you, I need you to endorse me before Texas. Please consider.'"

When Richardson finally decided to back Obama, he called Hillary. "Hillary said, 'Bill, why, why?' And I said I think there's something special about this guy, something good. And I've gotten to know him and I think he's somebody that comes once in a generation."

Giuliani left Iraq Study Group; uninterested in war deaths

A: He didn’t show interest in the Iraq study group, which was about where Americans are fighting and dying. The Iraq study group met without his participation, and he either voluntarily withdrew or was asked to withdraw from the Iraq study group, which was trying to sort out the tremendous challenge we had, particularly at that time, in Iraq because of the failed strategy of Rumsfeld. I admire & respect Rudy Giuliani. This is not a question of personality. It is a question of experience, knowledge, background, and ability to lead. I served on a weapons of mass destruction commission, and I was pretty busy with other things at the time, too.

Predicts a win in New Hampshire primary

A: We’ve been moving up, with obviously a great deal more enthusiasm at town hall meetings. I think there’s a poll out this morning that shows that only 16% of the people in New Hampshire have definitely made up their minds. This thing is wide open. I know from previous campaigns that a lot of people, particularly independents here in New Hampshire, wait. A lot of people haven’t made up their minds. We’re campaigning hard. I’m glad the way that things are going. And I can sense that we’re doing very well here in N.H. We’re on the upswing. And I can tell you right now I will win New Hampshire.

Q: You’re saying flat out you’ll win New Hampshire.

A: I’m saying flat out.

Q: And if you don’t?

A: I will.

Q: But are you saying if you don’t that you’re out of the race?

A: Of course not. I’m just telling you I will.

Well-off childhood in Mexico as son of Citibank executive

Lead by example by climate negotiations with the world

2020 Vision to Lead by Example
1. Back to the negotiating table, toward mandatory international emissions limits.
2. Invigorate and motivate the North American Energy Council.
3. Work to finance the small incremental cost for developing nations to adopt low-carbon technologies and options.
4. Work to stabilize the defense of international oil and gas transportation routes.

The New Realism: end policy based on unilateralist illusions

Would not leave NM governorship to be vice president

A: Well, I would say to them that I want to be president. I believe I’m the most qualified because of my ability to bring change and experience. I’ve done a lot of these things that everyone talks about in their 10-point plans. I’m not interested in being vice president. If I’m not selected, I will return to the best job in the world, governor of New Mexico. I’ll start riding my horse again. I’ll have a normal life. I have four years to go. Being a governor, the CEO of a state, is the best job I’ve ever had. So, I would not leave the arena, sadly.

Q: So, you wouldn’t leave the governorship of New Mexico to be vice president on anybody’s ticket?

A: No, no. I’m very happy where I am.

With me, you get both change AND experience

My sense of social justice comes from being a Roman Catholic

A: I pray. I’m a Roman Catholic. My sense of social justice comes from being a Roman Catholic. But, in my judgment, prayer is personal. How I pray and how any American prays, for what reason, is their own decision. And it should be respected. It’s important that we have faith, that we have values, but if I’m president, I’m not going to wear my religion on my sleeve & impose it on anybody.

Decisive political moment: wife agreeing to marry him

A: The decisive moment in my life was when my wife, Barbara, decided and agreed to marry me, because it was the best decision I ever made and, hopefully, she ever made. We’ve had 35 years of marriage. It has given me strength and has been an anchor in my life. A decisive moment for me to return to public life was 9/11. When it happened, I wanted to get back in public life.

I have the most experience and I represent change

Running on resume & record, to be president of middle class

(Videotape)
Man posing as job interviewer: (To Richardson) OK, 14 years in Congress; UN ambassador; secretary of energy; governor of New Mexico; negotiated with dictators in Iraq, North Korea, Cuba, Zaire, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Kenya; got a cease-fire in Darfur; nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times. So what makes you think you can be president?
(End videotape)

Q: You’re running on your resume.

A: I’m running on my record. And the reason for that ad is I’m an insurgent candidate. You’ve got to do things differently. I’m also positive. I’m trying to draw attention not just to my record, but the fact that I can bring people together. The country is bitterly divided. We need to regain our international moral authority. I believe I know how to be a president for the middle class, improve our schools, universal health care. That was what I’m trying to get through in that message.

Offered MLB contract, but mistakenly called that drafted

A: At the time, the draft was just starting. I was offered a contract, $25,000, by a Houston Colts scout. So I assumed that I had been drafted. And then when I played in the Cape Cod League as a pitcher, my arm was already starting to go because I’d thrown too many curveballs. I made a mistake. I should have checked. But I was a decent player until I was about 21.

Q: You spent a lot of time in Massachusetts. Are you a Red Sox fan?

Q: I’m a Red Sox fan.

Q: But, now, governor, this is very serious. In your book on page 18 you said “Because of Mickey Mantle, I became a Yankee fan.”

Q: I was asked, “If you weren’t running for president, what would you rather be?” I said I would like to be number seven, Mickey Mantle, playing center field for the New York Yankees. But my favorite team has always been the Red Sox.

Biggest mistake is impatience, like pushing minimum wage

A: I’m impatient. I try to change institutions in my state rapidly. I’m too aggressive. One instance: In New Mexico, I desperately wanted a year ago to increase the minimum wage to $7.50. And instead of pursuing diplomacy, for which I’m known for, instead of consultation, I tried to ram it through my legislature. We finally got it done a year later. But I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m not perfect.

I can bring people together

I believe that I’ve been a governor, and I can govern. I can bring people together. I’ve created 80,000 new jobs in New Mexico. I’ve made New Mexico the clean energy state. We’ve cut taxes for every New Mexican, especially New Mexico’s middle class.

What this country needs is somebody that can work across party lines. That can end this war. That can restore America’s credibility internationally. That can make America become energy independent with an Apollo program towards energy independence. That can fight for global climate change. I believe I am the best candidate. I may not be a rock star, I may not have the most money, but I believe I have the best vision, and the best background to be President.

Pledges to not engage in negative campaigning on Dems

I think it’s really important now that we have a strong nominee. The worst thing we can do is tear each other down. So what I am proposing is that every Democratic candidate sign a pledge that we will not engage in any negative campaigning towards each other.

Richardson’s Rules for negotiating

Richardson’s Rules
• Share the credit. Politics and diplomacy are team sports. Acknowledge it.
• Be discreet and don’t volunteer too much information.
• Your style can be informal, but you must show proper respect.
• Remember who your friends were when things weren’t going so well.
• Aim big. Always try to achieve more than you have to.
• When you’re about to make a major change, cover your bases.
• It helps to be in good shape. You never know when you’re going to be called to the negotiating table.
• Deliver a strong message with dignity and without insults.
• Never lie when negotiating, because lies catch up with you. Be direct.
• Use the media if you need to, but keep your negotiations private.
• Have others deliver bad news; it keeps you viable as a future negotiator.
• In most meetings, the law of diminishing returns kicks in after five minutes.

New Progressivism: combine opportunity with accountability

What we are proving is that we are pro-people and pro-business and pro-environment at the same time, something that progressives, and Democrats, have traditionally found it difficult to do.

The objective of New Progressivism is to promote opportunity in health care and education and jobs in a fiscally responsible and efficient way to create a stronger community and quality of life. The key points are:

• Invest in education, but also support accountability.
• Create opportunity with incentives that encourage quality jobs.
• Invest in healthcare programs coupled with cost-containment initiatives.

In Guinness Book of World Records for most handshakes