Leading by Example
How We Can Inspire an Energy and Security Revolution,
by Bill Richardson


(Click for Amazon book review)

BOOK REVIEW by OnTheIssues.org:

Unlike Richardson's previous autobiography, "Between Worlds", this book is much more clearly a campaign book. "Between Worlds" laid out Richardson's issue stances; this book lays out Richardson's campaign theme, centered around global warming.

Richardson is basing his presidential campaign on energy issues: relating everything from globalized trade behavior to our relations with Iran and China to energy policy. Richardson served as Bill Clinton's Secretary of Energy, so he's certainly well-qualified to discuss international and domestic policy on energy grounds. Our excerpts focus on Richardson's policy conclusions based on this framework.

Richardson's larger theme is encapsulated in the book's title, "Leading by Example" -- he would like the US to lead the world to sustainable energy. The title also hints at Richardson being a leader by his own example -- which is not so well-explored in the book, except using New Mexico, where Richardson is governor, as the example for nationwide policies.

-- Jesse Gordon, jesse@OnTheIssues.org, August 2007

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Corporations     Corporate role is profit, not protecting national interests.     Government is needed to keep markets competitive.

Energy & Oil     States have addressed global warming; now feds should too.     Hydrogen cars only in 30 years; need plug-ins & hybrids now.     Opposes gas tax: it burdens everyday people.     Regulated utilities can profit by “selling efficiency”.     Iran & Russia are exploring natural gas control like OPEC.     Energy incentives are just anti-government ideology.     Supernova of clean energy policy in New Mexico.     Climate change cynics don’t consider cost of inaction.     50-mpg cars by 2020 even if it costs $6000 per car.     Carbon auction: use market to make emitter pay for emissions.     2020 Vision: An energy revolution in 5 simple steps.

Environment     Invest in bike lanes & commuter bike facilities.

Foreign Policy     At UN,embraced Clinton’s vision of international cooperation.     US can inspire world with sacrifice instead of arrogance.     US is isolated; need vision to rejoin world.     Jaw-boning is a non-military way to get things done.

Free Trade     Communism is teaming up with corporations to open up China.     No such thing as completely free market; so regulate.

Government Reform     Use regulated free market for food, drugs, land, & energy.

Homeland Security     Qaeda targets oil infrastructure until we wean ourselves off.     Ignoring Nuclear Test Ban creates world distrust.

Principles & Values     The New Realism: end policy based on unilateralist illusions.     Lead by example by climate negotiations with the world.

Technology     Subsidize inter-city rail--it works in New Mexico.     Nurture & invest in science and technology.

War & Peace     UN pressure in 1997 kept Saddam from restarting nuke program.     Multilateral security with Iran; instead of saber-rattling.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Bill Richardson