CNN

Our country is at a crossroad. It is true that many of Americans believe we should have a long term occupation of Iraq region as the only way to get stability. But some fundamental questions must be asked about such a long term occupation. Did we not come to liberate the Iraq people or did we come to occupy and dominate them as greater vision to empower American interest in the Middle East? If it is the latter, then we lied to the world about liberation of Iraq.

Now who will pay this long term war debt and occupation for Iraq? Today, Americans as a whole, who support the Iraq occupation have not stepped up to the plate to purchase U.S. Patriot Series EE Bonds. The purchase of U.S. Patriot Series EE Bonds are all historic low considering we are at war, but the Chinese and Iranian governments to date have taken this opportunity to purchase our debt as it grows with our war effort in Iraq.

Richardson is correct, we must shift our role from occupier to meditator and pursue our long term American interest for security and stability with foresight. Richardson is pragmatic, visionary, and a achiever outside the conventional box of Washington and New York mind set which is at the root of our political and fiduciary misjudgments.

Suggestion, If you support the Iraq War or the American occupation of Iraq, then purchase U.S. Patriot Series EE Bonds and stop free loading political ideology on the taxpayer.

Ben is right, I think all the candidates of either party are decent folks, they all just have different ideas of where they want to take this country. I just want the best candidate with the most experience in foreign affairs and getting bi-partisan legislation passed more then once, I also want a candidate who has a exit strategy for this war that makes sense. I am also looking for a candidate who doesn't just have campaign slogans of change or experience, I want a candidate who has proved himself to be a leader and a record of backing it up. I looked at all the candidates and Joe Biden stood out and he has my vote.

I'm surprised by how many tart-tongued and nasty things some folks have to say about Bill Richardson in this comment thread. Although I will never vote republican and have serious differences in regards to many of the republican candidates' positions on issues, I would never so so low as to, for example, talk about how one of their candidates talks like he's 'retarded.' Not only is that offensive and of no taste, it is a prime example of how we as Americans need to spend more time listening and educating ourselves. Sure, you have the right to free speech, but I am also of the mind that we have one of two choices: 1. Be nay-sayers and block progress from actualizing itself in our public policy, OR 2. Allow ideas that differ from ours into serious and considerate dialogue. Some are so 'hip to judge' and are contributing nothing but cynical and banal minutia that offers nothing more than isolating division among all of us who want to have positive affects on the world.

Others may be impressed by polish and shine but I am impressed by results.

To....JJ, of Cleveland, OH

I like my president to be intelligent, thoughtful and have charisma. All this B.S. about experience and being Commander-In-Chief is disturbing. Only about 3 presidents in the history of the US have had distinguished military careers in which they deserve the title Commander-In-Chief. The other 37+ presidents did other things besides serve a lot of time in military.

Your president should be able to motivate you for a better America. It doesn't matter if president is John McCain, Barack Obama, or Bloomberg, they all would get there military information and recommendations from the same military commanders.

Most of the candidates have some good ideas on doing this or that, but if have been in Washington for over 20+ years and haven't gotten those good ideas done as a senator or representative then how would it change if they become president? You still have to work with a Congress.

Deportation is the responsibility of the Federal government and laws are already in place to to protect the borders and deport illegal residents, however, under this Republican administration in the last seven years has failed to up hold the laws of the land to the dismay of their party and the country as a whole. Others will just spin the issue without a history of results or experience.

Now Governor Richardson's position has always been for securing our border with Mexico and his action speaks louder than words when he called for Federal emergency help to just that. Not once has anyone ever heard Gov Richardson state that he is for 100% instant amnesty for all illegal aliens. Governor Richardson has stated clearly that he is for a legal immigration process with standards for new immigrants such as passing a background checks, speaking and writing English, understanding the American culture as part of the process of citizenship required under the laws of the land. These public statements by Richardson are well documented and in response to the question how to deal with the 10 million illegals in the country. They are pragmatic and fair.

I agree with the Richardson's Plan on illegal immigration, that more manpower, technology, national ID verification card, enforcing the laws of our nation, and diplomatic agreements to end illegal immigration are far more effective to solve the root cause of the problem which in return, will invoice the taxpayer a much lower rate than building a fence and life time of upkeep. A fence only puts a band-aid on the problem. By the time the fence is completed across our Southern border, the illegals will find an alternate route into the United States. Secondly, Richardson has stated on many occasions that Mexico must share the responsibility of securing their side of the border and doing more to help their own people in economic terms and this is at the root cause of the problem.

Governor Richardson has the diplomacy skills and know how, familarity with the region and issues, and speak the language to ensure success in this area more so than any other candidates from either party.

Heh JohnE,
Is your last name McCarthy? And have you ever ventured out from the confines of your trailer park?

WHY IS IT THAT IS ALWAYS THE LIBERALS THAT ARE SPINELESS WITH OUR ENEMIES? IS THIS WHY RUSSIA'S LENIN WROTE LONG AGO THAT "WESTERN SOCIALISTS WERE HIS USEFUL IDIOTS"?

johnE

Immigration, immigration, immigration, immigration, the media and the washington boys just don,t get it, the people of this country are not going to let this issue go away and the one's that go against the people will pay the price of losing their do-nothing jobs in wonderland washington dc -

I am a staunch conservative who believes Bill Richardson to be a good man, and a capable politician and Governor. I won't be voting for him, and disagree with his Iraq plan, but he does have a track record of being pragmatic, relatively non-partisan, and getting things done. He is far more capable of a politician and legislator than Hillary.

Iraq is a consensus for all candidates. The exit strategy is a detail.

Regarding Mr. Richardson, I am very disappointed about the rumour that he would sent his supporters to Obama camp instead of letting them decide on their vote.

I start to be totally disappointed by how Iowa caucus goes: Republicans and Independents who register as Democrats just to change voting outcomes, deals about giving out supporters...

I thought Iowa caucus was supposed to test voters' choices based on these face-to-face meetings with candidates that are more difficult to happen in bigger states. Influencing results by deals and forced changes in the composition of the electorate does not serve the purpose to have this Iowa caucus.

And sorry to tell this now, but Obama is the promoter of both strategies that alter the democratic process and scope of the Iowa caucus.

Hillary supporter (need to ask...because I don't know of a single one)

does her stance (or non-stance) on issues such as licensing illegals bother you?

does the fact that she calls the war in Iraq "Bushs War" – when she voted for war in Iraq (don't believe me...look up the Senate video on YouTube) – then she will talk about "all the money the Republicans wasted in Iraq" – when in fact she voted for war funding each and every time....

Does it bother you that she advocates a socialist healthcare system (when the wealthy of those same countries come here for treatment....proving that system is broken)

Does it bother you that she is running on the exact same message as her mentor Saul Alinsky (she wrote her thesis paper on him....that her college "locked" up with a "we won't release the these paper of a sitting first lady" when her husband was in office....) – and come to find out.....he was a grassroots Marxist....

you guys baffle me

Richardson's Iraq plan IS total crap.

If we leave Iraq in the fashion that he and Edwards are proposing, the entire Middle East is going to go straight down the toilet. If the Shi'ites in Iraq get the opportunity to start ethnically cleansing the Sunnis, it will spiral into a major regional conflict involving every single Muslim country. And we'll be right back in it, because the Jews will be scared out of their dreidels at all the warring going on around it.

It's why I'm a Biden man. Because I don't want the world to fall apart ... yet ...

Time to lobby for the reinstatement of the fairness doctrine.

CNN still sucks.

CNN Sucks

Does Mr. Richardson honestly believe that because he has some foreign policy experience, he would be able to convince the terrorists to stop hating democracy and quit trying to kill Americans? Please, lets jump back into reality shall we? Cut and run, admit defeat, stick your head in the sand and just hope the terrorists don't try to kill anyone, anywhere ever again. Nice fantasy....errrr policy. And Mr. Richardson is proud of this stance, and better, wants to be president??? Good luck.

Richardson supports amnesty for the over 20 million people in this country illegally. Any candidate who supports any form of amnesty and not enforcing our laws, will never have my vote. If he is willing to bend the rules for this, what else is he willing to do behind closed doors? He does not have the interest of the American people, he has the interest of the corporations that exploit the illegals and the illegals who think they are above our laws.

Removing our troops from Iraq is a no brainer, even for the Bush administration and by Fall 2008, we will see a draw down and exit plan in place by the Bush administration to make the war more political palatable for the Fall elections.

However, challenges lie ahead for the next 2009 administration in terms of diplomatic deeds. The real substance to Richardson's exit strategy is the diplomacy package to the region and the transformation of the military based on General Petraeus's findings and recommendations on counter-insurgency and new technology.

Richardson wants to re-build the arm forces and shift our focus to the east of Europe. If any one thinks Richardson is weak on Defense and State, is simply dead wrong, again.

It is always clear when you have Republicans posing as democrats on these types of blogs. They are always whining the old Republican mantras. Let's face it. Republicans through the generations have never wanted the less fortunate to aspire to more prominent positions in the world. Republicans have ALWAYS been willing to start a war and kill people for resources like Oil/Gold/etc.etc.etc... Always under the guise it is "Gods Will". Use of religiously bigoted masses of ignorant people living in the U.S. has always been their chronicle for victory. They cannot rely on intelligent, truly compassionate people to support them. They do nothing less than attempt to attack Democrats with their ignorant mantra TALKING POINTS. Continue your blunder and wake up to the the smoldering Americans. WE ARE ANGRY at what you have done to OUR Country and OUR Lives since your took over congress in the 90's. We will demand retribution over the next several years including Conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney, Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rummy Rumsfeld an Want To Be acting President Bush, of High Treason and War Crimes for the slaughter of thousands of Americans, Hundreds of Thousands of Iraq's People and Afghanistan's People. I didn't spend three years of my life in the military watching my fellows guts being blown out to have my Freedom and Liberty stolen by thieves such as this.

Christian, if you call a two-year withdrawal plan from Iraq a "mad rush to the exits," what do you call Edwards' 10-month withdrawal plan? Richardson isn't pretty like Obama or Edwards, but he's forthright, experienced, and sensible. And while it's open to debate whether he or Joe Biden has more foreign policy experience, at least Richardson never plagiarized Neil Kinnock. He's got my vote (of course, by the time the Ohio primaries roll around, my vote won't matter).

I believe that Governor Richardson has done more for New Mexico than any governor I've seen. Either he or Obama would be excellent candidates in my opinion

Richardson is a solid administrator, not a charismatic leader but a good negotiator. He would be effective. I'm sorry that he lacks the charisma needed to get media attention. Barring some amazing occurrence, he will not get the nomination, and he's probably losing more votes right now by keeping all of those people out of the diner (you can see them crowded past the doorway) than he gains by holding an interview in a diner in the first place. Very amusing that the camera was allowed to show the crowd of folks waiting to get access to their food!

The senior Republican Senator Domenici from New Mexico respectfully stated that Richardson has done more for New Mexico than any other Governor in recent history. Richardson has increased investment and brought good jobs in high tech, aerospace, and motion picture imaging are just a few and well as lowered taxes and balance the state budget five times.

Governor Richardson's pro-growth and tax cut policies has resulted in New Mexico to rank in the top 10 ranking of fastest growing state economies. Governor Richardson believes the people of our country deserves high paying skilled jobs, low taxes for growth, and economic partnership with industry to foster innovation and develop an economic pipeline in critical competitive sectors. To add to that, Forbes Magazine praised Richardson for New Mexico's economic growth and The Cato Institute gave him high marks for his fiscal responsibility as governor.

One of the few candidates that understand that human rights and national security are intrinsic and values count with the rest of the world. On immigration more people trust Richardson to do the right thing for the country, doing nothing lacks courage.

Compare Richardson's record of accomplishments with the rest of the field both Democrats and Republicans alike; budgets, taxes, international diplomacy, energy, making a difference not in speeches or votes but in actions that make a difference in lives of people. Closest modern day candidate to Teddy Roosevelt.

When edward and obama were trying to define themselves and show their differences with Hillary .Richardson was furious and defended Hillary may be he is after running mate ticket.they will make a good couple.Mondale and ferraro big victory for GOP

An Obama/Richardson ticket would be a great ticket, in my opinion.

Obviously SCOTT doesn't know his glutus maximus form a hole in the ground, and obviously doesn't live in OR know where New Mexico is!

He's a Democrat, when did they become American?

Scott, you got that right. I live in Albuquerque and see the damage he has done.

Hey Richardson, I think Iran would be interested in the same deal you bragg about with N Korea. What a joke....Even GW has a better foreign policy than this joker!!!

SEE BELOW: IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT.

Please learn to spell or check your spelling before commenting. Good grief!

GO away Richardson and take all Clintonistas with you..Your caveing in at the U.N. proves your spine is the same color as Jimmy Carters.

Smart money says Governor R will either be the next Vice President or Secretary of State.

I respect Richardson for having an original plan on Iraq. The only other candidate with an original plan is Biden. Biden's strikes me as the one that will work and leave behind less chaos, and has gotten bipartisan support. So, if Iraq is your issue, Biden should be your candidate.

Wow...I didn't know "charisma" was a requirement to be Commander in Chief. Certainly I like the idea of a candidate connecting with the public out on the campaign trail as well as in the White House once elected, but I am much more interested in competency than charisma. There's far too much instability and uncertainty at home and abroad to leave room for "rock star" ideas of who should be POTUS. As long as you have the privilege of voting in a free election, please do this nation a favor and educate yourselves before you go to the polls, and leave the "larger than life" ideas at the door. OK? There are a lot of larger than life characters in the world who are seemingly likable. That in no way suggests that they are fit to be President, and it seems the candidate field for that office is full of such characters, too–many of whom are full of...well, fill in the blank–and guess what? They aren't fit, either. For God's sake, vote educated or stay home–the latter truly is no worse than casting a vote solely based on "charisma."

Richardson's ideas on getting out of Iraq seem disastrous to me. His version of troop redeployment would resemble a mad rush to the exit and would seriously hurt the safety of our troops. His experience obviously has not helped him come up with a reasonable withdrawal plan.

I like you Bill, but it has become a 2 person race.

Please support Hillary, this country can not afford OpraBama!

Hillary 08!

He can't even run his own state of New Mexico, unless you consider running it into a state of confussion.

This guy brought home many hostages from overseas through negoiation. He has been at this for many years and has actually brought New Mexico out of the stone age. I'm not a Richardson supporter but you two are jokes.

What have you done that you should even comment on something like this?

Richardson you have a good resume but you lack the charisma and drive that America is looking for. If you want to surprise me (and everyone else), how about dropping out the race and endorsing Obama. This probably won't happen since a lot of your resume was padded during the Bill Clinton Administration, so you fear going against Hillary because of Bill.

You should drop out and support Joe Biden, and his plan for Iraq.

How did this guy get a job? just wondering, somehow he talk like retarded!

Bill Richardson will pander to anybody. He got liberal when he went to Iowa.