Richardson's plan would immediately withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq and focus on diplomacy.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - One of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's South Carolina advisers is leaving the presidential campaign because of Richardson's Iraq plan and signing up with Sen. Joe Biden.
Citing Richardson's liberal stance on Iraq, which would immediately remove all U.S. forces from Iraq, the campaign's South Carolina state co-chair Fletcher Smith said Biden's plan to divide Iraq into three federal regions is a more responsible plan.
"To me it's the only way this problem is going to be resolved," Smith said in a phone interview Saturday morning. "Right now we have a quicksand of a civil war, and I don't believe we can just pull out precipitously in a six month period of time without jeopardizing our interests in the region. We don't need another evacuation that we had in Vietnam."
Smith serves in the South Carolina House of Representatives and is a member of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. Smith has been the co-chair of Richardson's South Carolina steering committee since July.
He said he had spoken with Richardson and his staff.
Smith said he did not consider joining any other Democratic campaign besides Biden's, and noted he was drawn to Biden because he is an Irish-American.
"Irish-Americans faced the same problems African-Americans have faced in this country," Smith said.
The Richardson campaign did not comment on Smith, but defended the Governor's Iraq plan.
"Governor Richardson has a real plan to get our troops out of Iraq," said Richardson spokesman Lachlan McIntosh. "He's the only major candidate who will get all of our troops out quickly and leave no residual forces whatsoever. Our men and women are currently targets in Iraq. The longer we stay, the more will die."
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- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby
Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Virginia.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., died Saturday after battling breast cancer, according to a statement released by her office. She was 57.
Davis died at her Gloucester, Va., home. She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2005, according to the statement, and had a recurrence earlier this year.
"Davis had been receiving breast cancer treatment at Duke University and just recently had received positive reports on her condition," the statement said. "However, during the last week Davis' health took a turn for the worse."
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming, the statement said.
President Bush said in a statement that during her four years in the House, Davis "was an effective advocate for the people of her district and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform. She was a fine example of a public servant who worked hard to cut government waste to ensure the people's money was used wisely. Her common-sense values will be missed on Capitol Hill."
"Jo Ann and I were both elected to the United States Congress in 2000 after serving together for many years in the Virginia House of Delegates," said Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., in a statement. "She fought for, and embodied, the core values of Virginia."
Bush said Davis' determination to fight her cancer "is an inspiration to all of us."
Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla. and chairman of the House Republican Conference, noted in a statement that when Davis was first diagnosed with cancer, instead of retiring, she "pressed on, continued to serve with distinction the people of the Commonwealth and the country she loved, and beat the disease." After the cancer returned, he said, "she courageously took the same path."
"Jo Ann Davis was an inspiration to all of us fortunate enough to serve with her, and we are all deeply saddened by the news of her passing," Putnam said. "At this difficult hour, our thoughts and prayers are with Jo Ann's husband, Chuck, and their loved ones."
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