Betsy Schonitzer's Blog
I saw the Democratic debates and I thought Richardson was fantastic. Here's an article about how he's energizing crowds in NH.
Betsy
Monday, January 07, 2008
Richardson energizes Keene audience
PAUL MILLER
Sentinel Staff
As presidential candidates hopscotch across the state in a hectic, all-out scramble to win crucial independent votes, one thing is clear: Every little impressionable detail matters.
So, when Democrat Bill Richardson, the charismatic governor of New Mexico, addressed an enthusiastic throng of voters gathered on a snowy downtown Keene common Sunday afternoon, Trisha Jones of Nelson said she found herself waiting for a signal.
Jones, a nurse paying close attention to the candidates' health-care plans, came to the rally leaning toward a vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, last week's Democratic winner in the Iowa caucus.
"I like to be able to see the candidates," said Jones, who planned to see John Edwards and Obama when they visited Keene later Sunday.
"I like to see how they look at me.
"Bill Richardson looked at me. He stopped what he was doing and he looked right at me. Whether he's negotiating with foreign countries, or dealing with a domestic issue, the ability to make that kind of personal connection is important."
Jones was swayed, she said, if not completely ready to make final her choice in Tuesday's all-important New Hampshire primary.
Richardson, looking fresh and admitting to being invigorated by what he called a winning debate performance in Manchester the night before, stirred a crowd of more than 200 by touching on familiar themes and driving home in loud, cogent terms his commitment to the two issues most central to his campaign: the war in Iraq and the environment.
"I want this war to end," said Richardson, who wore a blue wool shirt and gray turtleneck in favor of a coat, "and I think that's what this campaign is all about."
If elected, Richardson pledges to begin extracting troops from Iraq immediately, and plans for a full withdrawal within a year.
It is the swiftest exit called for among the Democratic candidates.
Richardson, whose 25 years in public service include 14 years in Congress and two terms as New Mexico's governor, arrived in New Hampshire lagging behind Obama, Hillary Clinton and Edwards in most Democratic polls. He finished fourth in Iowa, garnering just 2 percent of that state's caucus vote.
"Bill Richardson needs your help" at the polls on Tuesday, he told supporters Sunday. "I want to be in the top three. I've already been in the top four."
After New Hampshire, Richardson reminded supporters, the schedule tilts more in his favor; on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, Richardson's home state is among more than 20 in which voters will go to the polls or caucus.
To close the gap here, Richardson will have to make a lot of connections with undeclared and undecided voters in the final hours of campaigning.
New Hampshire boasts more than 350,000 undeclared voters.
Susan Hocking of Walpole attended Sunday's rally with her husband, Tom.
Both said they were doubtful about Richardson's chances of winning the nomination, blaming the media for not covering more seriously a candidate whose long resume includes stints as diplomat, ambassador, energy secretary and five Nobel Peace Prize nominations for acts of global leadership.
"He definitely has the most experience, which is what we need most right now," Susan Hocking said of Richardson. "I think he'd make an awesome vice president.
"It's a tribute to the Democrats for such an excellent, excellent field. I'd like to take a little of this one, a little of that one, a pinch of another and make a cabinet."
Frank Dialessi of Keene said he plans to vote for Richardson, calling him the most qualified.
"No one can dispute that," he said. "From all angles he's clearly the best candidate. And, for me, it's a little like every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Our president now is completely unqualified, and Richardson is the most highly qualified."
Bob Jones, Trisha Jones' husband, is a Vietnam veteran and retired truck driver who hauled deliveries to Home Depots in New Mexico.
A registered undeclared voter, Jones, 57, has voted only Republican the last 20 years, he said.
That stretch could end Tuesday, Bob Jones said, after hearing Richardson Sunday.
"He hit on the points I wanted to hear, the points the Republicans failed to talk about in the debate. Never in my adult life have I seen a situation where one person is going to have to handle so many important issues at once. I've been to New Mexico; I've seen the great job he's done in that state."
Keene High School teacher Jennifer White, holding Richardson signs at the corner of Roxbury Street and Central Square ahead of Sunday's rally, said it is Richardson's like-minded approach to education that appeals to her, and his pledge to scrap No Child Left Behind.
Keene voter Michael Chelstowski is drawn to Richardson, he said, because Richardson is saying more about the environment than any other candidate. "And that," he said, "is the long-term critical issue we face."
Speaking Sunday, Richardson was flanked by friends and supporters on the campaign trail: former Keene mayor Robert L. Mallat Jr.; Martha Burke, a political psychologist and activist who led a protest at the 2003 Masters golf tournament to bring attention to the male-only membership rules of the Augusta National Golf Club; Bob Carr, a one-time congressman from Michigan; and Steve Marchand, mayor of Portsmouth.
Betsy
Monday, January 07, 2008
Richardson energizes Keene audience
PAUL MILLER
Sentinel Staff
As presidential candidates hopscotch across the state in a hectic, all-out scramble to win crucial independent votes, one thing is clear: Every little impressionable detail matters.
So, when Democrat Bill Richardson, the charismatic governor of New Mexico, addressed an enthusiastic throng of voters gathered on a snowy downtown Keene common Sunday afternoon, Trisha Jones of Nelson said she found herself waiting for a signal.
Jones, a nurse paying close attention to the candidates' health-care plans, came to the rally leaning toward a vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, last week's Democratic winner in the Iowa caucus.
"I like to be able to see the candidates," said Jones, who planned to see John Edwards and Obama when they visited Keene later Sunday.
"I like to see how they look at me.
"Bill Richardson looked at me. He stopped what he was doing and he looked right at me. Whether he's negotiating with foreign countries, or dealing with a domestic issue, the ability to make that kind of personal connection is important."
Jones was swayed, she said, if not completely ready to make final her choice in Tuesday's all-important New Hampshire primary.
Richardson, looking fresh and admitting to being invigorated by what he called a winning debate performance in Manchester the night before, stirred a crowd of more than 200 by touching on familiar themes and driving home in loud, cogent terms his commitment to the two issues most central to his campaign: the war in Iraq and the environment.
"I want this war to end," said Richardson, who wore a blue wool shirt and gray turtleneck in favor of a coat, "and I think that's what this campaign is all about."
If elected, Richardson pledges to begin extracting troops from Iraq immediately, and plans for a full withdrawal within a year.
It is the swiftest exit called for among the Democratic candidates.
Richardson, whose 25 years in public service include 14 years in Congress and two terms as New Mexico's governor, arrived in New Hampshire lagging behind Obama, Hillary Clinton and Edwards in most Democratic polls. He finished fourth in Iowa, garnering just 2 percent of that state's caucus vote.
"Bill Richardson needs your help" at the polls on Tuesday, he told supporters Sunday. "I want to be in the top three. I've already been in the top four."
After New Hampshire, Richardson reminded supporters, the schedule tilts more in his favor; on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, Richardson's home state is among more than 20 in which voters will go to the polls or caucus.
To close the gap here, Richardson will have to make a lot of connections with undeclared and undecided voters in the final hours of campaigning.
New Hampshire boasts more than 350,000 undeclared voters.
Susan Hocking of Walpole attended Sunday's rally with her husband, Tom.
Both said they were doubtful about Richardson's chances of winning the nomination, blaming the media for not covering more seriously a candidate whose long resume includes stints as diplomat, ambassador, energy secretary and five Nobel Peace Prize nominations for acts of global leadership.
"He definitely has the most experience, which is what we need most right now," Susan Hocking said of Richardson. "I think he'd make an awesome vice president.
"It's a tribute to the Democrats for such an excellent, excellent field. I'd like to take a little of this one, a little of that one, a pinch of another and make a cabinet."
Frank Dialessi of Keene said he plans to vote for Richardson, calling him the most qualified.
"No one can dispute that," he said. "From all angles he's clearly the best candidate. And, for me, it's a little like every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Our president now is completely unqualified, and Richardson is the most highly qualified."
Bob Jones, Trisha Jones' husband, is a Vietnam veteran and retired truck driver who hauled deliveries to Home Depots in New Mexico.
A registered undeclared voter, Jones, 57, has voted only Republican the last 20 years, he said.
That stretch could end Tuesday, Bob Jones said, after hearing Richardson Sunday.
"He hit on the points I wanted to hear, the points the Republicans failed to talk about in the debate. Never in my adult life have I seen a situation where one person is going to have to handle so many important issues at once. I've been to New Mexico; I've seen the great job he's done in that state."
Keene High School teacher Jennifer White, holding Richardson signs at the corner of Roxbury Street and Central Square ahead of Sunday's rally, said it is Richardson's like-minded approach to education that appeals to her, and his pledge to scrap No Child Left Behind.
Keene voter Michael Chelstowski is drawn to Richardson, he said, because Richardson is saying more about the environment than any other candidate. "And that," he said, "is the long-term critical issue we face."
Speaking Sunday, Richardson was flanked by friends and supporters on the campaign trail: former Keene mayor Robert L. Mallat Jr.; Martha Burke, a political psychologist and activist who led a protest at the 2003 Masters golf tournament to bring attention to the male-only membership rules of the Augusta National Golf Club; Bob Carr, a one-time congressman from Michigan; and Steve Marchand, mayor of Portsmouth.
Today I heard Governor Richardson tell CNN that Pakistan's crisis is serious and the Bush administration's response is weak. Governor Richardson gave an excellent analysis of the situation and recommended a course of action. To listen to a video of this interview, go to the front page of the Richardson campaign website.
The crisis in Pakistan is very important to the U.S. as they have nuclear weapons and have been involved with fighting Bin Laden. Having a crisis in Pakistan means our country now faces three crises at the same time: Iraq, Iran and Pakistan.
Listen to the video of Richardson talking about Pakistan and compare him to the other Democratic candidates. Are any of the other candidates as qualified as Richardson? Do they all possess his integrity? Richardson's diplomatic skills? I see no better leader for our country during these difficult times than Bill Richardson.
The crisis in Pakistan is very important to the U.S. as they have nuclear weapons and have been involved with fighting Bin Laden. Having a crisis in Pakistan means our country now faces three crises at the same time: Iraq, Iran and Pakistan.
Listen to the video of Richardson talking about Pakistan and compare him to the other Democratic candidates. Are any of the other candidates as qualified as Richardson? Do they all possess his integrity? Richardson's diplomatic skills? I see no better leader for our country during these difficult times than Bill Richardson.
Recently, crises in the Middle East have erupted at a new level. In Pakistan, the one country where Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and nuclear weapons are all in play, there is political meltdown and violence. There is now major tensions between Turkey and Kurdish militants in Iraq. The Bush administration is using threatening language toward Iran, dangerously increasing tensions with this country.
It seems that now, more than ever, our country needs a leader with the experience and integrity of Bill Richardson. No other candidate has a record to match Bill Richardson in regards to handling difficult diplomatic situations. Recently, a U Tube film of a Richardson ad was sent out to the Illinois Richardson group. This shows how Richardson went above and beyond to help release U.S. prisoners under Sadaam Hussein's regime. It is a very moving story. It illustrates Bill Richardson's diplomatic skill and intelligence as well as his compassion.
I realize that sometimes, it can feel discouraging to campaign for Richardson in Illinois with awareness of Richardson being not as high here as in other parts of the country. But our efforts are truly worth it. Compare Richardson to the other candidates. He stands apart as being the leader with the necessary experience and the vision to lead our country through these terrible world crises toward peace.
A table for Richardson will be set up at the upcoming massive peace rally on Oct. 27th in Chicago. Many thousands will be at the peace rally. Please volunteer for this event! Richardson is the only real peace candidate. Our country needs Richardson now more than ever.
Thank You,
Betsy
It seems that now, more than ever, our country needs a leader with the experience and integrity of Bill Richardson. No other candidate has a record to match Bill Richardson in regards to handling difficult diplomatic situations. Recently, a U Tube film of a Richardson ad was sent out to the Illinois Richardson group. This shows how Richardson went above and beyond to help release U.S. prisoners under Sadaam Hussein's regime. It is a very moving story. It illustrates Bill Richardson's diplomatic skill and intelligence as well as his compassion.
I realize that sometimes, it can feel discouraging to campaign for Richardson in Illinois with awareness of Richardson being not as high here as in other parts of the country. But our efforts are truly worth it. Compare Richardson to the other candidates. He stands apart as being the leader with the necessary experience and the vision to lead our country through these terrible world crises toward peace.
A table for Richardson will be set up at the upcoming massive peace rally on Oct. 27th in Chicago. Many thousands will be at the peace rally. Please volunteer for this event! Richardson is the only real peace candidate. Our country needs Richardson now more than ever.
Thank You,
Betsy
We had a nice afternoon gathering petition signatures and passing out flyers for Richardson at Apple Fest in Lincoln Square, Chicago. I had an opportunity to talk to people about Bill Richardson. People had a positive/enthusiastic reaction when I told them about Bill Richardson's experience and views on the issues. However, people were asking me, "Who is Bill Richardson?" We need to increse awareness of Richardson in Illinois. Any ideas? There will be a massive midwest regional peace march in Chicago at the end of Oct.. Before this event, it would be nice if people knew that Bill Richardson is the candidate who has a plan to get all our troops out of Iraq and end the occupation.
We had a great afternoon at the Italiano Fest in Chicago handing out flyers and getting petition signatures (even though it was really hot). There were four of us and we were the only presidential campaigners at the event. People were relaxing along the street eating and drinking which gave us a great opportunity to spend a little time talking to them about Richardson. People were very interested to hear about Richardson and his views on the issues. Many said they wanted to support him after we talked. We just need to make more people aware of who Bill Richardson is. One of the volunteers, George, had a great idea. He made Bill Richardson fans. People were delighted to be offered one. Great idea for events!
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