From the Associated Press:

Richardson Nominated for Nobel Prize

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrat Bill Richardson often touts his four Nobel Peace Prize nominations on the presidential campaign trail.

Now he has a fifth.

Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee said he has sent a nomination packet to the Nobel Committee in honor of Richardson's diplomatic efforts with countries like Sudan and North Korea.

"He's well deserving," said Gordon, who got to know Richardson when they served in Congress together. "It's just a continuation of his willingness to continue to go around the world, whether it's a matter of hostages or other tense situations, and work with all parties.""

And before some suggest that the nominations are simply late rewards for his work as US Ambassador to the UN, the story goes on to note:

"Between campaign stops this year and his job as governor of New Mexico, Richardson went to North Korea to recover the remains of missing U.S. troops from the Korean War and to Sudan to encourage a cease-fire in the Darfur conflict. Richardson often undertakes these efforts on his own, without an official imprimatur from the U.S. government, and he has negotiated with some of the world's most notorious dictators, from Iraq's Saddam Hussein to Cuba's Fidel Castro."

Oh, and for those who would simply chalk this up as some kind of campaign "gimmick":

"Eubank said 11 of Gordon's congressional colleagues signed the nomination letter, including one Republican -- Jim Ramstad of Minnesota. Gordon said he's still staying out of the Democratic presidential primary, though....

Others who signed on to the nomination were Texas Democratic Reps. Charles Gonzalez, Solomon Ortiz, Silvestre Reyes and Ciro Rodriguez; California Democratic Reps. Joe Baca, Xavier Becerra, Bob Filner and Grace Napolitano; and Reps. Eliot Engel of New York, and John Tanner of Tennessee."

The more I listen to Clinton, Obama, and yes even Edwards, talk a tough line when it comes to American foreign policy - Clinton labels would be negotiating partners "terrorists" before they even sit down to the table; Obama talks of unilateral invasions of Pakistan; and all three continue to cast Iran in the role of "greatest threat to stability" in the Middle East, the more I long for a president who will lead with diplomacy and has a track record accomplishment in that arena.

It is a fact that any international negotiation entered into by any of the so-called front runners will be their first. We have already seen where OJT gets us. Gov. Richardson has more foreign policy experience than Clinton, Obama, and Edwards combined! It is time for Experience for a Change.

By the way, on a different note; today is Governor Richardson's birthday. I just received this nice note from his wife Barbara:

"Dear Chad,


You may not know this, but today is my husband's birthday.


It's not surprising if you don't know it. In the 35 years I've been married to Bill Richardson, I have never known him to want to make a fuss over it. In fact, this year he told me he didn't want to pay attention to it at all, since it comes on the same day as the CNN debate in Nevada.


Well, tough luck, Bill! Somebody has to make a fuss over you even if you're too busy to make a fuss over yourself!


So I asked Dave Contarino if I could e-mail you and the rest of Bill's supporters and ask that you all send him some birthday wishes online today.


Just write a little note or a joke or anything at all you think he might enjoy. Dave is going to have some of the folks on the campaign compile them all for me to surprise Bill after the debate tonight. I thought they would be fun to read to each other on the way home. You can do it by clicking here.

Knowing Bill as we do, and believing in what he has done and what he can accomplish for our country, I want to take this special occasion to let him know how much we stand behind his enormous effort.


Thank you for being there for my husband. And if you happen to be at that debate tonight, don't say anything to him about getting this from me!"



Barbara Richardson

Hopefully next year Bill will be celebrating his birthday with his Whitehouse Transition Team.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue