Como Presidente de los Estados Unidos, Bill Richardson va a retirar a todas nuestras tropas de Irak, crear buenos empleos y aprobar una reforma migratoria extensa y humana.  Él ha unido a distintas personas para lograr una diferencia por toda su carrera, incluyendo como Congresista, Embajador Estadounidense de las Naciones Unidas, Secretario de Energía y Gobernador de Nuevo México.  Apoye al único candidato con décadas de experiencia y un plan para cambiar nuestro país y lograr una diferencia en la vida de todo estadounidense.  Si Ud. vive en Iowa, por favor haga el caucus para Bill Richardson esta noche el jueves 3 de enero.

Para recibir más información sobre el caucus en Iowa, haga clic aquí.

De Gil Solis, un voluntario para Richardson para Presidente, de West Liberty, Iowa:

Querido Amigo,

Estamos a punto de vivir un momento político muy importante en la nación más poderosa del mundo: el caucus, la junta política que organiza el partido demócrata de Iowa para seleccionar al candidato que nos representará en las elecciones para Presidente en 2008.

Considero que es de vital importancia, crucial y determinante, la participación de todos nosotros en este evento que se llevará a cabo el jueves 3 de enero, ya que ahí se designará a la persona que será nuestro candidato a la presidencia de los Estados Unidos.  Quizá ya conoce algunos precandidatos; sin embargo, en esta ocasión me dirijo a usted para invitarle conocer un poco más de la trayectoria y capacidad política del gobernador Bill Richardson, nuestro candidato.  ¿Por qué digo nuestro candidato?  Pues es muy simple: Bill Richardson es la persona que en este momento reúne todo lo necesario para ser nuestro candidato, y por supuesto, el mejor Presidente de los Estados Unidos.

Como el primer precandidato latino del partido demócrata a la presidencia, Bill Richardson es un gran ejemplo de lo lejos que podemos llegar los latinos en este país.  En este momento, juntos podemos elegir a un Presidente con la experiencia, preparación y valentía para crear un cambio que beneficie a todos y no solamente a unos cuantos privilegiados.

Les voy a decir por qué considero que Bill Richardson es el candidato que reúne todos los requisitos para ser un buen Presidente; ninguno de los demás aspirantes tiene la experiencia que tiene él.

Como Congresista, luchó a favor de nuevas reglas para combatir la contaminación del medio ambiente.

Como Secretario de Energía, luchó a favor de la energía renovable y habló sobre el peligro del calentamiento global. 

Como Embajador de las Naciones Unidas, llegó a ser el negociador más destacado, negociando con varias naciones y manejando crisis a nivel internacional.

Como Gobernador de Nuevo México, cortó los impuestos, creó más de ochenta mil nuevos empleos y aumentó los salarios de maestros en las escuelas públicas.  Todos los niños menores de 12 años de edad en Nuevo México tienen cobertura de salud garantizada por la administración del gobernador Richardson. 

Él es el único candidato que hable con seriedad sobre el tema de la inmigración: está en contra de la construcción del muro entre México y Estados Unidos y está a favor de una reforma migratoria seria.

Como podemos ver, esto es solo un poco de lo que el gobernador Richardson ha logrado en su vida como político.  Es evidente que no hay otro candidato con la experiencia y preparación que pueda asumir este compromiso con responsabilidad.  Otros candidatos tienen planes y promesas, pero no experiencia. 

Bill Richardson está listo: lo ha demostrado con sus hechos como Congresista, Secretario de Energía, Embajador de las Naciones Unidas y Gobernador de Nuevo México.  Yo creo que con Richardson nadie pierde y todos ganamos.  A la trayectoria política de Bill Richardson comprueba que es la mejor opción: tiene la experiencia, liderazgo y valentía que se necesita para reparar los daños causados por la administración Bush y asegurar un mejor futuro para todos.

Les invito a participar en el caucus este jueves 3 de enero.  Por supuesto, le invito a darle todo el apoyo a nuestro candidato, y al candidato de todos, el gobernador Bill Richardson. 

Gracias.

Su Amigo,
Adalbert Gil Solis
West Liberty, IA

Promoted by Joaquin

The poll also found, however, that one in five Iowa Democrats and one in three Iowa Republicans said they could still change their minds before the caucuses on Thursday -- the first big test in the state-by-state battle to choose candidates for the November presidential election. [emphasis mine]

Con una sola semana antes de la elección en Iowa, vamos a empezar una nueva serie de posts: ¿Por qué apoyo a Bill Richardson? Espero que lo disfruten.

De Juan Cadena de Muscatine, IA:

Amigos,

Yo les hablo hoy por medio de este escrito como un Latino viviendo en Iowa que ha llegado a entender que mis ideales de familia son similares a esos de otros residentes de Iowa. Yo reconozco que mi preocupación sobre algunos temas son las mismas preocupaciones compartidas con mis colegas de trabajo y amigos/as. Y como Latino, entiendo la importancia de resaltar y tratar los temas como el mejoramiento de la educación, mejoría de empleo y la importancia de inmigración.

La mejoría de empleo a base de un trabajo mejor pagado es una de las razones fundamentales por la cual mis padres decidieron venir a este país, y es importante destacar que el Gobernador Bill Richardson ha creado 80,000 nuevos trabajos de alto salario en Nuevo México. Mis padres siempre fomentaron la necesidad de una buena educación para mis hermanos y yo, por lo cual el aumento de salario mínimo a los maestros de Nuevo México por medio del Gobernador Richardson aseguró la estadía de maestros calificados en las escuelas de miles de niños. La comunidad Latina es más susceptible a diabetes y otros males de salud que son preventivos y como Presidente de los EE. UU., el Gobernador Richardson se va a asegurar que toda la comunidad Americana tenga seguro médico.

Por último, a la edad de 13 anos, Bill Richardson llegó a este país con pocos amigos y familia. Yo estoy seguro que él entiende más que nadie la experiencia de millones de inmigrantes a este país.

Por estas razones y más, el jueves 3 de enero del 2008 yo voy a hacer el caucus para Bill Richardson y les pido a ustedes Amigos que me acompañen.

Sinceramente,

Juan Cadena

Muscatine, IA

From campaign manager Dave Contarino

Out here in Iowa it feels like we're in the middle of a whirlwind -- there is so much going on, and so much to do in the 8 days leading up to the Iowa caucuses.

Our number one job here on the ground right now is talking directly to Iowans -- telling them about the Govenor's strong positions on ending the war, starting a new energy revolution, and creating new jobs in new sectors to support middle class families.

And the best way to get that message is across is person-to-person.

Just this morning hundreds of Richardson Roadrunners left New Mexico to join us up here in this last sprint to the caucuses. They came because they personally know how New Mexico has surged ahead under Governor Richardson's leadership.

You also have something to offer that will be a huge help for us here on the ground -- even if you can't make it to Iowa this week. There are still many people who don't really know the Governor, or his positions -- we are narrowing that number every day, but some people are only focusing now. But you do -- you know where he stands, and why you support him -- whether it is for his stance on ending war, his record of creating jobs, or his extensive diplomatic experience. Now we need you to share that with Iowa caucus-goers.

We have built an online tool to allow people to phone Iowa voters and talk to them about the issues and the Governor's record. These are critical contacts in these last few days as undecided caucus-goers are making up their minds.

And, you can make these calls on your own time, at your own pace, from your own home. It is easy, with the scripts, tips, and the answer responses all built in.

Go to http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/calliowa now and get your first people to call.

We have a lot of people to reach, and now you can help us get to a few more.

Thank you for all your help.

Talk to you soon--

Dave

From the letters to the editor in the Des Moines Register today:

Like many Iowa Democrats, I take our first-in-the-nation caucus as a serious responsibility. With that in mind, it was particularly disappointing to read the Register's Dec. 16 endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

While the endorsement talks about Clinton's preparedness to lead the nation, the reality is that we need a Democratic candidate who is qualified and is a mediator, who can get elected and heal this nation. Clinton will do the opposite, just by being there. The endorsement says that "unfortunately, for many Americans, perceptions of Clinton, now 60, remain stuck in a 1990s time warp."

Boy, does that say it all: Perception is everything. Clinton's very presence is divisive. Even if she were to win the nomination, she cannot win the election. Suggesting that she carries too much baggage is an understatement.

I have been a Bill Richardson supporter since this past spring when his TV ads introduced him, and I maintained my support through the Harkin Steak Fry and the Jefferson Jackson dinner and after listening to all of the candidates. I have had lots of opportunities to give in to the media's forcing the top three candidates down my throat and to be swayed by other campaigns at events.

Richardson and Clinton are not alike. Bill Richardson is the most qualified candidate on all fronts, but he is a mediator who can regain trust and respect internationally for our country. He can draw Republican and independent voters next November and win the election. Clinton cannot.

- Sean Sullivan, Cumming, Iowa.

In 2004, Richard Gephardt went negative on front runner Howard Dean, and Dean counter attacked. Voters in Iowa were turned off. Two candidates with positive messages, John Kerry and John Edwards, came from behind to win. Six weeks before the election Kerry was polling in the mid teens and Edwards was still in the single digits.

Could we be soon witnessing a repeat of 2004? Clinton, Obama and Edwards are locked in a tie for first place, and the race is starting to heat up. As reported by Iowa political commentator David Yepsen:

The 2008 Edwards doesn't sound much like the 2004 Edwards Iowa Democrats came to admire. Now, he sounds increasingly sharp-edged in campaign stump speeches that often border on class-warfare politics. He's started flaying away at the Clinton years in the White House. He and Obama talk about Clinton's support from lobbyists. Clinton has started pushing back about Obama's lack of experience, recently pointing out that living for a few years in a foreign country as a child hardly makes you a foreign-policy expert.

Back and forth it goes. At one level, it's a good thing. Democratic caucus-goers are entitled to vet candidates and see them probe one another's weaknesses before the GOP does it in the November campaign. But Democrats have to be careful about this stuff. Edwards' negativity mars the sunny, moderate image that served him well in 2004. Obama's attacks distract from the politics of hope he likes to preach. Clinton's attacks just undercut her efforts to change her image as a cold-hearted candidate.

Richardson holds a firm grip on fourth place in the race. He's done that with a combination of hard work - he's been in 98 counties - a positive message and some genuinely humorous television advertising earlier in the campaign. "I sense a lot of grass-roots momentum, especially in rural areas," Richardson said in an interview. He packed more than 200 people into the meeting room at the Saylor Township fire department on Saturday afternoon last week. They were mostly older and blue-collar union Democrats, the kind of folks who show up at caucuses. "We're getting huge crowds," he said. "I sense this race is not over. Polls show 50 percent undecided. There's a lot of fluidity. Iowans are known for making up their minds at the last minute."

New Mexico Bill Richardson has barnstormed 95 of Iowa's 99 counties, wooing rural Democrats with his pro-gun record and urban caucus goers with his aggressive Iraq withdrawal plan. He has fielded questions on every imaginable subject, from term limits to the space station. The Richardson style is frank but casual. He leans forward in his cowboy boots, fists jammed in his suit pocket.

. . .His niche is the positive moderate, similar to Edwards circa 2004. Indeed, Richardson is trying to eat into Edwards' support among working class, small town caucus goers. "I think Edwards tends to attract the same people I need to attract," Richardson said. His events also draw large numbers of older women - part of Clinton's target audience. "I like her, but I think she's too polarizing," said Mary Kathryn Gepner, a librarian who attended a Richardson event in Mt. Ayr, and lists Edwards and Richardson as her first and second choices.

The following video will give you a sense of how Iowa voters are responding to Richardson. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSUepIkRBOk

What vision is Richardson articulating for America when he speaks to Iowa voters? Richardson recently outlined his vision for our nation at the end of a speech on a new farm policy for America:

Unfortunately, in Washington today there's too much negativity. Negativity over health care. Negativity over immigration. But when I travel around Iowa, I see something different. I am reminded again that we are a positive nation, founded on inspiring principles.

I see a place where character is more than the contents of your bank account. Where leadership means more than a list of things you plan to do. Where your neighbor's word is more important than all the smooth talk in the world. I see a people who reward those who work hard; but also recognize that even the hardest workers cannot do it alone.

I see a nation attached to our land, but rooted in our values. I have a vision of America in ascendancy. It's a vision that all our people, whether they are in blue, red our purple states can share.

This is America. We landed a man on the moon. We built the internet. We beat the Great depression. We defeated the Nazis. We routed the Soviet Union in a global battle over the future of the planet. So my message for all those who are pessimists, those who are negative, those who are angry is this: We can do it.

To those who said I couldn't get those hostages out of Sudan -- I said I can. And I did it. To those who say we can't get a fair deal for our family farmers -- I say we can. To those who say we can't we can't revitalize our rural economy -- I say we can. To those who say we can't conserve our land and water -- I say we can. To those who say we can't spark a new energy revolution -- I say we can. To those who engage in the politics of personal attacks -- I say we can do better. If we work together, we can solve our problems. We can. And we will.

It’s a tough battle defending this issue for me, knowing that we failed to sign the Kyoto Agreement years back and also being aware this same agreement will soon expire within the next four years; and the US, to date as not produced an alternative plan to replace the Kyoto agreement. For that fact, I haven’t even heard our present administration evening beginning a plan in earnest to address Global Warming.

What ever plan is implemented, by who ever, is going to hurt and as an American I know I’ll resist the change in my driving habits and perhaps auto performance when a plan is enacted. So, if I’m going to suffer these burdens I want an energy plan that works and I feel Governor Bill Richardson’s plan makes the most sense.

The American people want an end to the War in Iraq, how’s that going to be attended to, also coming up quickly and perhaps more importantly is Iran, which will really present a strain on our governing bodies, perhaps the military and our economy. Pakistan will also present an additional drain on the president’s time to insure its nuclear resources are not taken over by undesirable elements within the country.

The key points within the debate centered around two issues that are very dear to me, namely, the War in Iraq, since I’m a former Vietnam Veteran and understand what our troops are going through and Health Care, since I’m 59 years of age, and I’m sure some day I will need to rely on a well conceived Health Care Plan, such as Governor Richardson implemented within his state of New Mexico.

What I didn’t like, most of all was Senator Clinton’s answer to the issue of fixing Social Security. “Getting a group of people together in a room to find a solution to the Social Security problem”, tells me the Senator doesn’t have a plan and again like other issues, she’s taking the “wait and see” attitude or “go with the flow”. During this coming election I want to read and judge a candidate’s plan on the each issue that’s important to me, I guess I’m selfish that way, before the candidate gets my vote.

One issue during the debate that I feel needs serious though on is the “Gender Issue”, which Senator Clinton seems to be getting a lot of mileage out of, and that is the old Harry Truman saying of “get out of the kitchen if you can’t stand the heat”. Perhaps humorous today to some degree, and perhaps not even an issue to be considered for those of us Americans who feel a woman is as capable of leadership as a man, but when you’re talking with international leaders where a woman is looked down upon, such as in the Middle East, Asia and Central Asia; “gender” most certainly is an important issue.

Madeline Albright, former Sectary of State and today’s current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have had limited, if any success, in resolving the problems in the aforementioned regions. Again, which candidate has experience in finding workable solutions in those areas and has been nominated for the fifth time for a Nobel Peace Prize, Governor Richardson.

What tonight’s debate has left me with is; I sticking with my choice from day one, Governor Richardson, and I grateful that my country is open minded enough to accept both a woman candidate and an Afro-American candidate for the presidency within my life time.

The Governor’s Presidential Campaign’s web site is here.

I’ve seen many blogs where there owners copied articles from established web sites, and in some cases implying the scripted content was authored by themselves, which I dislike and disapprove of. It may appear in this posting that I have done the same, which is only partly true.

Currently I am working and residing in Thailand, with plans to return to the states within the coming months and actively campaign for Governor Richardson, in his quest for the Presidency. Since I’m limited to Internet participation only and cannot personally attend formal functions, rallies, or physical assistance; this blog and posting to past along the “Word” is the only way I can provide support to the Governor’s campaign.

Hopefully the readers of this posting will be able to understand what I have personally authored from that of what I have copied from Governor Richardson’s web site or transcribed from the campaign’s posted videos.

My feelings and opinions are my own within this blog; I do not have any affiliation with the Governor or any part of his campaign or members of his staff.

Here’s what I’m following

While president, Bill Clinton was a man to be admired I felt because he took a stance on the problems presented to his administration and I’d like to think and feel the same towards Senator Hillary Clinton, but I’m finding that a bit difficult to do.

The News Media has already chosen the President, with the American people’s blessings. That’s what I understand, so why bother us by going through these “state caucuses”?

Through the News Media’s polls, surveys and “on the street” interviews; News Directors and Producers determine for the American voters which candidate from each party is going to face-off in next November’s election.

It’s been five years, to me that’s a long time, and I’m fifty-nine years old, don’t you think senators it’s about time you develop a plan, and announce to the public so the voters can see what you’re made of.