Friday, January 26, 2007

Richardson's Early Days


The Free New Mexican ran a great story about Richardson's childhood in Mexico in yesterday's issue...



The above photo was provided by childhood friend Ernesto Miranda, who reminisces about their childhood together, playing baseball in the streets and the Richardson family generosity, it is a really wonderful story. Thank you Free New Mexican, it was a really touching read!

Richardson Responds to the State of the Union

The president's seventh State of the Union address sounded very much like numbers one through six -- stubborn and out of touch.

His previous speeches were full of promises later broken -- on energy independence, health care affordability, and fiscal responsibility. And once again, he spoke heartwarming words about bipartisan cooperation that just don't fit the polarizing political tactics of this administration and its allies.

Is anyone really listening to him anymore?

It is clear he is not listening to us. He has mired us in Iraq with no end in sight. Our economy no longer works for millions of Americans and multi-billion dollar deficits threaten Social Security and Medicare.

Fortunately, the American people still have a clear idea of what they want in a president. Earlier this week I asked you to write about your vision of what the next president must be able to do.
Reading your responses, I was struck by your longing for trustworthy and mature leadership, for a president with the vision, competence, and integrity to be respected at home and around the world.

Will you ask someone you know to add his or her voice to the thousands who have spoken out about what America needs in its next president? You can ask your friends to give their input here: http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/nextpresident

Here are just a few of your comments. Our next president must be able to:

"... inspire us with a vision that clearly articulates what it means to be an American, in terms of our commitment to core values and in terms of our responsibilities to the world at large."
--Robert B., Scottsdale, AZ

"... act wisely, knowing that America's strength is in our ideas, in our democratic tradition, in our constitutional process, and in the engine of opportunity that makes us the wealthiest nation in the world."
--Gregory K., Albuquerque, NM

"... work effectively with the leaders of other countries to develop solutions to economic, environmental, and health problems that have a global impact."
--Carol R., New York, NY

"... hit the ground running. We've learned to our vast dismay that being president is not a job that you can learn as you go. It is quite possibly the hardest job in the world, and inexperience has global repercussions. We can only entrust the Oval Office to someone who has already demonstrated an absolute command of the issues and global challenges facing our nation."
--Geoff C., Brookline, MA

"... unite the country with a positive purpose, both domestic and international. The next president must be someone who can gain the respect of the citizens of this country and of the international community, restoring America as a role model among nations. The next President must be someone who knows how to negotiate and who is willing to talk with all parties to reach some common resolutions."
--Charlene C., OR

I hope you're as inspired as I am by the strong recognition of the challenges we face, and the hope and determination that we can meet and overcome them together.

I've never been more confident that together we can make the state of our union stronger than ever.

Yours sincerely,
Governor Bill Richardson

The Growing Richardson Netroots Movement

Since announcing the development of his presidential exploratory committee last weekend, the blogosphere has been on fire with commentary about Governor Bill Richardson and his candidacy. Here are a couple of my favorites...

Terry of CommonTerry, one of the most interesting and pithy blogs I have seen around lately, writes, "Bill Richardson is likely to be the lone governor, running against a host of senators. Therefore, although he is not currently considered to be one of his party's top-tier presidential prospects, he should not be thought of as a long shot either. Indeed, he could be the dark horse among the Democrats. " Be sure to cruise over and read the whole article, and spend some time looking around, it is a very cool blog.

Cee Jay of Cee Jay's Cyberspace writes, "While Richardson isn't liberal enough for my taste on a few issues, I think he can bring our country together to make progress and restore our reputation in the world community." Be sure to visit her blog too, Cee Jay and I have corresponded since her entry here, and she is a very engaging person, with a lot of insight into the world and its transitory nature.

There is a lot of activity out there, though, and most of it seems to be really positive. Of course there are a few out there who use their blogs to perpetuate innuendo and gossip, but even bloggers who support other candidates have positive things to say about Richardson. That really speaks to his ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of the electorate.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Yesterday's announcement from Sudan that Governor Bill Richardson had brokered a 60-day cease fire between warring factions has garnered a wide-range of reactions. I posted a diary on Daily Kos here... (and I have to brag a bit, I had it up there before any of the national media had gotten the story up!) which quickly reached the Recommended Dairies list and stayed there for 9 hours! There was a flurry of really interesting commentary, which bears some perusing.

Here are a few contributions from the mainstream media...

Newsweek

Washington Post

New York Times

Of course the blogosphere went wild...and this is my personal favorite, from the UK, Daniel Owen's fabulous blog Oval Office 2008 .

Naturally, this announcement has led to broader speculation that Richardson will run for POTUS, and I am really excited about this. I am standing by, Governor, ready to shout your announcement from the rooftops!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Richardson Brokers Cease Fire in Sudan

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Gets Commitment for 60-Day Cease-Fire in Darfur Region of Sudan

KHARTOUM, SUDAN – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that he has secured a commitment from Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al Bashir to agree to a 60-day cessation of hostilities in the Darfur region to allow for a new political process under the Darfur Peace Agreement and the auspices of the African Union and the United Nations. Governor Richardson also spoke this week with rebel leaders who said they would agree to a cease-fire. If all parties follow through with the cease-fire, the A.U. and the U.N. will convene a Peace Summit on March 15 under the framework of the peace agreement.

Governor Richardson also secured the following commitments from President Al Bashir:
· Agreed not to have the National military aircraft painted in white markings normally reserved for international organizations.
· Agreed that government forces would attempt to improve security conditions in all areas of Darfur with special emphasis on El Geneina, and would provide protection to food and other humanitarian convoys.
· Agreed to expedite procedures for entry visas for all humanitarian aid workers as well as goods. He also agreed to terminate the requirement of exit visas for humanitarian aid workers.
· Agreed to allow and facilitate travel by journalists from all over the world to Darfur.
· Governor Richardson and President Al Bashir reiterated that gender-based violence and such crimes must be condemned and prosecuted regardless of which party or organization was responsible. President Bashir said he would welcome a significant contribution of female members to the AU/UN hybrid operations. In addition the Justice Minister offered analyze and extend existing efforts to support Sudanese women against all gender-based violence.


Joint Press Statement on the conclusion of the visit by Governor Bill Richardson to the Sudan
7th – 10th January 2006

H.E Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico accompanied by a delegation sponsored by and including members of the Save Darfur Coalition, the leading United States-based Darfur peace advocacy organization, conducted a visit to Sudan to discuss ways to secure peace in the Darfur region of Sudan and the protection of all civilians and other non-combatants. The Governor and the delegation visited EI Fasher and Nayala in Darfur, for meetings with internally displaced persons in Darfur, rebel groups that are signatories to the (DPA) as well as those which are not as of yet, international agencies, the United Nations, and humanitarian aid as well as the Wali of North Darfur and the Deputy Wali of Southern Darfur States and held meetings in Khartoum with H.E President Omer Hassan Al Bashir,Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti and a number of high ranking Sudanese officials.

Both sides agreed that ending the conflict in Darfur is Sudan's and the international community’s highest priority. Peace, they agreed, can only come through a political settlement that is joined in by and addresses the needs of all parties, on the basis of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of 5 May 2006 reiterating their support for preserving Sudan's territorial integrity and the importance of respect for Sudan's sovereignty.

Both sides agreed that there was a compelling need for a comprehensive cease-fire to launch a political process based on the DPA that would lead to a durable end to the conflict as soon as possible. Both agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities by all parties within the framework of the DPA, accompanied by a start in African Union/United Nations diplomatic efforts, within the framework of the DPA, to begin narrowing the gaps between the non-signatories, including government approval of a field commanders' conference attended by the African Union and United Nations. This would be followed at the appropriate moment by an African Union/United Nations – sponsored peace summit, again in the framework of the DPA, no later than 15 March 2007. Simultaneously, both agreed that the UN needed to expedite as quickly as possible the provision of UN personnel agreed in Addis Ababa and further specified in Abuja in November 2006. President Bashir re-affirmed his commitment to continue to facilitate the deployment of UN personnel and equipment consistent with his agreement with the Secretary General of the UN on Phases II and III, including the eventual conclusions of the Tripartite Committee as stipulated in the DPA.

The two sides noted that Governor Richardson had secured a commitment from commanders of the Justice and Equality Movement and of the Non-Signatory Front to participate in a process including a 60-day cease fire agreement within the framework of the DPA. Governor Richardson and Save Darfur Coalition expressed their grave concern to all parties with whom they met about continuing and increasing attacks on civilians and other non-combatants.

They reiterated that gender-based violence and such crimes must be condemned and prosecuted regardless of which party or organization was responsible, noting that Governor Richardson and the Save Darfur Coalition emphasized the need in all their meetings for implementing mechanisms to ensure that "zero tolerance" policies towards gender-based violence be applied in practice, quickly and robustly. Governor Richardson noted with appreciation President Bashir's commitment to welcome a significant contribution of female members to the AU/UN hybrid operations. Both sides expressed their grave concern at allegations of gender ­based violence by United Nations personnel in South Sudan.

Governor Richardson and the delegation also met with the Under-Secretary of Justice, the Rapporteur of the Advisory Council for Human Rights and Dr. Attigatt who presented a briefing on Sudanese Government efforts to institutionalize protections for women. The Governor and the delegation accepted the offer to work with the Ministry to analyze and extend existing efforts to support Sudanese women against all gender-based violence.

President Bashir and Governor Richardson also agreed that more light needs to be shed on the full situation in Darfur. President Bashir agreed to allow and facilitate travel by journalists from all over the world to Darfur.

The two sides underscored the need to disarm all armed groups, including the Janjaweed, pursuant to the provision of the DPA, and further agreed not to have the National military aircraft painted in white markings normally reserved for international organizations.

President Bashir agreed that government forces would attempt to improve security conditions in all areas of Darfur with special emphasis on El Geneina, and would provide protection to food and other humanitarian convoys. They also agreed that humanitarian aid agencies have greatly assisted the Government and people of Sudan by providing much needed emergency and development aid in Darfur and other parts of Sudan. President Bashir agreed to expedite procedures for entry visas for all humanitarian aid workers as well as goods. He also agreed to terminate the requirement of exit visas for humanitarian aid workers. President Bashir noted with satisfaction the strong statements by the Save Darfur Coalition to rebel commanders condemning attacks by their members on humanitarian aid operations and agreed to initiate an ongoing dialogue with the Save Darfur Coalition aimed at ending the violence in Darfur and on achieving a political solution to the crises.

The two sides agreed to apprise African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and United Nations Special Envoy Jan Eliasson of these developments, so that the African Union and United Nations will facilitate the commanders meeting and launch the political discussion and to maintain regular communication assessing progress on these important initiatives to identify areas of difficulty on which further engagement may be necessary to ensure rapid progress and durable outcomes.

Both sides agreed that an improvement of relations is in the mutual interest of both countries.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

From Michelle in Colorado...


...comes this most adorable of snowmen. I particularily like the "Victory" stance...
Yes, we may be snowed in, friends, but we haven't lost our sense of humor!

Welcome to 2007!

I was really excited about the dawning of a new year, specifically because I had tickets to attend the Governor's Boots n' Bolos Inagural Ball, and I was really looking forward to getting dressed up and going to Santa Fe and dancing with some fellow democrats. Well, Friday and Saturday we got hit with this...




Two feet and change of some pretty heavy, wet snow fell for two days straight. We in the east mountains are still digging out.


I hate snow.


Oh well, I can still hope for a President Richardson Boots n' Bolos Inaugural Ball!


Here is my consolation prize....