Presidential hopeful Governor Bill Richardson, D-N.M., touted his experience and dismissed concerns about his low poll ratings at a town hall-style meeting Wednesday. Richardson discussed ending the war in Iraq, combating global warming, reducing the budget deficit and providing college opportunities for every American.
In regards to the war in Iraq, Richardson stated that he is opposed to President Bush's plan to send more troops, declaring that if he were president he would withdraw all troops within the year. A diplomatic solution, Richardson argued, is the answer to the war in Iraq.
"Is it a perfect plan? No." Richardson said. "Does it have a chance? Maybe. I would give it a 50 percent chance of success, maybe more. But what's the alternative? A surge of troops, more civil war, more violence."
Additionally, Richardson proposed cutting military spending by reforming contracting procurement practices, ending outdated weapon systems and reducing the nuclear arsenal by 50 percent.
One of the key platforms of Richardson's agenda is to combat global warming. Richardson said that, if elected, he would prioritize the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
"Some people say that we have to have a balance between drilling and environmentalism." Richardson said. "I don't believe that's always possible. I choose environmentalism."
As president, he said that he would reduce dependence on foreign oil from 65 percent to 10 percent through the use of renewable energy sources. He also said that he would demand that car companies raise fuel efficiency standards in one year, instead of the ten years proposed by the Bush administration.
Another component of Richardson's platform is controlling the budget deficit. To reduce the deficit Richardson said that he would support a constitutional amendment that would balance the budget, allowing exceptions for war and recession. He also said he would combat wasteful government spending.
"Congress spent $250 million in Alaska on a bridge that went to nowhere. There were no people that the bridge was being built for. The idea was that you'd build a bridge and people would come, like the [movie] 'Field of Dreams.'"
Richardson highlighted his goal of sending every American to college or vocational school.
"We spend $600 billion in Iraq and I want the same response for education and health care." Richardson said.
Richardson, who served as a representative in Congress and was appointed representative to the United Nations during the Clinton administration, highlighted his long career in public service. Richardson, who has served as Secretary of Energy, is now the governor of New Mexico, re-elected in 2006 with 68 percent of the vote.
Despite his experience, Richardson continues to lag in the polls with his numbers fluctuating in the single digits. His campaign has raised $6 million, a figure dwarfed by the $26 million and $25 million of presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., respectively.
Richardson, however, remains optimistic.
"Money doesn't vote; it's people. It's issues and voters."
Richardson points to the steady gain he has been making in the polls.
"I was under the margin of error when I started." Richardson joked. "Now we're up to 6 percent. We're third in Minnesota. I called my staff and said how come I'm third, I haven't been there, and they said 'That's why your third.'"
