Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

by Jerome Armstrong, Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 09:17:36 AM EDT

Bill Richardson released an ad today talking about residual troops that would be left in Iraq by the presidential candidates that calls out the other presidential candidates, Clinton, Edwards, Obama.

I've long praised Richardson for the stance he has on the issue. I blogged "The Candidates Side-by-Side on Iraq" a while ago, and it still stands:

Regardless of whom the Democratic presidential candidate is, if we have a strong distinction to run against the Republicans over the issue of ending the occupation of Iraq, we will win. If the Democrats end the occupation as soon as possible in 2009, and not occupy Iraq a day longer than necessary, the party will be rewarded with gains in 2010. Then, following a successful majority redistricting, a decade-long congressional super-majority can culminate in 2012. But making that happen, and getting that endorsement for a progressive agenda for America, begins with fulfilling the promise to get out of Iraq as soon as Democrats take control of the government...

Ending the war means removing all the troops from Iraq.

Tags: Bill Richardson (all tags)

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

Bill Richardson also bragged about personally negotiating with North Korea and Saddam Hussein. Both ended in FAILURE. Bill Richardson also was a supporter of the Iraq War initially, when it comes to judgement, Bill Richardson has none.

by allmiview 2007-09-24 09:37AM | 0 recs

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

This is nonsense. Richardson was credited by Andrea Mitchell, one of the few reporters in the pool that traveled with him to North Korea, for helping secure the breakthrough on nuclear weapons. And Richardson successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein to release American hostages that Saddam was holding. Exactly how was that a failure?

by NoneSuch 2007-09-24 10:47AM | 0 recs

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references please?

You make some bold statements. On what do you base that Richardson was for the war? I remember him saying that Iraq was not an immediate threat and that as a country we should have patience.

by Licorice 2007-09-24 10:57AM | 0 recs

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strange bedfellows

Richardson, Bowers, Stoller?

I guess Iraq is all that matters.

by souvarine 2007-09-24 10:36AM | 0 recs

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for some people, it is

and this is a good ad for reaching those people.

I think it potentially hurts Obama more than the others, because Obama is campaigning as the guy who had the best judgment on Iraq.

There is a typo in the ad--the graphic says Biden wants to leave 20,0000 troops (voice-over says twenty thousand) in Iraq.

by desmoinesdem 2007-09-24 10:51AM | 0 recs

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Exactly

Richardson is part of team Hillary with ridiculous proposals like free universal healthcare , no tax increases (not even the bush tax cuts) and all troops out within 5 months (Physically impossible.).

but it's good at taking votes from Obama

by TarHeel 2007-09-24 11:15AM | 0 recs

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Troops Out is plausible and necessary

Richardson has the credentials to say that taking all the troops out is possible within a 6 to 8 month timeframe.
This is just the start of what he is saying though. His position is that we can not start engaging in diplomacy unless we are not an occupying force and we can not be trusted until we make a major effort to remove our troops.
To focus only on the removal of troops is to miss the larger part of the message which is we can not move forward unless we can be a trusted to work with Iraq and its neighbors to develop a diplomatic and political structure that works well for Iraq and Middle East.
Our soldiers can not carry out humanitarian efforts because that is not what they are trained to do nor should that become their job. Richardson has called for a Muslim peace keeping force in the region. He is for working within the structures of their country. We can not continue to have American contractors dictate how to rebuild Iraq. I think we can all agree that is not a plan that is working.

by Licorice 2007-09-24 11:39AM | 0 recs

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he was asked at the debate

by Stephanopolus in iowa in August if he thought he could get all troops out by December he said "yes", Biden basically called him a liar on that.

in the aarp debate someone pointed out that candidates roll through every 4 years promising balanced budgets , free programs and tax cuts.

heck even Hillary is for rolling back bush tax cuts.

richardson and romney should open up a used care dealership..

I like how bowers and co.. are basically not happy with the dems position but are helping elect the only neocon supported candidate of the bunch..

by TarHeel 2007-09-24 11:44AM | 0 recs

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Re: for some people, it is

It was a good ad. It will likely help Richardson in the polls in IA and NH where he has a shot at coming in 3rd.

While it sounds good to single issue voters I do not agree that total withdrawal is feasible from a military and economic standpoint. In my opinion Iraq will be a very long term situation like Korea and Europe.

by robliberal 2007-09-24 11:35AM | 0 recs

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

Are Matt Stoller and Chris Bowers supporting Richardson now? I was surprised to see them in his campaign ad.

by robliberal 2007-09-24 10:53AM | 0 recs

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Is this right

Last week I understood Edwards to say the only troops he would keep would be to protect the US Embassy.

The Obama position described on the web was very worrisome, but I believe he clarified his position as well.

I am not sure the distinction here is as clear as the facts support, certainly with respect to Edwards and possible with respect to Obama.

Hillary is another story.

by fladem 2007-09-24 11:33AM | 0 recs

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Ending the war means ending our occupation of Iraq

It's amazing how the leading Democratic candidate for President can claim she'll "end this war" but has no intention of ending the U.S. military intervention in Iraq. Does anyone think the extremists and other forces in Iraq are going to stop shooting at U.S. forces because a future President claims the war is over, but keeps thousands of troops in Iraq?

by Stephen Cassidy 2007-09-24 11:34AM | 0 recs

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

Is he planning to run such an ad in Iowa and NH?...It'll be interesting to see how Iowans receives such an ad.

Now , ive always stated that you can run ads against your opponents , as long as they are factual...If this ad is not an attack ad , then i think this should open the flood gate for Edwards and Obama to take on Clintons on Lobbyist launcheon , pay for play and a bunch of other stuff...As long as they are factual.

Lets see if Richardson run this ad in Iowa.

by JaeHood 2007-09-24 11:39AM | 0 recs

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thsi is not an ad

they're trying to get free media.. it's 4:30 long.

richardson is a sham I looked at his "side by side" page reference citation for Edwards and it said no such thing.

Edwards said troops at the embassy which is the same for all embassies in the world.

it's a gimmick

by TarHeel 2007-09-24 11:47AM | 0 recs

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there's a 30-second version

of the ad that will go on tv (at least that's what Bowers wrote at Open Left).

by desmoinesdem 2007-09-24 12:30PM | 0 recs

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Re: there's a 30-second version

well let's see the 30 second version and a confirmed ad buy FROM A NETWORK

by TarHeel 2007-09-24 02:46PM | 0 recs

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

Also, Richardson is pretty much making the GOP case against a possible the democratic nomination.

This could hurt Hillary the must if she's the nominee because she voted for the war , so she has no cred there and she would not have any advantage on the war against the GOP if they make the richardson case.

I'm sure Hillary cant like what Richardson is doing since she's already thinking about general election according to her supporters.

by JaeHood 2007-09-24 11:41AM | 0 recs

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The ad is aimed at the right issue

How important is all of this?

In NH when asked who can deal with Iraq the best in the Franklin Pierce poll Hillary wins with 33%, but Obama and Richardson tie at 10%, ahead of Biden at 8% and Edwards at 7%. To the extent that this ad raises doubts about Hillary and Iraq, while trying to establish Richardson as a leader on the issue, it is a homerun.

BTW - here are the numbers from the LA Times in Iowa on who would best deal with the Iraq issue:
Clinton 33 - Obama 15 - Edwards 8 - Richardson 6.

It is interesting to note how week Edwards is on this question.

http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/200 7-09/32481597.pdf

by fladem 2007-09-24 12:03PM | 0 recs

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Re: The ad is aimed at the right issue

My prediction is that all of the candidates will eventually embrass this position.

I hope Richardson get's traction with this AD.

by BDM 2007-09-24 12:12PM | 0 recs

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Re: Richardson on getting the troops out of Iraq

Chris Bowers and Matt's pet project. It sure will stir up some cat fight between them and Edwards & Obama supporters who are desperate seeking 'endorsements' from openleft/dailykos.

by areyouready 2007-09-24 12:45PM | 0 recs

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Good ad

You've convinced me on the policy, but not sure about the candidate because of his recent gaffes. I initially was very interested in Richardson. Now, after watching several debates, not so much.

Fun to see Bowers, Stoller, et al. in a campaign ad.

by Coral 2007-09-24 12:56PM | 0 recs

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Re: Good ad

The position should be the Democratic position-- that's the point.

by Jerome Armstrong 2007-09-24 01:16PM | 0 recs