Yesterday, I was privileged to serve as the surrogate speaker on behalf of Governor Bill Richardson at Straw Poll 2008, an event hosted by the San Mateo Democratic Party. It was a wonderful fundraising event to help fund the 2008 Election effort in San Mateo. Over 1500 tickets were sold, and approximately 1000-1200 people attended.
Dennis Kucinich led the speakers, with a fiery speech that certainly rallied his supporters. This was billed as a major event for Rep. Kucinich, and the campaign had invested thousands in this event. Similar organizational efforts were made by the Edwards and Obama campaigns. State Senator Jackie Speier spoke on behalf of Senator Clinton, Lynne Gravel Mosier gave a great speech on behalf of her father, State Senator Leland Yee talked very emotionally about his experiences growing up and how that related to his support for John Edwards. Unfortunately, I had to follow our former State Treasure and gubernatorial candidate, Steve Westly, who is the California Co-Chair for the Obama Campaign. Steve is a great guy, and a wonderful speaker.
Below the fold is the text of my prepared remarks.
Thank you, Andrew
It's an honor to be here in San Mateo. What a great way to raise money for the 2008 campaign! Great turnout, great event. I am proud to be here to represent Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for President.
The great thing about going last is that nobody can rebut what you say!!
I must tell you, folks, we are in a mess! A serious, serious mess!
And it's a mess created by George Bush, Dick Cheney, and their cronies.
* A disastrous invasion of Iraq leading to a civil war, and now our young men and women are dying for no good reason. Almost a trillion dollars spent in a country that not only wants us out, but thinks its okay to kill Americans. What the hell are we doing there???
* The goodwill of the world, which was ours after 9/11, squandered by Bush's cowboy diplomacy;
* An education system that penalizes schools instead of creating a learning environment.
* A middle class that is vanishing because of outsourced jobs.
* The unconscionable response to the Katrina disaster in New Orleans.
* A raid on the Social Security Trust Fund, now in danger of insolvency.
In the popular television series, The West Wing, where art truly imitated life, Josh Lyman said, "The country's waiting for someone to step up. It should be us."
We need a bold, innovative leader to steer this country forward. We have to repair the damage done here at home and to our reputation abroad. That's why I am supporting Bill Richardson for President
By now, most of you know Bill Richardson's qualifications:
* 7 term Congressman and senior member of the majority leadership during his tenure
* Ambassador to the United Nations and Global troubleshooter
* United States Secretary of Energy
* 4 time Nobel Peace prize nominee for his efforts in rescuing hostages and negotiating ceasefires in the Sudan, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
* Two term Governor of New Mexico, re-elected by almost 70% of the voters, including 40% of the Republicans.
As Governor, he has presided over the New Mexico turnaround, responsible for creating 80,000 high paying jobs , made New Mexico the Clean Energy state, raised teacher pay, developed rapid rail mass transit, and provided health insurance to children age 12 and under.
Bill Richardson's experience and qualifications on the domestic front is unmatched by any of the Presidential candidates; and his international experience is without parallel. As Governor Richardson said a couple of days ago, "My colleagues in this race have my respect, but it is simple fact that the next international deal negotiated by any of them will be their first."
We are in a mess, folks, and we can't afford to have a President who has to have on-the-job training. Governor Richardson will be able and ready to lead from the very first day.
But, it is not just about qualifications and experience; our nominee must able to bring change on that very first day.
So, what will Bill Richardson do? Where does he stand on the issues?
The greatest, most pervasive issue facing our country is the war in Iraq. In this issue, there can be no equivocation. We must have a leader who brings clarity to the ever blurring lines.
Senators Clinton, Obama, and Edwards have refused to commit to having all of our troops out of Iraq by 2013, 5 years from now! How can we, as Democrats, as Americans, lend our support to what is merely a lessened degree of more of the same?
Bill Richardson is the only one of top four candidates who has laid out a clear plan for Iraq and our troops. In fact, it's a one point plan! Get them all out, and get them all out within the first year of his administration. NO TROOPS LEFT BEHIND!!
Bill Richardson has said, "The peace process cannot even begin until our presence is removed from Iraq." We are inciting the insurgents. We are the reason Al-Quaeda has a presence in Iraq. We need to get out, and get out immediately!
Once our troops are gone, we can call on the UN to create a multinational, all-muslim, peacekeeping force. We can call for a donor conference to work on the rebuilding Iraq. We can involve the countries in the region in a security conference. It is in their best interest that Iraq is stable and secure. But none of this can happen while we maintain a presence in that country. Bring them home!
Governor Richardson is standing out as a bold, decisive leader on Iraq; and he has the experience to back up what he is saying.
Turning to our environment, the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation voters has called Bill Richardson's plan to combat global warming and climate change as the most aggressive of any of the candidates. Governor Richardson has proven up his intentions in New Mexico, by making it the Clean Energy state.
That's tough, bold, innovative leadership!
Governor Richardson will provide Universal Health Care for all Americans, with a plan that is doable. Bill Richardson's plan will cut bureaucracy, invest in prevention and medical technology, and preserve choice of coverage and care.
As a veteran, I am excited about Governor Richardson's plan for a Heroe's Health Card - where veterans can get treatment anywhere, not just at the VA.
That's bold, compassionate leadership!
Turning to our future, Governor Richardson believes our education system is the key to our growth as a country. That's why he would bring universal kindergarten to every child, just as he has done in New Mexico.
* Governor Richardson has an easy method for dealing with No Child Left Behind - scrap it and start over with a program that works with lower performing schools to bring them up.
* Creating a national minimum salary for teachers.
* Finally, and perhaps most important of all, make college available for all Americans, by forgiving two years of tuition and fees at our public universities and colleges for every year of public service. Teachers, social workers, nurse practitioners, public safety - the fabric of our society, would be able to go to college in exchange for their service.
NOW, THAT IS BOLD AND INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP!!!
Governor Richardson would provide full domestic partnership rights, and all the federal benefits, for all couples, regardless of gender. Governor Richardson has a plan for the Defense of Marriage Act and Don't Ask, Don't - Tell - SCRAP THEM!
President Bill Richardson will stop corporate welfare and quit rewarding companies that send jobs overseas. Instead, President Bill Richardson will create new jobs here in America. He did it in New Mexico, and as President, he will do it for everyone.
Leadership with experience for change!
Right on qualifications and experience, right on the issues, but can he win the Presidency? I would submit to you that is the overriding decision today. You must ask yourself. Which candidate changes the electoral map. Here is what I can promise you:
With Bill Richardson as its nominee for President, immediately Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico come into play. States that we lost the last time. That's more than enough to put a Democrat in the White House.
In closing, I would relate the story of John Early, a Red Cross pilot who was rescued by Bill Richardson from Sudanese rebels. Upon his rescue, Early said:
"I don't have a lot of faith in politicians to tell you the truth, but Bill Richardson was the only guy who actually came and did something. He is the guy who got the job done."
My fellow Democrats, we need someone who can get the job done.
We need Bill Richardson as President. I would ask you to vote for Richardson today to get the job done.
Thank you.