Richardson Praises Bush's Mideast Policy (New Mex. Gov)

[cthrumatrix]

Richardson Praises Bush's Mideast Policy

WASHINGTON - Support for President Bush (news - web sites)'s mission of spreading democracy throughout the world, especially the Mideast, is winning accolades from an unlikely source — New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson, a prominent Democrat often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate.


Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (news - web sites) and energy secretary under President Clinton (news - web sites), on Monday cited Syria's promise to lower the profile of its 14,000 troops in Lebanon as a "very significant" result of U.S. pressure.


The presidents of Syria and Lebanon announced Monday that the Syrian troops would be pulled back to eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley by March 31.


"I believe the Bush administration deserves credit for putting pressure and saying that authoritarian regimes have to go," Richardson said on NBC's "Today" show. Bush's stated mission of spreading democracy around the world "is working, whether it's by design or by accident," he said.

snip

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=6&u=/ap/20050307/ap_on_go_pr_wh/richardson_mideast

It's time to put on your thinking hats.

IMHO...I think a "certain level" of politician has beeb TOLD about the reason for IRAQ....clearly it's oil and the petro dollar.

There is no going back....it's all about resources when you are confronted with "peak oil". And for those who say we can "buy the oil" -- OPEC countries can switch to the Euro...whihc would be economic calamity.

[kentuck]

1. Some praise him when they don't have to and shouldn't...

I have a problem with those that are so quick with their accolades.

[mhr]

2. Is Richardson Becoming The Lieberman Of The Southwest?

eom

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Now do you see why

he didn't want to count all the votes in NM. Kerry might have won.

[OneBlueSky]

3. are there any Democrats who aren't BushCo enablers . . .

and apologists? . . . is there any semblance of an opposition party left? . . . when are leading Democrats going to call Iraq what it is, i.e. an illegal invasion and an illegal occupation? . . . and one that employs illegal weapons? . . . is there no one with any integrity left in Washington? . . . is the truth an outmoded concept? . . . inquiring minds want to know . . .

[wtbymark]

5. some say: a one party system disguised as a two party system

[booksenkatz]

12. GOD DAMN IT, I don't want to be a one-issue voter!

But this group is making it awfully hard for me. How can I possibly support Dems who lick Bush's ass over and over and over and over and over again on this ILLEGAL IRAQ INVASION that has sucked our treasury dry and has damaged our country for generations to come, if not irreparably? And may I mention the needless deaths of thousands? I have tried and tried to be open-minded about Dems on this issue, but for me to stand with them makes me as blood-soaked as they are, because they are as blood-soaked as Bush is.

Please, Dem leaders, don't force me to be a one-issue voter! Shit.

[piece sine]

19. as one who protests against MIddle East peace

why do you objective if other Democrats -- like myself -- applaud any plausible path will lead to peace in the world's worst region?

It obvious you put partisan political gain above issue of a just and final peace, but why can't others dare disagree with you?

I think you're dripping blood with every keystroke of your reckless and evil-minded post.

[booksenkatz]

21. Please explain how our invasion of Iraq contributes to M.E. peace?

How am I dripping blood with every keystroke of my evil, evil post? How can a peacemonger like me be dripping with blood? Please explain. Please amaze amuse me.

You're correct. I don't like it when people disagree with me about senseless murder of innocents and the senseless draining of the U.S. treasury that puts our tax dollars into the likes of Halliburton and the Bush Empire. Call me nuts. I definitely have a hard time seeing war as a beautiful, helpful thing.

Lastly: what are you smoking and did you bring enough for everyone?
;)

[piece sine]

37. I don't share my stash with strangers

it's become far too expensive. But my many friends consider me a generous and free-sprirted promoter of open minds.

[OneBlueSky]

23. we're bringing peace to the Middle East? . . . news to me . . .

seems that things there were relatively peaceful before we embarked on an illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq . . . before we killed untold thousands of Iraqi civilians . . . before we decimated the country's infrastructure and several of its cities . . . before we blanketed the country with depleted uranium dust, contaminating it for generations and inflicting horrific injury not only on generations of Iraqis, but on our own troops as well . . . before we deployed white phorphorous weapons and cluster bombs that horrendously mutilate human beings (particularly kids who find the clusters and think they're toys) . . . before our actions made Iraq a staging ground for terrorists of all stripes . . .

yeah . . . we're bringing peace to the region . . . NOT! . . .

[saracat]

18. Many, except for Leiberman, are fighting hard.

I was not a fan of Reid but he is getting them to hang together on Social Security. And there have been several other good votes.Don't write them all off. Remember Barbara Boxer? Also remember , we are the minority and in many csaes can't accomplish much. But Richardson is DLC motivated slime. He is a disgrace, but he is following his mentor Clinton, who also has been doing some Bush ass sissing. I simply do not understand why. I would like to see all our Senators and congresspeople united in their oppositon to EVERYTHING Bush wants. We are going to be called obstuctionist anyway.

[OneBlueSky]

24. I wouldn't say "many" . . . maybe a few . . .

the bankruptcy "reform" bill will be a litmus test, imo . . . last time a whopping 13 Democratic senators voted against it . . . think we'll even match that total this time around? . . . stay tuned . . .

[Lindacooks]

22. Yeah. Wellstone.

And look what happened to him.

[XNASA]

6. What has changed in the ME that deserves praise?

Am I missing something?

Can women in Saudi Arabia now vote, or become doctors, or even drive a car?

Has Bin Laden been apprehended?

What progress are we talking about?

And besides, isn't any questionable progress that has been made just a correction of something that the Neocons and the PNAC and the oil barons f*cked up in the first place.

:shrug:

[Pachamama]

20. What has Bush's ME policies accomplished? And WTF is Richardson praising *

for? If anything, I'd say a much stronger argument could be made for how the Bush ME policy has made things WORSE in the Middle East and undermined the security and peace.

And what has Bush done that he can even be "credired" with the events in Lebanon? Am I missing something?

Richardson is another kiss-ass to the Bushites and if he thinks its going to win him a nod in 2008, he's greatly mistaken...

[Gloria]

33. Richardson...well, not only did he screw the recount, he probably

will be signing into law a parental notification bill that some Democrats are supporting. It's passed one house, if I am correct....

Richardson is on TV every two minutes in ads, one plugging pre-school and one with a general "let's work on our priorities" ad. They are paid for by the State Dem party. Dean will have his work cut out for him here. This is getting to be pretty pukey down here...

[BeFree]

7. Reason for Iraq invasion is:

You can bet, in private meetings with the CIA's most fearsome protagonists, Senators, et al, are given the cold-hard facts about peak-oil and those facts pretty much makes the brown stuff run right down their legs.

Too, the finer point of politics requires a certain amount of, well, politics, and Richardson's posturing is nothing but.

[earthside]

8. Most Capitol Democrats

Though Richardson is a governor now, he is still part of the 'inside the beltway' establishment Democratic Party ... sad to say.

This kind of "praise" for the hypocritical and bullying tactics of the Bush regime are exactly why one should be pessimistic about the Dems chances in '06 and '08.

Most grassroots Democrats are not so quick to render favorable judgements for 'der Fuhrer' ... but the 'capitol Democrats' sure are. Why? Because the Democratic Party has become completely beholden to the same kind of special interest PAC money that has already bought and paid for the party of the radical Republicans. And, I think, the establishment Democrats have bought into the "Rove is a genius" propaganda and that 'opposing' the "president during a time of war" is unpatriotic -- I really do believe that 90 percent of the Dem U.S. Senators and their political consultants think that way.

Until the Dems take a stand on principle and become a grassroots, populist party - and reject corporate PAC money - they are going to be split between the individual voter and the compromised "leaders".

Heck, they won't even call them "radical Republicans" because they are so cowed by Bush. Why is that??!!!!!!

[leQ]

13. i don't know why that is, earthside, but if you find out, woudl you please

let us know

i have been trying since 1/20/01 just what in the hell is in that kool-aid. they go in wanting to bust balls, and come out with their balls busted.

skull & bones couldn't have anything to do with that, could it?

[stevedeshazer]

9. Richardson praises Bush's Mideast policy

WASHINGTON -- Support for President Bush's mission of spreading democracy throughout the world, especially the Mideast, is winning accolades from an unlikely source - New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson, a prominent Democrat often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate.

Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary under President Clinton, on Monday cited Syria's promise to lower the profile of its 14,000 troops in Lebanon as a "very significant" result of U.S. pressure.

<snip>

"The president, in talking about freedom and democracy, is sparking a wave of very positive democratic sentiment that might help us override both Islamic fundamentalism that has formed in that region and also some of the hatred for our policy of invading Iraq," he said.

link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1151&slug=Richardson%20Mideast

[drdtroit]

10. WMD's???? n/t

[0007]

11. The hasn't been that strong in New Mexico. Who's gonna sign

off next?

[AtTheEndOfTheDay]

14. F*ck him!

If somebody fired up a new liberal party it might really succeed spectacularly. This Democratic Party has sold out completely. I want a alternative.

[amandabeech]

15. Check another possible Presidential candidate off the list.

I've already checked off Lieberman and Hilary Clinton, who are moving to the right very quickly. I'm just waiting for lerches to the right by Warner, Vilsack and Bayh.

Any thoughts as to whether Kucinich will be running again?

[iamjoy]

32. Yep, He Blew His Chances

And I don't mean it angrily. In trying to move to the right to appeal to moderates, Democrats forget that to win the primary, they must appeal to the core activists, who are often more left leaning.

Also, Dubya will have a hand picked successor, and how will our candidate distinguish him/herself and stand out from the Republican candidate if he/she has spent years praising Dubya's policies?

[KingoftheJungle]

16. RIchardson was chairman of Fellowship house (christian mafia)...

and was also the dick that stopped the NM recounts and destroyed the evidence. Obviously a fundie in disguise.

[leesa]

17. It had nothing to do with the US. And even less to do with Bush

Syria was there at the behest of Lebanon and there was a plan for withdrawal. If anything, this pisses Bush off because it takes away his reason for blasting Syria.

Man, I hate these DINOs.

[shance]

25. Richardson stopped the election recounts in New Mexico

If Bill Richardson doesnt "enhance" his own election, those of you in New Mexico need to look for a real Democrat to run against him.

[adigal]

26. Freedom is on the march

haven't you heard??? And there were no bombings in Iraq today, the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds all agreed to rule together in peace forever, and Israel and Palestine love each other.

Where have you been???
(snark)

[Snivi Yllom]

27. Did I wake up in Bushworld?

The race to the right is frightening and disgusting. I assumed it would not happen for at least a year.

[Ilsa]

28. Hey Bill: STFU. Thank you and good night.

[LTRS]

29. Actually, this is the best sign yet that he will run

And it's certainly possible that he could win. I saw an interview with Syrian rep today on CNN. He said they are pulling out to comply with the UN resolution -- the UN that Bush says is worthless. They also said that now Bush can move on to pushing Israel to comply with UN resolutions that call for them to end their occupation of Gaza, West bank, etc.

I personally would love to see them leave -- occupying a country is wrong, whether Bush does it or Syria does it. And I really would like Syria to be able to take the high road and put pressure on the US re: Israel.

[VegasWolf]

30. Richardson is a joke. I wonder if his wife is fooling around with bush

the way she was with Clinton?

[Trish1168]

31. Its like invasion of the body snatchers

Either the republipukes infiltrated the democratic party or they inplanted brain chips like in the movie the Manchurian candidate.

Actaully, its probably that they've been there all along, republicans in democrats clothing. Just pretending.

I used to be a moderate republican, but with the rise of Bush, I've done a sharp left turn. Considering that I was middle of the road, but see that extremism (i.e. fascism) has taken over....it seems to me that all dems should be moving left (if there weren't already there).

Richardson wants to run for president. He does NOT have my vote.
:mad:

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

34. Another Guy Who Will NEVER Get My Vote

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

35. FOOL! PNAC is nothing for a Democrat to support-EVER- he's now history

When invasion and occupationbecome the policy of the Democrats, it's time to just merge with the pubees and have one party.
This has serious freepercussions.
ha!
just invented a new word!

[bagnana]

36. "Spreading democracy"

Amazing. If he had actually found WMDS there would be no such "mission." It would be all about preventing the spread of WMDS. Yet he gets a pass on this and all else, even from so-called "prominent" democrats. Makes you want to throw up your hands, bend over and say "just get it over with."

[all.of.me]

38. he must be sleeping with the clintons..... n/t

[lumpy]

39. According to the latest,

the Lebanese are protesting the US political assault against Syria, Mr.Richardson. Looks like Mid-Easterners don't appreciate US interference in their affairs.

[rucky]

40. Even if he believes it. Even if - in some alternate reality - he's right

... what's the point of him saying it publicly?

1) WTF is a state governor weighing in on FoPo (I know his background, but...

2) Why is this newsworthy, if not only to bolster the Bushies?

[doodadem]

41. Another "presidential hopeful" with no charisma

Sorry to keep harping on that, but it's true. Richardson wouldn't have a shot either.
He's also wrong about the main reason Syria is pulling back. It has a whole lot less to do with Bush's posturing and saber-rattling, than it does with Saudi Arabia giving them a good talking to. But of course, Bush will take all credit, and the faithful will lap it up.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

42. hoping like hell that matthews is wrong and that gore will run

between hillary the bankruptcy reform supporter, richardson the war apologist, and kerry the spineless non-campaigner, the future looks bleak.

maybe dean will break his pledge and see the sorry slate of bush-enablers and jump into the race