New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Saturday made the case Saturday that there's room for him in that supposedly "three-person race" in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.
"Here in Iowa, we are moving up," Richardson told about 150 people. "We are going to win this thing -- just watch. Look where John Kerry and John Edwards were four years ago at this stage. I can feel this surge."
Since entering the presidential fray in May, Richardson has admitted he doesn't boast "rock star" or celebrity status. Instead, he has focused on his experience as a governor, congressman, UN ambassador and secretary of energy. Along the way in visiting all 99 Iowa counties, Richardson faced the daunting task of overcoming the perception he wasn't a frontrunner. That perception came from a deficit in many polls -- trailing behind the Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards.
Yet, Richardson still trudges forward. He campaigned Saturday in central Iowa despite strong winds and significant snow fall. He has his eye on the prize, and told the crowd at the West Des Moines Public Library that he can win Iowa -- with their support.
One issue Richardson can distinguish himself from the Democratic field is on Iraq. Richardson has stressed while other issues are emerging as the Iowa caucuses near, candidates can't overlook Iraq. He says the war should end with no residual troops behind.
"I am upset at the fact the media is saying this is one of the issues," Richardson said. "I have the clearest plan. We get out in one year."
Richardson's plan resonates with Ken Briggs, a retired Vietnam veteran.
"I was at a function in June or May," Briggs said. "Every veteran question I asked him, he answered right."
The New Mexico governor contradicts statements made by Republican presidential candidates and the White House that the surge in Iraq is working. Thirty-seven U.S. soldiers died in December in the war-torn region; that's 37 too many, he added.
Richardson spent Saturday afternoon at central Iowa house parties hosted by military families. As the caucus nears, Richardson -- like all presidential candidates -- is taking his message to as many Iowans as he can before Jan. 3.
He asked Iowans determine his fate, not the media or Washington, D.C. insiders.
"It is Iowa that is making the decision," he said. "Not the smarty pants set in Washington, not the national media and T.V. that tell you this is a two-person race. This is a race that should be who can bring this country together."
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=113970good stuff. :thumbsup:
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