Governor
Bill
Richardson
Officially
Declares
Candidacy
for
Democratic
Presidential
Nomination
Governor
launches
new
phase
of
campaign
in
Los
Angeles,
receives
the
endorsement
of
California
political
and
community
leaders
LOS
ANGELES,
CA--New
Mexico
Governor
Bill
Richardson
today
announced
he
is
ending
the
exploratory
phase
of
his
campaign
and
is
officially
seeking
the
2008
Democratic
Presidential
nomination.
With
his
wife
Barbara
by
his
side,
the
Governor
made
the
announcement
this
morning
during
a
news
conference
at
the
Millennium
Biltmore
Hotel
in
Los
Angeles,
California.
"The
United
States
faces
huge
challenges,
but
also
huge
opportunities.
I am
running
for
President
because
these
times
call
for
a
leader
with
a
proven
track
record,
and
a
demonstrated
ability
to
bring
people
together
to
tackle
our
problems
at
home
and
abroad,"
said
Governor
Richardson.
"I
am
that
person,
not
because
I
say
so,
but
because
of
what
I
have
done,
and
what
I
can
do
for
the
American
people."
Governor
Richardson
has
devoted
more
than
25
years
to
public
service,
including
7
terms
as a
US
Congressman,
as
US
Ambassador
to
the
United
Nations,
as
Secretary
of
Energy,
and
is
now
in
his
second
term
as
Governor
of
New
Mexico.
"This
Presidential
election
is
unlike
any
other
we've
ever
seen.
From
day
1,
we
have
to
repair
the
damage
done
here
at
home
and
to
our
reputation
abroad.
And
that
all
starts
with
restoring
diplomacy
as
the
primary
instrument
of
our
foreign
policy
...
and
basic
fairness
as
the
primary
means
for
problem
solving
in
Washington,"
said
the
Governor.
"There
are
a
lot
of
candidates
in
this
race
with
good
ideas.
But
coming
up
with
a
good
idea
is
only
half
the
job.
The
other
half
is
bringing
people
together
to
get
it
done.
I'm
proud
of
my
record
of
getting
things
done.
And
I'll
put
that
record
up
against
anyone's."
The
Governor
announced
the
formation
of
his
Presidential
Exploratory
Committee
on
January
22,
2007.
As
he
began
his
campaign,
Governor
Richardson
was
fully
engaged
in
the
60-day
session
of
the
New
Mexico
Legislature,
where
he
passed
approximately
90%
of
his
initiatives.
Governor
Richardson
today
also
received
the
endorsement
of
more
than
two
dozen
California
political
and
community
leaders,
including
many
from
the
Latino
community.
A
complete
list
of
endorsements
is
below.
Here
is
the
complete
text
of
the
Governor's
remarks
from
today's
news
conference,
as
prepared
for
delivery:
"I'd
like
to
thank
all
of
you
for
joining
us
here
today.
It
means
so
much
to
me
to
officially
announce
my
candidacy
in
California,
the
state
I
was
born
in
and
the
state
whose
primary
I
plan
on
winning
on
my
way
to
becoming
the
next
President
of
the
United
States.
The
United
States
faces
huge
challenges,
but
also
huge
opportunities.
I am
running
for
President
because
these
times
call
for
a
leader
with
a
proven
track
record,
and
a
demonstrated
ability
to
bring
people
together
to
tackle
our
problems
at
home
and
abroad.
I am
that
person,
not
because
I
say
so,
but
because
of
what
I
have
done,
and
what
I
can
do
for
the
American
people.
The
challenge
of
the
campaign
I am
launching
today
is
to
get
that
message
heard.
Running
for
this
office
is
the
ultimate
job
interview.
It's
not
just
about
the
positions
you've
held
but
the
job
you've
done
and
your
ability
to
lead
on
day
one
at a
very
critical
time
in
our
nation's
history.
This
Presidential
election
is
unlike
any
other
we've
ever
seen.
From
day
one,
we
have
to
repair
the
damage
done
here
at
home
and
to
our
reputation
abroad.
And
that
all
starts
with
restoring
diplomacy
as
the
primary
instrument
of
our
foreign
policy
...
and
basic
fairness
as
the
primary
means
for
problem
solving
in
Washington.
There
are
a
lot
of
candidates
in
this
race
with
good
ideas.
But
coming
up
with
a
good
idea
is
only
half
the
job.
The
other
half
is
bringing
people
together
to
get
it
done.
I'm
proud
of
my
record
of
getting
things
done.
And
I'll
put
that
record
up
against
anyone's.
Some
of
the
critical
questions
to
ask
every
candidate
in
this
race
are:
how
will
you
solve
the
crisis
in
Iraq
and
bring
our
troops
home?
How
will
you
deal
with
global
warming?
How
will
you
address
the
health
care
crisis
in
this
country?
And
what
will
you
do
about
illegal
immigration?
How
will
you
grow
the
middle
class
again?
I
cannot
address
all
these
in
one
short
statement,
and
I
urge
everyone
to
check
my
website,
www.Richardsonforpresident.com,
for
a
more
complete
explanation,
but
let
us
discuss
several:
First,
Iraq.
Some
will
tell
you
that
we
only
have
two
options:
either
stay
in
Iraq
and
try
to
referee
a
civil
war
or
leave
and
collapse
into
chaos.
I've
spent
a
lot
of
time
in
this
part
of
the
world
and
let
me
tell
this:
that
is a
false
choice.
Removing
all
of
our
troops
and
healing
Iraq
are
one
and
the
same.
Only
when
it
is
clear
that
the
US
will
leave
Iraq
can
the
hard
diplomatic
work
have
a
chance
for
success.
A
negotiated
political
settlement,
involving
the
warring
parties
and
interested
neighbors
is
how
to
prevent
a
regional
war.
And
we
have
a
strategic
interest
in
organizing
a
regional
conference,
with
all
of
Iraq's
neighbors
including
Syria
and
Iran,
to
help
stabilize
Iraq.
But
I
would
leave
no
troops
behind
in
Iraq.
No
air
bases.
No
security
patrols.
No
embedded
soldiers
training
Iraqi
forces
...
because
we
all
know
what
that
means.
It
means
our
troops
would
still
be
out
on
the
streets
with
targets
on
their
backs.
We
need
a
president
who
is
not
dismissive
of
diplomacy,
but
someone
who
embraces
it
as
the
primary
instrument
of
foreign
policy
because
he
has
practiced
it,
and
knows
how
to
get
results.
Being
stubborn
is
not
a
foreign
policy
and
being
President
means
working
with
both
parties.
As
Lee
Iacocca
has
said:
"Courage
in
the
21st
Century
doesn't
mean
posturing
and
bravado.
Courage
means
a
commitment
to
sitting
down
at
the
negotiating
table
and
talk."
I
agree.
It
was
tough,
face-to-face
talks
that
helped
secure
the
release
of
journalist
Paul
Salopek,
and
two
colleagues
from
a
jail
in
Darfur.
I am
so
proud
that
his
wife,
Linda
Lynch,
is
here
today.
You
know,
when
I
visited
Darfur
in
January
and
negotiated
a
cease
fire,
I
saw
thousands
of
widows
and
fatherless
children
trying
to
escape
the
genocide
...
waiting
in
line
in
oppressive
heat
for
a
month.
They
wanted
to
know
why
it
was
taking
the
United
States
so
long
to
do
something.
I
didn't
have
a
good
answer.
As
President,
I
will
make
sure
the
US
leads
the
world
in
saying
no
more-
the
violence
must
end.
We
also
need
a
President
who
is
not
dismissive
of
energy
independence
and
global
warming.
This
is
no
longer
a
choice---it
is a
moral
imperative
for
our
planet
and
a
matter
of
survival
of
our
country.
I'm
proud
that
I
made
New
Mexico
the
clean
energy
state.
We're
already
requiring
utility
companies
to
produce
energy
from
renewable
sources.
We've
already
invested
directly
in
energy
efficiency,
we're
promoting
renewable
energy
with
tax
credits
for
using
wind,
solar,
and
biofuels,
and
we've
eliminated
taxes
on
hybrid
cars.
I
have
the
most
aggressive
plan
of
anyone
running
for
President.
Within
twelve
years,
my
plan
would
reduce
greenhouse
emissions
by
20
percent,
lower
demand
for
oil
by
fifty
percent,
and
push
fuel
economy
standards
to
50
miles
per
gallon.
By
the
year
2040,
my
plan
would
require
that
50
percent
of
our
electricity
be
generated
from
renewable
sources
and
would
reduce
greenhouse
gas
emissions
by
80
percent.
The
League
of
Conservation
Voters
rated
mine
the
most
aggressive
plan
with
the
highest
goals
of
any
candidate.
I'm
also
ambitious
on
health
care.
Every
political
candidate
says
that
all
Americans
should
have
access
to
affordable
health
care.
But
how
do
we
achieve
that?
.
In
New
Mexico,
we
have
made
a
start
by
expanding
our
state
health
insurance
to
cover
every
child
under
five,
we
have
tackled
childhood
obesity,
we've
insured
more
working
New
Mexicans
and
we're
looking
to
expand
it
even
more.
But
states
shouldn't
have
to
struggle
to
solve
this
problem
on
their
own.
My
plan
as
President
is
simple:
Every
employer
must
provide
health
insurance
for
their
employees
or
pay
an
equivalent
fee
to
the
federal
government,
and
every
individual
must
have
health
insurance.
Employers
and
individuals
will
have
their
choice
of
options--
if
they
like
the
coverage
they
have,
they
can
keep
it.
My
plan
creates
no
new
federal
bureaucracies.
Next,
the
middle
class.
They
have
been
under
attack
for
the
last
6
years.
As
President,
I am
going
to
reverse
that
and
pursue
polices
like
those
we
have
in
New
Mexico.
We
gave
tax
credits
to
companies
that
create
jobs
paying
above
the
prevailing
wage,
we
helped
start
up
high
tech
companies
and
we
invested
in
technical
training
And,
while
Washington
DC
could
not
do
anything,
we
passed
a
$7.50/hour
minimum
wage
And
finally,
immigration.
As
the
Governor
of a
border
state,
I
deal
with
this
issue
every
day.
The
proposal
moving
forward
in
the
Senate
is a
step
in
the
right
direction
toward
establishing
a
path
to
legalization.
But
at
the
same
time
it's
a
step
in
the
wrong
direction
because
it
separates
parents
from
children
and
loved
ones
from
their
families.
The
touchback
provision
is
ill
conceived,
and
any
guest
worker
program
mustrequire
available
jobs
to
be
first
posted
for
American
citizens
and
legal
residents.
We
can
address
the
illegal
immigration
problem
by
taking
three
realistic
steps.
First,
we
have
to
recognize
that
no
fence
ever
built
has
stopped
history.
And
a
border
fence
wouldn't
either.
If
you
build
a
ten
foot
fence,
someone
will
use
an
11
foot
ladder.
Instead,
use
that
money
to
secure
the
border
with
more
Border
Patrol
officers.
We
need
to
at
least
double
the
number
of
Border
Patrol
agents.
That
would
secure
the
border.
Second,
we
need
a
path
to
legalization
requiring
those
living
in
the
United
States
illegally
to
pay
a
realistic
fine,
pass
a
background
check,
and
pay
any
back
taxes.
And
third,
we
have
to
work
closely
with
the
Mexican
government.
Mexico
needs
to
do
more
to
stem
the
flow.
But
if
we
create
a
reasonable
guest
worker
program
and
provide
a
path
to
legalization
for
illegal
immigrants
already
here,
there
is
every
reason
to
expect
Mexico
to
do
its
part
with
economic
reforms
and
to
help
us
with
border
security.
You
can
go
to
my
website,
www.Richardsonforpresident.com,
to
find
my
complete
plans
on
each
of
these
issues.
These
will
be
some
of
the
defining
issues
of
the
campaign.
This
is a
pivotal
time
in
our
nation's
history.
The
challenges
we
face
are
not
acts
of
God
or
accidents
of
fate.
They
were
man-made
and
deliberate.
Whether
it
was
willful
ignorance
or
an
ignorant
will,
we
are
left
with
the
ravages
of
an
administration
that
will
take
years
to
rectify.
We
cannot
expect
the
world
to
readily
trust
us
as
before.
But
we
can
try.
We
can
negotiate
with
honor,
defend
with
integrity,
and
reach
out
with
conciliation.
We
have
many
fences
to
mend
...
and
I'm
ready
to
get
started."
LIST
OF
SUPPORTERS
WHO
JOINED
GOVERNOR
BILL
RICHARDSON
ON
THE
STAGE
Los
Angeles
County
Supervisor
Gloria
Molina
Senator
Sandra
Kennedy
Ambassador
Edward
Romero
Lt.
Governor
Diane
Denish
California
State
Senator
Gilbert
Cedillo
West
Hollywood
City
Councilman
Jeffry
Prang
Albuquerque
Mayor
Martin
Chaves
Former
California
Assembly
Majority
Leader
Dario
Frommer
President
of
the
New
Mexico
AFL-CIO
Christine
Trujillo
DNC
Western
States
Vice
Chairwoman
Mary
Gail
Gwaltney
NM
Deputy
Secretary
of
Aging
and
Long
Term
Care
Patsy
Trujillo
Majority
Whip
NM
State
House
of
Representatives
Sheryl
Williams-Stapleton
Wes
Studi
Dr.
Martha
Burk
New
Mexico
State
Treasurer
James
Lewis
Los
Angeles
County
Insurance
Commission
Chairman
Scott
Svonkin
Ruben
Treviso
Burbank
Mayor
Marsha
Ramos
Alisa
Shoeman
Sana
and
Ahmad
Assad
Ron
Andrade
Tina
Hahn
Tennessee
State
Senator
Tommy
Kilby
Endorsements
GloriaMolina,
LA
County
Supervisor
LouCorrea,
State
Senator
34th
district
Gilbert
Cedillo,
State
Senator
Dist.
22
Jeffrey
Prang,
Mayor
Pro
Tempore,
West
Hollywood
Marsha
Ramos,
Mayor
of
Burbank,
Sal
Tiuajero,
City
Councilman,
Santa
Clara
John
Hanna,
Trustee,
Rancho
Santiago
Community
College
Michele
Martinez,
Councilwoman,
Santa
Ana
Martha
M.
Escutia,
former
State
Senator,
Chair
of
Latino
Caucus
Denise
Moreno-Ducheny,
State
Senator,
San
Diego
Cathleen
Galgiani,
Assembly
Member,
Merced
County
Lori
Saldana,
Assembly
Member,
San
Diego
Luis
Aguinaga,
Councilman,
Aguinaga
El
Monte
William
"Bill"
Molinari,
City
Councilman,
Montebello
Robert
Fuentes,
Basset
School
Board
Ron
Beilke,
Mayor
of
Pico
Rivera
Felipe
E.
Agredano
(MTS),
President
Garvey
Board
of
Education
Robert
Bagwell,
City
Councilman,
Montebello
Irene
Redondo-Churchward,
Executive
Director
Spiritt
Family
Services
Frank
Gurule,
Mayor
Cudahy
Vickey
Gurule,
wife
of
Mayor
Gurule
Christopher
Robles,
CDP
Executive
Board
Member
Region
6
Vice
Chair
David
M.
Barron,
City
Clerk,
Monterey
Park
Al
Ducheny,
Vincent
F.
Sarmiento,
Claudia
C.
Alvarez
Claudia
A.
Torres,
Louis
Herrero,
George
Minter,
Dolly
Chavez
Lucero,
Sal
Castro,
Marta
R.
Escaruelas
New
Mexico
Governor
Bill
Richardson
to
Officially
Announce
Presidential
Bid
on
Monday,
May
21st
in
Los
Angeles,
California
Event
location
changed
to
Millennium
Biltmore
Hotel
Governor
Bill
Richardson
will
be
in
Los
Angeles,
California
on
Monday,
May
21st
where
he
will
officially
announce
that
he
is
seeking
the
2008
Democratic
Presidential
nomination
at
the
Los
Angeles
Press
Club.
"I
am
running
for
President
of
the
United
States
because
I
can
bring
together
a
country
that
is
divided
and
partisan,"
said
Governor
Bill
Richardson.
"My
background,
experience
and
record
as
Governor
of
New
Mexico,
UN
Ambassador,
Secretary
of
Energy
and
Congressman,
enable
me
to
bridge
gaps,
achieve
political
solutions,
heal
partisan
divisions
and
solve
problems.
"I
believe
in
America
-
the
greatest
nation
in
the
world
-
but
we
must
restore
our
leadership.
We
have
lost
our
moral
compass
at
home
and
abroad.
I am
optimistic
about
the
future.
America
should
not
be
afraid.
We
have
to
be
bold,
patriotic
and
confident
that
we
can
resolve
problems
and
bring
peace
by
working
together.
We
need
hope,
faith,
and
optimism.
Qualities
that
have
always
represented
and
defined
the
American
spirit.
We
need
experienced
and
accomplished
leadership
now
more
than
ever.
I
believe
I
can
best
provide
this
leadership
for
our
nation
and
help
move
American
forward."
Monday,
May
21-
Pacific
Time
WHEN:
10:00
am
WHAT:
Press
Conference
-
Presidential
Bid
Official
Announcement
WHERE:
Millennium
Biltmore
Hotel,
506
South
Grand
Avenue,
Los
Angeles,
CA,
The
Gold
Room
Courtesy:
Bill
Richardson
For
President
Committee |