Bill Richardson: America faces a question worthy of silent reflection.
By Nicole Belle Thursday Aug 28, 2008 4:30pm
(h/t Politics TV) Transcripts courtesy of Huffington Post
New Mexico Governor and former presidential contender Bill Richardson throws his support Barack Obama and Joe Biden, subverting the detractors' calls over experience to show that what matters is judgment:
Because at a time when young men and women are dying for our country overseas, America faces a question worthy of silent reflection. And the American people are watching to see how we answer it. What is the best measure of a person's capacity to protect this country? There are often moments of great importance that go unnoticed in the unruly course of history.
And six years ago, there was a moment of great clarity and foresight. And if the world had known to listen, perhaps today there would be less heartache and sorrow. In October 2002, on a small stage before a small crowd, Barack Obama gave a speech that was barely noticed at the time.
In the midst of great fervor-brought about by an administration that questioned the patriotism of anyone who disagreed with it-Barack Obama called the coming war what it was: "a war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics." He was right!
Barack's words were prescient and brave. "I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East-and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al-Qaida." He was right!
He said: "a successful war against Iraq would require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." He was right!
Instead, Barack Obama urged President Bush-who's never in the mood to be urged in a direction other than his own folly-to finish the fight with bin Laden and Al-Qaida. He was right!
Six years ago, in this simple but forceful speech, Barack Obama did more than just challenge President Bush. He offered a detailed vision for foreign policy-including the vigorous enforcement of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty-condemnation of human rights abuses even among our allies-and a commitment to reconciliation between Pakistan and India. He was right!
At the same time, there was another voice. After 9/11, John McCain turned his sights toward Iraq-a country that had nothing to do with 9/11-and called for a full-scale invasion. Barack Obama foresaw chaos. John McCain said we'd be welcomed as liberators, and that Iraq would pay for its own rebuilding. John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right!
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I like Richardson, but he's a pol.
He doesn't tell the truth, he says what's helpful politically.
Give me a pol who takes on the system.
And we need to remind the public again and again, and hammer this point home - that McSame has a long history of being wrong.
I have been reflecting since Bush got into office. The fact he won again in 2004 tells the world we were dumb-asses who were scared silly because of his and fellow neo-cons paranoia and propaganda. Doesn't say much of us, does it?
It's hard to argue with facts, but I'm sure some will. A lady called in to Wash. Journal this morning saying we didn't invade Iraq. She said it was just a continuation of the first war in Iraq and since Saddam didn't get rid of his wmd, we were justified in continuing the first war.
I think we got another glimpse of McCain's judgment today when he said Palin would be ready to step into the oval office in case something happened to him, even though he had only met the woman once in his life.
pissed@4, Actually McCain met her twice. All the repugs defenders will point that out. But does it really matter? He met her TWICE! My God, MSM is saying what a great choice she is. Are they mad? She is a heartbeat away from the Presidency! I need a drink.
Sarah Palin is a MAN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5-ss-HPL_o&feature=email
Honestly, I want to start hearing Obama more. Not spokespersons and everyone else but Barrack.
Time to come out and get down. Time to CONNECT.
pissed off patricia @ 4:
JFK loathed LBJ, and vice versa.
But JFK chose LBJ as his VP. A terrible choice.
VPs are chosen for political reasons. Nothing else.
Yes, Obama's going to need a speech like the one he just made at least once a week between now and the election to overcome the rampant idiocy in this country's media, along with the hordes of confused elderly (and dead people, let's not forget them) who are going to come out on election day to vote McCain on their Republican-skewed electronic voting machines.
P.D. @ 3:
Americans don't take kindly to blunt assaults like we saw on Sept 11, 2001.
But we still don't have answers to the 911 Question yet.
I suppose Bin Laden should be "appearing on tape" any day I suppose.
With the usual "Americans will be wise(God Willing, to choose my friend Barrack Obama to defeat the evil McCain" and more bullsh*t like that.
richardson takes the cake, er eats lots of cake!
Personally, I would like to "hear" more of Obama myself. I have to wait to see videotape or transcripts since I refuse to have a teevee. But he makes good reading.
I have to wonder whether the Plutocrats have merely come up with their laughable ticket to see what we will do when they steal the election again. I am very ill at ease.
Is this the Hispanic Richardson or the Citicorp Richardson?
Just three final words for your consideration:
Kissinger and Associates
VietVet8666 @ 1:
On the other hand, his was the ONLY mention of FISA
for the entire evening. I was shocked when I heard that, because what he
said is not what Obama has done.
Billy @ 14:
Right on!
V @ 9:
He needs to talk into a sea of media microphones every opportunity he can get in a non staged spontaneous setting and salm the cons right back.
We have only 66 1/2 days left to get it done. He's more then qualified and capable to do so. Let em loose.
P.D. @ 5:
Selecting Palin is a black mark on McCain's judgment.
Granted, you can compare her relative inexperience with Obama's and Obama is running for President not VP
However
The voters selected Obama from a small pool of candidates...
McCain selected Palin from a vast number of better more experienced candidates (like them or not)
There in lies the distinction.
Starting with Bill Richardson... yuk yuk yuk...
P.D. @ 5:
I was relying on Andrea Mitchell's reporting when I said he only met her once.
The future: cops in a line facing protestors.
Well-trained and organized cops.
But now, many more well-trained protestors.
http://www.bgladd.com/McSameStore/GOPdeadliestcatch.jpg
Mick Piobr @ 12:
I'm with you on that. I'm really at the end of my tolerance seeing the manner in which MSM is manipulating and controlling the national consciousness as well as discourse.
It's out of control. Put Obama front and center.
And get rid of the PR department generic hack writers already who put out this slosh.
"We send our congratulations to Gov. Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the Republican nominee for vice president. Her selection is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward, Gov. Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign."
"We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin’s historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate.”
Knock off the pandering and back scratching already. Those who wondered if Obama had the aggressiveness and fight to make a run for President aren't wondering any more.
... he was right... he is right... and together we will be right. let's get busy!
"Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe we must fight the terrorists not where we imagine them to be, but where we know them to be like Afghanistan and Pakistan. We must lead a global effort to secure loose nuclear materials, not where we imagine them to be, but where we know them to be, in Russia, and the countries of the former Soviet Union."
- Bill Richardson
gee. So much for the 'anti-war' vote...
actually they are dying for the profits of big oil, Haliburton and assorted other Republican owned companies.
Its the natives that are dying for their countries, against a colonial invader and occupying forces.
thats what ive been saying if obama and richardson would use pattons words it would be let the other dumb bastard die for his country, we,ll do it for oil or oil pipelines!
mjULTRA @ 25:
sounds like a new improved cold war with added 21stC mega weapons.
We prob will soon find out if Albert's claims about WW4 are true.
For the most part, a good speech, but that bit about "forcing" Iraq to start taking care of itself and spend its budget surplus to rebuild was simply wrong. Us forcing Iraq in various ways is what caused that huge mess in the first place. How about we *not* arrogantly tell them what we want them to do, for a change? Instead, let's make them a partner in the process. Heck, let's make them the *senior* partner in the process. It is supposed to be their country, right?
This guy is a terrible speaker.
Love Bill.
Best punchline of the night: "McCain may pay $500 for his shoes, but we'd all be paying for his flip-flops!"
if obama wins, i would really like to see richardson as the sec of state
he would be perfect
Ummm...Joe voted for the war. Obama promises to escalate the war into Afghanistan, and possibly Pakistan. They both seem to want to provoke Russia, both seem to want to take down Iran.
I'm sure Bill'll have commentary on that. Won't he?
Especially significant point, since McCain's vice presidential pick.
"In the midst of great fervor-brought about by an administration that questioned the patriotism of anyone who disagreed with it-Barack Obama called the coming war what it was: “a war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.” He was right!"
Not only did Obama point this out...but the millions of people worldwide that protested the coming attrocity, knew it as well. The world KNEW that the bullshit and lies coming out of america, were just that...bullshit and lies.
The problem then, as is true to this very day...is that no one with the power to stop it, (the american lemmings) listened. Too busy stuffing cheesburgers into their greedy mouths to care. As long as THEIR standard of living remained unchanged...as long as foreign troops and killing machines weren't tearing their country apart...all was well.
No one listened...no one cared. How many innocents have died at the hands of americas freedom?
Sick!
Ref. ferrofluid @ 26
"young men and women are dying for our country overseas
actually they are dying for the profits of big oil, Haliburton and assorted other Republican owned companies.
Its the natives that are dying for their countries, against a colonial invader and occupying forces."
Hell, yeah! Time to take a stand against these corporate welfare bums!
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