Posted on 05/29/2007 8:28:23 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3
As governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson was the first border-state official to declare an illegal immigration ''state of emergency'' that demanded National Guard patrols. Now he is the first Democratic presidential candidate to oppose immigration reforms in Congress.
The sole Hispanic to seek his party's nomination, Richardson has long been at the forefront of the immigration debate -- but far from the vanguard of the 2008 race.
''I am an insurgent, but I am moving up,'' he said in Boca Raton before a fundraiser Tuesday at a private home and another at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Richardson, the son of a Mexican mother and American father, opposes a fence along the Mexican border. Candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama voted for the 700-mile wall.
''Yes, improve border security, but I believe this wall is a big mistake,'' he said. ``It would be a terrible symbol, and it would be ineffective.''
Richardson also criticizes the plan, which hit Congress two weeks ago, for favoring skilled workers over family members seeking to immigrate. Clinton and Obama also have vowed to push for family-friendly changes.
''Family reunification has been the basis of past immigration law, and that is a very serious problem,'' he said.
Richardson said his experience as governor of New Mexico makes him the most qualified to grapple with immigration. Allowing illegal immigrants to earn citizenship, he said, would improve U.S. relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.
CUBA SANCTIONS
Richardson also favors making it easier for Cuban-Americans to visit family on the island and send money. Some exiles believe those contacts strengthen Fidel Castro's regime.
''I believe that would enhance family reunification and values,'' he said.
His stance on the immigration bill could create the perception that he is standing in the way of a reasonable compromise, though it also may appeal to the most liberal wing of his party.
''As one of the nation's most powerful Hispanic leaders, he has a special obligation to try to make the bill better,'' said Joe Garcia, chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and the former executive director of the Cuban-American National Foundation.
Aside from immigration, Richardson says he is the only Democratic candidate to call for an immediate and total withdrawal of troops from Iraq. And his support for gun rights earned him a past endorsement from the National Rifle Association.
His biggest asset, supporters say, is his résumé: two-term governor, former member of Congress, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. Secretary of Energy.
An ad in Iowa and on the Internet shows a young man across a desk reciting Richardson's long list of accomplishments. ''So,'' he asks Richardson, ``What makes you think you can be president?''
But Richardson's poll ratings and fundraising lag far behind, and his appearances in televised debates and interviews have been uneven. On MSNBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, he tried to parse being both a Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fan.
HISPANIC SUPPORT
Though Richardson has been raising money in Florida for years, he collected only $200,000 during the first three months of 2007.
''He's a charming guy, but that charm hasn't been there,'' said former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, a Richardson supporter.
''Hispanics, like all people, like to be with a winner, and so far he hasn't risen above the fray,'' he said.
Miami attorney Roland Sanchez-Medina, a Cuban-American Bar Association board member, said of Richardson: ``I see him as a vice presidential candidate more than anything else.''
But Richardson said he ''can win'' Florida, which will host the nation's first big-state primary on Jan. 29.
Democratic national party rules say that only four smaller states can vote before Feb. 5, but Richardson said he would compete in Florida despite potential sanctions at the national convention.
Reconquista Richardson
You're irrational and delusional, Bill.
Heyyy, Abott!
Sorry Lou.
COMMENT:
Richardson is dead wrong, just ask Hugo Chavez and see if he gives a tinkers damn about no stinkin wall.
One of the biggest hurdles in the fence construction will come from the lawsuits from environmental groups who see the fence as a threat to wildlife. The question is, how much will this fence cost after the lawyers get done with it?
The building of the Panama Canal with the technology, materials and engineering of 1900-1915 was a monumental task. Building a wall with today's engineering, materials and technology is not really that big a deal.
Build it in the middle of the Rio. That is where the border lies anyway. It is not as if the rio had the flow of the Mississippi, the Amazon, or the tides and waves of the San Francisco Bay.
That way, people on both sides can fish, the cattle, javelina and jack rabbits can drink.
And as far as the Lawyers go... Take Shakespeare's Advice (Henry VI act 2).
Sorry, but I've had it with Lawyers, Politicians, Amer-I-Can'ts and Mex-I-Cans.
Do you want to be the guy who goes to those Texas ranchers with eminent domain papers?
Sure. Most of them would be glad to see me. I used to know a few of them, long before the slow invasion became a flood, and even then, the ones I knew, were wishing something would be done about it.
They don’t OWN the center of the river. And they DO suffer more than just about anyone the depredations of the alien invaders.
(Same deal with the New Mexico and Arizona border ranchers. {Of whom I am acquainted with several}.)
The the inconvenience to themselves, their livelyhood and property would last only a few weeks to a year depending on the size of their spread... Compared to a never-ending flow of people across their lands otherwise.
Oh, sure there would be a few people who would resist, and some quite vigorously... But for the most part, it would be a piece of cake.
They don’t own the center of the river, but they require water for their cattle and construction would disrupt or pollute the water. You’d also require access to land for equipment etc.
Wow, I never thought about that!
(/Sarcasm)
It appears you don’t really know much about ranching and cattle in the Southwest USA. (If I’m wrong, please disabuse me of that notion.) Have you ever even SEEN the water in the Rio Grande in New Mexico or Texas close up?
Anyplace much south of Creede Colorado I wouldn’t drink the water without letting the mud settle out of it for a couple of hours, filtering it three times for particulates, then running it through a Reverse Osmosis filter. Fortunately New Mexico and Texas ‘free range’ cattle aren’t that fussy. If it is more ‘wet’ than silt, they are pretty happy.
While I can’t claim to be a rancher myself, I HAVE worked with and/or for some on non-ranching projects on their lands. (and rarely, in opposition to them, on lands that they only held GRAZING leases).
I’ve had to work around cattle and ranchers, off and on for a long time. Can’t claim to be an expert, but I understand a few things from observation.
Any real ranchers want to add anything? I’ll ‘eat crow’ if I’m far wrong.
I’ve been on ranches in the SW USA and know enough to know that water is a touchy subject.
But then, real wars have been fought over Mexican incursions into those places just about as often.
Water law. Once they do something in Texas it becomes “case law” and can be applied anywhere.
Basically you’re asking farmers and ranchers: How bad you want the fence? Bad enough to give up some of your land and water rights?
They aren’t giving up ANY land or water rights. Only granting a temporary easment.
Sorry, but I’m just not smart enough or patient enough to pass on to you the things that it has taken me 50 years (56 years minus the time I spent in the military) living and working and dealing with the land laws in the the rural Southwest USA to learn.
You are welcome yo have the last words.
Unless some people that have real first hand knowledge of ranching along the Rio want to tell me I’m full of ‘el toro poopoo’ I’m going to quit wasting my time on this thread.
Oh, I’m making a liar out of myself. Well, so be it; I have to add this:
Do you realize that for most ranchers in the Southwest, that the land that they actually OWN is often very small compared to that that they merely lease from the Federal or State government?
And that there are already tens of thousands of easements along the Rio Grande (and other natural and artificial ‘corridors’) already in existence?
NOW you can have the last word. ;-)
''I am an insurgent, but I am moving up,'' he said in Boca Raton before a fundraiser Tuesday at a private home and another at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
While most of these Democrats in Boca Raton live in gated communities understand Bill Richardson is right about a wall being a big mistake to protect America sovereignty.
According to Forbes, Boca Raton has 3 of the 10 most expensive gated communities in the U.S.
Proof that rich Democrats don't believe in fences after all.
Thank you for the civil reply. I understand that it’s far to complicated to discuss in full. Thanks again.
ping
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