Gov. Bill Richardson Campaigns for Barack Obama in Port Charlotte, Florida
Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Encourages Early Voting
"We need a president who will restore our image around the world," Richardson said, "We need change. It's not just a word but a conviction."
Speaking to a standing-room only crowd at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Gov. Richardson had the Obama-Biden supporters laughing and cheering during his 30-some-minute visit to Port Charlotte which began around 7 p.m. I had a front row seat as I listened to Gov. Richardson, who is a former Democratic presidential candidate, explain why he endorsed Obama over his friend Senator Hillary Clinton.
Barack Obama: Accentuate the Positive
"There's something good about this guy," Richardson said after explaining how he watched Obama interact with everyone from janitors to students during the Democratic presidential candidate debates. He proceeded to tell the audience how during one of the debates, the moderator asked him the first question. "History was made, someone asked me a question," Richardson joked.
After giving his reply, Richardson said he and Obama were talking while the other candidates answered the question. The moderator returned to Gov. Richardson with an additional question. Bill Richardson was about to tell the moderator he wasn't paying attention but Obama whispered the question to him. Barack Obama saved Richardson from embarrassment saying, "I knew he wasn't going to throw me under the bus."
In addition to the importance of change, Richardson spoke of the importance of voting and encouraged early voting. "You don't want to wake up on November 5 with that sinking feeling. November 5, we will say yes we did."
The crowd cheered.
Gov. Bill Richardson mentioned the McCain-Palin ticket briefly, which grew boos when mentioning how Gov. Sarah Palin has been bringing up Bill Ayers . Comparing the McCain-Palin ticket to the Obama-Biden ticket, Richardson pointed out how the Republican Party has been focusing on negative campaigning while the Obama-Biden ticket focuses on the positives because "Obama's not negative."
Barack Obama's Plan for America
Richardson listed some of Obama's short term and long term plans for America, including getting the stimulating the economy, decreasing dependency on foreign oil by 50 percent in 10 years, seeking out new energy sources and supporting something stronger than the Kyoto Treaty. Obama supports tax breaks for businesses and no tax increases for families with annual household incomes of less than $250,000. Regarding national security, Richardson said, "We need to end the war in Iraq. It's not working.
"The $12 billion spent each month [on the war in Iraq] should be used for healthcare , education and not just a pat on the back" for the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. "VA hospitals need to be fully staffed" to take care of the walking wounded returning from war. "The terrorists are not in Iraq but in Afghanistan," Richardson added.
Obama plans to focus on peace in the Middle East and build relations with the rest of the world, including Europe, Latin America, Central America, and Africa, while evaluating the policy with Cuba. Obama will also propose a reformed immigration policy.
Early Vote for Change
Gov. Bill Richardson encouraged the crowd to:
"Vote early in order to work the polls on Election Day. Florida has 27 electoral votes, if we win Florida, the race is ours!"
Talk to friends and encourage them to vote early.
Talk to 30 people you don't know well, such as Republicans or those who haven't voted and encourage them to vote.
Gov. Bill Richardson wrapped up the rally asking, "Are you ready to take your country back?"
The crowd stood and cheered. After shaking my hand, the Governor was led out a back door and headed to Tampa, Florida for a Wednesday event.
Sources:
Early Vote for Change Rally, Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte, Florida, Oct. 21, 2008
Published by JA Huber
Spent a decade in Death Valley, Everglades and Yellowstone Ntn'l Parks and now living happily in Florida working in tourism, editor of SoloTravelGirl.com; traveling alone, not lonely. View profile
- Bill Richardson: An Example of Hypocrisy and Obama's Divisive Politics of RaceNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson makes racist comments against Sen. Clinton on behalf of Barack Obama.
Zane's Top Ten "Problems with Barack Obama Smoking in the White House"Barack Obama has been a lifelong smoker trying to quit.- Just Say No to Bill RichardsonNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is usually mentioned as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barak Obama. Here are just a few reasons why such a decision would have the potentia...
Barack Obama Outraises John McCain in JuneDemocratic Candidate for President Barack Obama outraised John McCain in June and has, as of the end of May 2008, even outraised the Republican candidate for President in tradit...- McCain Ad Compares Barack Obama to Paris Hilton, Britney SpearsThere's a new McCain ad out that appears to compare Barack Obama to both Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. The Barack Obama Campaign is, naturally, fit to be tied because their candidate is getting zinged again and thi...
- The Reasonable Barack Obama
- Cockfighting Finally Outlawed in New Mexico: a Feather in the Cap of Democratic P...
- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces His Candidacy
- Gov. Bill Richardson Calls for Iran Resolution
- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Proposes State Universal Healthcare
- Barack Obama: Fired Up and Ready to Go
- Democratic Superdelegate Bill Richardson Supports Barack Obama for President
4 Comments
Post a Commentcont.
On the other hand Barack Obama isn't all that much, is he? He is merely an intelligent, articulate, and insightful 47 year old biracial man, a top of his class graduate of Harvard Law School and president of its Law Review, a former instructor in constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, a 3 term Illinois State Senator and US Senator for the past 4 years, a Washington outsider with fresh ideas who wants to make significant changes in Washington. Come to think of it. Welcome Barack Obama!
America's Next President.
Good by George and Richard. We will certainly miss you both a great deal, given the deep understanding and sound judgment you demonstrated in committing our country to an invasion and a very expensive protracted war in Iraq. And many thanks also for keeping a close regulatory eye on Wall Street and our mortgage lending and banking system during your 8 year watch. Sorry Bill and Hillary. Of course we really wanted to have you back again so that Bill could have another shot at some more action with interns in the oval office; and we will certainly miss not being able to hear all the details of such encounters. Too bad John and Sarah. We will always be deeply grateful to you, John, for wisely putting the needs of our country above petty politics in choosing your running mate. But, Sarah, unfortunately it looks like we may never get a chance to fulfill our wildest dream of someday having President Palin lead the free world.
Thanks so much for providing a personal perspective and information from being at an event.
Interesting and surprising. Good coverage, thanks!