More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Albuquerque Old Town
• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

WASHINGTON — Gov. Bill Richardson told Democrats here today that Congress should repeal the authorization for the Iraq War and "bring our troops home by the end of this year."

Like the other Democrats running for president, Richardson used the two-day meeting of the Democratic National Committee Friday and Saturday to stake out his position on the central issue of the campaign.

Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Joe Biden of Delaware are supporting a bipartisan resolution opposing President Bush on sending a surge of troops to Baghdad.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd said that's not enough. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said Congress should block the escalation. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wants to set a March, 2008 deadline for withdrawing troops. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio wants to cut off funds for the war.

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is urging state legislatures and city councils to pass resolutions opposing the surge, but leave a combat force in northern Iraq.

"Those who voted for the war, those who voted to continue the war, can surely vote to end the war," Vilsack said today.

Richardson, who initially supported the war but now says it was a mistake, said the United States has accomplished its mission of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, bringing about elections and creating an Iraqi army.

"It's time for our troops to leave with honor," said Richardson. "A struggle between a country's warring factions, where both sides hate the United States, is not worthy of one more lost American life."

The speaking times of the candidates Friday and Saturday were chosen by lot, as were the delegates introducing them. But Richardson's introduction was written by Linda Lynch, wife of journalist Paul Salopek, who was released from a Sudanese jail through Richardson's intervention.

"He brought my Paul home," wrote Lynch.

Candidates were supposed to speak for only seven minutes, but only Biden, often criticized for talking too much, did so.

Richardson spoke for 24 minutes, using much of his speech to talk about his record in New Mexico, tailoring his remarks to appeal to the delegates.

Richardson drew applause when he bragged about reinstating collective bargaining for public employees, for raising teacher pay in New Mexico from 48th in the country to 27th, for passing a state hate crimes law and adopting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Every one of these accomplishments can be done at the national level," he said.

Richardson also touted his experience as a negotiator with North Korea and Sudan.

"I know the usual rap on governors - that we don't anything about foreign affairs. Well, maybe you can say that about certain governors from Texas. But not this governor," said Richardson, drawing an appreciative laugh from the audience.

Richardson also called on all Democratic candidates to not attack each other and asked the DNC to pass a resolution to that effect. But DNC chairman Howard Dean said it would have to be taken up at their June meeting.

Richardson ended the speech by acknowledging his low standing in the polls but he asked the Democrats to "stay loose" and watch the campaign. Later, he told reporters, "I'm right where I want to be."

The state committee members represented at the meeting will automatically qualify as super-delegates, which also means most can wait until the primaries and caucuses are well underway before they commit to a candidate.

Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus, who's backing Vilsack, said the advantage for candidates like Vilsack and Richardson is that all the attention on the so-called top three - Clinton, Edwards and Obama - allows them to get their "sea legs" in the race.

"It's all a beauty contest which means they (the top three) have nowhere to grow," said Richardson volunteer Kenneth Bulko, of Albany, N.Y., as he passed out bumper stickers and folders at the Richardson table.

Dustin Taylor, a 26-year-old University of New Mexico student, passed out stickers for Richardson along with a dozen or so other 20-somethings. Taylor, who is interning for Rep. Tom Udall, Santa Fe Democrat, said Richardson is "the most electable candidate."