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Bill Richardson is the latest in a series of five Democratic candidates to address the Iowa City Foreign Relations council. After his speech, Richardson told Iowa Independent, “I need to be in the top three in each of those three” first states — Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. Below the fold, John Deeth’s first take liveblog impressions.10:18 a.m. and greetings from downtown Iowa City. About 75 in the room for Bill Richardson (Nick Johnson says 100, close anyway.)
This is Richardson’s first solo Iowa City trip in a while. He was on campus last night, so this midday crowd at the Iowa City library skews a little older. This is the same room Edwards was in Wednesday, and he had 250 to 300 packed in.
Jeanette Carter of Iowa City is a Bill backer. “He’s remained civil throughout the campaign, which points to his skill as a diplomat and a mediator.” She also says he’d be the best to get us out of the war and has the most experience.
10:30 and he’s here. Moderator notes that six candidates from each party were invited, and no Republicans have responded. (After the event Tom Baldridge of the UI tells me Biden, Dodd, Edwards and Obama have done events. So that’s 5 of 6 on the Dem side) The format is written Q and A.
Local supporter Dorothy Paul is handling the intro proper. Crowd looks like it’s up to 120 or so. Says other candidates have offered “deafening silence” on nuke proliferation.
“My plan on Iraq is simple: withdraw our forces in one year.” Says he’s the only candidate who’ll leave no residual forces or contractors behind. “Our troops have done a magnificent job. But when 70% of Iraqis say it’s OK to shot at American troops, that mission is unsustainable.”
He’d keep some troops in Kuwait, send additional forces to Afghanistan, but would spend bulk of the $ on domestic programs. In the year of withdrawal, he says he has a three point plan.
1. American led effort at political compromise along lines of Dayton accords involving land, power, and shared cabinet ministries and oil $.
2. US led UN effort to create UN peacekeeping force, most likely Arab and European countries.
3. US led donor conference for Iraqi reconstruction.
“Iraq is not exactly helpless.” I’d invite Syria and Iran to discuss region, tie Israel/Palestine into region security mix. “What unifies everybody together is not wanting an explosion in Iraq that would cause a humanitarian crisis.” Region needs stability.
There’s a political solution, but no military solution. “There’s no progress toward political compromise, or sharing of oil revenue.” Cites generals saying surge is a misadventure.
“America today s faces with transnational challenges in an interdependent world, and we have taken our eye off the ball too long.” Global warming, nuke proliferation, refugee crisis, AIDS, tribal and ethnic warfare, Iran and North Korea. And a real effort to deal with Israel/Palestine.
“My foreign policy would be reflected in American ideals. Equality, and freedom, and respect for human rights. America needs to leave, not follow.”
“Why is it that there are six wars going on in Africa right now and nobody cares?”
Calls for a “21st century Marshall Plan” to eliminate global poverty. Work with third world micro-loans, shift from loans to grants. Focus aid to human need, not propping up dictators.
US should take lead on global warming. Kyoto treaty? “I’d sign it, scrap it, and make it even petter.” 30% greenhouse gas reduction by 202 with a cap and trade system. Massive shift to alternative fuels, and get vehicles to 50 MPG. (Lots of specific energy stats flying by quickly…)
“I will ask each one of you to sacrifice in the name of renewable energy.” More than just wearing sweaters…
US Needs to get more engaged with the UN (notes his ambassadorship). Wants a permanent peacekeeping force. It takes 7-8 months to assemble which is too long in a crisis like Darfur. Would expand UN Security Council. Add Germany and Japan, one African, Asian and Latin American country. India, Nigeria, South Africa, maybe Brazil or Mexico.
“It’s time America cared about issues like genocide and sexual slavery, and cross-border crime like narcotics.”
Global disease: need a US led world effort to deal with generic drugs and education.
“What kind of nation do we want to be?” Go back to the past. “I will follow the constitution. I will not go to war without the consent of Congress.” “Torture in any form is unacceptable.” Generals oppose: it doesn’t work and it puts our troops at risk.
“In a Bil Richardson presidency, we will not be the world’s policeman, but we will try to be the world’s conscience”
He’s staying more formal than the last time I saw him solo, in this same room. He’s staying behind the podium and not wandering. Main speech wraps at 10:56.
Res Honey asks first question: restoring the world’s good will to America. BR: “It’s called diplomacy, it’s called negotiation.” Cites Rabin saying you don’t make peace with your friends, you make peace with your enemies. First day I’ll close Gitmo (first applause) Restore rule of law and balance of power, and rejoin the international community.
“We’re gonna resolve this Cuba issue, this embargo doesn’t work.” Drops the idea of Alliance For Progress 2.
Question: Strengthening non-UN international organizations. BR: I’d appoint experts, not political hacks, to international bodies. “All these institutions are Cold War institutions, and they do good work, but there are changes in the world.” I’d shift emphasis. Repeats third world grants not loans. Cites Bono’s popularity in the third world, but mispronounces his name and says it like Sonny Bono. US needs to devote 1% of budget to international poverty assistance. Re-cites UN security council additions.
Role of education in foreign policy. BR says domestic curricula need to be updated in geography, foreign language, civics. Says State Sen. Daryl Beall told him Iowans have the highest per capita rate of passports, which reflects interest in the world: “and I believe it with the questions you ask.” Revise and modernize stuff like Radio Free Europe toward the Islamic world and use the internet, instead of radio beamed to Cuba. Get the Islamic world to close down hate schools.
Now taking the question to national service: two years of college tuition for one year of national service (civilian or military. “I sense that Americans want to do things for the common good.”
China question. BR: I want to find a way to get along with major powers. China is a strategic competitor, but we have to live together. ” don’t like their commitment to human rights — because it doesn’t exist that much.” They don’t use their leverage in Burma, Darfur, etc. Need to be tougher on trade with China. They manipulate currency. “You have to gauge the relationship, so they don’t get too mad. But they need the American market.” Shut down the defective toys. Goes on a tangent with a wife story. Apparently she’s concerned about cat food from China. They’re Jake and Squeaky by the way, and they rule the NM governor’s mansion.
Characteristics of leading foreign policy issues. Jokes about he and Biden asking each other to be Sec of State. “I would let you know my cabinet before the election.” Says cabinet would “look like America.” (Bill Clinton said that verbatim in 1992). Will pick a teacher as Sec of Ed, a vet to head VA, a family farmer to head Ag, a union member as Sec of Labor. (I think he’s used that riff before but I haven’t heard it.)
Winding down at 11:15.
Rex Honey says everyone should learn Spanish, gets applause. Jokes that Bill should say “everyone should learn Spanish AND a foreign language.” Richardson jokes he’s “not a morning person,” but 11:19 is barely considered morning on Iowa time.
Richardson give me ad a Daily Iowa reporter a little press time. He says his Iraq plan is still feasible. “I have military experts who support it — we CAN get our troops out in a year with a strong diplomatic plan.” He contrasts his plan with Biden’s. “The plans of a partition need to be looked at, but partition hasn’t worked before. It didn’t work in India, it hasn’t worked in other places.”
As for the horse race, Richardson says he can turn Iowa around with hard work, grass roots, and a strong organization. “Iowans are independent, and they like an underdog,” he says, as an actual dog, a service dog, sniffs at our feet as if on cue. We all chuckle then Richardson gets back on track. “50 percent of caucus goers haven’t made up their minds.” I note that one of his supporters gave him credit for bing positive. “I don’t like to get negative, but I will point out differences,” he says. “We try to keep it civil and not engage in anything personal. I’m the most positive candidate in the race and I think this country is a positive country, and I’ve got solutions.”
So, how important is Iowa? “Huuuuuuuuge.” Says he’s putting a big emphasis on Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.Then he sets the bar: “I need to be in the top three in each of those three.” But he won’t nibble on “what if you’re not.” “I’m fourth and moving up in Iowa, we’re already third in New Hampshire.”
The staffers pull him away, but not before he can say “Hey, I like your hat. What is that?”
“It’s a raspberry beret.”
A brief scare that I’m going to have to run three blocks to the Hamburg Inn, but that’s not the candidate, just the local staffers celebrating the event. They do broadly hint that Richardson will be back in Iowa City post-holiday.
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