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American Morning
Discussion With Gov. Bill Richardson
Aired September 05, 2003 - 08:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Governor Bill Richardson lobbied hard for New Mexico to be the site of the first official Democratic face-off and he was the host of last night's debate.
Governor Richardson joins us from Albuquerque this morning to talk a little bit about the debate. And, also, we're going to switch gears a little and also talk about the U.N.'s potential role in Iraq this morning.
Good morning to you, Governor Richardson.
Nice to see you.
Thanks for joining us.
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D-NM), FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Thank you, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: The strategy surprise you at all, attack President Bush, do not try to distinguish yourselves, as a strategy for these men who would like to be president?
RICHARDSON: Well, I was a little surprised that there were not more fireworks among the Democratic candidates against each other. On the other hand, I was pleased because what you don't want is go into a Democratic convention divided.
Nonetheless, it was a very spirited debate. As the host of a state that has a substantial Hispanic population, I was very pleased Hispanic issues were addressed, issues relating to the West were addressed. New Mexico is a battleground state. It basically shows that both parties are avidly courting the emerging and growing Hispanic vote --
O'BRIEN: But...
RICHARDSON: ... because you're going to see states like Arizona and New Mexico and Nevada and Florida probably provide the margin of victory for any candidate.
O'BRIEN: But you have said that anybody who wants to be president needs to come out with a very strong message about economic growth in the U.S. Who did that, in your mind? Who has that strong message and where was that last night, really?
RICHARDSON: Well, my point is that for the Hispanic community, for the American electorate, the Democratic Party has to have a message of entrepreneurship, of economic growth, of home ownership. It's starting to emerge. I'm a little concerned just that it reflects a criticism of the president. But nonetheless, it is starting to emerge with policies on manufacturing, high tech, that I did hear from the candidates.
What I think will happen now is the winnowing of the first, second and third tier candidates emerging from this debate. But, quite frankly, I was surprised that there wasn't more barbs at each other, because you want to start moving up in the polls. You want to start differentiating yourselves.
Well, all in all, for New Mexico, it was a great evening and a great showcase for what we're trying to do economically in this state.
O'BRIEN: I want to turn and ask you a question about Iraq as the former ambassador to the U.N. As you well know, the U.S. is going to lay out this request to the U.N. Security Council regarding military support. And control of the military by the U.S. is a stipulation in that request. France, Germany, Russia already balking at this.
What do you think the next step should be here, if that's the case?
RICHARDSON: Well, the administration is making the right decision. It is a reversal of policy. But it makes sense that to internationalize the Iraqi situation with U.N. Security Council troops, with troops from India, Pakistan, other Muslim countries, France and Germany.
The issue of U.S. command always comes up. I believe a good compromise can be struck where the top military person is American, the second in command is most likely a European. Compromises always are worked out on issues of command. But under no circumstances should U.S. troops be under someone else's command.
But clearly a good compromise, I think, will be struck. But the Bush administration has changed policy and I think it makes sense. The American people don't want our troops there indefinitely. The cost is getting prohibitive. We want to have an exit strategy and I think that this is a step in the right direction.
O'BRIEN: Governor Richardson, I've got to ask you a quick question about the vice presidency. And I know as recently as 12 hours ago or so you said no, I'm happy here in New Mexico. I made a commitment to the people of New Mexico. But if there was an offer that you couldn't refuse, would you change your mind?
RICHARDSON: No, and, Soledad, I thought you'd be the only one that wouldn't ask me. But I, no. I love this job. I love New Mexico. I've got, finally, stability in my life. You guys can keep all this Washington and New York stuff with you. I'm going to stay as governor of New Mexico.
O'BRIEN: You know, Governor, with all due respect, you won't be the first person who said never, never, never and then, you know, jumps in. But nice to see you, as always.
Thanks so much for your time this morning.
RICHARDSON: All right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 5, 2003 - 08:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Governor Bill Richardson lobbied hard for New Mexico to be the site of the first official Democratic face-off and he was the host of last night's debate.
Governor Richardson joins us from Albuquerque this morning to talk a little bit about the debate. And, also, we're going to switch gears a little and also talk about the U.N.'s potential role in Iraq this morning.
Good morning to you, Governor Richardson.
Nice to see you.
Thanks for joining us.
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D-NM), FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Thank you, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: The strategy surprise you at all, attack President Bush, do not try to distinguish yourselves, as a strategy for these men who would like to be president?
RICHARDSON: Well, I was a little surprised that there were not more fireworks among the Democratic candidates against each other. On the other hand, I was pleased because what you don't want is go into a Democratic convention divided.
Nonetheless, it was a very spirited debate. As the host of a state that has a substantial Hispanic population, I was very pleased Hispanic issues were addressed, issues relating to the West were addressed. New Mexico is a battleground state. It basically shows that both parties are avidly courting the emerging and growing Hispanic vote --
O'BRIEN: But...
RICHARDSON: ... because you're going to see states like Arizona and New Mexico and Nevada and Florida probably provide the margin of victory for any candidate.
O'BRIEN: But you have said that anybody who wants to be president needs to come out with a very strong message about economic growth in the U.S. Who did that, in your mind? Who has that strong message and where was that last night, really?
RICHARDSON: Well, my point is that for the Hispanic community, for the American electorate, the Democratic Party has to have a message of entrepreneurship, of economic growth, of home ownership. It's starting to emerge. I'm a little concerned just that it reflects a criticism of the president. But nonetheless, it is starting to emerge with policies on manufacturing, high tech, that I did hear from the candidates.
What I think will happen now is the winnowing of the first, second and third tier candidates emerging from this debate. But, quite frankly, I was surprised that there wasn't more barbs at each other, because you want to start moving up in the polls. You want to start differentiating yourselves.
Well, all in all, for New Mexico, it was a great evening and a great showcase for what we're trying to do economically in this state.
O'BRIEN: I want to turn and ask you a question about Iraq as the former ambassador to the U.N. As you well know, the U.S. is going to lay out this request to the U.N. Security Council regarding military support. And control of the military by the U.S. is a stipulation in that request. France, Germany, Russia already balking at this.
What do you think the next step should be here, if that's the case?
RICHARDSON: Well, the administration is making the right decision. It is a reversal of policy. But it makes sense that to internationalize the Iraqi situation with U.N. Security Council troops, with troops from India, Pakistan, other Muslim countries, France and Germany.
The issue of U.S. command always comes up. I believe a good compromise can be struck where the top military person is American, the second in command is most likely a European. Compromises always are worked out on issues of command. But under no circumstances should U.S. troops be under someone else's command.
But clearly a good compromise, I think, will be struck. But the Bush administration has changed policy and I think it makes sense. The American people don't want our troops there indefinitely. The cost is getting prohibitive. We want to have an exit strategy and I think that this is a step in the right direction.
O'BRIEN: Governor Richardson, I've got to ask you a quick question about the vice presidency. And I know as recently as 12 hours ago or so you said no, I'm happy here in New Mexico. I made a commitment to the people of New Mexico. But if there was an offer that you couldn't refuse, would you change your mind?
RICHARDSON: No, and, Soledad, I thought you'd be the only one that wouldn't ask me. But I, no. I love this job. I love New Mexico. I've got, finally, stability in my life. You guys can keep all this Washington and New York stuff with you. I'm going to stay as governor of New Mexico.
O'BRIEN: You know, Governor, with all due respect, you won't be the first person who said never, never, never and then, you know, jumps in. But nice to see you, as always.
Thanks so much for your time this morning.
RICHARDSON: All right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
