| Richardson started by giving his credentials on Iraq based on his experience at the UN.
His energy independence section just got an ovation. You can read a lot of what he's saying in the speech in the blogger meeting I transcribed below--it appears we bloggers just got a good speech preview.
I would announce a plan to revitalize American education. It's all crime, Iraq, energy, but education is the key to economic development.
I will have a minimum wage of $40,000 for all our teachers. I did this in New Mexico. We used to be 48th in teacher pay, now we're 29th. (author note: and how has that improved education? I would have liked some statistics on that...)
We would emphasize languages and the arts, but science and math are the key to our future.
We can get rid of the statistic that one out of every two Hispanic and black children do not graduate.
And with No Child Left Behind, it's just just the unfunded mandates--we need to spend more on teacher training at schools that do not perform well. testing and accountability need to be part of the system, but the system is not working. I believe that education is the centerpiece of America's progress. The fourth day, I would take off, because I've done too much. But seriously. On the fourth day, I would have a plan for Universal Health Care for every American. that is a right. But I would have that plan first deal with the existing problem: the massive bureaucracy and administrative costs. We have to find solutions that pay for a healthcare plan. but I would focus on other creative ways.
As governor, I have to deal with this issue every day. My plan includes the option for every American to have the same plan was the Senators and Congresmen you've heard speak.
We need to get junk food out of schools, like I did in New Mexico. We need to invest in cancer research, autism, stem cell research. We need to be the party of Research and Development. We need to find ways to make America healthier
My secretary of labor would be a member of an American union. I would push prevailing wage, fairer health care, but also, I would say to America's working men and women: we will find ways to bring collective bargaining to everywhere in America. Then, the next day, I would reinforce America's commitment to civil rights. I would start with the issue very dear to me as the governor of a border state: immigration.
I would tear down the weall between Mexico and the United States. I would find a path to an earned legalization program that stresses family reunification. I would say to Mexico: ayudenos. Stop giving maps to the most porous areas in our borders.
(I missed what he said about choice.)
I would be a president that says that discrimination is unacceptable to all people. On issues relating to discrimination based on sexual orientation, I would put domestic partnerships, civil unions, and hate crime laws like I have in New Mexico--the most progressive state on all these issues.
I love you all. You've given me a huge welcome. But you're thinking--this Richardson guy. Well-qualified. Pretty good-looking too. But can he win? And all I'm saying is we're going to outwork everyone.
(missed the rest). |
