Richardson Update (Dec. 9-16)

Richardson recently defined himself  as a "moderate, because I am not predictable,” and  said, “I’m fiscally very conservative — I balanced budgets, I cut taxes — but I’m socially very progressive. I would say moderate is sensible.” Richardson also announced that he has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, a typically more conservative interest group. Furthermore, Richardson recently denounced the use of attacks between the Democratic candidates, saying that they only distract from the serious issues at hand.  He said, "Almost a year ago, I came out and said all the Democratic hopefuls need to sign a pledge that we won't attack each other. Only Joe Biden signed it with me."  Although he may be against "attacking" other candidates, he sure has no problem attacking the current president.  He has continued to attack Bush: announcing that as President of the United States, he will immediately instigate serious investigations regarding the CIA tapes and torture and also through his response to the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran.  Richardson's strategy of denigrating Bush works to emphasize the necessity of a "diplomat" in office...namely himself.  In Concord on the 15th, he also committed himself to governing in a "bipartisan way," saying that through all his experience he has grown to be able "over the years to reconcile differences."  Governor Richardson also revealed his National Disability Policy on the 16th, through an online chat with his spokeswoman, Cody Unser, a Transverse Myelitis patient.