Richardson Drops Presidential Bid

Bill Richardson says he is ending his race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As he made the announcement, the New Mexico governor praised allof his Democratic rivals, but endorsed no one. At a New Mexico newsconference, he encouraged voters to "take a long and thoughtfullook" at all of them.

Richardson is taking his name off the ballot following poorfinishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Still seeking the White House on the Democratic ticket are Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, and Dennis Kucinich.

Edwards congratulated Richardson, saying he "ought to be proud of what he's done."

First Partner Barbara Richardson to Speak in Rindge

Rindge-

Barbara Richardson, wife of Gov. Bill Richardson, democratic candidate for president, will be speaking at Franklin Pierce University, Tuesday from 2:00 to 2:45 PM, brought to you by the Fitzwater Center for Communication. This is apart of the First Partners Series at Franklin Pierce introducing the partners of presidential candidates to captive audiences.

For more information contact Kristen Nevious, the director of the Fitzwater Center, at 603 899 1039.

Richardson talks veterans benefits plan in Iowa

Richardson touts benefit plan for vets
By MASON KERNS
REGISTER CORRESPONDENT
November 4, 2007

Waterloo, Ia. - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson promoted his proposed veterans' benefits package Saturday, pledging to a Veterans of Foreign Wars post audience of 100 to end the "terrible mistreatment" that he said stems from a callous approach to veterans issues by the Bush administration.

The governor proposed spending $15 billion at the federal level to revamp the U.S. veterans' benefits system. Of that sum, $2.5 billion would fund a Heroes' Health Card program that would allow veterans to seek treatment at facilities of their choice as opposed to strictly government-run veterans hospitals. Another $4 billion would ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs receives substantial mandatory funding each year, Richardson said.

The plan would also give all veterans a 5 percent break on their federal income taxes for life and eliminate all federal income taxes during their first year as civilians, initiatives that would cost $6.1 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, in lost revenue.

Those and other veterans programs would be paid for by closing capital-gains tax loopholes.

Bill Derocher, a Waterloo construction worker, said to Richardson, "I'm curious: Am I the only one in this room that gives a damn about our national debt? When I take out a loan of $100,000 from a bank, I have to pay it back, with interest, or I'm going to prison."

"That's why I'm proposing a constitutional amendment to balance the budget," Richardson said, adding that the process would likely span many years.

Who has filed for the Primary?

Candidates for the upcoming New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election.

Filing period- October 15, 2007 to November 2, 2007.

No date for the Primary has been announced it should be announced no later than the 10th of November.

Monday, October 15, 2007
Robert E. Haines, republican
Jack Shepard, republican

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Thomas G. Tancredo, r

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Michael Skok, d
Mark Klein, r
Mike Huckabee, r

Friday, October 19, 2007
Sal Mohamed, d
Chris Dodd, d

Monday, October 22, 2007
H. Neal Fendig, Jr., r
Tom Koos, d
Barack Obama, d

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Randy Crow, d
John McCain, r
Albert Howard, r
Rudolph W. Giuliani, r
Henry Hewes, d
Ron Paul, r

Wednesday, October 24,2007
Kenneth A. Capalbo, d
William C. Hughes, d

Thursday, October 25, 2007
Vern Wuensche, r
Daniel Gilbert, r

Friday, October 26, 2007
Alan Keyes, r
Dennis J. Kucinich, d

Monday, October 29, 2007
John Edwards, d
Dal LaMagna, d
Mitt Romney, r
Fred Thompson, r

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Bill Richardson, d,
Hugh Cort, r

Richardson speaks about Healthcare, Energy, and Veterans Benfits

Plans for health care, higher education, and Energy policy, were points Presidential Candidate and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson outlined at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge New Hampshire Yesterday afternoon. Richardson a democrat is a former secretary for U.S. energy, and former UN Ambassador. Richardson's agenda speaks of eliminating the dependence on Foreign Oil. Richardson wants to make the mile per gallon average requirement around 55 miles per gallon, versus the 35 percent it is set at now. As for his Medicare policy, if elected Richardson says he would lower the eligibility age from 65 to 55, and shift medicare funding, to direct care for screenings, and testing.

Richardson says for health care, we must as a nation promote prevention and living healthy lives, starting early with children.

If Richardson were elected president, veteran health care would not just be given at VA hospitals. Richardson told the audience in Rindge that every veteran with a Hero health card, could receive treatment anywhere.

Interesting Collections of the Day

Though they may spar across the political aisle, Vice President Dick Cheney is close enough to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama to call him "cousin." Boston Herald Article

Democrat and presidential candidate Joe Biden says he only needs a fourth-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses to stay in the race. That's different from what he said more than a month ago. Back then, he would need to at least tie for third.
WHO TV.com Story

Tom Tancredo Tuesday became the first major presidential candidate to get his name on the primary ballot in New Hampshire. CNN Political Ticker Story

Senator John Edwards begins the second day of his two-day, nine-county "Barnstorm for Rural America" in Rock Rapids, Iowa; where he will discuss his plan to support rural firefighters. JohnEdwards.com

Someone in Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign mistakenly e-mailed a copy of working draft of a campaign document which isn't earth-shattering but still an interesting read. So onto The Swamp it goes. Featured on the SWAMP, a blog at baltimoresun.com


The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced Lee County Sheriff Michael Scott and Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson have endorsed Mayor Giuliani for President. From Team Rudy

State workers in New Mexico continue to pump money into Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential bid, giving his campaign about $78,000 during the past three months. From the Las Cruces Sun

Former US vice president Al Gore said Wednesday that his Nobel Peace Prize triumph had not altered his intention to stay out of the 2008 presidential race. From the AFP

Globe Article on Iraq, Democratic Candidate Stance on Iraq

In the article, "Veterans take their war views to the trail" featured today in the Boston Globe, written by Irene Sege a great set of stories are written. I think it does a wonderful job of laying out the campaigns feelings. This article gives people an opportunity to quickly see who believes what they believe. This little clip below, I found very interesting.

"The campaigns of Democrats Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Edwards, Bill Richardson, and Dennis Kucinich all have at least one Iraq veteran lending a hand in New Hampshire. Former senator Mike Gravel, an afterthought in the polls who would immediately withdraw from Iraq, travels with the outspoken antiwar veteran he hired as head of security. On the Republican side, McCain - Vietnam veteran, former prisoner of war, father of two sons in the military - counts more Iraq vets among his New Hampshire volunteers than do his rivals. "His family's not too good to fight this war," says Newbery."

The story can be found by clicking here.

Huckabee, Richardson to visit Franklin Pierce and the Fitzwater Center

Mike Huckabee will speak at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire at 9am on Thursday. On Sunday the action on the trail continues at Franklin Pierce, as they will host Governor Bill Richardson, as part of the Fitzwater Connections Series, connecting voters and students of the Monadnock region with the candidates.

For more information please contact Steven Dodrill, Student Director of the Fitzwater Connections Program at 603-899-4169, or at fitzconnectdodrill@gmail.com

Associated Press Poll-Clinton Ahead

A new national poll suggests Hillary RodhamClinton is moving even farther ahead of her ahead of her rivals forthe Democratic presidential nomination. The AP-Ipsos numbers put her ahead of Barack Obama by more than20 points. The poll gives Clinton 46 percent support, compared to25 percent for Obama. The rest of the Democratic field is down in the single digits. John Edwards pulls in 9 percent, while New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Delaware Senator Joe Biden each have 2 percent.Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd has 1 percent. The race appears much closer in Iowa. There, Clinton, Obama andEdwards are in a tight three-way contest.

Would Al Gore Make a Difference?

As of today, Al Gore has not expressed any intention to run in the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary. Without him in the race, voter support does not change significantly.

According to a New Hampshire Primary Political Poll, conducted by WBZ TV and Franklin Pierce University, Hillary Clinton would extend her lead three points, receiving 39 percent of the vote. Obama would come in a distant second, with 19 percent of the vote, followed by John Edwards (12%) and Bill Richardson (11%).

The race is tighter on the Republican side, in the first WBZ poll since former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson officially entered the race. Thompson has fallen 1 percent, since a June pole that was conducted by Franklin Pierce, as has John McCain's favorability rating. Mitt Romney has a strong lead on Republicans. Romney still leads former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 30-to-23 percent. Romney held a 9-point lead in the last survey back in June

Rindge Town Selectmen favoring Bill Richardson.

Rindge New Hampshire Selectmen Jed Brummer has not officially given his endorsement for any presidential candidate. Brummer says he is a life long democrat, and is leaning towards New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Brummer said, "He is who he is." The reasoning is because of Richardson's background, political and foreign affairs experience, and his domestic agenda. Brummer added that if Richardson was the one chosen, he could work both sides very well.

Front Row Ticket to the Candidates

Standing Ovation, continuous clapping by political activists, supporters, family of the candidates and many more is the sign of respect that Democratic Candidates for highest office in our nation received. Frank Blais and I were in the Sullivan Arena when the candidates entered the arena to a standing ovation. Right against the stage with photographers from the Union Leader, South Africa, Reuters, Associated Press and other news outlets.

In order came the big three, Edwards, Clinton, and Obama.

Snapping photos with a film camera, and digital camera, we were rushed in and rushed out, as we captured history. In attendance, political activist Dorris "Granny D" Haddock who was seated in the same row that was reserved for candidate Gravel's supporters, Elizabeth Kucinich the wife of Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, and New Hampshire Governor John Lynch.

Guests from Franklin Pierce that Frank and I could see -Franklin Pierce Alum Julianna Spence, and Franklin Pierce staff member Bill Beardslee.


... More to come!

New Mexico Governor and Former VP Nominee wear Relaxing Attire

With nearly 6 hours until the debate, the bustle on campus is extreme. With a Secret Service sweep of the Filing Center, Debate Hall and Spin Room complete. Bring on the show. After a walkthrough of the facilities on campus, I am amazed. The Debate Hall is located in the Sullivan Arena is set up with glass podium for each of the eight candidates. Each podium is set with a chair for the candidate. The backdrop of the debate is set up with blocks, featuring logos from The Union Leader, WMUR, and CNN.

While we were in the debate hall, we caught an inside look at the production of CNN’s -The Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. Justin Martell, Frank Blais and I stopped for a quick word with Blitzer, and then met Lou Dobbs who was in the Arena doing his walk through as well.

While we were in the debate hall, we snapped pictures on stage, and of the debate set. Frank Blais and I were asked to leave the stage right after we took our pictures because Former VP nominee John Edwards would be arriving to do his walk through, and see his spot for tonight’s debate. We even snapped a few pictures of Edwards and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as they walked about at separate times.

We over heard the placement of the candidates while we were on the debate hall floor. The podium Frank and I stood at in the picture to the right allegedly is Governor Bill Richardson’s, we will have to wait and see when the debate gets underway at 7pm, on WMUR Channel 9 in New Hampshire, and CNN Across the country.

Former VP nominee Edwards and Governor Richardson both were wearing their relaxing attire. It looked from our vantage point on the ‘political catwalk’ just above the seating bowl that Governor Richardson was spotting some type of sweat suit, and Edwards was wearing jeans, and a white dress shirt with a blue blazer. Both seemed very relaxed. Governor Richardson seemed too joked with the staff on the debate floor, and looked like he was very attentive when hearing more in-depth about what will happen at tonight’s debate.

Interestingly enough with political candidates being in the same building, we had no trouble getting into the debate hall, we walked right through the metal detectors that beeped as we went through. No one asked questions but as the afternoon went on security became even tighter. After a security sweep we were asked to leave the filing center at 2 p.m. and could not come back until 3 p.m.

I had some time to kill, my self, Eric Jackman, and Justin Martell met with Carl Cameron, Chief Political Correspondent for Fox News, and talked with him about the New Hampshire Primary being first in the nation, he supported the First in the Nation Primary, and backed it up with numbers.

Still had time to kill so I walked the Saint Anselm Campus with recent Franklin Pierce grad, and new Union Leader Reporter, Trent Spiner. Trent and I agreed it was a beautiful campus although the weather wasn’t perfect we had a slight drizzle, it was cloudy, cold and raw.

It’s going to start heating up, here at Saint Anselm. For now, I’m off to get footage of the campus and head into the spin room.