Bill Richardson at DNC Winter Meeting

"Elect a Democratic President"

After an introduction written by the wife of Paul Salopek, an American Richardson rescued from Sudan, Bill Richardson arrived on stage to address Democratic National Committee's Winter Meeting. Amidst the loud cheers from his supporters and the audience, Richardson proceeded to give quite a speech.

Richardson led with the statement "Our country would be better off with anyone serving in the White House...." much applause "...as my Vice President ."

Like Barack Obama did the day before, Richardson called on Democratic candidates for the nomination not to tear each other down.

Richardson called on all candidates to run only positive campaigns throughout the nomination process. He went so far as to call on the DNC to pass a resolution, demanding that candidates run clean campaigns.

Littered throughout Richardson's speech, were references to his record as a servant to America. He said that America needs a Democratic nominee that has brokered international agreements, fought global warming, turned an economy around and balanced budgets.

For a record, it doesn't get much better than Richardson's. Former member of Congress, Secretary of Energy, Representative to the U.N and current Governor. That gave him quite a bit to talk about, and talk about it he did. When you've got something good to say, it's better to say it - particularly to as important a gathering as the DNC.

On Iraq, Richardson said that it was a war that had gone horribly wrong. He said that Iraq is not the disease, the disease is arrogance.

Richardson said that the next President must be able to repair the damage in Iraq and the region. He said that the war in Iraq is not worth the loss of one more American life - what we said we would do, has been done and it's time for the troops to come home with honor. Joining with some of the other candidates not in Congress, Richardson called on them to pass another resolution to end the war, and bring the troops home by the end of this calender year.

He finished off by asking Democrats to "stay loose", that there is another year to go, and he would be doing his best to visit all of the states.

It was a good speech, and for those that don't know him, he gives a good background of his achievements, so it's worth watching. View it here.