From MoveOn Town Hall

I had the chance to go to listen to the Democratic Hopefuls at a MoveOn members home in Sandy. We had a good time discuss the hope of change in 2008. Everyone seemed to be quickly impressed witn Gov. Richardson, who's resume and experience keeps him heads above the others. This was posted on the blog at www.richardsonforpresident.com.

The News By Seth TannerThu April 12, 2007 at 8:30 AM MDT

Yesterday there was a lot of coverage of Governor Richardson's appearance at the MoveOn Town Hall. First, Chris Bowers at MyDD.com

So far, in the entire forum, no line struck me more than Bill Richardson's "I would have no residual force whatsoever" in his opening statement (which he repeated in his response to question #1). With perfect clarity, that is exactly the line I have been looking for from Democratic candidates for President. It is a profound, substantive difference than what we have heard from, for example, Hillary Clinton, when she states that if she is President there will be a "remaining military as well as political mission" in Iraq. This is, in the final analysis, a difference between ending the war in Iraq, and simply decreasing the size of the war Iraq.

What really makes me happy about this statement is that it came from Bill Richardson. This is a man who, earlier today, brokered a deal with North Korea to allow weapons inspectors back into the country, and who, three months ago, brokered cease-fire deal in Darfur. To use the favorite term of neoliberal hawks, no one alive today is more "serious' about foreign policy than Bill Richardson. And yet, here he is, running for President of the Unites States, and stating that the United States should have no residual force in Iraq whatsoever. Doesn't he know that "serious" people aren't supposed to say things like this?

And Kos covers Richardson's stand

Of all the top candidates, Richardson is the only candidate who currently advocates a complete withdrawal from Iraq. That he's also the sharpest mind on foreign policy issues isn't a coincidence.

And Donna Brazille writes in the Washington Times

Richardson is far from a shoe-in, but there's a decent chance he could end up surprising a few donors who are so heavily invested in the so-called front runners. Just as you wouldn't walk out after the first inning of a baseball game figuring you knew the final score, it would be wise to keep an eye on Richardson. He is behind, but it's only the beginning.