http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...EWS81/710130064Richardson calls for 'energy revolution'
By AARON SANBORN
Democrat Staff Writer
SOMERSWORTH — A day after his good friend Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson preached many of Gore's ideals about global warning and renewable energy during a stop in the Hilltop City on Friday evening.
The Democratic presidential candidate applauded the former vice president's accomplishment and said he's glad Gore became an advocate for global warming, rather than run again for president.
"I'm glad he won the Nobel prize, I just hope he stays out of the race, that's all I need," Richardson joked. "Things would have been a lot different if he won, I wish we could start over."
Speaking before 40 people at the city's high school, Richardson said the country needs to go through an "energy revolution" and start capitalizing on other sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. He also stressed the importance of using our own resources, saying it's an issue of "national security" when America relies on Iraq and Iran for oil.
In regards to global warming, Richardson said the issue needs to be addressed immediately.
"We need to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and we do that by reducing fossil fuel usage," Richardson said. "I would institute a mandate cutting the production of greenhouse gases by 30 percent by 2030."
Although the environment was a dominant issue, most of his appearance touched on what he called "Restoring the American Dream," an idea dominated by troop removal from Iraq and changes in education. Richardson called Iraq a "national disaster."
"I would get all of our troops, no residual troops, out within a year," he said.
He said such a move is necessary because the casualty and injury count has become too high and it's becoming obvious that keeping troops in the region isn't going to bring peace.
Richardson also touched on a $60 billion education plan that he unveiled Thursday in Manchester. The plan scraps No Child Left Behind, provides universal pre-kindergarten programs, and increases the minimum wage for teachers to $40,000.
"We need good teachers, we disrespect our teachers, we don't pay them for what they're worth," he said.
His plan also calls for 100,000 new math and science teachers. He also would offer two years of public college in exchange for one year of national service, this would include military service, municipal service, or time in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps.
The governor also touched on universal health care, immigration, lowering the national debt, and cutting back on nuclear weapons.
Former Somersworth city councilor and School Board member David Littlefield said he was a Republican for more than 60 years but recently changed to a Democrat because of Richardson.
"He's the one, he's got the experience," Littlefield said. "He's a governor, he's been at the U.N. and Congress, and he has been the secretary of energy."
After Somersworth, Richardson made a whirlwind stop in Portsmouth, at the city Democrats' annual banquet.
Richardson joked about his current low poll rating and how he needed to "move up" so his plane could wait.
As salad was served, the governor tried to shake hands with all 200 people in the conference room at the Sheraton Harborside hotel before talking about his positions on the War in Iraq, education, health care, energy, torture, a woman's right to choose and the federal deficit, all within a 15-minute speech.
"If I am elected president, I will follow the Constitution of the United States. I will not go to war unless I get the consent of Congress. I will respect a woman's right to choose. I will shut down that symbol of oppression — it is called Guantanomo — America needs a conscience," Richardson said. "There is three months to go and I want to earn your vote."