Finally the meme can finally be put to rest. Today, Governor Bill Richardson blogged over at Open Left and put to rest the myth that he is just a stalking horse for Hillary Clinton.
As a Richardson supporter, I've always found the stalking horse problematic. Why would the candidate with the best resume and most experience be a stalking horse for any other candidate? It defies logic. Despite his love for riding horses, the stalking horse is one horse Richardson has never saddled up.
So follow me down the back stretch for Governor Bill Richardson, in his own words, as he puts down the stalking horse humanely.
So, let me set the record straight.
I deeply disagree with Senator Clinton on many issues, just as I do with the other candidates. For starters, Senator Clinton thinks we can fix No Child Left Behind; I believe we need to scrap it. I believe we must create a New Energy Revolution whereas Senator Clinton's positions are simply not bold enough on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving to alternative energy sources.
Senator Clinton seems to believe there are nations out there too "bad" for us to talk to -- I disagree and believe we should talk to both our enemies and our friends.
Senator Clinton voted for the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment that authorized aggressive action against factions in Iran. I think that is a huge mistake and find it shocking that she hasn't yet learned the most important lesson any American could learn about George Bush: he can't be trusted. This vote may end up being a vote for a war in Iran.
Most importantly, I disagree with Senator Clinton's belief that we cannot end the war now and get our troops out. I do not understand why she, and others who claim to be against the war, continue to vote for additional funding so the war can continue and still don't stand up to Bush on getting our troops out so we can begin reconciliation. I don't believe we are helpless against Bush and the Republicans. I believe Congress was elected to end this war, that they have the power to act, and yet don't.
I profoundly disagree with Senator Clinton that it is unreasonable to commit to getting troops out of Iraq by 2013.
RIP Stalking Horse. Happy Trails.