Watch Richardson Saturday night

Watch Governor Bill Richardson tonight at a live webcast from the California Democratic Party’s 2006 Convention!

The convention is set to nominate either state Treasurer Phil Angelides or state Controller Steve Westly to run against Arnold this fall.

Not only does Richardson have the best resume of any Democratic nominee hopeful, he knows how to liven up and inspire a crowd. Here are the details:

A Tribute to California Victory in 2006
With Special Honored Guest, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico
7:30 pm — 9:30 pm PST

Click here for the live webcast.

Richardson seeks solutions for regular people's pocketbooks

Governor Bill Richardson has called on the oil and gas industry for a second time to pitch in $50 million to help consumers.

Big oil companies are making record profits as consumers pay record prices. ExxonMobil ($340 billion in 2005 revenue) recently beat out Wal-Mart ($316 billion) for the top spot on the 2006 Fortune 500 list. ExxonMobil had $36 billion in profits, the most by any U.S. company in history. Chevron Texaco also climbed from 6th to 4th on the Fortune list, and ConocoPhillips moved from 7th to 6th.

“New Mexico is ready to help distribute this $50 million if the oil and gas industry will step up, help out and break their stunning silence,” Richardson said. “This industry is enjoying record-breaking profits while New Mexicans are feeling the pinch.”

Every one-cent increase in the price of gas costs American consumers approximately $1 billion. Congress has passed an energy bill that gives billions in tax breaks to oil companies already profiting from higher prices. It is reassuring to see that Richardson has not forgotten what regular people experience at the pumps.

“In 2004 the average New Mexican made a little more than $31,000,” said Richardson. “Meanwhile, the chairman of ExxonMobil made more than $51 million last year. That’s just not right.”

“I have fought hard to get relief for New Mexico families dealing with high gasoline prices,” said Richardson. “I enacted rebates last fall that sent checks of between $64 and $289 to every New Mexico taxpayer. The astronomical prices at gas pumps again show why we need an investigation of price gouging. I have consistently and forcefully called for such an investigation to make sure that the ways in which gasoline prices are set are completely above board. So far, the oil and gas industry has strenuously resisted this approach.”

Richardson is also working hard to put New Mexico at the forefront of the new, emerging clean and renewable energy economy. Developing renewables such as solar, wind, ethanol and biomass energy resources as alternatives to oil and promoting conservation will help permanently deal with the problem of high oil prices. Mass transit, like the RailRunner commuter train the Governor has championed, are also a big part of the solution for consumers.

Portales News-Tribune has the story.

Richardson selects chief strategist

Last week, Gov. Bill Richardson announced his former Chief of Staff Dave Contarino would begin working as the chairman of his re-election campaign.

Today, Richardson announced that AFTER the re-election campaign Contrarino would continue working on political matters as chief strategist — hopefully a presidential run.

“Dave will assume the chairmanship of my re-election campaign, working on all my political activities, including my re-election,” Richardson said.

The Albuquerque Tribune article

Free New Mexican article

Governor Richardson on Face The Nation

Courtesy Washington for Richardson:

Governor Richardson was on CBS' Face the Nation with host Bob Schieffer this morning. The guests were Senator George Allen (R-VA) and Richardson, and the topic was whether or not Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should heed the call of several generals and resign. Governor Richardson also shared his thoughts on Bush's war in Iraq and the situation in Iran. You can find the transcript here.

Click here for a video clip of Richardson's appearance.

Richardson — Best résumé of any potential Democratic presidential candidate

Michael Riley writes a great piece on Governor Bill Richardson in the Denver Post. This weekend has been full of great press. Here's an excerpt:

New Mexico's relatively small stage has never quite fit a man who has led an oversize political life: former U.S. secretary of energy, ambassador to the United Nations, a seven-term congressman, and now the state's most powerful governor in living memory.

Richardson has spent a lifetime positioning himself for this moment: He's a Latino at a time when the ethnic group's influence is growing. He's a Westerner as the region is becoming critical to the national strategies of both parties. And he's a powerful governor with impeccable foreign-policy credentials.

It may be the best résumé of any potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, and Richardson knows it.

Click here for the the full article.

Richardson v. Dobbs

Earlier this week Gov. Bill Richardson respectfully debated Lou Dobbs on CBS's The Early Show concerning the immigration debate. Check it out. It includes a summary and video clip.

Richardson has been encouraging a plan to strengthen border security and offer eventual citizenship to undocumented workers.