Richardson says Iraq should be top issue

PERRY, Iowa – Hoping to benefit from his foreign policy experience, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) on Monday told potential caucus-goers that Iraq should be the No. 1 issue in this election and stood by his assertion that Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf should step down.

{mosads}The governor is polling a distant fourth or fifth place in most Iowa polls, but he told a crowd of about 100 people at a local library here that his campaign is surging.

Richardson said that the media has been writing off the Iraq issue on the campaign trail, as issues like the economy and illegal immigration have gained prominence. But he called it the one issue “that divides America.”

“Mainly because of huge disagreements between the president and Congress over this war, we’re unable to deal with other priorities that affect America,” he said.

Richardson has sought to distinguish himself from his Democratic foes by going a step further on his commitment to withdraw from Iraq, advocating a complete removal of troops.

However, another issue on which he has gone further than other candidates earned him criticism at the event.

A man who said he agreed with Richardson on Iraq and Afghanistan said that the governor’s call for the resignation of Musharraf could hurt relations with a man that Richardson might have to work with as president.

Richardson has also called for funding to Pakistan to be cut off in the wake of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination last week.

The questioner said the move led to poor media coverage and suggested there are worse leaders than Musharraf.

Richardson stuck by his stance on Musharraf. He said that while other candidates called for an investigation, he went further because the root problem remains the same, regardless of the probe’s results.

“You’re going to see al Qaeda forces get stronger unless Musharraf leaves office,” Richardson said.

Richardson also stumbled when he proposed two years of free tuition for students who promise one year of service to their country.

When he asked those gathered if they would take part in such a program, a few agreed but the overall response was muted.

“I don’t see overwhelming enthusiasm,” Richardson joked.

Richardson has largely staked his candidacy on his large resume and his appeal to a wide range of voters, including independents.

Ralph Emerson, a retired consulting engineer from Waukee, Iowa, is considering caucusing for Richardson despite having disaffiliated from the Democratic Party early this year.

Emerson, whose wife is a precinct captain for Richardson, said he left the party because of its “spineless reaction to the president.”

“There’s nothing about being a congressman or senator that qualifies you for anything besides fundraising and bribe-taking,” he said, adding that Richardson’s record of negotiating with “bad people” is an important selling point.