11:30 A.M. EDT
Real Audio of Briefing
MODERATOR: Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Washington Foreign Press Center. And I would also like to extend a welcome to journalists at our New York Foreign Press Center who are participating via DVC. As part of our continuing series of briefings on the upcoming national election, we are very pleased to have with us the Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, who, in his capacity as Permanent Convention Chair for the Democratic National Convention, will provide us a preview of that convention. He will have an opening statement and then we'll take your questions.
Governor.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: (In French). (Laughter.) (In Spanish.) (Laughter.) Just kidding. I bet you have never had so much fun.
The Democratic Convention, the theme of the Democratic Convention in Boston is going to be “stronger at home, respected in the world.” The purpose of the convention is to highlight Senator John Kerry and his strength as a leader in national security: his background as a 20-year member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; his extensive foreign policy experience; his appreciation for alliance and his commitment to Africa, Asia, and Latin America, along with our NATO alliance and many other important initiatives and traditional ties that America no longer seems to have.
There are 13 days until the 2004 convention, and we are underway with a number of important planning initiatives. First, the convention delegates, 40 percent of the convention delegates will be minorities. This is the most diverse convention in party history. Hispanics, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, everybody represented in this room will be represented in our Democratic Convention, unlike the other convention, which you will find out.
This will be the greenest convention ever. In cooperation with the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions, we will have our convention mainly powered by renewable energy: solar, wind, biomass. So it will be a green convention. The main objective will be to appeal to young people, the 18 to 32 [year-old] voters, that we believe are prime targets for the Democratic party. We will also target veterans because of Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam, a potential block that traditionally has been Republican, but we believe will move in our direction.
We will also target "bloggers." Bloggers, you know what that is, right?
A PARTICIPANT: I don't know.
(Laughter.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Where is my -- tell them. They're the Internet people.
STAFF: Networks and websites reporting directly from the convention.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: You know, not everybody writes like you. There are some people that -- (laughter) -- anyway, we feel good about this election. We have the most volunteers in our history: 14,000 volunteers will be in Boston, unprecedented interest in this convention. The construction of the Fleet Center, the fundraising is running on schedule. Broad themes I mentioned: “Stronger at Home; Respected in the World.”
National security will be a main election issue in this campaign. This is for the first time in many, many years. The goal of the convention -- this is our goal and this is why it's important that I come here to talk to you -- at the end of the convention, we hope the American people will see Senator Kerry as a proven, tested leader they can trust, especially in the national security arena.
Now, who is going to be speaking at the convention? First, the daily themes: Monday, July 28th, the “Kerry-Edwards Plan for America's Future,” emphasizing the middle class, a comprehensive health care. And the speakers will be: Vice President Gore, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, Congressman Bob Menendez of New Jersey will talk about national security; Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, health care; Representative Stephanie Tubb-Jones of Ohio, middle class issues, the economy.
Second day, July 27th, Tuesday, “a Lifetime of Strength and Service.” Speakers: Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator Kerry's spouse; Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, a longtime friend and colleague, to talk about Senator Kerry's values, what he is as a person; Christie Vilsack of Iowa, the wife of Governor Vilsack; Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona talking about public servants, Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards.
Thursday -- I mean, Wednesday. All right. Well, you don't want to forget a day. So Wednesday: “A stronger, more secure America.” John Kerry and John Edwards will talk about foreign policy, or the speakers will talk about foreign policy, character, values, homeland security, supporting our police, first responders, national security. Featured speakers: Governor Richardson of New Mexico -- you'll be there, right? I'm sure. -- Steve Brozak of New Jersey, a Marine Lieutenant Colonel from Iraq who changed his party registration from Republican to Democrat, decided to run for Congress; Mayor O'Malley of Baltimore, Irishman, will speak about John Kerry's plan to improve homeland security. And Wednesday will be a big day. Vice President nominee John Edwards introduced by his wife, Elizabeth Edwards.
Fourth day, Thursday, July 29th: "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World." Thursday will culminate in a speech by Senator Kerry. Senator Kerry's family will speak. Alex and Vanessa Kerry, his two daughters; two stepsons, Chris and Andre Heinz, play a role in Thursday's announcement. They'll talk about John Kerry as a father and a role model.
In addition, Senator Kerry's crewmates, swiftboat crewmates in Vietnam who he saved, who stood with him 30 years ago, along with Jim Rassman, the Green Beret that John Kerry rescued in Vietnam. He will be introduced, Senator Kerry, by Max Cleland, the Senator who knows him well who was wounded in Vietnam and was defeated for the Senate. Senator Cleland will talk about his friend as a commander-in-chief that has been tested in the battlefield and can be trusted to lead America to safer and stronger times.
So by the end of the convention, our objective is that the American people will know the following about Senator Kerry: that he has demonstrated courage under fire, exhibited a lifeline of strength and service; that he's a good man with a vision for America, a plan for America's future that will be respected around the world; that we will respect alliances around the world.
I am now open to questions.
MODERATOR: Before we get started, as a reminder, please wait for the microphone and remember to identify yourself and news organization prior to making the question.
First I want to go to New York. Is there anybody up there with a question? Yes, sir.
QUESTION: Hello, this is Lisiane Baudu, La Tribune. This is a French business daily. I was wondering if you could be more specific on the platform for the middle class issues in terms of taxes, college education, things like that. What is the economic platform, in other words?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, the platform has been almost finished and the emphasis will be on a middle class tax cut, on a balanced budget, a comprehensive plan for education which we believe the Republicans have neglected, universal healthcare and programs that deal with children and health care, a great emphasis on children.
Fifty percent of the Democratic platform, however, is on national security. You will read that, again, the emphasis in this election will be on national security issues. They will be probably as important in voters' minds as domestic issues.
QUESTION: Pavel Vanichkin, ITAR-TASS News Agency of Russia. Sir, I've got two questions. First of all, what's your attitude towards those rumors about the possible postponement of election, I mean, the article of Newsweek? And secondly, a couple of Republican lawmakers urged Ron Reagan, as well as Democrats, not to politicize the stem cell issue. Could you respond to that, please?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, on the first issue, I believe the Democrats and the Bush Administration stand very clear: there will be no postponement of the election. Secondly, the Democrats commend Ron Reagan for speaking at our convention. This was a mutual decision. And this is not politics. Ron Reagan is talking about the need for stem cell research, to do something about diabetes, to do something about cancer. And President Bush's policy to deny stem cell research makes no sense. It's bad science. It's just pure politics and Mrs. Ronald Reagan is very much in favor of stem cell research.
So this is not a partisan issue and this was a decision that both Democratic officials and Ron Reagan arrived at mutually. And this is why he'll be speaking; he'll speak on Tuesday.
QUESTION: Umit Enginsoy with NTV Television. Governor, just a policy-related question. Under President's Clinton and Bush, the United States has staunchly supported Turkey's bids for European Union membership. If Kerry is elected President, do you think this policy will continue?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Yeah, I'm sure it will continue. I'm not sure if it's in the platform, but the answer is yes. Turkey is a strong ally and Senator Kerry believes that.
QUESTION: Hi, Thea Rosenbaum, ARD German Television. Just a tiny bit on logistics. When are you starting the sessions? I know you plan to start in the afternoon. When will the prime time speakers start? Obviously, sometime in the evening, but can you give us a little bit more detail?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, the sessions will be from -- generally from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prime time is obviously 9 o'clock p.m.
Right now, we -- we're disappointed that NBC -- is NBC here? -- we're disappointed that NBC is only going to give three hours of prime time coverage to the Republicans and Democrats. We're very disappointed. But we have you. We have other non-networks that are here, non-American networks. So we're very happy that you're covering the election.
QUESTION: I mean, like Ron Reagan, is he going to speak prime time or?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: He's going to speak on Tuesday. He'll have a good role. We'll finalize those details now, in the next few days.
QUESTION: Hello, Governor. I wanted to ask you --
MODERATOR: Could you identify yourself, please?
QUESTION: Yes, I'm sorry. Maria Gonzalez with Reforma from Mexico. I wanted to ask you about the relationship with Mexico. Would a Democratic president be better or worse for Mexico and why? And then, do you think a Democratic president could help get an immigration reform? And I'm asking you because we had Clinton, a Democrat, doing eight years, and what we got were walls on the border.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Okay, the first question is easy. A Democratic administration will be better for Mexico. (Laughter.) I don't see you writing it down. Escribalo, escribalo. (Laughter.)
Democrats are more sensitive to Africa, Asia and Latin America. That's been historic. Our commitment to aid, our commitment to issues relating to the environment, our commitment to diplomacy and our lack of a unilateralist policy, respect for sovereignty, as you know Mexico's very strong position on sovereignty.
I believe on immigration, if you look at immigration agreements, it's been the Democratic party that have stood behind Hispanic voters on immigration, on civil rights, on affirmative action. My state in New Mexico, a Democratic administration, is the first that has had -- come se llama? Licencia matricula-consular.
QUESTION: (In Spanish.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Sí, Sí. So, you know, I'm just one of many examples.
(Laughter.)
QUESTION: During eight years with Clinton (inaudible) we have world support (inaudible).
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, I mean, I'm not exact -- you know, the Bush administration has proposed this immigration plan, which is a step in the right direction, but it's not enough and they can't get it through the Congress. So, a Republican Congress, a Republican administration can't even get a Republican initiative through the Congress. That doesn't show much of a commitment.
With Senator Kerry, he proposed an immigration bill two days ago that will -- that covers, obviously, Hispanics, Irish, Haitians, comprehensive commitment that we're going to have, if he is elected, to passing an immigration bill that goes beyond the -- that has, at the end, a green card, that doesn't have -- as you know, the Bush plan has -- you know, doesn't have a threshold of what happens after you're here legally after -- what is it, five years?
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: But, of course, a Democrat will do better.
QUESTION: Michael Backfisch, Germany's business daily Handelsblatt. I have a question to the Governor of New Mexico. Which are the prime targets of battleground states with a Latin American population? Sixty percent of Latin Americans live in California, Texas and New York, which are no battleground states. So, which are the prime targets?
Obviously, Florida comes into play. That's clear, but what beyond that?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: I will say there are five --
QUESTION: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico. And also considering the fact that President Bush is doing pretty well so far.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, I think you very well answered your question. (Laughter.) There are five states. The most important state, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Florida. And I'll explain why.
Hispanics are all over America. The fastest growing Hispanic population is in North Carolina, but New Mexicans, for instance, 45 percent of the state is Hispanic and the margin was only 200 votes. Nevada, the population of Hispanic is growing and that was a few percentage points. The same with Arizona, the same with Florida. So we believe those are the five battleground states, in my judgment as the only Hispanic governor, that will decide the election.
Now, in addition, I believe that President Bush's policy in Florida, in Miami that limits visits by Cuban Americans to Cuba and reduces the remittances that are sent to Cubans by Cuban Americans, that's going to hurt him in Florida. I think President Bush will still win the Cuban American vote, but we, the Democrats, are targeting the 20 percent that is not Cuban American in Florida: Salvadoran, Haitian -- El Salvadoran, Central American, others, Puerto Rican that we believe we can get.
QUESTION: This is Sridhar from the Hindu newspaper of India. Just sometime back, you said the Democrats are more sensitive to Asia, Africa and Latin America. But a lot of people in Asia would want to ask you, why are the Democrats so strident on such issues as straight outsourcing -- I mean, almost bordering on protectionism?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Are you from India?
QUESTION: Yes, I am.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Wasn't the Clinton administration -- gave importance to the India relationship more than any other president?
QUESTION: Absolutely, but now, we are more -- I mean, we are more interested in the issue of outsourcing. What does Senator Kerry have to say on that?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, Senator Kerry's position -- Senator Kerry voted for the Free Trade Agreement, voted for free trade with China. He is an internationalist. I think what Senator Kerry is saying on outsourcing is that it's important that America have a policy where we give tax incentives for our companies that do research and development.
We recognize that outsource is a reality, but at the same time, we want to develop our jobs and industries more at home here, too. But, you know, Senator Kerry is an internationalist and I think your country should welcome him as an American president. We -- the Democratic party has had a long tradition of ties with the subcontinent, with South Asia, especially with India. And it was Clinton -- I was with him on that trip -- that, you know, really opened up the American-Indian relationship. We'll continue that.
QUESTION: Tatiania Bautzer with the Brazilian newspaper, Valor Economico. I'd like to know if you support labor provisions in FTAs with Central America and FTAA, and how would you respond to critics that say this kind of provision is protectionist?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Now, is this in the Bush plan?
QUESTION: The Kerry plan, the labor --
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, then, I support it.
(Laughter.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: It's a good provision. (Laughter.) You know, here's the Democratic free trade position. You know, we think that free trade agreements are important but we should have protections for workers -- better protections for workers, better protections for environmental quality. What's wrong with that? You're for that, aren't you, in Brazil? Is Lula for labor? He's a labor man, right?
QUESTION: Yes, but there are some critics that say that labor provisions can be used to block access to fair (inaudible) private (inaudible).
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Ah, the critics are wrong. (Laughter.) Let's go back to Thomas.
QUESTION: Thomas Gorguissian, An-Nahar, Lebanon. I'm not going to ask you about geography. I know you support it, the policies of --
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: I've been to Lebanon.
QUESTION: My question is regarding "Stronger at Home and Respected at the World." Can you elaborate a little bit "Respected at the World" about what you mean exactly? And you think that answer, your answer, will be different if you talk to Americans or you are talking to other people all over the world?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, look, President Bush is my President and I want him to succeed, and, look, that's beyond question. I do believe that I would like to see an America under Senator Kerry that is more respectful of our traditional alliances, of the United Nations, of multilateral, of diplomacy before using force. That's the point.
I worry about -- I read in all your countries the polls of what your country thinks of America, and it bothers me that our standing is not as strong as it should be. So I believe you would see Senator Kerry take strong internationalist positions. I believe he'd resume the Kyoto treaty; the U.S. would participate again in the Kyoto treaty. I believe there will be other international treaties that the Bush Administration terminated that we would return to.
QUESTION: Olga Bakova, Slovak Radio. I would like to ask you about visa policy. Can we expect some changes or at least softening of (inaudible) visa policy towards new EU and NATO members?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Is there -- you mean like visa policies into the U.S.?
QUESTION: Yes.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: What's the issue?
QUESTION: Yeah, because I will explain it. EU members have no visa towards -- they don't need a visa to go to America. We are new members of NATO and EU but we were told that we have to still have visas.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: You know, I don't know the answer to that. Can I -- where's my able staff? You don't know either. We'll get back to you. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Governor Richardson, my name is Khaled Dahoud from Egypt's Al-Ahram. Just to get you back to the Middle East, Senator Kerry, in a speech in front of Arab Americans in October, criticized the wall which Israel is building in the West Bank, but two days he ago issued a statement opposing the ruling issued by the International Court of Justice and backing Mr. Sharon 100 percent. So, I mean, if you can explain this contradiction and explain to the Arab readers what will the platform be on both the Middle East peace process and on Iraq.
Thank you very much, sir.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, on the Middle East peace process, I believe you will see Senator Kerry more engaged in trying to bring a settlement with either an act of special envoy or the Secretary of State. We believe that America can play an important broker role, but you have to be engaged, and I don't believe we've been as engaged as before.
Secondly, you know, the issue of the wall. We -- and I believe this is also Senator Kerry's position -- the Middle East issue should be resolved by diplomacy, not by the International Court of Justice.
MODERATOR: Any questions on getting back to the convention?
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: What about it?
QUESTION: What's your platform going to be in Iraq? I mean, there are even divisions inside the Democratic Party, some people demanding immediate withdrawals from Iraq, others saying we should finish the job. And can you explain that for us?
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Well, the Democratic platform does not put a timetable on withdrawal. We know we have some responsibilities there. We just believe that what is needed is an exit plan that involves multinational coalitions, the United Nations, NATO, more of an international effort than has existed before.
QUESTION: Dolia Estevez, El Financiero. Governor Richardson, you've been answering most about the questions that have to do with foreign policy, I would say, probably better than Secretary Powell. I was wondering if you are -- (laughter.) I was wondering if you would accept if Kerry wins the election to become his next Secretary of State? (Laughter.)
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: You know, I went through this with the Vice President thing, you know? And my answer is the same: I'm happy being Governor of New Mexico; it's the best job in the world. I will leave after seeing you here. I will fly back to Santa Fe, I'll ride my horse in the morning. There will be fun. There won't be traffic. So I -- but thank you for your nice question.
QUESTION: T.V. Parasuram, the Press Trust of India. Sometime back, Senator Kerry used an expression, "Benedict Arnold CEOs," suggesting that CEO who (inaudible) are traitors to the United States. And that made many people wondering whether he really believes in globalization.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Look, Senator Kerry -- look at his voting record on trade, on international issues, respect for the UN. He supported international trade treaties, free trade agreements. His reference there was, for instance, to some of the CEOs of Enron and others that I believe were, you know, misusing stocks and other funds. That was his reference.
QUESTION: Thank you. Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russian TV Network, RTVI. Mr. Richardson, could you please clarify the -- what the Democrat position towards Russia is, because according to U.S. press reports, there seems to be some contradiction? For instance, Senator Kerry puts more emphasis on nuclear security and less emphasis on democracy and human rights in Russia, whereas Senator Edwards supports suspending Russia from the G-8 for its violation of freedom of press and other democratic values. Thank you.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: I would emphasize Senator Kerry's position vis-ŕ-vis Edwards. You know, one's VP, one's -- there will be more emphasis in the new administration on working with Russia to secure fissile materials, nuclear proliferation. The Clinton Administration had a program administered by the Department of Energy, which I headed. The funding was cut for that program, joint efforts with Russia. That will be emphasized. Look, we're still committed to democracy and human rights. I think President Kerry and President Putin will have a good, solid relationship.
QUESTION: Ana Baron from Argentina, Clarin. I would like to know the action you're going to put in national security. Is this a strategy of the Democrats, or does it really correspond to the preoccupation of the Americans? That's the first question.
And the second question, I would like to know, what does it say -- the platform -- on the IMF and the World Bank and if we are coming back with the Democrats to the rescue package.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: I guess I should read the platform more carefully, huh?
STAFF: The draft has been completed, but it won't be released till next week.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Won't be released. But I do recall some strong internationalist language there. Did it specifically mention the IMF and World Bank? I'm not sure, but we'll be very committed to those institutions. There's no question about it.
I personally -- this is my own personal view -- think that the United States, an industrialized country, Europe and Latin America -- we should reexamine the role of the IMF and the World Bank. We haven't examined these institutions since World War II. It's traditional that an American be head of the World Bank, and IMF a European. You know, this is like old thinking. We ought to find ways to make it more responsive to the Third World and to international lending and international financing. That's my personal view.
The first part -- look, the American people, for the first time, are making foreign policy, namely because of what's happened in Iraq, a major issue in this election. And we have a nominee that has a very strong background in national security. And if you're a member of international press corps or somebody that you write for in your countries, you ought to see Senator Kerry as somebody who is a multilateralist, who respects alliances in NATO, that has broad experience in foreign policy, who has served in Vietnam, who has authored legislation in the foreign relations field, who knows a lot of foreign leaders from your country, who has traveled extensively. This man will not need any early training.
MODERATOR: Now, that's all the time we have. Thank you, Governor, for taking the time to meet with us.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON: Thank you very much.
