Back to The Newsroom

Gov. Richardson Responds to the State of the Union Address with CNN's Larry King Live

Aired February 2, 2005 – 22:30 ET

We’re going to spend a couple of moments going to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Governor Bill Richardson, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, former ambassador to the U.N., former secretary of Energy, Democrat of New Mexico.

What surprised you tonight?

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO: Well, Larry, there seemed to be a disconnect. We’re governors out here in the states. Folks out in America care about health care, the fact that 44 million are uninsured. They want better schools. They want better funding for schools.

So there’s a disconnect. The president seemed to be talking about issues, tort reform, judicial nominations, that out in the states are not issues. Social Security is not an issue. I think the problem is one that is serious, but it is not a crisis.

On the other hand, the president was positive, he was confident. I was pleased as formerly in foreign policy that he talked about diplomacy, he didn’t make hawkish statements. But what I wanted, Larry, was I wanted to say, “Hey, Democrats, join me in this effort. Hey, states, I want to help you with Medicaid and aid to the disabled and children’s health insurance and education and No Child Left Behind.”

I didn’t hear that. But at the same time, the president deserved—he looked good. He deserved I think the accolades he got. But I felt a disconnect out here in the states.

The proudest moment was obviously the National Guard issue here in New Mexico. We—we just passed today—I saw a law today, a $250,000 life insurance policies for National Guards. We’ve been waiting for Washington to act. I’m glad Senator Warner’s taken a leadership role.

But that young man, Marine Norwood and his family, that deserve all these accolades only get a $12,000 death benefit. We must do better.

KING: He urged—he discussed the energy bill. And you’re a former secretary of energy. What did you think of that bill?

RICHARDSON: Well, I think he needs a bill that combines the need for more production, oil, natural gas, fossil fuels, but also energy efficiency, renewable energy. He said that, but in reality I’d like to see the president more engaged in recognizing that in the West, in the country, there are areas that need protection, need environmental safeguards, need wildlife protections. And somehow the effort is too oriented towards domestic production, as opposed to conservation and energy efficiency.

But we do need an energy bill. And I hope there is a balanced one that is passed.

KING: On February 12, the DNC will vote on a successor to Terry McAuliffe as chairman. Will it be Howard Dean?

RICHARDSON: Most likely, Larry. I believe it’s almost a foregone conclusion. And we the governors look forward to working with Governor Dean.

I think what has happened in this election for DNC is that the grassroots have decided. The decision shouldn’t be made in Washington, shouldn’t be made in state houses by political leaders. It should be our grassroots.

Governor Dean has won fair and square. I believe it’s almost inevitable. And I believe he’s going to reach out to Democrats that are moderate, conservative. He needs to do that because he has a little bit of a liberal image, that in the South and in the West there needs to be more inclusionary efforts to bring in Democrats from those part of the regions.

KING: Thank you. Governor Bill Richardson, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, governor of New Mexico.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0502/02/lkl.01.html

Copyright & Paid for by The Democratic Governors Association

A Bullseye Project