Tomorrow, we'll debut our latest ad in New Hampshire entitled "Long Enough"

 as in we've waited "Long Enough" for an answer on how many residual troops the
 other Democratic Presidential Candidates will leave behind in Iraq.

President Bush's request for an additional $50 billion to keep our troops in harms way has brought a renewed sense of urgency about ending our ongoing, tragically mismanaged military involvement in Iraq.  Governor Richardson released the following statement in response to the President's request:

The only appropriation Congress should pass for this war is funding for a safe and quick withdrawal. This Congress was elected to end the war in Iraq. They need to stand up to President Bush and do the job. This is an issue where leadership means no compromises. It took us too many years and far too many lives to end the war in Vietnam, and we cannot repeat that mistake.

Hands down, Governor Richardson's plan for Iraq is the most intelligent, responsible, practical, moral, and detailed plan on the subject.  In Part I of his summary and analysis of all Democratic candidates' policy platforms on the war in Iraq, Chris Weigant appreciates Governor Richardson's consistency, thoroughness, and clarity on this important issue:

What makes a good leader?  What qualities should we look for when choosing our next President?  Most of us know what we don't want -- any characteristics of the current administration.  But it's important for us as responsible citizens to learn from the past choose someone who will lead our country to a brighter future.  In his latest book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, Lee Iacocca discussed leadership -- how our current President lacks it, and how to know for the future who has it.  At Huffington Post, Mike Lyon determined what we already knew -- Governor Richardson has it:

After spending the weekend in New Hampshire, Governor Richardson is in Iowa today starting a two-day trip around the state.  This afternoon, the governor participated in the Livestrong forum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Lance Armstrong and Chris Matthews moderated the event.  At MyDD, Nate Willems commented on Governor Richardson's contribution to the discussion of cancer and related issues at the forum:

At Huffington Post this morning, James Boyce wrote about how good it is to see at least some of our political leaders taking action to stop global warming:

Governor Richardson spent last night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  He was the first presidential candidate of this campaign season to visit the Cowboy State.

This morning at 6:55 MST, Governor Bill Richardson and members of the Save Darfur coalition delegation arrived in Albuquerque after their trip to Sudan. We held a press conference where Governor Richardson spoke about what he saw first-hand the human toll taken by the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan as he toured a relocation camp and spoke with citizens forced from their homes and villages by war.  The Governor visited the As Salaam IDP (internally displaced persons) Camp in El Fasher, home to more than 43,000 people, mostly women and children.

He also received a briefing from top United Nations officials in Sudan and met with the Commander of the African Union peacekeeping forces, Major General Luke Aprezi.  General Aprezi expressed his frustration that the relatively small numbers of AU troops cannot provide adequate security for the 65 IDP camps as well as serving as observers and running patrols to protect civilian activities such as gathering firewood.

In addition, the Governor urged several field commanders from different rebel Sudanese forces to do their part to reduce violence against women and humanitarian workers and to undertake efforts to restore peace and stability to their region and throughout Sudan.

This morning Governor Richardson spoke at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's committee meeting in Manchester, NH. As Miss Laura posted earlier today, Governor Richardson called for our military to leave Iraq.

Governor Richardson's remarks included a call for a New Realism in US Foreign Policy. His New Realism comes down to three points:

• It is time to use our military as a last resort, not a first option.
• It is time for a new realism in our foreign policy.
• It is time for a rebirth of American diplomacy, to win back friends and isolate our enemies.

The following are Governor Richardson's remarks as delivered this morning to the New Hampshire Democratic Party: