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Posted: July 27, 2007 5:19 PM
Richardson Proposes Moving U.S. Troops from Iraq to Afghanistan
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New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson added to his foreign policy proposal Friday, advocating that the United State refocus anti-terrorism efforts from Iraq to Afghanistan to strengthen alliances with other countries.

“We urgently must redirect our military effort away from Iraq — where al-Qaida’s leadership is not located — and toward the Afghanistan-Pakistan border — where they are located,” Richardson said.

Richardson has been vocal about pulling troops out of Iraq, but the concept of diverting troops back to Afghanistan adds some hefty conditions to his repeated call to bring all troops home.

The governor won some cheers at the CNN/YouTube debate when he said he would end No Child Left Behind, and said he would make a minimum salary for teachers. He showed some foreign policy muscle when he talked about his trips to Darfur and advocated U.N. peacekeeping forces there.

The effort scored him only a C- in the debate rankings from Time Magazine, but other reviews said he did manage to set himself apart from his competitors, and at least he didn’t get tongue tied and advocate needles as a solution for HIV/AIDS as in the last Democratic forum.

Richardson enjoyed the format of the debate so much, that he unveiled a feature on his site this week called Ask Bill, where he will answer video or written questions from citizens.

He was in New Hampshire Friday to address the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and will be making campaign appearances around the state on Saturday. He will be back in Iowa next week for five days of campaigning.