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delegates.
Richardson has also recognized the importance of environmental issues. He states emphatically that New Mexico requires "Ten percent of all energy come from renewable sources and we're moving toward 20 percent, we've provided incentives for solar, wind, biofuels and other renewablesAs Energy Secretary I implemented tough efficiency standards that have saved consumers billions in energy costs.".

Richardson understands the power of the Hispanic voting bloc, saying "These are changing political timesWe have to band together and that means Latinos in Florida, Cuban-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans - we have to network better. We have to be more politically minded, we have to put aside party and think of ourselves as Latinos, as Hispanics, more than we have in the past."

Richardson however, has no clear position on immigration. He declared four counties along the New Mexico border as disaster areas and stepped up border patrols; at one time he called for an amnesty program; another time he was against building a fence along the border, calling it "easily porous." In 2003 he signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses.

On immigration, he writes, "Securing the border must come first - but we must understand that building a fence will not in any way accomplish that objective. No fence ever built has stopped history and this one wouldn't eitherIt flies in the face of America as a symbol of freedom. We should do: immediately put enough National Guard troops at the border to keep it covered until we can secure it with Border Patrol officersI propose doubling the number of Border Patrol agents from approximately 12-thousand to 24-thousand.We should give the Border Patrol the benefit of the best surveillance equipment available to our military. And, as suggested by Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a leader on immigration issues, we should implement a system of "informant visas" and cash rewards for aliens who provide law enforcement with information on human traffickers and document forgers."

Richardson also believes in is strong alliances between the U.S. and Mexico, saying, "Now is the time to increase our economic cooperation, our trade, our educational exchanges." Further, Richardson is praised by New Mexico's conservatives for cutting state taxes.

While the War in the Middle East and terrorism are the core concerns of Americans, the nation's electorate has becoming more knowledge about the environment and the issues surrounding energy pricing, availability and technology. A Gore-Richardson ticket would no doubt make these issues a cornerstone of the Democrats 2008 platform.

Sources:

Biography of Al Gore, Wikipedia

Timothy N. Stelly, Sr., "Will Al Gore run For President In 2008?" Useless Knowledge e-zine, November 2005

Lisa Trei, "Gore encourages business students to 'be the change'," Stanford University, November 16, 2005

Jessie Seyfer, "Gore's 'Generation' Seeks True Values," San Jose Mercury News, November 12, 2005

2007, Bill Richardson for President Exploratory Committee, Inc.

Al Gore, "The climate crisis and the need for leadership," November 3, 2005 (Source unavailable)

Timothy N. Stelly, Sr. "Election 2008: Can Latino Power Resuscitate The Democrats?" Useless Knowledge e-zine, Nov. 14, 2005

Stewart M. Powell, "Hispanic Political Importance Growing," Hearst Washington Bureau, October 1998

Profile of Bill Richardson, Wikipedia

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