Reply #6: Richardson is DLC Repub-Lite to the core. He's is pro-school vouchers, pro-NAFTA/anti-Fair Trade,

[Czolgosz]

pro-medical savings accounts, pro-death penalty/anti-death-penalty-appeals/pro-enhanced sentencing for nonviolent drug crimes/pro-replacing judicial discretion with mandatory jail time, pro-faith-based social services, pro-tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, and he has been a hawk on "homeland security" and military base issues.

The DLC recently honored Richardson, who gave gave the keynote address at the DLC conference. This excerpt is from the DLC website:

As governor of New Mexico, Richardson has translated his New Democrat values into an effective policy agenda. "We've shown that it's possible to pursue a progressive Democratic agenda which cuts taxes and provides economic incentives for businesses while at the same time improving education, exploding childcare availability, protecting the environment, fighting discrimination, and balancing the budget," he said.... Richardson led by example, announcing that week a slew of cuts that would save the state $21 million without adversely affecting services. Agencies have slimmed down their number of outside consulting contracts; the Corrections Department has relocated some 140 state prisoners; and the Revenue and Taxation Department has stepped up its pursuit of delinquent taxpayers.... Richardson eagerly supports business development, especially the type of businesses and institutions -- science, technology, venture capital, medicine, higher education -- that bring high wage jobs with them. Richardson says his tax cuts have been one important step toward making New Mexico more attractive to businesses. But he has also proposed dedicating over $200 million -- 2 percent of the state's permanent funds -- to invest in business startup organizations, an in-plant training fund, and new recruitment efforts.... "We should be proud to be the moderate party of sound economic management and fiscal responsibility and a friend of the economic engines -- the businesspeople of this country."

I'm all for appropriate tax cuts and promoting business, but for me that's just a means toward achieving the ends of providing a better situation for the middle class. For Richardson, promoting business is the end goal. That's fine, and if Richardson is Hillary's VP nominee, I'll be 100% behind the ticket, but during the primary where I can fight for a candidate who BEST reflects my values, Richardson is neck-and-neck with Biden and Hillary in the race to be my last choice.