Richardson Backs Libyan Intervention

Despite expressing some concerns with United States policy in Libya, former Democratic Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson affirmed his support for the intervention at a “Pizza and Politics” event last night in Kirkland House.

Richardson—a visiting fellow at the Institute of Politics—also expressed his overall support for the Obama presidency.

“I think the president is going in the right direction,” Richardson said. “The intervention of our airstrikes with NATO prevented a humanitarian disaster.”

But Richardson said he was concerned about potential instability that could result from removing Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi from power.

“Nonetheless, I worry about the endgame,” he said. “Where are we going to be if Gaddafi leaves?”

Richardson added that he thought there have been differing voices on what the United States should do in Libya.

“I think the policy was not clear, but I do believe it’s the right policy,” he said.

Richardson—who is of Mexican-American descent—also criticized the way both parties interact with Hispanic voters.

“Democrats sometimes ignore Hispanics, and Republicans are preaching too much hardline solution, especially on immigration.”

Richardson said he was concerned that one of three rising Republican Hispanic leaders—Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Gov. Brian E. Sandoval of Nevada, or Sen. Marco A. Rubio of Florida—could make the 2012 Republican ticket more appealing to Hispanic voters.

He contrasted these prominent Hispanic Republican figures with what he said was an absence of Hispanic leaders in the Democratic party.

“We don’t have that real entity that can make a difference for the Hispanic voter,” he said.

Richardson said that in order to defeat a Republican challenger—who he predicted would “probably” be Mitt Romney—the Democratic party must energize its base constituency.

“I think it’s important that we not neglect our base—environmentalists, unions, women’s groups, progressives, and gays and lesbians—at the expense of special interest groups,” he said.

Richardson said that despite these challenges, he believes that Obama will be reelected in 2012.

“On the whole, I believe [Obama]’s done a very good job as president,” he said.

“But I think it’s important that we try to push the party and our administration in the right direction,” he said, emphasizing his desire to see more aggressive immigration reform and an energy bill from the Obama administration.

Audience member Zachary W. Sherwood ’13 said he thought Richardson’s speech struck a balance between critical analysis and support of the administration.

“He does disagree with the Obama administration on some issues, but he’s still a huge supporter,” he said.

—Staff writer Rebecca D. Robbins can be reached at rrobbins@college.harvard.edu.