Richardson lists top goals

With a quick wit and a focus on issues affecting the West, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson attempted to woo Clark County Democrats Saturday morning.

The New Mexico governor was welcomed with a standing ovation at the Clark County Democratic Central Committee meeting held at the Southern Nevada Laborers Union Hall.

"Thank you for standing. I thought you were leaving," Richardson joked before launching into a list of issues he would focus on if elected president.

Richardson's references to water and traffic problems resonated with the group. "By the way, you have a traffic problem here," he said to cheers.

Richardson said he would work with communities to come up with joint federal and local funding to ease congestion using light rail.

Richardson also addressed national issues, reiterating that he would have the U.S. military completely out of Iraq six to eight months after being sworn in.

He also would push for a minimum wage of $40,000 a year for teachers.

Richardson said he would ask Americans to conserve energy and focus on independence from foreign energy sources.

"Al Gore has been right. I just hope he stays out of the race," Richardson joked.

Richardson, who has had his share of public gaffes, invited everyone at the meeting to join him for the opening of a new campaign office on Bonanza Road, "wherever that is."

Some in attendance helpfully reminded him that the hall he was speaking in was on Bonanza.

Richardson took a shot at New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, whom he called the "megastar candidates." If Obama represents change and Clinton represents experience, "with Bill Richardson you get both," he said.

In addition to being governor, he has served in Congress and has been the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Richardson said the next president cannot learn diplomacy on the job. The next president should be of the foreign policy mold of John F. Kennedy, he said.

Kennedy enjoyed popularity around the world and was also responsible for sending the first U.S. troops to Vietnam.

All of the Democratic presidential candidates were invited to speak to the committee, but Richardson was the only one who showed up.

The other candidates were allowed to have representatives speak on their behalf. Locals or campaign workers spoke for most of the candidates, except for Clinton, who had Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., represent her.