Protecting Rights and Freedoms

As Congressman, Ambassador, Secretary and Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson has been a champion of civil rights, equality, freedom and the rule of law. As President, Bill Richardson will continue to fight for and protect the rights and freedoms that make America so great.

Champion of Choice

In January of 2007, Bill Richardson was named a "Champion of Choice" by NARAL-NM for his career spanning record of protecting and fighting for the right to choose. We can work together to make abortion safe, legal and rare. And we should do everything we can to support quality prenatal care and early child health care so that newborns and infants have the support they need to grow.

Expand Equal Rights

As Governor, Bill Richardson has expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation, signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for acts including those based on sexual orientation, and provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships. He supports domestic partnerships and worked hard to secure them in New Mexico in a special session this year. His legislation failed by only one vote and he will fight for domestic partnerships again in the next legislative session.

Protection for Native Americans

Throughout his career, Bill Richardson has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Native Americans and protect the sovereign rights of tribal governments. He has worked to uphold government-to-government relations, has reaffirmed Native peoples' right to self-determination and has successfully protected Native American religious freedom rights.

Count Every Vote

In 2006, Governor Richardson signed into law the landmark New Mexico Make Every Vote Count Act, that moves the state to a single paper ballot system, makes New Mexico's elections system more transparent and helps guarantee that every New Mexican's ballot will be counted.

No Torture

America is too great of a nation to support such retrograde measures such as torture. There is no place for torture, water boarding, Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo in American policy or law. As president, Bill Richardson will work to restore American greatness by putting an end to these inappropriate (and ineffective) policies and by following the Geneva Conventions.

A Free and Open Internet

The internet has revolutionized communication, education, and commerce. It has also become an essential part of exercising our right to free speech. And the very reason why the internet has become such an important part of our lives is because its network infrastructure transmits data at the same rate and with the same quality to every user.

Government built the Internet, and, while it has been improved by the market, profits shouldn't be made by destroying the egalitarian nature of online information. I support net neutrality and as President I will fight to keep the internet free and open.