“All options are on the table.”

Question: What is this election's most dangerous idea?

Bill Richardson:

The most dangerous idea is continuing to have a surge in Iraq; continuing to use the military option and not use diplomacy, and not recognize that American troops are dying, and that American prestige is waning because of our continued involvement in this war. This is why I’ve said I would bring all the troops back within a year, but use that withdrawal – the leverage of the withdrawal – to bring a political solution, to bring a compromise. My point is that the most dangerous ideas I hear from the President is that first we have to have a military solution, like saber rattling with Iran; like excluding countries like Iran and Syria from the peace process in Iraq; like for years saying to North Korea – and I was involved in this – that we’re not gonna talk to you ‘cause you’re bad guys. The absence of dialogue, and negotiation, and diplomacy is the most dangerous idea that I hear from Republicans. And it’s almost an intolerant view that they are so right. The problem with the Republican party is they’ve been in power too long. They’ve created a bubble. They’ve liked their power and they’ve lost touch with the American people. This is why I believe Democrats are gonna win the presidential elections. Recorded on:11/20/07