by Lucas O'Connor

(originally posted at calitics)

Bill Richardson was in Los Angeles yesterday talking mass transit.  He was touting the success of commuter light rail in New Mexico and said light rail would be equal to highways in a Richardson administration.

“I believe light rail is for the future,” he said. “The president can be a partner, working with state and city and local communities in joint funding.”

This obviously is a nice compliment to recent Calitics discussions about High Speed Rail in California and the broader concerns over responsible growth management and community development.  But what strikes me most is that Bill Richardson isn't talking about Iraq.  He's free to talk about things like light rail because for him, Iraq is no longer an issue.  Bill Richardson unequivocally wants all troops out of Iraq now.  He thinks that congress should de-authorize the war, and if he were to become president, all American personnel would leave Iraq.  That's it, next question.  Say what you will about the rest of his platform and framing (I have), but by dispatching with Iraq and leaving no doubt about his plan and commitment to ending the war, Richardson is free to talk about everything else.  You know...the stuff that actually makes up a presidency.