Words: Richardson feels we need homeland security at both the national and state levels. He opposes the missile defense shield and feels we should lead the campaign against nuclear proliferation. He also believes that veterans should have on-demand health care anywhere. “It should be diplomacy first, negotiation, build international support for our goals, find ways that America can get allies in our fight against terrorism.”

Actions: Richardson has not served in the US military; during the Vietnam conflict he had student and medical classifications and his draft number was never called. Richardson negotiated for the 1994 release of pilots downed in North Korea and the 1995 release of US workers arrested in Iraq. He voted AGAINST “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” (1993).

More about: Bill Richardson, National Security.