By Deborah Baker
The Associated Press
BOSTON — Shoring up Sen. John Kerry's "stronger at home, respected in the world" theme, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson blamed the Bush administration Wednesday for what he said was the nation's all-time low standing in the world.
"Today, because of this administration's go-at-it-alone foreign policy we are, not surprisingly, on our own in a dangerous world," Richardson said in a speech at the Democratic National Convention.
A former ambassador to the United Nations in the Clinton administration who also has acted as a diplomatic troubleshooter, Richardson referred to his own experience to underscore the Kerry message.
He said four years ago he was able "to go anywhere in the world . . . and get them to do things that they often did not want to do," but that advanced U.S. security and stability.
"I was able to negotiate the release of hostages from dictators and thugs . . . unite the UN Security Council around American interests . . . solidify sometimes shaky ties with our closest neighbors in Latin America," the first-term governor and former energy secretary said.
American integrity was clear and American leadership was respected, he maintained.
"After four years, a lot of that good will has disappeared," Richardson added.
"Because this White House decided to go at it alone, we are shouldering the burden in Iraq alone," and paying for it alone as well, he said.
If Kerry is elected president he would create a "sensible and reliable America . . . a fair and upright America that goes to war only when we need to, not because we want to," said Richardson, the convention chairman.
In a response from Republicans, Bush-Cheney campaign spokesman Danny Diaz accused Kerry of "vacillation and indecision" on defense and other critical issues.
"John Kerry voted to send our troops to Iraq. He declared himself an anti-war candidate. He voted against funding our troops," Diaz said in a telephone interview.
"Over the course of his career John Kerry has voted to gut our defense, to gut our intelligence," the GOP spokesman said. "His weak national security credentials would harm New Mexico and our country."
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