ACLU Rating:
The ACLU does not issue ratings for governors, but Richardson would have had an ACLU rating for the seven terms he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1983-1997). As soon as I have this information, I will add it here.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights - Strongly Pro-Choice:
In January of 2007, the New Mexico chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Richardson their Champion of Choice award for his career-spanning work protecting reproductive rights. Richardson has stated that while he personally opposes abortion, he supports reproductive rights and will not appoint anyone to the U.S. Supreme Court who seeks to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Death Penalty - Retentionist, But Supports Reform:
Richardson supports the death penalty, but has expressed concerns about the role of race in capital sentencing, as well as problems with inadequate counsel and lack of access to DNA evidence.
The First Amendment - Supports Campaign Finance Reform:
Richardson is a strong advocate for campaign finance reform. His record on First Amendment issues is otherwise unproblematic.
Immigrants' Rights - Moderately Generous, Leading Candidate:
As the Latino governor of a border state, Richardson has arguably dealt with this issue more often, and more effectively, than any other 2008 presidential candidate. While he does not support amnesty (no major party candidate does), he does support a citizenship path and a guest worker program. He is also the only candidate other than Joe Biden to acknowledge the foreign policy dimensions of undocumented immigration, and the income disparity created by the Mexican government that encourages undocumented immigration to the United States.
Lesbian and Gay Rights - Everything But Marriage, Strongest Record:
Richardson is the leading viable candidate on gay rights issues; only Kucinich and Gravel have stronger platforms and records on this issue, and neither of them have been as successful in enacting gay rights initiatives. As governor, Richardson fought for domestic partnerships in New Mexico, and signed legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and establishing sexual orientation as a hate crime criterion. Richardson also opposes "don't ask, don't tell."
Race and Equal Opportunity - Strong Candidate:
As governor of New Mexico, Richardson has advocated strongly on behalf of the state's American Indian population. He has also acknowledged the role that race plays in our criminal justice system.
The Second Amendment - Gun Rights Supporter, Leading Candidate:
Richardson has a perfect A rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA), and has been described as the NRA's favorite candidate for president of either party.
War on Terror - Libertarian:
Richardson has a characteristically internationalist approach to U.S. human rights abuses, and has argued for a complete and undiluted adherence to the Geneva Conventions. He has called for an end to the Guantanamo detentions, and a thorough review of U.S. interrogation practices.
Tom's Take:
From the perspective of civil liberties, Richardson is the strongest 2008 presidential candidate. No other candidate in either party can boast his commitment to international human rights law, his respect for the Second Amendment, and his strong record on lesbian and gay rights. If he supported abolition of the death penalty and were a little more skeptical about campaign finance reform proposals, he would be a perfect civil liberties candidate. As is, he's merely the best.
