Richardson Book Makes Compelling Case

What benefits would we reap from achieving the bold changes suggested by Richardson?

One would be stopping the huge flow of money going to countries that do not share our belief in democracy and free markets -- Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela?

Those petrodollars would be reinvested right here at home. Richardson strongly believes that alternative energy would be a future source of economic growth. It would create new industries and American jobs.

Long gone are the days of $10 a barrel oil, and rising oil prices pose a burden similar to a tax hike on American consumers.

But energy leadership isn't just economic. The Bush administration has pulled out of numerous international treaties. Richardson believes that arrogance has hurt our image in the world. The U.S. could regain leadership on an important issue and restore its reputation around the world by be a leader on global warming.

How would Richardson achieve these goals?

He would be the energy president. He comprehends that corporations don't exist to develop more efficient energy or solve world crises. They intend to reap profits for shareholders. Therefore, government has to be involved to provide leadership.

But Richardson can't be labeled a socialist who wants to regulate markets. He prefers a variety of incentives for both businesses and consumers. He also firmly believes in free markets (he notes that we don't have a free energy market today) and expects that corporations will lead the way on technological innovation.

There's no doubt Richardson possesses the ability and the experience to pull off such bold plans. The problem he faces is time. The new front-loaded primary schedule will, in essence, determine the nominees sooner. That primary schedule heavily favors the front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.