Richardson: Iraq deadline needed

WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a candidate for president, said Sunday Democrats in Congress "missed a great opportunity" to get U.S. troops out of Iraq.

Richardson -- who is running for the Democratic nomination in 2008 -- told NBC's "Meet the Press" he believes congressional Democrats should pursue a de-authorization resolution under the War Powers Act, which he said allows Congress to determine whether the nation is at war or not.

"The president wouldn't veto it, but I do believe that the Congress missed an opportunity," he said. "We must get out of Iraq."

Richardson said he would have voted against a bill that did not have a fixed withdrawal date.

He said he has changed his mind since writing in his recent book "Between Worlds" that the United States shouldn't pull out before Iraqis get their house in order. He also said he made a mistake by supporting the war initially.

Richardson defended his five years as governor of New Mexico, despite its low rankings in key areas.

"What I have done as governor is I've insured every child under 5. Secondly, I've gotten rid of junk food from schools," he said. "... We've increased immunization rates. We have expanded health care access to working families."