Richardson says Iraq is the No. 1 issue

PERRY , Iowa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson told potential Iowa caucus-goers Monday that Iraq should be the No. 1 issue in this election.

Speaking at a campaign stop in Perry, Iowa, the New Mexico governor stood by his suggestion that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf should step down. Richardson also said U.S. aid to Pakistan should be suspended in the wake of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination last week.

"You're going to see al-Qaida forces get stronger unless Musharraf leaves office," Richardson was quoted by The Hill as saying.

Richardson, who trails in the polls, said the Iraq war has taken a backseat to other issues, including the economy and illegal immigration. Richardson, who has called for a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, said the war is an issue that "divides America."

"Mainly because of huge disagreements between the president and Congress over this war, we're unable to deal with other priorities that affect America," he said.