A genial and optimistic Gov. Bill Richardson predicted last night that his call for a speedy withdrawal from Iraq, reiterated at a debate Wednesday, will allow him to claim what he sees as the three tickets out of Iowa in the Democratic presidential race.

"I feel very good about the debate last night. I believe that it's going to be the breakthrough that I need to jump up into the first tier," Mr. Richardson said during a brief news conference at Wholey's Fish Market in the Strip District.

The New Mexico governor was in Pittsburgh to raise money for his campaign as he and his rivals raced around the country trying to beat the third quarter reporting deadline.

"We're all at a very frantic pace as we pursue fund raising this week," he said before heading to the Engineer's Club for a reception hosted by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills.

Mr. Richardson contrasted his call for a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq with answers from Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in which they refused to be pinned down to an exact time line to complete such a withdrawal.

"I believe the Iraq issue is going to separate me from the other candidates," he said. "I don't believe in leaving any residual troops. Our kids have become targets. There is no military solution.

"There's a political solution: Only after we bring back the troops can the real political reconciliation happen."

The former energy secretary said he would negotiate with Iran and other powers in the region, while objecting to confrontational signals from the Bush administration.

"I'm very concerned that this president is saying some very hawkish statements. That gives me great concern," he said.

Mr. Richardson said he anticipated raising $6 million in the current quarter, an amount that would be far behind the leaders but one he said would allow him to emerge as a leading contender for the nomination in a competition that he predicted would extend well beyond the Feb. 5 mega-primary.

Mr. Richardson described his latest poll numbers as "within striking distance" of the leading trio he needs to challenge.

One recent poll showed his Iowa support at 14 percent of likely caucus-goers, while Ms. Clinton led with 26 percent, followed by former Sen. John Edwards at 23 percent.

Nationally, Mr Richardson's polling challenge is even greater, showing he is consistently registering in the low single digits.

He touted his credentials as a former Cabinet member and the only governor still in the Democratic race as factors that would spark the breakthrough he said he anticipates.

But to do that, he acknowledged, "I've got to beat somebody" in Iowa or New Hampshire.