SANTA FE, N.M.—Former President Clinton will watch the Super Bowl Sunday with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who recently dropped out of the Democratic presidential contest and whose backing Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have actively sought.
The former president and Richardson planned to watch the game together at a private residence in Red River, a community of about 500 people in the mountains of northern New Mexico with a small ski area that attracts winter visitors.
Richardson, a Hispanic, is widely popular in his home state, one of 22 holding Democratic nominating contests on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. Both the Obama and Clinton camps have courted his endorsement, but Richardson has so far not indicated whether he will tip his hand before Tuesday.
Richardson held two posts in Clinton's cabinet -- as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and as Energy secretary from 1998-2001.
Clinton also visited Richardson last Thursday to discuss a possible endorsement of the former first lady. The former president has actively campaigned this week for his wife, a New York senator, in several Feb. 5 states.
"They're calling a lot," Richardson said last week of the candidates and their supporters.
But Richardson downplays the significance of any endorsement, including his.
"First of all, I don't think endorsements by other politicians mean much. I never felt that. I like both Senators Obama and Clinton. I know both well. I know Senator Clinton better, obviously."
Hillary Clinton said she'll take a break in Minneapolis to watch the game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, "based on popular demand" from her staff. There will be one restriction.
"We only expect rooting for one team," the New York senator said Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. "Obviously I'm looking not only at the Super Bowl but Super Tuesday. We expect the New York teams to win both."
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Associated Press Writers Beth Fouhy in New York and Mike Glover in Tucson, Ariz. contributed to this report.
