Obama snags Richardson endorsement
Bill Richardson, who once hoped to be the nation's first minority president himself, endorsed Barack Obama this afternoon for the Democratic nomination, citing Obama's widely praised speech this week on race relations.
"Earlier this week an extraordinary American gave a historic speech," the New Mexico governor said at a campaign event in Portland, Ore . He "didn't evade the tough issues," rather "he inspired us" and started a long overdue conversation on race, Richardson said.
"As an Hispanic-American, I was particularly touched by his words," said Richardson, who took the stage with Obama to thunderous applause.
Richardson, the nation's lone Latino governor, held several posts in the administration of former President Bill Clinton and is a long-time friend of Hillary Clinton, but found more affinity with Obama, who is seeking to become the first black president. Richardson has been wooed by both campaigns, both as a superdelegate and for his particular influence among Hispanic voters -- a constituency Obama has struggled to secure.
"You are a once-in-a-lifetime leader," Richardson said. "You will make every American proud to be an American."
He also praised Clinton, saying his admiration for her and former President Bill Clinton will never waver. But, Richardson added, "It is time for a new generation of American leadership to lead the country forward....It is time for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and prepare for the tough fight we will have with John McCain in the fall."
Richardson said during the campaign, he learned of Obama's "steadfast patriotism and remarkable talents" and discovered that he's "a really good guy."
During one debate, Richardson said, he wasn't paying enough attention and didn't know what the question was about. Obama, standing next to him, whispered, "Katrina, Katrina."
"He could have thrown me under the bus, but he stood behind me," Richardson said.
Mark Penn, Clinton's chief strategist, downplayed the endorsement. "Perhaps the time when he could have been most effective has long since past. Long since past," Penn told reporters in a conference call this morning.
"So it's not significant?" he was asked. Replied Penn: "I don't think that it is a significant endorsement in this environment."
UPDATE: Penn was apparently referring to the fact that the endorsement might have made more difference in primary ballots in states with heavy Hispanic populations -- Texas, Arizona, New Mexico -- that have already voted and that Clinton won. The remaining contests, except for Puerto Rico, are in states with smaller numbers of Latino voters.
Richardson said he resented that argument. "That's typical of some of her advisers who turn me off," he told CNN.
He said that in deciding his endorsement, he felt compelled to go beyond personal loyalties to what he believed was good for the country.
Asked whether he would be interested in being vice president, he flashed his trademark humor, replying, "I love being governor of New Mexico and growing my beard."
Richardson often played peacemaker during debates when the barbs became heated. He often highlighted his experience, arguing that he was the only one who had been a chief executive. And he raised nearly $24 million during the campaign. But he failed to catch fire among Democratic voters before dropping out in January.
He follows Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut among former Democratic presidential rivals publicly supporting Obama. The strongest competitor to Clinton and Obama, former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, has yet to give his endorsement.
Asked on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Thursday night about a possible endorsement, Edwards said he feels torn between the two candidates.
"I think they both bring great strengths, but I think the strengths are different," Edwards said, calling Obama "inspirational" and praising his ability to bring new people into politics, and ascribing to Clinton "a toughness and a tenacity and experience that has value."
"So I think both -- either of them I think will be a great candidate and I think either one will be a great president," said Edwards, who added he is surprised the nomination fight is still raging.
With the help of Republicans who know Obama will beat McCain, Clinton will win big in PA and the remaining primaries. Democratic leaders/elders should increase the pressure on her to drop out, but I doubt they will. No doubt, the DNC will change the primary rules in 2009 to ensure the other party cannot choose the Democratic nominee in the future. Unfortunately, the country needs Obama now.
With the help of Republicans who know Obama will beat McCain, Clinton will win big in PA and the remaining primaries. Democratic leaders/elders should increase the pressure on her to drop out, but I doubt they will. No doubt, the DNC will change the primary rules in 2009 to ensure the other party cannot choose the Democratic nominee in the future. Unfortunately, the country needs Obama now.
With the help of Republicans who know Obama will beat McCain, Clinton will win big in PA and the remaining primaries. Democratic leaders/elders should increase the pressure on her to drop out, but I doubt they will. No doubt, the DNC will change the primary rules in 2009 to ensure the other party cannot choose the Democratic nominee in the future. Unfortunately, the country needs Obama now.
Great VP choice for Obama WHEN he wins the nomination. Dream ticket my a$$. Maybe in Hillary's dreams.
Great VP choice for Obama WHEN he wins the nomination. Dream ticket my a$$. Maybe in Hillary's dreams.
How appropriate Mr. Richardson.
Good Friday another betrayal!
Who was he before he become energy sec?
How appropriate Mr. Richardson.
Good Friday another betrayal!
Who was he before he become energy sec?
OBAMA/RICHARDSON OR EDWARDS? BOTHS GOOD CHOICES
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN VOTES FOR OBAMA!!!!!!
Religious Bigotry
FOR THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT STILL ARE "OUTRAGED" ABOUT THE COMMENT MADE BY MR. OBAMA'S MINISTER READ THIS ARTICLE AND TELL ME THERE ISNT STILL A REASON FOR THOSE COMMENTS NOT TO BE SAID if the misnister was white and said "anti american" thing he would just be speaking his mind but because HE IS BLACK THE ARE CONSIDERED ANTI AMERICAN..... READ THE ARTICLE TELL ME POLITICS ISNT RACIST STILL!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080321/cm_huffpost/092663
John McCain's new best friend, Pastor John Hagee, refers to the Catholic Church as "a great whore" and a "cult" complicit in the Holocaust. What was McCain's response? Last week, he simply said, "I repudiate the possibility that some of you took Rev. Hagee's salient but poorly constructed remarks to possible indicate that he may have some anti-Catholic sentiments which he does not." Did he denounce the statements? Yes. The man? No.
Thats it, that's all he said is he being crucified? Considerend anti american???
OBAMA/RICHARDSON OR EDWARDS? BOTHS GOOD CHOICES
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN VOTES FOR OBAMA!!!!!!
Religious Bigotry
FOR THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT STILL ARE "OUTRAGED" ABOUT THE COMMENT MADE BY MR. OBAMA'S MINISTER READ THIS ARTICLE AND TELL ME THERE ISNT STILL A REASON FOR THOSE COMMENTS NOT TO BE SAID if the misnister was white and said "anti american" thing he would just be speaking his mind but because HE IS BLACK THE ARE CONSIDERED ANTI AMERICAN..... READ THE ARTICLE TELL ME POLITICS ISNT RACIST STILL!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080321/cm_huffpost/092663
John McCain's new best friend, Pastor John Hagee, refers to the Catholic Church as "a great whore" and a "cult" complicit in the Holocaust. What was McCain's response? Last week, he simply said, "I repudiate the possibility that some of you took Rev. Hagee's salient but poorly constructed remarks to possible indicate that he may have some anti-Catholic sentiments which he does not." Did he denounce the statements? Yes. The man? No.
Thats it, that's all he said is he being crucified? Considerend anti american???
Well,
I guess we know who will be Obama's Vice President. Who says votes or endorsements can't be bought?
Well,
I guess we know who will be Obama's Vice President. Who says votes or endorsements can't be bought?
I agree, EG, there is a devastating double standard in our country.
But not with you, James. Did then-Secretary Richardson have to agree that in all future endeavors he would be on the Clinton team? Or is he still allowed to be his own man? He recognizes, and stated in his endorsement, that Obama is a "once-in-a-lifetime-leader." Maybe more like a once-in-a-century leader. Lincoln did de jure (emancipation) what our country has waited almost 150 years to do de facto - and by another Illinois man characterized as inexperienced.
I agree, EG, there is a devastating double standard in our country.
But not with you, James. Did then-Secretary Richardson have to agree that in all future endeavors he would be on the Clinton team? Or is he still allowed to be his own man? He recognizes, and stated in his endorsement, that Obama is a "once-in-a-lifetime-leader." Maybe more like a once-in-a-century leader. Lincoln did de jure (emancipation) what our country has waited almost 150 years to do de facto - and by another Illinois man characterized as inexperienced.
Richardson is a loser with no integrity.
God save America from this disaster.
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