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The Richardson Shuffle
January 03, 2008 5:45 PM
The Iowa Independent this morning reported that according to two sources, the campaign of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was preparing "to direct its supporters to caucus for Sen. Barack Obama in the second round of voting at Thursday's caucuses in precincts where he is not viable."
Viability is crucial to the Democrats' caucus process. Voters whose preferred candidates do not achieve 15% support in precincts then are able to cast another vote for their second-place choice in subsequent rounds of voting.
"Richardson, whose poll numbers in Iowa have hovered near 10 percent since June, may need a solid fourth-place finish in the caucuses to continue his campaign," the newspaper wrote. "And he is best served by directing support away from former Sen. John Edwards, who consistently polls between him and the two national front-runners, Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, in national and early state polls."
When I asked Richardson spokesman Tom Reynolds about this earlier, he told me "there is no deal."
Okay, I said, I didn't say anything about a "deal," but thanks for the clarification. Now a simple question -- has Gov. Richardson or his campaign told precinct captains to suggest -- in the event that Richardson isn't viable in a precinct -- that supporters back Obama?
Governor Richardson has said no one should tell Iowans how to vote, he said.
Right, I said, but what about his campaign?
Said Reynolds: "I disagree with the premise of your questions. Big picture strategic decisions will be made throughout the course of the day to ensure we do as well as possible in Iowa. The only instructions we have given our captains in areas we aren’t viable is make every effort to change the minds of others supporters to become viable."
What about instructions to precinct captains all over the state? Why all this parsing?
It was getting exhausting.
"Yes or no," I said. "Has the Richardson campaign told precinct captains to suggest -- in the event that Richardson isn't viable in a precinct -- that supporters back Obama?"
He would not answer the question.
Hmm.
- jpt
January 3, 2008 in 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (17)
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Richardson may not be a viable candidate, but I give him kudos for being the only one to mention education during the N.H. debate. Education has been the missing link during Election 2008, and should be discussed more often and more in-depth. I know the war in Iraq and health care are significant, but if we're trying to build a future for our children, shouldn't they be educated properly?
Posted by: A. Dupin | Jan 7, 2008 8:11:24 PM
I'm not certain with Biden as VP. Sec'y of Defense or State. Awesome fit for a man of such exemplary foreign policy understanding. Not the visionary the US needs for President, but he would be great in either of these rolls.
Posted by: Andrew Lietzow - Des Moines | Jan 4, 2008 10:01:57 AM
UGOCHUKWU - Surely you jest. You have, in three words, "lost your mind", if you ever had one. You need to go back to Politics 100 and start all over.
I suggest studying PresidentElect.com, and get a basic understanding of how the electoral college system works. Then, in a couple of years, once you've mastered that, come back and I'll explain how the Reagan Democrats and Obama Republicans ushered in a new era for the UNITED States of America.
You're way out of your league. If we nominate HRC, it's either four more years with a Republican, or a continuation of the Reagan/Bush, Bush, Clinton, Bush dynasty. Either way, we don't get our UNITED States of America back.
Posted by: Andrew Lietzow - Des Moines | Jan 4, 2008 9:56:22 AM
About that Richardson stuff, I saw that in an email or news article just prior to the caucus, but caucus-goers didn't believe me. I told about 56 Richardson folks (we needed 67 to be viable) that this was the "approved and preferred" method for dealing with the inevitable non-viability (you can't be at 9% in the polls and expect to be viable) -- you would have thought I was a communist. Eventually the Biden and Richardson groups united -- now that was a brilliant move. The "let's all jump int our imploding compaigns together" mentality. Too many special interest groups in the Dems. No wonder we have so much trouble winning the Presidency.
As an Obama Precinct captain, I like Barack's message about the UNITED States of America. He's still got an uphill battle against him, but not ANYTHING as difficult as if Hillary had won. This gal needs a reality check. Her concilation speech was "this is a great victory for Democrats". Just give it up, girl. You're done. It's over. Retire with Bill and enjoy the good life.
Posted by: Andrew Lietzow - Des Moines | Jan 4, 2008 9:49:36 AM
I am very disappointed that Obama won.
The people of Iowa are full of it.Who
cares about that small town that is not
even up to a state. What happened in Iowa is that closet republicans who call themselves independents voted for
Obama.If Iowans keep acting like they do not have any senses the future other
presidential candidates will not bother
to campaign there.The republicans want to
see Obama,a junior senator win the
democratic nomination and will be ready
to take him down during the general
election.PLEASE DEMOCRATS DO THE RIGHT
THING AND NOMINATE MRS CLINTON.
Posted by: UGOCHUKWU | Jan 4, 2008 9:38:27 AM
So why would you make a comment like this? There has been a decided effort to ignore someone who has far more political punch (excuse the pun) than Obama, Clinton, and Edwards combined. Shame on whomever for starting the rumor.
Posted by: al | Jan 4, 2008 9:19:07 AM
Obama for president
If he can win in Iowa and do well in New Hampshire with Independent support, Obama will have earned the opportunity for a final appeal to Democrats. As he does so, he will undoubtedly tout his then-proven ability to attract Independents and attract new voters into the process. That is why Clinton’s status as frontrunner will be more vulnerable.
Posted by: creditos | Jan 4, 2008 7:12:53 AM
The other news feeds never mention Bill Richardson, guess they simply are not impressed enough to bother, ABC must be having a slow news day to trot out his evasion as news, no news to us who watch our governor in action in NM
Posted by: Tom | Jan 3, 2008 9:59:13 PM
Who cares if there is a deal or not? People are free to caucus for whoever they want, regardless of what a precint captain suggests.
the Clinton camp is just being sore losers and trying to start a different storyline other than the fact the the "inevitable" candidate just came in third place.
Posted by: bill | Jan 3, 2008 9:30:23 PM
"Remind me again how three one-term senators became the frontrunners..."
........ Obama hasn't even finished one term yet ... shows us just how influential the Media is!!
Posted by: Donna | Jan 3, 2008 8:00:55 PM
so Richardson is going to throw his 3 votes to Obama ... what's new ... it's the same old boy's club as usual
Posted by: Jackie | Jan 3, 2008 7:58:33 PM
Hmm, Richardson wants to be VP, first he was flirting with Hilary now is Obama! Richardson is acting like the ugly lady in the ballroom trying to find a partner to dance. Now his deal with Obama is troubling!
Posted by: Nancy | Jan 3, 2008 7:23:40 PM
Winning the Iowa caucus is usually the kiss of death.
Posted by: threeriverscrossing | Jan 3, 2008 6:59:22 PM
Does anyone think that maybe someone in Edward's camp is throwing this rumor around to put Richardson deeper in the hole?
Posted by: Jo | Jan 3, 2008 6:33:15 PM
ABC, why would you make up a story like this?? Here's another story: I heard that Hillary Clinton wants to throw in the towel and for all her supporters to vote for Ron Paul.
Posted by: steve | Jan 3, 2008 6:23:31 PM
The anyone but Hillary mentaility among the candidates will put Obama in the lead. Now if Biden will Join him as VP it is a winning ticket.
Posted by: Louis | Jan 3, 2008 6:11:36 PM
Well, the non-answer is pretty much an answer in itself...
Posted by: Sandra | Jan 3, 2008 5:58:57 PM
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