Political Punch

Hillary's power block of Dems is crumbling. I am glad Gov. Richardson made the endorsement and additionally pointed out that the Clinton team felt an endorsement from his was her entitlement. She is like Bush in putting loyalty to the person (or in this case, the person's wife) ahead of loyalty to party or country.

Well I hear a lot about Judas on here, but logic would have it, that without Judas, there never would have been a Jesus...am I getting something wrong here? In the lost Gospel of Judas, Jesus told Judas that he would have to do what he did to get the platform that he has now.

In essence, if there never was a Judas, or no one willing to "play" his role, there wouldn't be a Jesus, and there would be no Christianity. It just goes to show how simple the minds of most "believers" are, that they can't see the whole picture, and how everyone, even the supposed antagonist in a story, plays a part to lift up the hero...

Hey- I think Mr Carvilles comparison is apt- Judas did what needed to be done to bring about the salvation of the world.

“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” James Carville said.

You got love James Carville, he's brillant! Via his metaphor, he gave you the clue to why Bill Richardson endorsed Barack Obama.

Richardson left the race with a large campaign debt. I wonder how long it's going to take for that to debt miraculously gets paid off?

After all Barack Obama's campaign has given the most money to the super delegates, almost a million bucks.

Richardson is not only a traitor, he is under-handed and opportunistic!

It's funny that Obama supporters are saying that Bill Richardson is "courageous". I don't see anything "courageous" in what he did, I only see an opportunistic politician who is only looking out for his own personal gain. Too bad for Richardson that this Wright fiasco will not go away and and even if Obama somehow manages to get the nomination, he will not win in Nov against McCain.

obama wants to change usa? Did he correct/change his church? no guts.
obama wants to unite usa? Hey, american people are fine, it's the politicians who are fighting and disunited.

It's very courageous for Governor to come forward and admit that Senator Clinton is second best. Governor Richardson should be respected as a man of moral principle and can't be corrupted by the Mafiaso Clintons to become their footstools.

Three Cheers for Governor Richardson... hip, hip, hurray...

It's better loosing one unloyal friend than keep him as a friend can stab you from behind

Gov. Richardson is Judas! Mr. Carville was right about his assessment. He is no different to Obama who continues to lie to the American people and to name a few NAFTA; REZKO; PATRIOTISM; PLAGRIARISM; RELATIONSHIP WITH WRIGHT..
Obama thinks that race card will be his advantage but he forgot there are more white voters than blacks. He might have fooled 80 percent of his own color but white voters are not blind afterall he attended to a Racist church for over 20 years. What would that make Obama? Guilty verdict. Why would you attend a Racist church if you are not one? 20 years of deception to his political life and it's just coming out now? What happened to honest journalistic reporting from mainstream media? America wouldn't be in this primary turmoil if media did their part. ABS NEWS really did their homework and I thank them for breaking the news to the American people. Now the primary will never be the same. Obama will never win the General if ever he is the nominee. Racism comes both ways - Whites and Blacks and this time Blacks have been caught preaching racism and other despicable words. What a sad day for AMERICA. GOD BLESS AMERICA. By the way Bill Clinton doesn't need to question Obama's patriotism - AMERICA ALREADY KNOWS HE DOESN'T HAVE ONE AND HE'S BEEN JUDGED BY AMERICA!

A picture paints a thousand words. What I found most interesting on Friday about the Richardson endorsement was Obama at a stand with his arms folded. Body language wise, I saw 'closed' body language - showing uncomfortable and apprehensive.
you can see it here

BILL RICHARDSON = BENIDICT ARNOLD

Sad. With friends like Gov. Richardson, who needs enemies.

This is the ultimate betrayal anyone can make. James Carville is right in appropriatingly equating Richardson to Judas as we celebrate Easter.

When a friend arbandon you in times of need, that friend is no better than Judas.

Richardson owes his political career to the Clintons. His move will not earn him the #2 spot.

Mike, thanks for telling the truth. Sadly, Americans will never here the truth on prime time news media. They will twist all news and tell the American voters who to vote for. Their candidate that happens to be the Senator from Illinois.

The bottom line is that if the news would have reported the truth about the Senator from Illinois from the start (i.e., months ago), the Senator from Illinois would have been out of this presidential race months ago.

Recent polls show a different view on Sen. Hillary Clinton's race against McCain. She would win.

As a Republican that will vote for Sen. Clinton, I will vote for McCain if Sen. Clinton does not win the Democratic primary. Unlike Richardson that did not stand by his friends that gave him the opportunity to serve the nation, at least Sen. Obama stood by his friend Pastor Wright. The alarming outcome is that the highly financed Illinois Senator chose his friend over his White grandmother. Furthermore, the Illinois Senator denied his White heritage and proves that he thinks of himself solely as a Black American. This also reveals that the Illinois Senator knows nothing about his White heritage other wise he would have never made the “typical White” statement. I find this repulsive since my wife is White and my college-educated daughter is half White and half Hispanic but calls herself an “American.” As a military Hispanic officer and Irish military wife, that is how we raised her and never took her to a church that was racist and anti-American in any way. The Illinois Senator and again shows himself as non-Presidential.

Perhaps the Obama campaign did not really consider how Democrats and American voters as a whole will view the endorsement of Bill Richardson.

The lowest form of life in almost any segment of American society is a snitch or a back stabber.

Bill Richardson's actions proved that he can be on your side one day and on the other side the next.

Endorsement of Senator Clinton would have proven Bill Richardson to have at least have a semblance of loyalty.

Endorsement of Barak Obama shows that Bill Richardson will turn on anyone if he thinks it will benefit Bill Richardson.

More change we can believe in...

Us Govt. regulations re "affirmative action" allow one to CHOOSE ones race, as Obama did, as Bill Richardson did.

Do not know if either did it for that reason, however, it certainly does give one "a leg up"/advantage re employment and college acceptance. I do support affirmative action, though it has never benefited me. Believe it necessary to "even out" past inequities.

But, do not agree with one's choosing the more advantaged "half" for political or affimative action purposes.

I am a white "mongrel", I am some of everyone, yet definitely have 1/16th Cherokee in my lineage (great, great, grandmother full-blood) and could obtain tribal membership through "Dawes Role" means. Yet, Federal laws re scholarships require enrollment in a federally recognized tribe as well as a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood card showing at least a one-quarter Native American descent.

Higher standard for Native Americans than any other racial or ethnic minority. But, I could say, "I am black!", no problem. Go figure.

Mike in Texas,

Their both losing... what's your point??

Posted by: Vanessa

My point Vanessa is that Obama had been leading McCain, but has now DROPPED to a
1.4 disadvantage. While Hillary had been losing to McCain by large margin, yet now has closed to 1.3.

She is rising, Obama falling against Mc.

Thought it was obvious or would have explained the first time. Sorry!

I live in NM. Ricardson is a bad govenor and a race hustler. Nobody should care who he endorses.

Richardson will not be elected gov. any more. He lost all hearts of Hispanic people.

Obama loses more ground according to Rasmussen. Richardson had no impact, Not a blip. Hillary is now up +2, that's a one week gain of +6 !

John Z:

Thank you for repeating my post:

"Hillary is the stronger candidate, she has worked to improve the lifes of working people throughout her entire adult life."

Yes, Hillry was on the board of WalMart, where she worked to better the situation of women at Walmart. Do look at the reports of how Walmart was unhappy with her stance. You can also look at Michelle Obama's paid board membership with WalMart, much more recently.

Again, Hillary is the stronger candidate, she is tough, she is smart, and she does not give up, neither do her supporters. Hillary 08!!!!

The delegates, even pledged ones, can change at will--no rule against ti.
The only positive thing about BHO getting the nomination would be him loosing in November and then never being able to run again...the party will not nominate a looser for a second election cycle.

Folks, even if the polls would not change anymore, as they surely will, Hillary would not benefit from them.

Even an average 10% win (extremely unlikely) in all the remaining contests would not put her in her any position to win the nomination.

Polls will not change Obama's insurmountable lead in pledged delegates, states won and even the popular vote (a 814.000 lead according to RCP's estimate that includes all states).

It is the media that keep the Democrats' race going, for there's big money to be earned in reporting on it. If the media were honest they would onclude that it is over for Hilary, and she would be fool to keep going. Her campaign is in the red already, which btw is a VERY bad sign and indicator for a candidate who wants to tackle our economy's grave depression .

how can a race where 90+ percent of the black vote votes for the same person not be identified as racially biased?

At this point, it’s no secret that the Obama campaign is in political hot water given the news stories of the last few weeks and is desperate to change the subject.

The ground is shifting away from them and their response?

First, disenfranchise voters -- Prevent new votes in Florida and Michigan. Stop voting in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Kentucky, South Dakota, Montana, West Virginia and Indiana.

Second, peddle photos of President Clinton shaking hands with Reverend Wright less than 48 hours after calling for a high-minded conversation on race. Well, President Clinton took tens of thousands of photos during his eight years as president. Stop the presses.

Third, accuse our campaign of having something to do with Senator Obama’s passport file being breached, a reckless charge that has zero merit.

Fourth, continue attacks on Senator Clinton’s character in an effort to implement what the Chicago Tribune called a full assault on her ethics.

Fifth, stonewall the press: no tax returns, no state records, no answers about the inconsistencies in the Rezko story.

So it’s not a pretty sight – it’s all part of a pattern of just words.

Senator Obama talks about voter participation while actively disenfranchising millions.

He calls for high minded debates while practicing lowdown politics.

He promises a different kind of campaign while attacking Hillary’s character.

He promises transparency while hiding basic info and stonewalling the press.

It’s no wonder that Americans are coming to see that for all of his lofty rhetoric, Senator Obama’s candidacy is really just words.

It’s no surprise that Americans are expressing serious doubts about his ability to answer the 3am call.

It’s no wonder that top journalists are calling the Obama campaign desperate, saying that it’s amateur hour in Chicago.

Hussein Obama: you are a dishonest crook and will divide Americans! Why do you not answer the questions regarding your relationship with Rev. Wright?

Several polls conducted nationally by Gallup, Quinnipiac University, and AOL show Hillary Clinton leading by an average margin of 18 points. According to Gallup, this marks the second consecutive day of Gallup Poll Daily tracking showing Clinton with a statistically significant lead over Obama, something she had not accomplished since Feb. 7-9 polling. Clinton's recent momentum has coincided with the controversy created by Obama's association with controversial preacher Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

PA Latinos for Hillary 2008!

I would like to know who all of these polled voters are who keep switching their votes depending on who has the worst news each week. Apparently, there are a lot of people who either can't take a stand or are very easily influenced. Isn't that why we wound up with George Bush? This almost scares me more, that so many people can hear something one week that seems to affect them, and then totally disregard it the next week when the other candidate gets bashed. So much for principle, which I guess is why we are in the mess we are in.

"Hillary is the stronger candidate, she has worked to improve the lifes of working people throughout her entire adult life."

You're a believer. Hillary spent 15 YEARS of her adult life as a lawyer defending the interests of corporate America, taking stands AGAINST unions etc. She was on the boards of Walmart et al. Please check her biography, but don't expect to find a reliable on at her official site.

Jackt51:

Clinton 2008 - YES WE WILL!

Shame on Richardson for stabbing his friend Clinton.

"Instead of the media talking of Rev. Wright, their now talking about "how much longer can Hillary Clinton stay in the race"

You are correct, the left wing media is trying to change the subject. Fortunately, the media won't be voting, the American people will. Too many people saw those videos. You can listen to a lot of BS but when you see it with your own eyes you can no longer deny the truth. No doubt Richardson has been offered a juicy position maybe even vp. I almost laughed when Richardson talked about Obama's courage and judgement. I saw a lack of judgement and courage when Obama didn't stand up to Wright. Then Obama throws his Grandma under the Bus and Richardson does the same thing to Bill Clinton. We can add loyalty to the list of things these two lack. Thank God McCain is a moderate...

Wow!

Eveybody is talking as if Hillary is history! Give me a break!

Neither Hillary nor Obama has enough votes to win the nomination. So, Superdelegates have to come in to decide.

What makes you morons think that Obama is going to win? How about if we Clinton supporters all move to McCain?

Is that going to be good for the Democrats? So, stop bashing Clinton who gave the back-stabbing Richardson every job he has had for the past 20 years!

Shame on your Richardson for turning your back on the Clintons! We in the military never do that!

Florida Vet (serving in Iraq)

Vanessa writes:

"I would rather Obama, but McCain is good in my eyes too."

What a silly statement. What are the policies and ideas you care about? Do you support universal health care and ending the Iraq war or not?

I can't take people serious who prefer Obama and McCain over Hillary, or Hillary and McCain over Obama. They do not even seem to be aware of what politics and election are about.

Richardson said in spanish (so that people know he is Latino) that this man referring to Obama will respect us. The fact is that Richardson has disrespected the latino voters who have supported Hillary in the primaries, and to the voters in New Mexico who supported Hillary. Richardson is funny, I saw him on some show on Friday, and he characterized himself as somebody with an anglo name, who's mom is Mexican, and who looks Indian. What a dolt, he looks like what he is a Mexican-American. That he cannot even accept that indicates how he will impact the Latino voters. Hillary is the stronger candidate, she has worked to improve the lifes of working people throughout her entire adult life, she was instrumental in getting the children of people who were uninsured covered for medical care, she is smart, and she does not give up. She is the candidate I am working for. Hillary 08!!!

bob: I agree. Obama is not going to win the nomination. Not if his uncle "Rev. Wright" has anything to do with it.

Shame on you Obama!

fedup: I too have always voted Democrat. So, you can count me too. If Hussein Obama becomes the nominee, I'm a new Republican guy.

Bill Richardson's endoresement means nothing. He is a has been! If he had any credibility, he would would have won some votes.

Go Hillary 08!!!!

"Bill Richardson is in his current state because of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton gave him all his opportunities. He is where he is because of the Clintons."

These are upsetting statements.

Are all the people working in and an administration at their positions BECAUSE of the President? Or could it be the other way round? Is the President able to be President because of all the people in an administration who do their daily work? Who are the puppets and who are the players?

Might be it also that it is Bill Richardson's qualities that made Bill Clinton hire him and so many others to strengthen his Presidency? Isn't there an equal profit on both sides, and both well and personally deserved?

The behavior and reality spins of the Hillary fanatics are becoming pretty unbearable. Having to read them here I guess is the price people pay for witnessing the rise of a, quote Bill Richardson, once-in-a-lifetime-leader.

Reason enough for hoping that Hillary will decide rather sooner than later to avoid a total bankruptcy of her campaign and bow out.

Vanessa, what polls are you looking at? A week ago, Obama was leading in North Carolina, by about 8 points, now he is up by one point, and he will continue to go down in the polls because he has not fully explained his poor judgment in his relationship with Rev. Wright and REZKO. The REZKO trial in Chicago is showing just how much payback there was to REZKO, which begs the question as to why Obama would be the only person to whom Rezko donated $250,000 to over 10 years did not get a pay-back. Poor judgment is the story on Obama right now, the very thing that Obama has claimed that is his strength.

After 36 years having the priveldge to vote, and NEVER casting a vote for a republican, if BHO is the democrat's nominee, Mccain will get my vate. At least he is a patriot.

What is forgotten, is that folks like Richardson, Kerry and Kennedy want the remaining super delegates to vote as their states voted, when they did not!They all support BHO, and their states went to Clinton.

nobody i talk to is voting for obama
any more - his delegates are nearly all
moving to Hillary.

I think no Democrat would want to be in same party with people who call Bill Richardson a "jerk" or a "backstabber" as soon as he decides, for sound an explicit reasons, to endorse Barack Obama.

They seem to have forgotten that democracy is all about the right, the freedom and the opportunity to make political choises. Some Clinton fanatics in these blogs leave the impression that most of all they would in favor of a Hillary dictatorship, or a Clinton monarchy. In which, I guess, our next national leader would be called Chelsea, the First.

Bill Richardson is a great Democrat and he is free to endorse as he wishes. That freedom is a most basic right in the country we love. But not, we learn, according to the folks suffering from Hillaritis.

I would say: please mind your words a bit.

I truly respected Bill Richardson before this. But, who would ever want a friend like Bill Richardson? He would likely stab his friends in the back, like he did to Bill Clinton. Bill Richardson is in his current state because of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton gave him all his opportunities. He is where he is because of the Clintons. Who welcomed awesome minority leaders like Bill Richardson and several others and gave them opportunities in cabinet to reflect the true greatness of our nation and making us all truly proud? It was Bill Clinton. Well, Governor Richardson, you would join Barack Obama to the waste. You are no fiend nor are you a shining light that I thought you were. Good Day, I though better of you.

My assessment of the Richarson endorsement: who cares?

Richardson's endorsement means nothing, another person looking out for his own agenda. If the party is so intent on setting up Obama to lose to McCain, so be it. I'm going Republican after 35 years of being Democrat. Never Obama

Oh and Jake, can you really have said that the Clintons MADE Richardson? That before them he was "just a Congressmen"? Wow, what a way to diss the importance of Congressmen. What a way to dismiss a career. Are you spinning this as betrayal?

I think Richardson has accomplished enough on his own two feet--and had a good run with the Clintons--but was able to stand up for what he believed in, rather than play into a loyalty-only scheme with Clinton.

As you remember, George W values loyalty over anything else--and look at where Loyalty has landed people in his administration. We need people who can change their mind and vote their conscience--no matter who gave them a job.

Made by the Clintons...sheesh Jake.

And, if anyone thinks the Jeremiah Wright controversy is over, listen to a "typical white person" who has been bred a bit differently than what Barak Obama would lead you to believe:

It ain't over 'till it's over, and that will be in November.

Jake, I watched your interview with Charles Gibson from the link (by the way, maybe you should have gone beyond ABC to find out "the impact" of Bill Richardson's endorsement--wonder what the BBC thinks or MSNBC or CNN or (gulp) FOX?)

Unfortunately your opening line to Charles was a reflection of the Clinton campaign's defusing of this important event. Richardson's support is not insignificant or else Clinton wouldn't have vied so closely with Obama for the endorsement. Had Bill Richardson endorsed her they would have lauded this as a HUGE endorsement. As he went for Obama, they dismiss it. They have to--it's an Hispanic leader bucking the tide.

But we watch and hear what the newscasters say and when they say it--and to hear a Clinton echo in your voice when talking about this, well, please be careful and remember that Richardson's swing towards Clinton would have gotten a bigger response from you.

I do think you're right that Richardson as a superdelegate may bring in more superdelegates. But I also think that it was the historic speech Obama gave that pulled this endorsement, meaning that the race speech was NOT just about Black and White but also about Hispanics and Whites.

Personally, I think this is huge. Will anyone say Edwards was too late if he endorses next week?

Bill Richardson's endorsement of Obama is significant. Obama's people will find that out if he chooses to embrace Richardson other than to get his vote.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's 2008 presidential campaign included public discussion about his behavior with women.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish told the Albuquerque Journal she avoids standing or sitting near Richardson because of his physical manner. The governor pinches my neck. He touches my hip, my thigh, sort of the side of my leg," said Denish

Despite the statements by New Mexico's Lieutenant Governor Denish, Richardson has denied behaving inappropriately, calling the talk "mean-spirited."

Or, I guess you could call an endorsement from Richardson "HUGE!"

Since my last comment was removed. I will rephrase it. I believe Richardson's endorsement can be seen as an opportunistic move seeking for his own political advantage, rather than the will of hispanic voters.

Bill Richardson has shown the courage of what it means by being Super delegate with wise decision. It is the critical time for the Party and I think its time when they are needed most in order to serve the Party from splitting up.

The more they wait, the harder it will be. Incase the Party will not be able to take the White House, the blame should go to them, because they were not able to step up and play their part.

Vanessa, is Michigan, Michigan.. not Michegan... and by the way, I'm a hispanic and all I can say is that Richardson's endorsement does not represnet the will of hundreds of thousands of hispanics that favored Hillary Clinton in the past primaries and in the ones to come. His endorsement actually will have a negative effect on the hispanic community. Already hispanic leaders are talking about repudiating Richardson's endorsement publicly. His endorsement means the same as Kerry's and Kennedy's: Nothing. They all went against the will of their own people (Mass., Hispanics, NM) and endorsed Obama even though Hillary Clinton was favored in this states. All I can say.. "birds of a feather.. flock together".