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Richardson: 'We Made the Final Four'

January 03, 2008 10:51 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports:  Though he might not have delivered on his promise to "shock the world," Governor Bill Richardson greeted his Iowa supporters after that state's caucuses as the only second-tier candidate headed to New Hampshire next week.

The New Mexico governor had said he hoped for a third place finish in the Iowa showdown, but said he is happy with his outcome in the race.

"We made the final four and we are on to New Hampshire," Richardson shouted to the cheering crowd. 

The governor told supporters that from here on out, his entire campaign would be about ending the war in Iraq.  He was also the first to admit that he came into the White House race at a disadvantage to some of his rivals, who have more money and greater name recognition. 

"Now when you are outspent 20 to 1 it shows, but we are in the final four,” said Richardson.

As supporters trickled into the ballroom of the Quality Inn hotel in Des Moines, many compared notes on who they selected with their final vote.

Some turned to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, others former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, and a few switched to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton when it became apparent that the New Mexico governor would not be a viable option. 

One man said he simply walked out when it became clear Richardson was no longer in the running.   

Stephen Christensen was one of the lucky caucus goers.  "I was able to pull away a couple of Obama supporters and was able to get Richardson a delegate in the 25th precinct," he happily told people in the crowd. 

Early in the day, rumors swirled that Richardson had struck an agreement with the Obama's campaign to have Richard’s supporters switch to Obama, should the governor not be viable.

While the campaign continues to deny any agreement, Polk County precinct chair Betty Lambert says Richardson organizers told her she should support Obama should Richardson prove unviable.   The Richardson supporters in her precinct did just that, and in return, she was made a delegate, securing some level of overall support for Richardson in the future.

Dal and Michael Groms also switched their vote to Obama when Richardson was no longer an option.  They say that no one from the Richardson campaign hinted to do so, and that their main goal was simply to keep votes from going to Sen. Clinton.

But while these voters might have had to switch their votes, most still hoped Richardson could continue on to victory in future states, namely New Hampshire and Nevada.  The Richardson campaign is hoping for the same outcome. 

"There are four tickets out of Iowa and we were looking to get one of those tickets.  We are going to be on the stage at the debate in New Hampshire on Saturday to make our case that we are the most experienced candidate," said press secretary Tom Reynolds as press and supporters waited for the Governor to speak. 

January 3, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Edwards, John, Obama, Barack, Richardson, Bill, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (2)

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Posted by: jmeder | Jan 4, 2008 12:06:55 AM

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