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Richardson to Endorse Obama
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ShareMarch 21, 2008 4:05 AM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Governor Bill Richardson, D-N.M., a former contender for the 2008 Democratic nomination, is set to endorse Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., on Friday.
According to Obama campaign aides, Richardson will appear at Obama's rally at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.
Noting he was "deeply honored" by Richardson's support Obama said in a released statement, "Whether it's fighting to end the Iraq war or stop the genocide in Darfur or prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, Gov. Richardson has been a powerful voice on issues of global security, peace and justice, earning five Nobel Peace Prize nominations."
Richardson's endorsement of Obama over Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is seen as a blow to the Clinton campaign who have a long relationship with the governor. Richardson was Ambassador to the UN under the Clinton administration, and remained friendly with the former President afterward.
Both presidential candidates have courted Richardson's endorsement actively since the governor bowed out of the race on January 10th after a poor showing in the Iowa caucus. Obama's Communications Director Robert Gibbs said Obama regularly talked with Richardson on the phone, usually once a week.
In the days leading up to the March 4th primaries Richardson hinted that an endorsement may be coming soon.
Richardson told CBS on March 2nd that, "Whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday should be the nominee."
But after big wins from Clinton in Ohio and Texas leaving no definitive nominee, talk of an impending Richardson endorsement died down, as the race between the candidates heated up once again.
While visiting Richardson's state in early February, Obama told reporters that then he wasn't preparing for an endorsement then.
"We have no plans of receiving an endorsement, but I would love to be pleasantly surprised. I've had many conversations with Governor Richardson and I'm sure the Clinton campaign has. He is obviously a tremendously important leader in the country. He ran a terrific race this presidential season and I think would make an enormous contribution to any candidate who he chose to support," Obama said at the time.
Richardson's endorsement makes the third former presidential candidate to endorse Barack Obama, following an early endorsement by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and a February 26th endorsement by Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn.
March 21, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (482)
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And the liberal bandwagon continues....
Posted by: An opinion | Mar 21, 2008 6:58:34 AM
And the liberal bandwagon continues....
Posted by: An opinion | Mar 21, 2008 6:58:42 AM
I hate to say this, but I am starting to think some of this is about the old boys guard not really wanting a woman in the top job. Kerry, Dodd, Bradley, Kennedy and now Richardson. They are all willing to back a man with light experience, major political disadvantages, and who can't seem to shore up the blue collar solid democratic brackets. Why? Perhaps the just don't want a girl doing the job they all failed to get. I mean, it's okay for Obama to cry discrimination.. what about Hillary? Maybe some of these old liberal guards are just a little annoyed at a woman gaining such prominence? Progressives...right!
Posted by: A reader in Georgia | Mar 21, 2008 7:03:45 AM
Who cares? Richardsons a loser just like obama!
Posted by: Jim | Mar 21, 2008 7:07:08 AM
When Clinton supporters begin posting links to articles written about Democrats by conservatives you know they are desperate.
Here's a little insight into Shelby Steele.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Steele
Mimi,
Since you are quoting Shelby Steele is it safe to assume the Clinton campaign supports Mr. Steele's position on issues such as affirmative action and other "liberal" policies?
Posted by: Finally | Mar 21, 2008 7:09:07 AM
Do you really think that Obama will be able to bild a bridge between different american communities? Up to this he has unfortunately polarized opinions and created tensions between the blacks and whites. He should wait until 2012! Otherwise the democrats will not be able to beat the republicans and you will have a republican president for another four years.
Posted by: Richard | Mar 21, 2008 7:11:44 AM
On this Good Friday I can't help but notice the irony. Jesus was betrayed by his disciple just as Richardson betrayed Hillary. I'm not about to try and put Hillary on the same level as Jesus (Obama supporters do that) but I do find the parallel of betrayal saddening. RICHARDSON IS A JUDAS! Richardson is a trusted friend and long time supporter of the Clintons but in the end he betrayed them when it counted! SHAME ON YOU RICHARDSON! YOU ARE A DISGRACE AND A TRAITOR!
Posted by: Eric | Mar 21, 2008 7:14:28 AM
This is great news and the right decision. It's really time for Hillary to step aside and let the party rally around Obama.
Posted by: Sara B | Mar 21, 2008 7:14:34 AM
i am saddened over mr. richardson's decision.... it will be mccain in nov
Posted by: sokadija | Mar 21, 2008 7:16:32 AM
I don't think Richardson's support will make any difference.. Go Hillary!
Posted by: Stewie Griffin | Mar 21, 2008 7:17:38 AM
From 'Dreams of My Father', "I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites"
From 'Dreams of My Father', "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother’s race."
From 'Dreams of My Father', "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white."
From 'Dreams of My Father', "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names"
From 'Dreams of My Father', "never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela."
From 'Audacity of Hope', "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Posted by: DMK | Mar 21, 2008 7:21:00 AM
Reader in Georgia:
I can honestly say the thought of the "boys club" has crossed my mind as well. I sincerely hope that's not the case because that would be as much an injustice as discrimination against Senator Obama.
I do believe Senator Clinton is experiencing some discrimination as a female candidate but I don't think the Richardson endorsement is about her gender. I've made that assumption purely based on Gov. Richardson's close relationship with the Clintons.
There seems to be more to this and I'm sure there are some politics involved just as there are politics behind every endorsement. Yet, it is interesting to see yet another Clinton ally switching sides.
That has to be a tough pill for Bill to swallow more so than it is for Hillary. At some point I don't care which candidate you support you eventually get the feeling all of this is just a play on our emotions.
Seriously, who are we really fooling? Hillary and Barack don't have many material differences in their political platforms once you get down to the details.
Posted by: Finally | Mar 21, 2008 7:23:02 AM
On this Good Friday I can't help but notice the irony. Jesus was betrayed by his disciple just as Richardson betrayed Hillary. I'm not about to try and put Hillary on the same level as Jesus (Obama supporters do that) but I do find the parallel of betrayal saddening. RICHARDSON IS A JUDAS! Richardson is a trusted friend and long time supporter of the Clintons but in the end he betrayed them when it counted! SHAME ON YOU RICHARDSON! YOU ARE A DISGRACE AND A TRAITOR!
Posted by: Eric | Mar 21, 2008 7:23:03 AM
Bill, You're a disgraceful man for not endorsing Hillary. I hate you Bill... You broke my heart. You were one our last Hope. This boy Obama is kicking our butts in every corner and to make matters worst, you endorse him. Now, what's next?
John Edwards, maybe...
But I know one way or the other Hillary will win the nomitation even if she has to pull every strings. I believe in Hillary. Yes! She can... You guys are so sexist. (Well, except that I must admit that Hillary has not yet to clarify what kind of experience she really has for the 3:00 a.m. call) All the is irrelevant. Give the woman a chance, c'mon!
Posted by: TheOne | Mar 21, 2008 7:23:19 AM
Well, all of the lifelong democrats I know will never rally around Obama, so hello McCain. The democratic politians such as Kerry, Kennedy, etc that went against the base of the party better start worrying about their jobs.
Posted by: kitty | Mar 21, 2008 7:23:59 AM
Richardsson and Barack Obama should consider this statement made by Osama Bin Laden:
"The nearest jihad battlefield to support our people in Palestine is the battlefield of Iraq … It should be taken care of and supported,"
"Palestine CANNOT be retaken by negotiations and dialogue, but with fire and iron".
Posted by: Gregory | Mar 21, 2008 7:24:04 AM
Another treacherous Clinton "friend."
Posted by: newslamp | Mar 21, 2008 7:26:01 AM
Greg,
I suspect that Obama is still a CIA operative. Maybe that could explain why he's still at large...
Posted by: TheOne | Mar 21, 2008 7:26:55 AM
On this Good Friday I can't help but notice the irony. Jesus was betrayed by his disciple just as Richardson betrayed Hillary. I'm not about to try and put Hillary on the same level as Jesus (Obama supporters do that) but I do find the parallel of betrayal saddening. RICHARDSON IS A JUDAS! Richardson is a trusted friend and long time supporter of the Clintons but in the end he betrayed them when it counted! SHAME ON YOU RICHARDSON! YOU ARE A DISGRACE AND A TRAITOR!
Posted by: Eric | Mar 21, 2008 7:28:51 AM
All Hillary supporters, we're doing a march to protest the Bill' support. We are on life-support and it's unfair!
Posted by: TheOne | Mar 21, 2008 7:29:39 AM
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