Gov. Richardson to Hold Two Fundraisers for Sen. Clinton

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Gov. Richardson to Hold Two Fundraisers for Sen. Clinton

July 30, 2008 1:27 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Governor Bill Richardson is doing his part to unite the Democratic party today, announcing he will hold two August fundraisers for Senator Hillary Clinton in his home state of New Mexico.

A press release sent out by the Governor's office Wednesday states Richardson, a former candidate for the Democratic nomination himself, will hold two invitation-only events on August 17th. One event in Santa Fe will be hosted by Dave Contarino, Governor Richardson's former campaign manager and long time strategist. The second event will take place in Albuquerque and will be hosted by a well-known New Mexico businessman. Clinton will be in attendance for both fundraisers.

The Governor, who is "an ardent supporter of Senator Obama," according to the press release, will preside over both events with his Lt. Governor, Diane Denish.

"Senator Clinton is grateful for Governor Richardson's and Senator Obama's efforts to assist with retiring her campaign debt and she is looking forward to continuing to campaign for Senator Obama and help ensure victory for Democrats throughout the country this fall," said Clinton spokeswoman Kathleen Strand in the release.

And of course, to prove just how unified they all are, Obama spokesman Bill Burton was also quoted in the press release stating, "Governor Richardson's efforts reinforce Senator Obama's commitment to unifying the Democratic Party and assisting Senator Clinton's effort to retire her campaign debt."

Richardson has often been one of the strongest voices to call for party unity among Democrats. In fact, while addressing the Democratic Leadership Council in Chicago last month, Richardson promised he would be involved in helping to retire Clinton's debt. A promise he is now making good on.

And while this show of support is something all Democrats welcome, the hard feelings between Richardson and the Clintons still lingers in many political minds.

A cloud of endorsement speculation surrounded Richardson after he ended his own presidential bid. Richardson was heavily wooed by both sides, with former President Bill Clinton even flying to New Mexico to watch the Super Bowl with the Governor.

In the end Richardson chose to endorse Obama. The decision not only ruptured his relationship with the Clintons, but lead to James Carville calling him "judas" in interviews. Perhaps these fundraisers will be the first step towards a reconciliation.

July 30, 2008 in Bush, George W., Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (51)

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How Christian of him. I still won't vote for Obama.

PUMA!

Posted by: SadStateOfAffairs | Jul 30, 2008 1:35:01 PM

Let me guess... she'll take the money. The Clintons have always been willing to overcome their principles for a little cold hard ca$h!!!

Posted by: ick! | Jul 30, 2008 1:37:38 PM

Obama just told him he is offering sec of state to clinton...or he thinks clinton may be VP.

actually I think he is tryign to mend fences but also do the right thing...everyone should be donating to Hillary to retire her debt whether you agree with the long primary or not...

and PUMA only is selfishly hurting Clinton at this point but they don't care.

Posted by: dl | Jul 30, 2008 1:40:07 PM

PUMA! vote as you always have Republican!~

Posted by: GHM | Jul 30, 2008 1:42:08 PM

Judas????

Posted by: The Commander Guy | Jul 30, 2008 1:43:56 PM

Obama...community organizer turned senator overnight...143 days' actual senate experience...the only political career days of experience in high office....for President?....are you kidding me?!?!!!!!

Posted by: neil1785 | Jul 30, 2008 1:45:00 PM

Obama...community organizer turned senator overnight...143 days' actual senate experience...the only political career days of experience in high office....for President?....are you kidding me?!?!!!!!

Posted by: neil1785 | Jul 30, 2008 1:45:03 PM

dl is trying very hard...real hard...to be nice....

Posted by: neil1785 | Jul 30, 2008 1:46:18 PM

How is Richardson going to help Sen Clinton when he is still trying to raise money to poay off his own debt? I bet he's using these fundraiser to help pay off his debt too. This is a publicity to get people to like him in case he's the vp nom.

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | Jul 30, 2008 1:47:09 PM

ick!,

Hillary is too much of a lady for that crap...she's smarter than that....

Posted by: neil1785 | Jul 30, 2008 1:47:19 PM

The debt is still not retired!?! How much debt did Obama help retire to date? Hillary has been on the campaign trail for Obama. It doesn't speak highly of the Obama campaign lip service commitment and their follow-through capabilities when they have promised to retire her debt nearly 2 months ago.

Posted by: Jane | Jul 30, 2008 1:49:44 PM

Whoops, I thought the fundraisers were carried forward to help Hillary "retire" from politics not just her debts. Check please!

Posted by: Barry Cohen | Jul 30, 2008 1:50:54 PM

Great!, Judas is trying to get back into Hillary's good graces; it's going to take more than hosting two fundraisers to make amends for that stab in the back.

Posted by: Scott | Jul 30, 2008 1:55:56 PM

Jane

Hillary has 20 million dollars !

do you understand it is illegal for Obama to give money directly and to raise money specifically for your opponent is really hard...

the problem is the schmucks in PUMA who are so self centered and focus on their own spite rather than helping the woman they say was running for THEM.

they would rather raise money for their own spite.

from the group that Hillary needed for the debt she accrued and some of us on the obama side say often that people should be giving to Hillary and if you stillcan buy a freakin t-shirt.

Freakin selfish PUMA people ...yeah that's noble.

ugh not.

Posted by: dl | Jul 30, 2008 1:58:13 PM

Obama promised to only cover the outstanding bills of her debt, like printing cost, food... etc. those people who depended on the money to survive. Hillary was on her own with the rest. Which, yes she should be.

Thank you Richardson, you have a right like everyone else in the US to vote for and back whom you wish.

Posted by: becky | Jul 30, 2008 1:59:36 PM

PUMA can kiss my a$$. Go ahead and vote for 8 more years of George Bush! Obama will win in a landslide anyway! Idiots!

Posted by: Duane | Jul 30, 2008 2:02:34 PM

Obama's supporters only donated $110,000 for her in June but Clinton's supporters donated about $2mils.
Is that fair? is the party unite? Obama's campaign try to cover the fact. We rather vote for hero McCain than rock star Obama with the thin resume who ignore the wounded soldiers in Berlin.

Posted by: Laura | Jul 30, 2008 2:22:46 PM

Obama's details - Always good for a laugh!

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jul 30, 2008 2:28:29 PM

Why is he doing this? He wants something for Clinton or maybe he has realized that not only should have been loyal to his state who voted for Clinton in the primaries but also to the people who have him a job in the last democratic white house.

Posted by: rachel | Jul 30, 2008 2:36:29 PM

Laura: Really... if you voted for her you should support her. You should still be behind her paying off her debt. Why is this Obama's problem?

Posted by: becky | Jul 30, 2008 2:36:53 PM

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