Watch: Anderson Cooper Asks James Carville, "Dude, Aren't You Mr. Washington?"

UPDATE: Check out Carville discuss cattle branders and Richardson in the same conversation on Good Morning America.

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Democratic Strategist and Hillary Clinton supporter James Carville on Monday defended comparing New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama to Judas' actions in the bible, saying the comment was an "appropriate metaphor." Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper, Carville said that Richardson needed to be "singled out for special treatment," and that he was speaking for himself and not the Clinton campaign. Carville also said that "he and I know the reasons" why the Clinton ally considered the move so disloyal, and that "I knew what the effects of this would be and it was exactly as I predicted."

When Carville tried to tell Cooper that he was "not of the Washington world," Cooper retorted "Dude, aren't you Mr. Washington?"

See Cooper bust out the surfer lingo at about 1:30 into the video.

Comments

[gaspi]

Anyone know if Carville's "Judas" diss of Richardson has gotten any significant coverage in the Spanish language media in the U.S. southwest from California to Texas? If it does then it's possible that Clinton's strength among Latino voters will take a significant hit. Too bad those contests are in the past. Don't know if the Puerto Rico press cares much about Richardson, but if the Carville meme gets carried into that contest then it would be interesting to watch what happens in the island polling there.

[Rog49Thomas]

Who said the Republican Party had a lock on the fundamentalists.

The more I hear from both Democratic candidates' campaigns and from their partisans the more I'm beginning to think this isn't an election but a political Rapture with each side's candidate the Christ and the opponent the AntiChrist.

Are there any adults out there?

Any?

Even just one?

[mambomary]

Ordinarily, I don't pay much attention to the ravings of Carville or his rightwing wife,but I think anyone who isn't totally heartless would agree with Carville's characterization of Gov. Richardson as Judas for endorsing Obama. I mean, Richardson has only benefited from the Clintons' mentorship over the years and he even watched the Superbowl with Bill Clinton, his former boss, before sticking the shiv in Hillary's back in order to get a place on the winning side. What an asshole.

[justbecause]

And? Get a life mambomary.

[asere]

He's partly right; but, that's politics; what's the big deal.
That's how you climb a ladder, one rung after another.
Bill wants to be Secretary of State in an Obama Administration.
What was Hillary offering ?

[Nancyann]

Did you ever think that he thinks Obama would be a better President and able to bring the country together. That horrible woman certainly would be a divider. Remember over 45% of people polled said they would NEVER vote for her.....

[VcKrc]

It's called "not so subliminal messaging".
Calling him a traitor has nothing to do with Judas, its labeling that will be used along with the "traitor" labels of Rev. Wright.
Mr. Carville's methods are sad, yet transparent. Gen. McPeak is on to something.

[mponti]

Carville is just doing what Clinton loyalist are supposed to do. Whenever bad news about Miss Poken hits the fan, the Clintons send out surrogates like Carville to make outrageous statements and commandeer the news cycle. They know the media always bite, spending endless hours talking about the outrages while ignoring legitimate discussions about her tax returns/first lady records (Ken Starr comparison), the powerful Richardson endorsement (Judas comparison) and the need for a big Pennsylvania win (send out Ferraro to stir up white resentments).

[PuddyKatz]

Carville is a particularly ugly face for the Democratic Party and for the Clintons to put forward.
I would think that if they were serious about winning this election he would be puzzled.
Apparently they are not serious at this point.

[PrdAmerican]

to suggest he is NOT speaking for the Clintons is absurd! He worked for them, he is part of their inner circle which would mean he's been in their back pocket from day one.

[oracle99]

Carville has been in the swamps of Louisiana too long...even looks like a viper

[LisaAK]

I love it. Carville praises the importance of letting the voters have their say, while at the same time the Clinton camp contends that, if the voters don't say what the Clintons want to hear, then it's the duty of the superdelegates to correct their mistake and give Clinton the nomination. Which is it?

[Ginko]

he's referring to the voters in New Mexico, who voted for Hillary. Richardson, Kennedy and Kerry ALL went AGAINST the voters in their states but that is ok with you?
If the tables were turned, and their states had gone for Obama and then they endorsed Hillary you would be OUTRAGED.. the double standard is mindboggling. That must be some good koolaid.

[NYC07]

Good point !

[prscnt1]

Why is this skullhead given all the coverage if he is speaking for himself? He is sleeping with Judas, his wife is working in fat-bastard’s office. If he is speaking for himself, he is open for libel suit by Richardson.

[oracle99]

Carville's vile comments are meant to intimidate other Clinton defectors.

[riverhorse]

i actually like bill richardson but he actually validated what james carville said about him being a traitor.

[guatemalatimes]

Congratulations Mr. Carville

[priscianusjr]

Logically, Jesus would be Hillary, although I confess II find it somewhat hard to see the resemblance. Oh... maybe it's Bill Clinton that's Jesus. Yeah, right.

[ethancorso]

Carville is to Democrat as Rove is to Republican.