Richardson Op-Ed: "I Feel Compelled To Defend Myself"

Governor Richardson, you do not owe the Clintons anything because they gave you a position. They needed someone who would do a good job, and you were that person, serving the American people well. By doing so you already returned the favor.

I work at a corporation but I don't owe them anything because they hired me. I am doing a good job for them, and it is a mutually synergistic relationship.

Most of the comments here reflect personal opinions and some, simple prejudices.

Bill Richardson simply felt that the Clinton's had been fighting too dirty and too long.

I first noticed BR in 1992 for his ability to answer questions straight on and in clear

short answers, devoid of equivocations. That is why WJC chose him to be our lead

ambasador and GWB used him for bargaining with our most challenging enemies.


Bill Richardson is Barack's best choice for VP because of his administrative and

foreign relations experience as well as the very important Western and Hispanic

voters. The cultural schism between black and brown has widened since The

Rainbow Coalition and this teaming would cement that back up for decades.

The GOP's use of fear and loathing as well as blatant racism when needed is

well documented but if we remain united, they will surely fail to defeat US.

James Carville called it exactly right.

You are what you are Billy R., a self promoting hyprocrite.

Carville is a loud mouth liar
married to a loud mouth liar
They have no standards or integrity

Carville is just pointing out that you strung a lot of people along (e.g. you lied a lot, apparently to a lot of people) and that's a valid point. The same apparently cannot be said for John Edwards, who has expressed admiration for both candidates and refused to commit to either one, thus allowing the voters to make up their own minds. Elizabeth Edwards has made it very clear that she has issues with Obama's health plan (specifically). You, on the other hand, revealed no specific policy objections that would have made you make the leap to Obama, just a lot of non-specific rhetoric about race (an opinion that latinos apparently disagree with) and a lot of whining about how 'heated' your exchange with Hillary was...I'm not sure exactly what you expected from that final conversation with her?! It's clear that you are expecting your next job from Obama. If anyone wanted to hear you whine even more...someone surely would have asked for an interview, making it unnecessary for you to air your dirty laudry in the protected space of the editorial pages. Whatever, Bill, nobody really cares anymore what you think or how you feel.

If I am to believe what Richardson wrote in the op-ed piece, he chose the path that his conscience dictated. He was able to put aside his loyalty to the Clintons for what he thinks will be best for this country. That decision appears to have been a difficult one requiring weeks of soul searching.

His observation that the democratic presidential campaign has been negative and self-destructive is accurate. At such a critical point in our history encompassing so many areas of concern (i.e., the wars, national/ personal debt, healthcare, housing, gas prices) we need leaders that can unite the country and guide us through this turbulent period. The bickering has only serve to antagonize and divide both camps.

Hopefully, Richardson will serve as a role model; understanding that each individual person in this country, whether democrat, republican or independent, owes their loyalty to the country first. And when one of the candidates wins the nomination, the rival's supporters must put aside their anger and discontent and present a cohesive unified front.
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I hope Richardson gives some campaign speeches to the Spanish communities.

I think Richardson should ignore what Nosferatu says.

The Clinton think they own people. Your own spouse could tell you something and change their mind in the voters booth. What are you going do call you spouse a traitor. I think not. Bill Richardson is a free man.

Let's see. Between Governor Richardson and James Carville which one will people think is the truthful one and which one the longtime political hack, partisan hitman and professional liar? There's absolutely no question what the answer to that is.

It was very easy to read between the lines weeks ago and see the INTENSE pressure the Clintons were putting on Bill Richardson to endorse Hillary before NM (that must have given them a "hint" of his reluctance, btw).

His endorsement two weeks ago took personal courage--even DeeDee Myers has said the Clintons hold grudges (and that is extremely obvious from the relentless attacks on Richardson for simply following his own principles). "Principles"--there's something for Bill and HIllary (and James Carville) to think about instead of more bullying and threats.

And, of course, Richardson didn't "owe" them for his past service. He served his COUNTRY (ably) and made Clinton look good in the process--especially during the difficult investigation and impeachment years. He owes Bill nothing--certainly not to compromise his own beliefs to support the presidential aspirations of Bill Clinton's wife. . (Well, unless the "Clinton Family" is now synonymous with "Mafia" and personal loyalty to the "head" of the family trumps everything else).

Finally, great point about Hillary. Even IF he "owed" Bill something (which, imo, he definitely doesn't), why should that translate into support for Hillary, if someone sincerely feel Obama is better?

I liked and respected Richardson before, but I'm a huge fan now.

James Carville is an alien from outer-space without a green card. He has no right to be here. Deport him.

I commend Bill Richardson for his courage to stand up to the Clintons and choose country over loyalty.

No one insists more often than Senator Clinton that Super Delegates are free to make up and change their minds - and should vote for who they think will be the best president.

As for the "discrepancies?"
""Rachel...told Bill how "sorry" she was to have heard former Clinton campaign manager James Carville call Richardson a "Judas" for backing Obama.
It was as if someone pulled the pin from a grenade.
"Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that," a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted.
The former president then went on a tirade that ran from the media's unfair treatment of Hillary to questions about the fairness of the votes in state caucuses that voted for Obama. It ended with him asking delegates to imagine what the reaction would be if Obama was trailing by just 1 percent and people were telling him to drop out.""

Bill Clinton wagging his finger as he said this? Hmmm... never lied before while doing that.
Followed by the statement about trailing by "just 1 percent"? Hmmm... it's not 1%, it's more like 4-5%, just do the math. Is that just an exaggeration, a misstatement, or an outright lie?

As a former Clinton fan and defender, I find Bill Richardson much more credible.

It's very hard to understand anyone choosing negativity and entitlement over hope and courage.

Carville also reminds me of The Grim Reaper. When you're lying in that hospital bed, sick as a dog, and you see Carville lurking in the corner, you know your moment has come.

Well, I'd say that if you're going to enter the general political arena, you need to check your Gallagher suit before you start, have it pressure-tested for leaks and stuff so you don't get none on ya, 'cause politics is the biggest mud-slinging contest short of female mud wrestling, and sometimes about as graphic. But I think it's also fun, and probably cathartic, too, because if no one ever really talks about the issues, then how will they be addressed, if ever?

I think a good Barack question is immigration. Lots of money involved, there...no, LOTS of money, like, really a lot, and stuff. And, so far I haven't seen Barack clambering to the High Mountaintop to proclaim his strong stance against illegal immigration...

I think Richardson's beard is flattering. He sort of puts me in mind of Falstaff now. He would make a good sidekick to Obama.