Richardson: Almost Backed Clinton, But Campaign "Really Ticked Me Off"

LA Times:

Before he endorsed Barack Obama, before he drew the wrath of the Clintons and was likened to Judas, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson nearly endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

But Richardson hesitated, and as the Democratic campaign turned ugly, he grew angry. There was that "3 a.m." TV ad, in which Clinton questioned Obama's personal mettle. "That upset me," Richardson said.

Read the whole story: LA Times

Comments

[ryan1016]

Richardson strikes me as the ultimate opportunist. I think he really did himself damage in the eyes of all but the most ardent Obama supporters. If you can't count on your friends, then who can you count on? He's obviously someone who will stab you in the back if it suits his needs.

[Berce]

I'm only loyal to America. If Barak H. Obama is the Democrat nomenee, my vote is for John McCain.

_Democrats for McCain.

[evekendall]

Democrats don't say "the Democrat nomenee (sic)". . . they say "the Democratic nominee." I guess you just gave yourself away.

[Weasie16]

Well, that's ok because I lost all respect for Gov. Richardson too. He stood there and watched Sen Obama's people and the media make Bill Clinton out to be a racist, along with Geraldine Ferrarro. That 3am call was to show experience vs. less experience and to make it anything more than that is lame. Besides, if it was so ruthless and demeaning...what did Gov. Richardson think about Sen. Obama's EXACT replica of the commerical 24 hours later? I'm sure that was ok...just like everything else.

[CAPTAIND]

I am from New Mexico. Gov. Richardsn is a consumate politician. His backing of Obama was politcially motivated.

[Gabrielle]

Thank you Richardson

How bitter the Clintons are, DANGEROUS PEOPLE.
WATCH YOUR BACK!

OBAMA 08

[ChimpmasterDJ]

I'm betting that Hillary won't be referring people to this week's SNL opening sketch. They really nailed her! I uess it was her turn.

[coolrepublica]

I don't know about this week being her turn chimp. Hillary has been nailed many times, by different people this election season. Saturday night live has done a great deal of Clinton nailing over the years. They actually never nailed Obama on anything. They were shaming the press for falling over themselves for Obama. Furthermore that skit they did last a few weeks about about the 3AM call was not flattering either. I'm guessing you are not a regular Saturday night Live watcher.

[jsinclair]

Hillary and Bill liked the pre-Texas/Ohio skit well enough to call and thank them. Hillary appearing on the show with Poehler beside her was a nice free plug, too, showing off Hillary's newly acquired comedic timing (a $7000 campaign expense that actually paid off).

The portrayal of Obama is slow-witted, inarticulate and often dependent on Hillary for answers or advice. I think the characterization of SNL as generally in the tank for Hillary (especially once they got such a ratings boost) is pretty much on the mark.

[c1ee]

i guess that depends on what the definition of 'nailed' is. We are talking about highly subjective things: political humour/news coverage. I grant you think that SNL didn't 'nail' Obama, and that the press were 'falling over themselves for Obama' but that's your opinion, not fact. My opinion is that SNL's skits didn't cross any line, but overall have tended to portray Obama as an empty suit and Hillary as victim.

I don't agree, however, that Obama has been getting any special coverage. Why should Obama coverage be dulled down just because Hillary is such a dull character? He is genuinely a more interesting and exciting person, and i do not at all agree on this 'balanced' coverage, when it means Hillary's dour character has to drag everyone else's coverage down with her.

[neoconsareliars]

Clintons are as slimy as the neocon pigs.

[coolrepublica]

Don't forget that Hillary is from Venus and Bill is from Mars. They are not even from this planet. And may I say that calling people "neoncon pigs" is not very unifying. I don't think team Obama needs you on their side. Your words bring great shame to the movement of hope and change and eternal wisdom (for some reason I think I'm missing something.)

Anyhow "The One" does not need people like you in this Matrix. Get yourself together.

[lysistrata]

When Obama run for the US Senate his opponent was Alan Keyes, now it is not so easy to run against Hillary and that is why she should step aside?

Richardson is a politician, as such he lies as much as the others, don't believe he gets upset because of the 3AM commercial. That was a silly commercial, nothing a politician gets upset about, silly like all the spats about he said, she said and then every word will be picked apart by the MSM and the pundits carry on day after day with the same old BS.

The whole circus is way to long.

[RealMrBill]

That's why so many of us gave up on the Clinton's - their lies, their attitude, and their feeling like they are entitled.

Poor Chappaqua - bet they were hoping to be rid of their southern neighbors.

[Kally]

Sounds more like you are describing the obama campaign to me...and richardson...he is trying to get his footing back cause he'll never be elected governor of New Mexico again. The citizens are really giving him HECK....he's messing his pants, hoping obama will get in and give him a job. kerry, kennedy, dodd they all think they are going to be big shots. Heck they all went out and bought bigger codpieces....but we know the difference. And again...I panned obama this comment is pending approval..as always when you say anything about obama.

[strifeknot]

It's very telling when one the Clintons' best friends abandons them out of disgust over their sense of entitlement. When will the rest of the Clinton supporters acknowlege the Clintons' arrogance? They are not owed the presidency or the blind support of anyone.

[skip4Obama]

Thank You Bill!!! May Carville kiss our combined Ass!!!

[kay]

The Clintons get pissed when brown people get all uppity.

How dare he.

[coolrepublica]

Newsflash! Brown people don't like Richardson either. And calling everybody racist just because they are not worshiping Obama is a bit childish. Don't you think?

I got to tell you, I don't look forward to watching late night TV if Obama is elected president. All jokes about him will have to go through 5 committees, at least 2 lawyers and prescreen by black and non-colored Obama fans to make sure they don't find it offensive to the "chosen one." Yep, I am not looking forward to a bunch of unfunny jokes about how great Obama is.

[kay]

Hillary Clinton is now promoting herself as pro-gun..

Wow. That's new.

Like NAFTA, she'll say anything.

[Littledog]

Who really cares what Bill Richardson says? His time is over and gone.

[Kim445588]

Apparently, Hillary does. A lot.

[Fabienne]

Who cares what Bill Clinton says? His time is over and gone.

[hubbstan]

Richardson will never be a little dog - Richardson is a great man and he did the country great service to get behind Obama at a critical moment. Small minded people will not be able to understand things that are pure and decent.

[partyofone]

Sorry, this comment disturbs me and deminishes Richardson in my eyes. I have no clue as to how any thinking honest partriotic American could possibly support Hillary Clinton. Sorry, I don't see it. The dishonesty and self-indulgence at the expense of the Democratic party and the nation is beyond belief. Anyone who supports Hillary or considers it, in my estimation, shares her values. Shocking.

[daisey]

I think Hillary Clinton has every right and responsibility as a candidate to draw distinctions between her and the other candidates. I mean grow up, this is a Presidential campaign and nobody said it was going to be easy or polite.

Some of the worst comments I have read have come from Obama and Clinton supporters attacking each other, the candidates aren't nearly as hateful.

I'm sorry that Bill Richardson turned his back on the Clinton's. I know he had a distinguished career before Bill Clinton gave him 2 administration jobs, but I had never heard of him before he came to work with President Clinton.

With a friend like this.....

[hubbstan]

small mind having trouble to understand things greater.