Bill Richardson Endorses Barack Obama
Last Friday, Bill Richardson endorsed Barack Obama.
This New York Times article is a good summary.
This MSNBC video is an interesting interview by Rita Cosby with Bill Richardson, Pat Buchanan, and Chris Matthews:
Richardson’s endorsement is potentially important for several reasons. He is the governor of New Mexico, a state which may be an important battleground state in the general election if the Democratic nominee pursues an aggressive “Southwest Strategy”. Because he is a Democratic governor, Richardson is also a “super delegate” by definition. Richardson also ran for the Democratic Party presidential nomination this year. He was one of the last candidates (along with John Edwards) to drop out except for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Bill Richardson is one of the best known and popular leaders in the Democratic Party. He is also currently one of the most famous Latino politicians. In a year of especially high interest in “identity politics” and an increasing percentage of Latino voters, some speculate the Richardson’s endorsement of Obama may influence Latino voters in the final primaries and caucuses. This endorsement may also influence other voters and especially undecided super delegates, regardless of ethnicity.
Richardson’s endorsement also brought good news to the Obama campaign, which has been bogged down in addressing racial controversy. The Obama camp welcomed a change in the election news.
Many have suggested the Bill Richardson would be a great running-mate/vice-president for whomever the Democrats choose as their presidential nominee in 2008.
Richardson’s endorsement of Obama was especially disappointing to the Clinton campaign. Richardson was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the Secretary of Energy in Bill Clinton’s White House cabinet in the 1990’s. Many Clinton supporters believed (or at least hoped) that Richardson would endorse Hillary Clinton out of a sense of loyalty.
Hillary Clinton campaign advisor James Carville stirred up controversy by saying: “Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic”.
This comment is typical of many silly “fouls” that campaign surrogates commit during a heated election contest: it is not especially egregious. However, it does reveal an old-style political machine mentality in which power is built by granting favors (e.g., appointments to political offices) and then expecting future political support in return. This has prompted some in the media to criticize Clinton supporters for having a “sense of entitlement” to the nomination rather than earning it by winning over voters. An additional criticism is implied in this question: “If Richardson is Judas, then who is Hillary?” Like many campaign “fouls”, this one appears to be counter-productive.
Carville is a well known Democratic strategist and noted for his often “colorful” and “off color” remarks. Carville has a long-standing relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton. He played an especially important role in Bill Clinton’s 1992 election, and perhaps best remembered for emphasizing the focus of that campaign: “it’s the economy stupid!”
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