Hillary Loses Another One…
Gov. Bill Richardson, of New Mexico, recently announced his public endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic Presidential nominee. Richardson said that Obama’s speech on race was a decisive factor and he believes Obama represents “change” and “I feel that it’s important that we bring a new generation of leadership.” Richardson’s backing of Obama has caused much scrutiny because of his close relationship with the Clintons, whom helped make his political career (he even watched the Super Bowl with Bill Clinton this year). Richardson was secretary of energy under the Clinton administration, a post that helped bring him to national prominence and become Governor of New Mexico in 2002. In a statement to Fox News, Richardson claimed, “I am very loyal to the Clintons. I served under President Clinton. But I served well. And I served the country well. And he gave me that opportunity. But you know… it shouldn’t just be Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton.”
Richardson’s name may sound familiar to some of you because he was a previous candidate for the presidency. He abandoned his presidential bid January 10. Obama and Clinton both lobbied Richardson for his endorsement after he dropped out of the race. Richardson is the second former Democratic presidential contender to endorse Obama, after Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Two other former candidates, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, have remained neutral.
Out of respect for a friend, Richardson called Hillary Clinton the day before he announced his decision. The Clinton campaign shrugged off the endorsement, citing, “Both candidates have many great endorsers, but the voters, not endorsers, will decide this election, and there are still millions of voters in upcoming contests who want to have their voices heard.” Although, another one of Clinton’s advisors went so far as to state that the endorsement was an “act of betrayal” that “came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver,” by this he is referencing Easter weekend. To that statement, Richardson rebuttled, “that’s typical of many of the people around Sen. Clinton. They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency.”
Richardson’s endorsement of Obama has the potential to weaken Hillary’s campaign. Not only is she loosing a superdelegate vote, but it can also reflect negatively on her since one of her close acquaintances is siding with her opponent. Furthermore, Richardson is the nation’s only Hispanic governor. Hispanics have tended to support Hillary Clinton in her quest for the Democratic nomination. Therefore, Obama could be gaining a huge demographic that Hillary was depending on, for the most part.
I feel that it is also important to note that in an interview from February with The New York Times, Richardson discussed how superdelegates should vote. “It should reflect the vote of my state, it should represent the vote of my constituency.” However, Clinton won New Mexico and Richardson still chose to endorse Obama, which indicates to some that Richardson is simply being contradictive and “jumping on the bandwagon” in support of whoever can possibly further his own political agenda.
Do you agree that Richardson’s endorsement of Obama will negatively impact Hillary’s chance at winning the presidential bid? Do you think that Richardson’s endorsement of Obama over Hillary will sway other superdelegates to follow his lead? How do you feel about Richardson’s endorsement at such a critical stage in the election? Do you think that Richardson is simply being a traitor?
wow! sorry…didn’t know it’d be so long!
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI feel that Richardson deciding to support Obama instead of Hillary will make some sort of impact on Hillary’s following just because he was a close friend to the Clinton family. I don’t think that he was wrong for this decision because there is no rule that says that one has to believe in whatever his/her friends believe in. Richardson is his own man, and obviously he is a smart one at that. If he saw that Obama has the better campaign for Hispanics, and those are his constituents, thats just smart politics. You can’t bash him for that.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months ago(deep breath) okay Richardson is an individual who has the right to endorse, solicit, and vote for whom ever he chooses. Of course his political relationship with the Clintons does make him seem a little “shifty” as i call it. I maybe i’m doing too much but, it I were Obama i would not be too quick to accept Richardson’s support being that he has such close ties with his opponent. This individual could possibly be an insider to gain insight on the Obama camp.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI think that Hillary Clinton’s campaign will be negatively affected by Richardson’s endorsement of Obama since Richardson is such a good friend of the Clinton’s. I think that his endorsement may sway other superdelegates votes. I honestly don’t understand what his reason is for endorsing Barack Obama, but I don’t think that he is a very good friend of the Clinton’s if he would openly endorse Obama.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI don’t believe that Richardson’s endorsement will negatively affect Clinton’s campaign. He is one person and he like other superdelegates will vote based on how they feel personally. It is interesting that though he is a close friend of the Clinton’s he endorses Obama, but it is important to remember that we are talking about the “game of politics” and who knows what Richardson feels he personally stands to gain from endorsing a very popular figure such as Obama.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoPersonally first let me say that I think it’s ridiculous for someone to vote solely just because it should not be “Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton” especially for someone involved in politics himself. I do recognize though that that statement is not his only reason why. I just wanted to say that. I do not particularly feel that this will sway any of Clinton’s superdelegates but I do feel that this will affect the number of her voters. I initally started off as a Clinton follower; however, I am quickly changing my mind due to everything forming around Clinton and the fact that I don’t personally feel that she supports herself well.
I do not feel that Richardson is being a “traitor” he’s simply sticking by who he is. Everyone has the right to a personal opinion and that is his and who he wants to stand by for his own personal reasons. And I’m extremely happy Richardson has endorsed Obama because that will only bring more votes to Obama like he deserves.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoWell everyone is entitled to their own vote, so NO I do not think that Richardson’s endorsement will necessary negatively impact Sen. Clinton’s chance. I really don’t know how influential he is among other super delegates but it just doesn’t seem as though his vote will absolutely sway others. I don’t think that he is being a traitor, I mean I would hope to think our political leaders can leave out their personal preferences aside and make this vote that will truly be better for our country. However, if he stated that his vote should reflect the vote of his state, which was one by Sen. Clinton, then it’ll be interesting to note who he dose cast his vote for…
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoDo you agree that Richardson’s endorsement of Obama will negatively impact Hillary’s chance at winning the presidential bid? Do you think that Richardson’s endorsement of Obama over Hillary will sway other superdelegates to follow his lead? How do you feel about Richardson’s endorsement at such a critical stage in the election? Do you think that Richardson is simply being a traitor?
Richardson’s endorsement of Obama will hurt Hilary to some degree but voters have the say at the end of the day. No, I think that other delegates have their mind made up this late in the race and Hilary would have to make a stupid move to turn her delegates away. I dont think its as big a deal as people make it seem a lot of important people are endorsing various candidates. No, he is not a traitor. He didnt have to give her heads up about his decision but he did. He just chose who he considered the better candidate.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI honestly am not sure how Richardson’s endorsement of Obama will affect Clinton’s campaign. I guess it could have an impact on the voters but I’m really not sure. As far as swaying the other superdelegates, I am pretty sure that they already have their minds made up and won’t be swayed either way. As far as Richardson’s endorsement, I see no problem with it. To me, it shows that he has a mind of his own and if he feels that Obama is a better candidate…then so be it. I do not feel that he is a traitor in any way because he is supporting the candidate that he feels will be better for the country.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoThere should be a seperation between usinees and pleasure. Because he does not agree with his friend’s political ideas does not make them any less of friends. It shouldn’t at least. This was business and should not be confused with anything else. He was moved and it takes guts to step out and know that you are making the right decision and doing your job. That should make his state trust him more because he does what is morally right and not what the public thinks he should do
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoNo, I don’t think that will significantly impact Hiliary’s campaign because for some reason, I’ve noticed that no matter how many negative things Hiiary and her people say or do, people still view her as a good candidate which really blows me. I do think that a lot of the people that came in with the Clinton administration and owe the Clintons their political careers and possible re-election campagins feel as if they have to stay loyal to the Clintons, and maybe acts such as these where politicians are not afraid to come out and be open and change their position such as with Governor Richardson will encourage others to step forward and support the side they are really rooting for. Now how many other superdelegates will do this, I have no idea, so it is hard to predict how negatively this can impact Hilary’s campaign.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI agree that Richardson’s endorsement might have somewhat of an impact on hilary’s campaign and her chances of winning. Due to the fact that Richardson was a strong advocate for Clinton, and has now decided to support Obama speaks alot about th Clintons and their campaigning. Richardson said Obama’s speech on race was a factor in his decidion to endorese Obama, and if Richardson could see that Obama’s platform for change was stronger than his good friend Hilary, then that speaks volumes about Obama and his character and his platform. His decision might sway other superdelegates it might not, this race is just so unpredictable. I do not believe he is being a traitor. Richardson is endorsing the candidate he feels is right for the position and sometimes that means voting for the person who qualifies the most, not your friend.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI do believe that when it comes to superdelegates that they should vote based on how their state have voted. However, it is vital to note that many hispanics ( in New Mexico and California) voted Clinton simply based off her immigration polices. this was way before Obama became as vocal about as race and gender issues as he has now. With Richardson endorsing Obama, I do believe it will hurt the Clinton campaign. It gives hispanics the opportunity to identify with Obama as a minority and take into account what it is he is saying on race as a whole and not just issues concerning immigration. If hispanics do decide to follow Richardson’s lead, then Obama may very well be able of winning New Mexico, Cali, and all other areas where the hispanic vote kind of “made” Hillary’s win.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoYes, especially since he is a superdelegate. No, I still think that the other superdelegates will decide based on who they like the best (come on their members of congress they know how to think for themselves
). Like you stated above, his endorsement was probably a politcial advancement tactic. He might have heard around or been watching the polls and recoginzed (as he thinks) that Hiliary has no chance (so he thinks). He is a traitor to the Clintons…what kind of friend would do that…lol though I do think he is wise enough to decide who he deems the best candidate
| Posted 1 year, 7 months ago