Breaking News: Barack Obama gets Bill Richardson nod

After weeks of personal pondering and not a little anguish, New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson has decided to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The official endorsement will come later today in Portland, Ore., according to the Associated Press.

Richardson, who ran against both of the surviving Democratic candidates, Illinois Sen. Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, is the nation's only Latino governor. He gave up his own run for the White House on Jan. 10 after never really gaining much traction -- he garnered barely 2% of the caucus votes in Iowa -- amid suspicions he was really auditioning as a possible vice presidential nominee for the party's eventual winner.

That suspicion might still be there. Richardson and the less-experienced Obama could make a good fit since such a combo brings a Latino link to the nation's fastest-growing population sector, a managerial link both as a Cabinet secretary and a state chief executive, diplomatic experience as a troubleshooter and U.N. ambassador and, especially, someone not recently connected to Washington and from the once-staunchly Republican Rocky Mountain corridor.

After a series of initial stumbles, Richardson did show some flash during a summer debate in Des Moines when he referred to both Clinton and Obama. "You know," he said with a smile, "I think that Sen. Obama does represent change. Sen. Clinton has experience. Change and experience: With me, you get both."   

Had it come earlier, the governor's endorsement could have helped Obama stem Clinton's victories in Texas and California, where she showed real strength in Latino communities. In fact, she won the Democratic primary in Richardson's home state with a 2-to-1 majority among Latinos.

Richardson, who is a Democratic superdelegate, gave a subtle hint to his...

choice 10 days ago, as reported in The Ticket. At a UCLA forum, he was asked which Democratic candidate could best handle today's challenges.

"I'm truly conflicted," Richardson said. "I'm torn. I see ... a lot of loyalty I owe President Clinton. He made me U.N. ambassador. He made me secretary of Energy. He's treated me extremely well. But you know what? I paid him back. Because I served well." Richardson described the former first lady as "enormously capable ... but I did run against her."

He also ran against Obama, of course. But in a prepared statement he'll release today, Richardson will say:

"I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world," the Associated Press reported.

Richardson will also say: "There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation's security is on the line."

Campaign sources indicate Obama hopes to roll out a series of such endorsements and announcements during the long run-up to the Pennsylvania primary on April 22 to create a sense of momentum. There's still former Sen. John Edwards out there and, of course, former senator, former vice president and former presidential candidate Al Gore, who's not always had the closest relationship with his ex-boss's wife.

Although Obama leads in the popular vote total and in delegates, more recent opinion polls seem to indicate a shift toward Clinton since Obama's twin losses in the major states of Ohio and Texas, and last week's furor over his pastor's anti-white and anti-American sermons.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo by Jim Cole/Associated Press

Comments

[Steve L]

Fantastic. I fully agree. Mr. Obama is a once in a lifetime leader that this country and the world needs now.

[grapevinedaily]

Good move Gov. Bill. Your timing was both honest and perfect. I hope you do not expect a cookie from Obama's camp for your politically timed endorsement!!

With both FL. and MI. effectively silenced, do you lean your weight knowing for certain that you are not going to tilt the nomination one way or the other. Smart!

Short of Obama committing political suicide, the Clinton Machine has used its last Ace with Rev. Wright; or has it? Let's hope so. Nevertheless the Party heavyweights have started flexing their muscle and we may not live to enjoy a true PA. election.

Incidentally, Obama may still give you, Gov. Bill the "secretary of state" position in his cabinet if Clinton refuses to accept it. Afterall she is the best qualified for this position and accompanied by her hubbie Pres. Bill Clinton as an honorary emmissary, we would definitely get two for the price of one.

See prior posting of this endorsement...

http://www.capitolpoliticking.com/GOVBILLRICHARDSONSULTIMATUM/

[marcopolo511]

Another nail in dear Hillary's coffin. But when pray-tell will the stake be driven through her heart?

[Ed]

One down. Next will be JEdwards. Al Gore will be the icing on the cake. Time to shut down the Clinton machine.

[Ronald Loui]

Ah, Bill Richardson wants to be remembered for being on the right side of history. Good for him. He had too much decency to wait for a sleazy last-minute convention superdelegate deal. I hope Joe Biden and John Edwards soon follow suit.

Al Gore's inevitable endorsement should wrap this thing up (he sent his kids to his Ivy alma mater, Harvard, which is more pro-Obama than any race, region, or generation, let's not forget). Geraldine F sneers that "African Americans are Obama's core constituency" but it seems to me that Harvard graduates split even more favorably for the young Senator. Oh, and let's not forget how much Gore famously repudiates the Clintons.

Intrade has had Hillary under 20 cents on the dollar, while Obama has been over 70 cents, all month. This contest is over.

BTW, LAT, what's with the Obama O-mouthed picture on the front page? You don't want me to start counting positive versus negative images like I did for the NYT, do you? (I discovered a statistically frightening pro-Hillary slant.) It's so easy to document a longstanding bias... Remember, history is watching how we all behave in this election!

[In-Chul Sohn]

What we are seeing is the beginning of Brown-Black-Asian coalition government that will dominate the U.S. for the foreseeable future.

I'm sure that Obama didn't want to share power with Latinos or Asians, but seeing that whites, of any economic class, ultimately will not accept a black President, begrudgingly decided to accept Brown-Black Axis.

[soundbite]

Edwards is a disappointment and a half. He should have endorsed Obama long ago. For all is progressive rhetoric, he has sat on the sidelines.

Remember, he voted for the Iraq war. He appears more and more to be a shallow opportunist.

[rfoster]

This is thrilling news! Richardson was my first choice before he dropped out. Now an Obama-Richardson ticket - *that's* the true dream ticket.

[c. moore]

Bill Richardson couldn't possibly believe that Obama is the better qualified candidate. He's in this for the VP nom, I'm guessing. I hope other superdels have the integrity to stand up and back Hillary. She's far from perfect, but she's ten times the statesperson and qualified candidate. (Listen to her facility re foreign policy, and then listen to Obama's "ums" and "you know"s. The orator's not so impressive when it comes to facts. It's like he's trying to remember what he crammed the night before from the Cliff's Notes of Hillary's position.) And I think we're all beginning to see how quickly Obama's veneer of superior integrity and the speeches about hope and change wear thin. Where, oh where, is the substance? And his lack of integrity is becoming crystal clear. Obama's "family" ties to his frighteningly racist spiritual advisor aren't going anywhere. They're etched in the consciousness, Bill Richardson or not. McCain's already making sure of that. Hillary is the only dem who has a chance in hell of pulling this thing off. And she's the only one who deserves it.

[Ramon Morales]

Governor Bill richardson's endorsement is even more meaningful today due to the current atmosphere in this country incited by conservatiove talk radio led by Hannity, Limbaugh and savage. It shows great courage to follow one's beliefs and values.

As a Latino I am proud of Richardson for closing ranks behind Obama and showing that inspite Clinton support amongst us when it comes to this type of harmful race mongering we will stand for the truth and support someone who has shown temperance and great wisdom as Obama has.

it would be a great statement if Edwards were to make an Obama endorsement in this climate and show some courage. most of his supporters large and small have moved towards Obama. Now is the time to stand up and be heard.

There is a chorus of jingoistic, syncophants with a penchat for fear mongering who are raising their ugly heads now. It is time that we close ranks as richardson send in his announcements make make Obama our nominee

[Cheryl in WA]

It's all over but the shouting. On second thought, Hillary, could we just skip the shouting? Truly it is time to end this race and start looking to the fall and who will run with Obama. Richardson? Maybe. I liked him too...

[politics12]

Would Richardson have endorsed Obama if they did not share the same major fundraiser Nancy Pritzker, the Chicago billionaire heir of the Hyatt Corp fortune who is Obama;s campaign finance chief? Interestingly Nancy Pritzker was also the major financial force behind Nancy Pelosi's campaigns. Nancy Pelosi has not yet endorsed Obama but has done everything in her power to ease his way.

Richardson's endorsement came because he was BOUGHT not because he believed.

[Iykeman]

Obama's endorsement by Richardson signifies only one thing, "That everybody is coming to realise that Obama has the courage, Judgement and Integrity to lead the United States.

[Marks]

Good! That would be a great ticket! Obama-Richardson

I don't mind Hillary, my problem with the Clinton campaign was Bill. His role in their White House, as policy adviser and jetting off where he wants to on the White House airplanes.

He's ditching the role as First Lad.

According to Hillary's past First Lady schedules, she was 3 days at the White House then diving into policy meetings, trying to get that health plan debacle going.

She wasn't elected to run policy meetings back then.

Bill not elected this time, uncertain status as a former President with what National Security clearance? His eyes couldn't see what the President is only supposed to witness.

His influence weakens whoever Hillary would pick to be her Vice President. Would Bill interfere at other agencies like the State Department? Bill talking to Congress trying to influence White House policy?

Why mess with tradition, keep Bill from returning to the White House!

Now Richardson can campaign for Obama in different area's like the advantage Bill and Hillary have had, being in separate locations.

Bill called himself, Hillary's rural Hit Man.

Hillary's value is in Congress, possibly could become Majority leader in the Senate some day.

Anything can still happen in the Democratic race, but first one between Hillary and Obama starts mentioning a running mate, their message to voters becomes more clear from two, that could be imagined in the White House.

After Pennsylvania votes, Obama should mention his running mate considerations.

[politics12]

"I'm truly conflicted," Richardson said. "I'm torn. I see ... a lot of loyalty I owe President Clinton. He made me U.N. ambassador. He made me Secretary of Energy. He's treated me extremely well. But you know what? I paid him back. Because I served well." Richardson described the former first lady as "enormously capable ... but I did run against her."

Bill Richardson was bought. Penny Pritzker, Chicgao billionaire Hyatt heir and Senator Obama's campaign finance chief offered to put her considerable fund raising talents to work for his slate of local and national candidates. Ms. Pritzker is an enormously influential fund raiser with deep pockets of her own. She has already conjured the money successfully for Nancy Pelosi's congressional runs--Nancy Pelosi has not endorsed Senator Obama but works behind the scenes in the DNC to ease his path viz. her opposition to re-running the Florida and Michigan primaries or seating the FL and MI delegates, effectively disenfranchising the Democratic voters of those two states. I wonder if she would be as adamant if Senator Obama had won in the two primaries?

[K_Hussein]

The HRC WH calendars are out there now! And what does the calendar show for the morning of 9/11/98? Perhaps a prayer breakfast involving respected mainstream ministers and pastors from all over the county? And if so how did a "racist hatemonger" get invited, much less have his picture taken shaking hands with the President of the U.S.?

Perhaps Rev. Wright is not really the fringe lunatic that the neo-con extremists are trying to claim, a claim the sheeple are lapping up right and left, so to speak?

Hannity and you plausibly deniable McBush people...this is for you:

In the midst of this frenzy of guilt by association and character assassination, when will some respected public figure with a knowledge of the 20th century history of this sometimes deeply flawed government of ours finally say "You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

[John]

Senator Clinton is backed into a corner with only the voters left on her side. Here's hoping they come through big. Theirs in the only endorsement that really matters. And she's proven she's not a quitter.

[William Joseph Miller]

So "Wall Street loves Democrats." It's about time Wall Street woke up. I own a nickel and dime portfolio myself and I am furious at the way the Republicans are destroying the economy.
I cannot get a decent return on my investments because most people in this country not to mention the world are too broke to buy the goods and services the companies in my portfolio offers.
PLUS, green technology offers a 6 trillion dollar market (according to some estimates) A recent article in USW@Work points out that the wind energy sector alone can produce 600,000 good-paying, union jobs. Think of what that will do for the economy!!! Furthermore, pension funds like Cal-STRS own shares in green technology. Launching the green economic revolution will eliminate the state's need to support aging teachers
And since I am investing in green technology myself, I want a sweeping Democratic victory this November, 2008 because they promise to jump start the green economic revolution.

So Go ahead, Wall Street, fall in love with Democrats. And MAKE MY DAY.

[Puredemo]

All are welcome to the "Approval Style Voting for the Democratic Cabinet" site: http://puredem.wordpress.com. No-nonsense speculation.

[Paige Browne]

All the ivory tower democrats seem to think the Obama speech on race helped endear himself to America, and this is simply not the case with the average independent voter. The average independent voter didn’t want to have to face the question of race, so rather than answer it, they will avoid it in future elections, and this translates to a loss of support for Obama. It is hard to see how a speech that blamed both white and black citizens in America for social injustices while still showing support for Rev Wright will help his poll numbers.

[donna1000]

So Gov. Richardson finally got someone to promise him the Secretary of State job.

[John B Sheffield]

This is the news we have been waiting for Governor Richardson is so well respected and his endorsement for Barack Obama taking the race to a new level.

Now all we need is for John Edwards to come off the fence and endorse Obama, then Hopefully as a Party we can UNITE to beat McCain.

Anyone who does not give full support for the sake of the party does not deserve to serve and hold office.

[Drew]

Richardson times his announcement for the only moment when Obama has been in trouble. He had already snubbed Bill Clinton's requests at the Super Bowl, so clearly his heart has been here for a while. It's not opportunism, it's judgment. I can see how the Clinton camp would fail to recognize that.

That's two of the big six now that have endorsed Obama. Biden, Edwards, where are you?

(And need I mention that Mike Gravel said he was ashamed of Hillary, or that Kucinich asked his supporters to go to Obama in Iowa? Or that Carter, who does not endorse, said his 'whole family was deeply excited by Obama?)

Obama has support from the left for his judgment, and the centrist Republicans for his honesty and even temperament. My sister was a Richardson precinct captain who wound up caucusing for Obama when Richardson didn't do well enough. He brings in so many new voters, the kind the polls don't track because they haven't voted before. This is our chance.

[Warren Peterson]

Richardson sees that he will not be VP or Secretary so he shopped the Obama campaign and will appear in the Obama structure if we are so unfortunate to have Obama the leader of the free world.

[Howard]

Bill Richardson was very unimpressive when he ran in the primaries. In light of the Obama/Wright controversy, this endorsement just shows bad judgement on Richardson's part. Furthermore, Richardson is a strong advocate for immigration amnesty ... and, since Obama has been meeting with La Raza, this endorsement makes one question Obama's recent proposals to strengthen border security and immigration control.