Richardson's Choice

[ariesgem]

By Jose Antonio Vargas

Santa Fe, N.M. -- Gov. Bill Richardson's phone has been ringing off the hook. Sen. Hillary Clinton called Sunday night. That was followed by a call from former President Bill Clinton, then a call from Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who's supporting Clinton. Sen. Barack Obama called twice Monday morning.

And at around 4 p.m. Monday, as we entered Richardson's office on the fourth floor of the state Capitol here, Richardson was finishing up a 15-minute phone conversation.

"That was Teddy," Richardson told The Trail. Sen. Ted Kennedy, who alongside his niece Caroline and son Patrick endorsed Obama at a packed rally at American University just hours before, is scheduled to stump for the Illinois senator in northern New Mexico Wednesday night. Kennedy is urging Richardson to support Obama. "Teddy's argument is that Obama can bring people together," Richardson said. "That's his rationale."

As the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Democratic Party, Richardson's endorsement is being aggressively sought by the Clinton and Obama campaigns. California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico are among the 22 states voting next week, and each have sizable Hispanic electorates. Richardson, who cruised to re-election as New Mexico governor in 2006, is a popular figure in the Hispanic community.

Richardson's torn. He served in the Clinton White House, first as ambassador to the United Nations, then as Clinton's Secretary of Energy. "I have a history with the Clintons," Richarson said. "And I've always liked her. She always seems very genuine." But Richardon considers Kennedy, who's long been respected by Hispanics, as "a mentor." In 1982, when Richardson ran for Congress for the second time -- he lost two years before -- Kennedy flew to Santa Fe and campaigned for him. "That might have been the reason I was elected," Richardson said. And he said he likes Obama, telling a story about how Obama saved him during one of last year's Democratic debates:

>>>>>>>>

"I had just been asked a question -- I don't remember which one -- and Obama was sitting right next to me. Then the moderator went across the room, I think to Chris Dodd, so I thought I was home free for a while. I wasn't going to listen to the next question. I was about to say something to Obama when the moderator turned to me and said, 'So, Gov. Richardson, what do you think of that?' But I wasn't paying any attention! I was about to say, 'Could you repeat the question? I wasn't listening.' But I wasn't about to say I wasn't listening. I looked at Obama. I was just horrified. And Obama whispered, 'Katrina. Katrina.' The question was on Katrina! So I said, 'On Katrina, my policy . . .' Obama could have just thrown me under the bus. So I said, 'Obama, that was good of you to do that.'"

Richardson, like Clinton and Obama, waged a historic campaign. He was the first Hispanic -- he's half Mexican -- to run for president, yet his candidacy was overshadowed by Clinton and Obama. He finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire and dropped out of the Democratic race on Jan. 10, citing a lack of funds. Some political observers here are surprised that he's waited this long to endorse a candidate, though they wonder if he's negotiating a vice presidential spot in the Democratic ticket, or perhaps a place in the cabinet.

If Richardson is to endorse either Clinton or Obama -- "I might, I might not, how's that for an answer?" -- he said he'll do so by the end of the week.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/29/richardsons_choice.html

[cali]

1. I don't envy him.

He's caught between the Clintons and Teddy Kennedy. My guess is he endorses Hillary on Thursday or Friday.

[ariesgem]

2. I was thinking the same thing. He has a long working relationship with the Clintons.

I'm hoping he'll surprise us.

[babylonsister]

3. Nice story about Obama; see, the guy is genuine! I also hope

Richardson surprises up.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Doubt it big time!

He dropped out of Nevada coincidently "Just in time".....to give Hillary that Chunck of Hispanic vote she needed in order to win. Had he stayed in, Hillary may have came in 2nd to Obama.

Nope. Richardson quitting a few days before being able to compete in the one state where he could have done well says more to me than any newspaper interview.

Just sayin' :shrug:

[babylonsister]

6. OK, so I won't hold my breath now!

Obama will be getting some more key endorsements in the days ahead, I'm thinking, so I'm not that worried. The Kennedys were the cherry on top.

[hogwyld]

10. You make an excellent point

If he would have stayed in, he would definitely siphon off the hispanic vote from Hillary. Maybe she promised him something if he got out early.

[karynnj]

11. Nice point

Had he stayed in, he also would have hurt Edwards. Edwards did very poorly in NV and coming in fourth would have made that worse as the media had three as the magic number that defined the top tier. Is the hispanic vote concentrated enough that Richardson would not have been eliminated in many places by the viability rule - as Edwards was?

[adabfree]

5. I think he's going to go with his mentor

he's going to back Obama...

[my3boyz]

7. There is no doubt in my mind that

he will endorse Clinton. He kept taking up for her over and over again during the debates. My bet is that he is hoping to be a VP nom if Hillary becomes the nominee.

[More Than A Feeling]

8. That is a cute story about Obama.

Those are the kind of anecdotes that get told about decent, down-to-earth people who aren't so caught up in the moment that they forget the small decencies that really make you feel good about the concept of humanity.

[karynnj]

12. I agree -

It was a kind act, that cost Obama nothing, but showed a decent guy when told.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. Endorsement or not, I'm voting Bill Richardson in our Primary.

He's still on our ballot, and he's still the best person for the job.