Richardson Says Pressure From Clinton Camp 'Really Ticked Me Off' - LATimes

[WillyT]

Richardson says pressure from Clinton camp 'really ticked me off'
New Mexico governor says he nearly endorsed Hillary Clinton, but the ‘3 a.m.’ TV ad challenging Obama — plus repeated phone calls from Bill Clinton and other supporters — dismayed him. ‘I think the Clintons have a feeling of entitlement ... that the presidency was theirs,’ he says.

By Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
12:15 PM PDT, April 11, 2008

<snip>

SANTA FE, N.M. -- 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.

There were some ham-fisted phone calls from Clinton backers, who questioned Richardson's honor and suggested that the governor, who served in President Clinton's Cabinet, owed Hillary Clinton his support. "That really ticked me off," Richardson said.

Still, even as he moved from Clinton toward Obama -- "the pursuit was pretty relentless on both sides" -- Richardson wrestled with the question of loyalty. After 14 years in Congress and a measure of fame as an international troubleshooter, Richardson was named Clinton's U.N. ambassador, then Energy secretary. "Two important appointments," Richardson said.

He finally concluded that he had done his part and had settled his debt to the former president: He had worked for Clinton's election in 1992, helped pass the North American Free Trade Agreement as part of his administration, stood by him during the Monica S. Lewinsky sex scandal, and rounded up votes to fight impeachment.

"I was loyal," Richardson said during an extended conversation over breakfast this week at the governor's mansion in Santa Fe. "But I don't think that loyalty is transferable to his wife... You don't transfer loyalty to a dynasty."

He was impressed by the mostly positive tone of Obama's campaign, and grew to appreciate the substance and depth of their private conversations. The more Richardson heard from the Washington heavyweights backing Clinton, the more convinced he became of the need for a change inside the Beltway.

<snip>

More: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-richardson12apr12,0,582014.story

Same with us Governor Richardson... and THANK YOU!!!

:yourock:

[Alter Ego]

1. Not surprising.

I'm glad Governor Richardson made his own choice.

And yes, Clinton people, I WOULD have said this even if he had gone to her camp.

[Kber]

2. kick

[LisaM]

3. Oh boo hoo

He upset me when he thought it was okay to take water from the Great Lakes and pipe it down to New Mexico. As far as I'm concerned, Obama is welcome to the endorsement.

[williesgirl]

4. HRC's camp should learn to stifle the urge to force folks to do their bidding. They're not royalty

and we don't need a President who thinks she is. Rec'd

[PoliticalAmazon]

26. That's Hillary's ham-fisted approach to getting what she wants. It's...

...nothing new, either. Even when I was a loyal HRC supporter, I acknowledged that it was oneof her major faults.

[FlyingSquirrel]

5. "You don't transfer loyalty to a dynasty"

Sound bite of the week!

[Saturday]

6. Gee, how deep is your committment to BO ...

if you were going to support Hillary but didn't because Bill called too much? You were nothing before Bill took you in and you'll return to nothing Governor.

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. Not true, actuallly, unless being a United States Representative is 'nothing'.

And he wouldn't have been selected for the jobs he was given were he incapable of doing them; he performed them competently and well, and the idea that he owes anything at all to Bill Clinton beyond that is just fucking moronic. Last time I checked, we weren't living in a monarchy.

[Bucky]

23. Bill Clinton didn't "take him in". Bill Clinton saw his skills and hired him to work for the people.

Richardson's loyalty is to the country. He honestly felt Obama offered better leadership. Any suggestion that this means Richardson was somehow disloyal to the Clintons is only validating his assessment that they are acting 'entitled' to lead the country.

[JackORoses]

7. Tell it like it is, Bill!

[samdogmom]

8. My respect for Bill Richardson grows daily when I read this stuff!

I'm sure he's suffering right now--the Clintons must be REAL jerks(!) and they still haven't been totally knocked off their pedastal...but come November--it will be a new day in America--and we won't have to deal with the Clintons anymore!

THANK GOODNESS!

[yardwork]

9. "you don't transfer loyalty to a dynasty."

I understand that politics is all about making deals. Politicians make the best deals they can when they can - their loyalty always has strings attached.

If Richardson felt that supporting Hillary would be more beneficial to him and his career than supporting Obama, he would have done so. That's the important point here. Every politician who chooses Obama over Hillary is saying, in essence, that Obama has more to offer them at this point. Kerry, Kennedy, Dean, and all the others.

[WillyT]

14. Yeah, But Direct Offerings, Or Indirect Offerings ???

I hear what you're saying, but it makes the implication that Obama has promised some sort of cabinet post or public works project.

It could be that, it could also be the beginning of ACTUAL change in the way things are done in Washington D.C. Politicians from both sides of the aisle have privately complained about having to go hat in hand for contributions on an almost daily basis rather than being allowed to spend their time governing, for example.

I'm just saying that some of what Obama may be offering is liberation from this political cesspool we've managed to create over the past 30 some years. And to me, that's one hell of an offer!

:shrug:

[yardwork]

46. I wasn't criticizing Obama. All politicians make deals.

My point is that the Clintons seem to be losing out to Obama in terms of perceived clout. More and more politicians are deciding to hitch their wagon to Obama instead of the Clintons.

[WillyT]

50. I Didn't Think You Were...

and I'm just saying that what Obama offers, may be something totally different to what politicians have been offered in the past.

:shrug:

:hi:

[Spider Jerusalem]

25. That's kind of simplistic.

Ted Kennedy, for instance...what does Obama have to offer him? He's going to be the senior senator from Massachusetts until he dies. Regardless of which candidate he supports. Kerry I can POSSIBLY see taking a cabinet post, but I think he's probably going to stay in the Senate, too (which is just as well, because he does a fine job there). How does endorsing Obama over Clinton benefit the careers of either? Unless they think that Obama is the candidate more likely to bring a broader Democratic Congrsssional majority along on his coattails, the answer is 'essentially, it doesn't'.

What you're saying makes no logical sense for the examples you cite.

[yardwork]

47. I think that your interpretation of my post is overly simplistic.

I didn't say anything about cabinet positions. There are all kinds of deals to be made in politics. All kinds.

[Spider Jerusalem]

51. There aren'[t very many deals to be made...

for two US Senators from a solidly blue state who are likely assured of a future in their current office for so long as they are able to run. Either Democratic candidate, all things being equal, would be able to deliver. I don't necessarily think there were deals involved. I suspect that it's more likely that neither Kennedy nor Kerry see the Clintons as having been especially good for the Democratic party either during Bill's presidency or since, and don't see any real advantage in a Hillary Clinton presidency versus any other Democratic candidate. And personally, I can't say that I blame them.

[cali]

45. bwahahaha

yeah, like Pat Leahy really wants a cabinet post or anything else from Obama. Old Pat has a fucking 70% approval rate in Vermont, and he's made it clear that he never wants to be anything but Senator from VT. Do tell what Obama could possibly offer him. Keep in mind that he's already one of the most senior and most powerful Senators, and that he's never lined his pockets personally, and has plenty of dough for
2010.

[yardwork]

48. You completely misunderstood my point - reread my post.

I never said anything about cabinet posts. I said that Obama is obviously perceived as a better, stronger, more important ally than the Clintons. How anyone could interpret that as a criticism of Obama is beyond me, but go ahead....

[mopinko]

58. i think the little dust up in philly about street money proves that o is

different. you can bet you bippy that hrc is paying it.
a lot of politicians make deals for themselves. obama is a different sort. i would be shocked to find out that he made any kind of deal for anyone's endorsement besides a promise to consider good people to do the people's work. and equally shocked if he said anything but no thanks to anyone who wanted to enrich themselves.

[goldcanyonaz]

10. Richardson brought in an Aircraft company into New Mexico and nothing else. Guess who pays the TAX?

The citizens of New Mexico. He's a bum out West.

[Lerkfish]

11. RICHARDSON IS DEAD TO ME!! IM SERIES!!111!!!!

running out of people to throw under a bus, aren't you?

[goldcanyonaz]

13. Do you live out West? Yeah, I thought not.

[Lerkfish]

17. indeed, I have in the past. what's your point?

MY point is that clinton supporters are throwing richardson under a bus. I fail to see how whether I"ve lived out west is relevant to that observation.

[goldcanyonaz]

18. It's very relevant. If you don't live out West you have no idea of how we feel.

We can't stand Richardson in these parts. Seriously, we can't stand him.

[Lerkfish]

22. so, I'm not allowed to express my opinion unless I live down the street from you?

erm...ok, dude.

[Spider Jerusalem]

30. And YOU live in Arizona, so why is your opinion of the governor of NM any more relevant...

than that of someone who lives in, say, Maryland? Or Ohio? Or anywhere else? He's not *your* governor, you don't live in his state, so any claim to some form of superior insight is just absurd.

[goldcanyonaz]

32. Probably because I lived in New Mexico prior to moving here. NEXT!

[Spider Jerusalem]

35. Congratulations.

But did you live in AZ during Richardson's governorship? If not, your opinion is STILL no more relevant than anyone else's.

[elias7]

43. OK, my turn...how does he win two elections by record margins if people can't stand him?

Richardson was elected governor of New Mexico in November 2002, having defeated the Republican candidate, John Sanchez, 56–39 percent. He succeeded a two-term Republican governor, Gary E. Johnson.

Richardson won his second term as Governor of New Mexico on November 7, 2006, 68–32 percent against former New Mexico Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl. Richardson received the highest percentage of votes in any gubernatorial election in the state's history.

[samdogmom]

53. Here's my question--since you live in Arizona---light years away from New Mexico

in so many ways--why are you pretending to be outraged by Bill Richardson's endorsement? I don't get it! Explain if you can, please!

[Window]

15. K/R.

:kick:

[BeyondGeography]

16. One of the best moves he ever made

He has a whole new set of friends and, thanks to the over-the-top reaction from Team Restoration, he'll never be "Bill Who?" again.

[goldcanyonaz]

19. You must know that Richardson isn't well liked out West, right?

He is now considered a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[book_worm]

24. you'd be whistling a different tune if he had endorsed Hillary.

[goldcanyonaz]

27. Actually, you're wrong. These endorsements don't mean anything, and he isn't liked at all.

[WillyT]

31. LOL !!! - Yeah... And That's Why Carville Went Off The Judas Deep-End, Right ???

:wtf:

[goldcanyonaz]

33. Are you a Latino?

[WillyT]

34. Why ???

:shrug:

[WillyT]

56. Still Waiting...

:shrug:

[PoliticalAmazon]

36. I don't know one Dem in California who doesn't have a favorable opinion of him. n/t

[WillyT]

40. Apparently... We're So West, Were Not Considered Part Of The West, LOL !!!

:rofl::shrug::rofl:

[EFerrari]

62. Maybe the further West you get, the more you like Bill Richardson.

If I go further West, I'll need a boat. :)

[WillyT]

63. LOL !!! - Hey SF !!!

I thought we were the very definition of the west. Who knew???

:shrug:

:hi:

[BeyondGeography]

38. That must be why Bill was begging for his endorsement before Feb. 5

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

39. The Clintons hounded him for an endorsement - they LOVED him until it didn't pan out

he couldn't endorse them, and now he's dirt.

Loved him when they could use him.

[Bucky]

20. Richardson didn't work for the Clintons

He worked for the people. Bill Clinton appointed him, but his primary loyalty was to the nation and its citizens. I remember a lot DUers getting pissed at Alberto Gonzalez for failing to make that distinction. Richardson might owe some personal loyalty to the Clintons as people, but none to them as politicians.

[druidity33]

54. Bucky

your post says it all. There's no argument against it and none should be made. Peace be to you for seeing clearly.

:)

[4themind]

21. Oh snap!

He said the "D" word...

[UALRBSofL]

28. Seems to me the real Richardson comes out

Now we know why he made his decision. Initially it was because Obama was the best to make change now it's the Clinton's ticked him off. Oh well, I kind of figured it was for Richardson trying to get personal gain. In fact, I'm not buying what he says. He's just in it as I said, for personal gain.

[K Gardner]

29. Ouch.. Thanks Governor, for the TRUTH !

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

37. that the presidency was theirs,’ he says. (THEIRS, not HERS)

says it all, doesn't it?

[Major Hogwash]

41. What bothers me is how quickly Bubba was willing to go out and lie about Richardson

To try and ruin his credibility.

Now, if you can imagine Bill, standing behind a podium, pointing his bony little finger at the camera and saying in a stern voice, "Richardson told me 5 times to my face that he would support Hillary", then you get what I mean.

They throw ANYONE under the bus that doesn't support them.

It's over.
16 years of these shenanigans are over.

[sallyseven]

42. Richardson is just pissed off

because the American people do not like him very well.

[TomBall Democrat]

44. wrong again, morans

it's

HILLARY

we hate.

[quantass]

49. k&r

[Neshanic]

52. As he opens his yap farther, the farther the VP slot goes down the road.

People ACTUALLY think this guy is VP material?

[AX10]

55. No, Richardson sees Obama is favored for the..

nomination at this time and he jumped on the bandwagon.

He claims that the 3 am add "ticked" him off, but we don't know that for sure.

I have no reason to trust Mr. Richardson's word.

[Blondiegrrl]

57. Wow, what a great article! Thanks for posting it. (edited)

And a great big THANK YOU to Gov. Richardson for refusing to be bullied into endorsing Billary.

"Their manner of courtship -- one wooing, the other arm-twisting -- seemed to reflect the candidates' different personalities and campaign styles."

This passage says a lot to me. I've always viewed Hillary, in terms of personality, as a female George W. Bush. This is NOT the type of person we need in the White House again.

[ORDem]

59. k'n'r

:kick:

[CoffeeCat]

60. The Clintons are a couple of sore losers...

If Bill Richardson was such a good friend of theirs, and someone
that they felt the need to call "eight times a day" to secure
his endorsement, why in the hell have they worked overtime
trying to make this man feel like shit because he didn't endorse
them?

Isn't Richardson allowed an opinion? Bill knew what he was doing
when he was flying in to watch the Super Bowl with Richardson. He
was courting him...giving him the sales pitch.

Now, that Richardson decided that he wanted to endorse Obama, it's clear
that people--including Richardson--are nothing but chess pieces to the
Clintons.

They seem to lack any sort of basic human decency and sensitivity. They're
willing to attack Richardson through surrogates for weeks.

Richardson actually feels bad. You can tell, he just did what he thought was
right. He wasn't trying to harm the Clintons.

They're trying to harm him now.

If the Clintons had any class, and if people were more than objects to them, they
would phone Richardson and let him know that they respect his decision, and they
want to move forward.

Geez, the Clintons have to be the most callous, calculating people ever.

[WillyT]

61. Kick !!!

:kick: