BREAKING: Bill Richardson endorses Obama...with a typo
Submitted by Stan4Clark on March 21, 2008 - 2:39am.
Barack Obama | Bill Richardson | Current Events | Democratic politics
ZZZZZZZZzzzz....
Dear Stan,During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.
We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.
Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.
As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!
Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.
His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.
To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.
During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words [could he possible have meant "worlds"?], in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.
So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.
Sincerely,
Bill Richardson
Paid for by Richardson for President, Inc.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
Just received Bill Richardson's endorsement email of Obama and took his advice. I did what was in my heart and in the best interest of our nation; I unsubscribed to his organization and bid him adieu, southwest-style.
I hope many others do the same thing. I had never been on BR's mailing list but it would have been fun to tell him to go to he**.
http://www.international.ucla.edu/burkle/videos/article.asp?parentid=88404
Video
Wes Clark Introduces Bill Richardson
"Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons then let them die and decrease the surplus population."
- Scrooge
He's so right. Race & tribal identity is absolutely the most important, #1 thing we should consider as voters considering a President- particularly as sexism & equal pay & all that claptrap has long been solved. I can't think of another thing on my agenda that is more pressing.
Yep, what a gift we've been given!
And you know, the Clintons might have been enlightened in the 90s, and led us to unprecedented peace & prosperity but honestly, they aren't any more. I really think we should start focusing on splinter groups & blame the Clintons for all that nasty K Street, vast rightwing conspiracy infrastructure & the Gingrich Revolution stuff & call it even, because it was their fault & it's time to Move On. Even Move On feels the need to Move On, how utterly toxic was that little golden 90s decade squeezed so invisibly & so unremarkably between voodoo economics, the proclamation of the New World Order & BushInc II. Nothing to see here people. Move along.
Oh, lord. So typically self-serving. A warm fuzzy yet scolding, preachy & oh so arse kissing endorsement complete with vague platitudes-- "a great, historic president!" - but not a word about actionable, concrete policy issues: Iraq, health care, education or the economy. It is un-freaking-believable with these people: It's all about them.
NEWSFLASH: If these are truly Democrats, my brain has just informed me that I am not one. Better late than never.
Sorry kiddos but the Pennsylvania primary cannot get here fast enough for me to vote for Hillary then dispose of that limp little "d" next to my name & restore it with a big gorgeous "I" on my voter registration. I'm beginning to sincerely regret having taken an interest in any of this.
What is it these people hate about competence?
update:
TEH NARCISSISM, OH HOW IT BURNS....
plugging his own book while he was at it. These narcissistic wounds are killing us.
...as Richardson asked in what I think was his last debate appearance. Apparently not. Yet another superdelegate who believes the "will of the people" is OK as long as it doesn't apply to the people in his own state.
O has zero FP credentials, and not much Latino support. Richardson is a twofer for his lacking in those areas. A win/win in Richardson's mind, except we all know how well it worked for Edwards...
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
be the nominee. His self-destructive implosion has started.
Impeach the MSM! Then Cheney, then Chimpy
This is just my opinion, but I don't think many of those national security military people want to be put into the position of having to defend "GD America".
I have no doubts that Obama is a true patriot, but because he "went along to get along" for 20 years, he is now in this very awkward position. His VP choice would be dragged into this when the 520 ads start up.
Wes walked away from the Protestant church in England over this kind of stuff. Then later Wes stopped going to a Catholic church back in the states for the same kind of thing.
I can't imagine Webb wanting to wade into this, or the pie in the sky idea of Zinni having any more traction.
I am wondering what McPeak is saying, if anything.
Maybe Richardson as VP is one of the few remaining options that looks good to Obama.
I was just pondering yesterday who in their right mind would board the torpedoed Hope Boat as a possible VP candidate.
Well....there ya have it.
Haha.
A Richardson endorsement might have made a difference before the Texas primary.
But where's it going to matter now?
Nick Kelly
Wes Clark could still secure America as a national security candidate.
Team Obama that is, that they have this wrapped up. Something about counting their chickens and all... (the one's that came home to roost, maybe?) LOL!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
snips from his book...
Another mistake Richardson discusses is his vote, while serving as Northern New Mexico's congressman, against the 1991 Gulf War. He says it was because of pressure from his liberal constituency.
Richardson also notes that he supported the current president's decision to invade Iraq because he thought Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. "Now we know our intelligence was deeply flawed," he writes. "Had I known then what I know now, I would not have supported the president's decision to go to war."
Hmmmm....isn't this in line with Hillary's response to the vote?
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/how-significant-is-bill-richardsons-endorsement-of-obama/
March 21, 2008
How significant is Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Obama?
Posted: 02:13 PM ET
Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Barack Obama January 10, 2008 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN’s Jack Cafferty:
It could be the beginning of the end for Hillary Clinton.
Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Barack Obama today is huge. Richardson, after all, served under President Bill Clinton as ambassador to the U.N. and secretary of the Energy Department. He’s also a friend of the Clintons who watched the Super Bowl together with the former president last month.
So it couldn’t be easy for Hillary Clinton when Richardson – whom both candidates had lobbied hard for an endorsement – came out today and called Obama a “once-in-a-lifetime-leader.” Richardson said the speech Obama gave on race “appealed to the best in us.”
The New Mexico governor and former presidential candidate’s endorsement carries a lot of weight. He’s the only Hispanic governor in the country, which presumably will help Obama in the Hispanic community.
He’s also a superdelegate, and this may be the key. Richardson could potentially have a lot of influence over the remaining undecided superdelegates, which is still roughly half of the almost 800 party insiders. Today he suggested that it’s time “for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall.”
Clinton shrugged off the endorsement saying that both she and Obama have many great endorsers and it’s the voters who will ultimately decide this election.
But when it comes right down to it, there are endorsements and then there are endorsements. Yesterday Dick Morris, former political adviser to President Clinton said the race is over and Obama has won. Today Bill Richardson, who likewise has ties to the Clintons, announces he’s endorsing Obama.
Here’s my question to you: How significant is Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Barack Obama?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Richardson
But it does her no favors, this is an important endorsement at a moment Barack needed it most, anyone who thinks this won't matter is quite simply deluding themselves, Obama needed a break in the news cycle, Richardson gave him that...
furthermore, Richardson was enough of a foreign policy heavy weight that Bill Clinton sent him to handle talks with North Korea on the nuclear question, this seriously undermines the Barack is unready for CINC meme.
This is a perceptions battle Mitch, and an endorsement from a heavy weight like Richardson hurt's the perception that team Clinton has been trying to cultivate about Barack.
Superdelagates will likely be unaffected by this, but it does undercut the "Barack the unready" meme, it won't move them toward Barack, but it undercuts a pro Hillary argument.
Also this could be big come time for the Puerto Rico primary, Barack didn't have a chance there before, now that race is wide open.
The only way Clinton can win is if Obama goes down in flames over Wright and Rezko, she has to win 64% of remaining delegates to win. In other words she has to win every remaining race in a landslide, and that will not happen unless Barack goes down in flames.
This has been a bad week for Obama but he has been on top of this thing with his speech and addressing Rezko with the press this past week. He is getting all the dirt out of the way, that is all.
The Clintonites are ready to write Obama's political obituary because of Wright, but to underestimate a man who has given Hillary Clinton, the "inevitable" Hillary Clinton the biggest fight of her political life would be a grave error. Barack will be back next week, tougher than ever, most candidates would have been sunk by an issue like Wright, but Obama handled it cleanly and smoothly. He'll take a short term hit, but already real people with real concerns are getting tired of hearing about wright, we have more important things to worry about than pastors.
So Richardson is not the end of Hillary, but Wright is not the end of Obama as many in the Clinton camp were fervently hoping and all but praying this week...
I think it's way too early to tell how big an effect Wright will have, and whether Obama's speech will do enough to overcome it. Let's see who wins the remaining primaries and by how much before we make up our minds, shall we?
As for Richardson, I think he has a deal worked out for a job in Obama's administration. Might be the VP, might be Sec of State or something else.
I believe this endorsement has been planned for a while, not sure how long, but the message was always meant to be, it's time for Hillary to step down and not divide the party further. Richardson has hinted at that idea before, maybe a trial balloon sort of thing, but the Obama campaign is pushing it real hard now, because of the Wright effect, and Richardson is just the guy to deliver it.
Of course, no one really expects Hillary to step aside. But they do hope to build up resentment against her for not doing so. It's just more of the same ol' "Hillary doesn't care about the Party and is in it only for herself" story.
The supers are going to vote, as they are to do by party rules, and, sensibly, they will pick the candidate who can actually WIN! And Bill Richardson aint gonna get BO the votes of all them hillbillies and common folk like me! Some of these people in their ivory towers must be suffering from oxygen deprivation! I mean--look--Jay Rockefeller endorsed the flim-flam man! Yet in the WV polls, Hillary's leading by about 23 points!
Too bad the World Weekly News no longer puts out a paper. I'm sure they would put a pix of a small gray on the cover endorsing--guess who!
...but "stage directions" as well
The Obama campaign distributed Gov. Bill Richardson’s endorsement speech…note the stage direction:
I know Senator Obama well.I first got to know him when I chaired the last Democratic National Convention, where he gave that wonderful keynote address.And then, last year, as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, I came to fully appreciate his steadfast patriotism and remarkable talents.
I also felt a kinship with him because we both had one foreign-born parent and we both lived abroad as children.
In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation’s special responsibilities in the world.
[Turn toward Obama and smile]
Barack Obama, you are an extraordinary leader who has shown courage, sound judgment and wisdom throughout your career.
You understand the security challenges of the 21st century, and you will be an outstanding Commander in Chief.
Hmmm…. Not much of an endorsement speech if you ask me. Maybe the Obama camp was concerned that Richardson might upstage Obama? Maybe Richardson couldn’t find much else to say about Obama? Regardless, you would think that Bill Richardson after all his years in politics wouldn’t need “stage directions.”
"It's not all about words and math. It comes down to who can win."
which would make political-strategy sense if BO would have any hope at all of getting a decent share of Latino votes. Of course, McCain would most likely get a good share of them too, and the Hispanic vote pales in comparison to the Anglo vote as a whole--which would NEVER elect a minority ethnic-group member linked to race-baiters, domestic terrorists, and far-left organizations.