Richardson endorses Obama
OREGON RALLY | America's only Hispanic governor - a former Bill Clinton insider - backs 'once-in-a-lifetime leader'
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama picked up the endorsement Friday of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and the former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination said Obama's candidacy "is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation" and that Obama is "a once-in-a-lifetime leader."
Richardson's backing -- at an Obama rally in Portland, Ore. -- comes as Obama is going through his toughest patch since his White House bid began more than a year ago. He brings much to the table for Obama, including his status as the nation's only Hispanic governor -- as Hispanics have been giving overwhelming support to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Richardson will be on the stump for Obama.
(AP)
Obama found himself on a roller coaster -- and knocked off his pedestal -- because divisive comments surfaced from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the senior pastor of his church, Trinity United on Chicago's South Side. On Tuesday, Obama felt obliged to respond -- and in Philadelphia, he talked about Wright and race relations in the most enduring speech of his run.
While Obama does not have the Wright episode behind him, Richardson's endorsement takes attention away from that story and provides him with validation and momentum as he heads into weeks of campaigning for the April 22 Pennsylvania primary and the May votes in North Carolina, Oregon, West Virginia and Indiana. Richardson -- himself a superdelegate -- may give cover to other superdelegates who have been leaning toward Obama but were shaken by Wright.
Obama "could have given a safer speech. He is, after all, well ahead in the delegates count for our party nomination. He could have waited for the controversy over the deplorable remarks of Rev. Wright to subside, as it surely would have. Instead, Sen. Obama showed us once again what kind of leader he is," Richardson said at the rally.
Richardson said Obama "has started a discussion in this country that is long overdue" and applauded him for rejecting "the politics of pitting race against race."
Obama also gets a boost from Richardson on the experience front, where Clinton continues to challenge Obama's credentials as thin -- a former state senator and first-term U.S. senator. Richardson gives Obama bragging rights -- he has the deepest portfolio of any of the Democrats in the 2008 field -- a congressman, governor and, in the Bill Clinton administration, a former energy secretary and United Nations ambassador.
Richardson was heavily wooed by Obama and Clinton. The Clinton team Friday minimized the impact of the endorsement.
His term limited as governor, Richardson is said to be interested in returning to Washington. He told reporters at a press conference after his endorsement that he decided on Obama a week ago. He told his associates Thursday and made what he called a very difficult phone call to Clinton that evening to give her the news.
Said Richardson, "I talked to Sen. Clinton last night. Let me say we've had better conversations."