Richardson Decries Campaign's Negativity

New Mexico Governor Calls For Party To Come Together In Face Of Criticism From Clinton Camp For Endorsing Obama

(CBS/AP)  In the face of criticism from the Clinton camp over his endorsement of Barack Obama, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is calling on the party to come together.

"Instead of talking about the war and the economy, it seems that the candidates are bickering," Richardson said CBS News' The Early Show. "They're getting personal. The campaign's gotten very negative."

After the endorsement on Friday, James Carville, a friend and adviser to the Clintons, called the endorsement "an act of betrayal" in an interview with the New York Times.

Richardson, a former Democratic presidential candidate, was twice appointed to cabinet-level posts in the Clinton administration.

"Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic," Carville said.

Richardson tried to deflect the criticism in his interview with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

"I'm not going to get in the gutter," Richardson told. "I have a long association with the Clintons. They were very good to me. I was good to them. I served honorably in their Cabinet. But, you know, it shouldn't be about personal ties or loyalties."

"I think it's about the country, and I think Barack Obama is somebody that can bring the country together, a new generation of leadership," he added.

Meanwhile, there was a brewing controversy over comments made by a retired general and Obama supporter which seemed to equate comments by Bill Clinton to McCarthyism.

In Charlotte, N.C., last Friday and speculating about a general election matchup pitting Hillary Clinton against Republican John McCain, Bill Clinton told a group of veterans: "I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country. And people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics."

Retired Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak, a co-chairman of Obama's campaign, took offense and accused Clinton of being divisive and trying to question Obama's patriotism. Standing with Obama at a campaign stop in southern Oregon, McPeak repeated Bill Clinton's comments for the audience, then said:

"As one who for 37 years proudly wore the uniform of our country, I'm saddened to see a president employ these tactics. He of all people should know better because he was the target of exactly the same kind of tactics."

That was an apparent reference to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, when he was accused of dodging the Vietnam War draft.

McPeak also made off-the-cuff remarks to reporters Friday in comparing the former president's comments with the actions of Joseph McCarthy, the 1950s communist-hunting senator.

"I grew up, I was going to college when Joe McCarthy was accusing good Americans of being traitors, so I've had enough of it," McPeak said.

On "Fox News Sunday," Richardson and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Clinton supporter, both faulted Obama's campaign for allowing Peak to make the comments.

"I don't believe President Clinton was implying that," Richardson said.

Asked whether Obama's campaign was being too negative in accusing Mr. Clinton of McCarthyism, Rendell said, "Of course ... the Obama campaign tries to have it both ways," he said.

Rendell said Mr. Clinton was saying what many people think, that the campaign should focus on the economy, health care and the candidates' experience, for example, and not on race and other distractions.

"And instead they launch this all-out attack trying to take an inference out of President Clinton's words that no fair person could take," Rendell said. "It's an example of the negativity that Governor Richardson is talking about.

"If they want to tone it down, don't accuse someone of McCarthyism," Rendell said.

[p-syrus]

Obama, in his personal ambition, is attempting to claw his way to national prominence over the achievements of others.

That is "change" we can do without.

[blkpresident]

28 more days and PA. gets to vote. Somebody''s kitchen stove in NY will finally get the attention it needs. ''Lil missy''s pipe dream of a woman becoming president ends in PA. Try not to smudge your mascara too much with tears honey.

[obamasgranny]

"I''''m just not trying to be cute. I just have felt that an endorsement by me, I don''''t think it is that significant," Richardson said.

The only true words spoken by Richardson in recent memory!!

NOBAMA 08

[popstom1]

yeah and if you an''t fer Obama ya a white racist so
is that how it is ericv

[ericv2644]

If you don''t side with the Clinton''s then you are somehow UnAmerican. They acted like they were for black progress until Bill called on the "Sons of the South" we know who they are.

[blkpresident]

popstom1,

The only cotton being picked will be next month when ''Lil Hillary removes it from atop her aspirin bottle to nurse her headache when the PA. results come in.

Then it''s on to steamroll OLD man McCain by unleashing the Obama shuffle on his grampy OLD *** too. Scared OLD man? Had your nap today OLD man? Where''s your "blankie"?

[blkpresident]

After PA. votes next month the ''lil woman will finally know her place.

[rohink-2009]

Bill Richardson was on hardball with Chris Matthews. When asked about his endorsement of Obama. "There''s something special about him, I can''t quite put my finger on it, but he''s special".

Are you serious? Special but I can''t quite put my finger on it. We are supposed listen to someone that doesn''t even understand why he supports someone.

[obamasgranny]

When Lester Holt asked Bill Richardson why he was endorsing Obama, the best he could come up with was "There is something good about him, he doesn''''t know what it is, but it''''s good.
___________________________________________________

Sounds like Obama had some of his "Kool-Aid" dropped by!!

[rohink-2009]

I have not read anywhere in the press that Bill Richardson has been offered ANY position by Obama. Hatred and false claims. What do you have for us next?

Posted by Policrypt

I guess we''ll have to see if Obama gets the nomination.