Clinton Still Irked By Richardson's Move

(AP)  Former President Clinton is still smarting over New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama.

During a private meeting with California Democrats this past weekend, Clinton grew red-faced as he talked about how he expected Richardson, who was a member of Clinton's Cabinet, to back Hillary Rodham Clinton for the presidential nomination or at least stay neutral, according to several people who attended.

Instead, Richardson endorsed Obama late last month, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime leader."

"He sort of gets a little redder and redder and redder, but he wasn't off the deep end as I had seen him in the past," said Inola Henry, an uncommitted superdelegate. "It was sort of like, 'Gee, I'm a martyr.' He seemed more hurt than anything."

Clinton used his appearance at the state Democratic Party convention in San Jose to lobby California's 21 uncommitted superdelegates to support his wife.

After posing for a group photograph with the former president, superdelegate Rachel Binah told Clinton she was disappointed that one of his allies, strategist James Carville, had compared Richardson to Judas after he endorsed Obama.

Clinton, according to several people present, distanced himself from Carville's remarks. But he went on to say that he had not expected Richardson to endorse the Illinois senator, especially since the New Mexico governor had invited Clinton to Santa Fe to watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.

"He did say he certainly had been led to believe that he was going to get the endorsement," Henry said Wednesday. She was one of about 15 superdelegates - some uncommitted, others backing Clinton - who attended Sunday's meeting with Clinton before he addressed the convention.

Aleita Huguenin, another superdelegate, remembered Clinton saying, "We thought he'd let us know if he did an endorsement." But Huguenin said the comments about Richardson were "a minor blip in the whole meeting."

According to superdelegate Chris Stampolis, Clinton said only that Richardson had promised not to endorse Obama, saying, "'He told me to my face five times he would not do that."'

Binah did not respond to repeated requests for comment, but she previously told The Associated Press she supports Clinton. Other superdelegates interviewed by the AP said it was Binah's statement that prompted Clinton's comments about Richardson's decision.

Pahl Shipley, a spokesman for Richardson, said his boss never promised to endorse Hillary Clinton.

"He never told the president or anybody else, for that matter," Shipley said. "The governor respectfully disagrees with the president."

Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, endorsed Obama on March 21, shortly after the Illinois senator gave a speech about race. It was a blow to the Clintons because of their long association with Richardson, who served as Clinton's energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations.

Clinton's campaign declined to comment, except to say the former president was in California to promote his wife's candidacy.

"President Clinton discussed the importance of this election with Democratic Party members and how after 46 primaries and caucuses, by virtually every measure, this election remains a very close race," campaign spokesman Luis Vizcaino said in a statement. "President Clinton is incredibly popular in the Golden State, and the convention was a great opportunity for him to speak directly with members of the California Democratic Party."

Bob Mulholland, a spokesman for the state party who attended the private meeting, said Clinton expressed himself passionately but insisted the meeting was productive.

"I left the meeting feeling this was great," Mulholland said. "The guy had time to talk to us about the campaign."

[standlee5]

It''s a bit shocking really, all these endorsements. No loyalty in this bunch. They''ll jump board the latest and greatest in a flash.

[jesterbelle]

Here''s the deal.Republicans loved Bill Clinton because he "rubber stamped" every piece of their legislation that crossed his desk.This means one of two things,either he is for them,or he''s incredibly stupid.Hillary will be more of the same.She is part of the problem,not the solution.She is a Washington insider that will put her donors interests above yours or mine.She is a "right of center" candidate,essentially a republican that calls herself a democrat.She can''t even run her campaign,how''s she going to run the country.Lying?Cheating?Cutting corners?She''s going to stand up to the republicans.What does that mean,more gridlock?More political "points" scored?She is the say anything,do anything candidate,and this,along with her lying,puts everything she''s said as far as campaign promises,platform,and change in doubt.She is by the rich,for the rich,and of the rich.This is why she is having trouble raising money.The people that back her have already given their maximum by law.We do not need this woman anywhere near the whitehouse.If she steals the nomination,ALL Obama people need to remember her in November.The only difference between her and McCain is his ethics and morals.She has none,and if we''re going to have more of the same,It may well be McCain.ANYBODY BUT HILLARY IN ''08!

[rowdytexan2]

Here''s the deal. Republicans do not like HIllary because she represents the only successful administration in decades. It''s that simple.

As for Obama as a viable alternative-ludicrous. The man was a total failure as a senator in the Illinois legislature. He has not passed any legislation as a US senator that benefits anybody in the US except the name of a post office. He is very sadly lacking in any kind of leadership abilities. Unless he''s making a smarmy speech lying about himself.

I watched Axelrod on Charlies Rose tonite. As usual of course Charlie was not allowed to ask him any questions about Obama''s corruption issues. I''ve seen that in every interview by Obama and Axelrod. They don''t do interviews unless they are in control.

I had to laugh my arse off. In the first 100 days of office, Axelrod says Obama will solve all issues both foreign and domestic. Listed them one right after the other! ALL the issues. It''s amazing. It sounds so GRAND!!!!!

No thanks, my vote still goes for the person who has sense enough to tell the public the exact STEPS she will take in the first 100 days to INITIATE leading Congress (the ones who are going to have to fix this, NOT the president) and get the ball rolling on key issues, Iraq, the economy, and health care. Who doesn''t grandstand. The person who stands up and takes a stance for all to hear. Who writes legislation all on her own and doesn''t have to sneak around to meetings to get ideas.

[ksh1022]

Obama has Oprahs billions. She''ll buy him the election. Money talks. But in the general, McCain will win because Obama will be seen a a racist and anti-american against McCain. Then the Dems will be saying: We picked another Mondale, Dukakis, Kerry. Boy did we screw up! We should have went with Hillary. She''s not racist and she does love her country.

[croft777]

Here''''s the Deal:
She was supposed to be the "inevitable candidate" this year.
This was supposed to be her coronation.

But Hillary is not a likable person.
And as soon as the Dembots produced another reasonble alternative to Hillary, they are abandoning her in droves.hawksprings

I''ve heard much differently from a person, who got to listen to all the canidates in person. This is what was picked up. Hillary is very down to earth, very nice. Obama is very arrogant, rude, and thinks he sitting on the top of the world. I know Obama is arrogant, its obvious. I''ve seen a look on his face I''m sure most people have not picked up on, and I know what kind of person wears that smile. Its a smile hard to recognize, one of evil intentions as if saying, "I will get you for that one" I''ve seen that look before many times so I can easily pick it up. Its an almost hidden smile, but the gesture is also seen in the eyes and a tilt of the head. Almost like laughing inside.Obama has been doing it, especially around Hillary. In the debates, I''ve seen it. This hidden expresion only means one thing, and has evil intentions.I''ve seen this same espression on controling men, those with some kind of insecurity issue. It is real, and I mean that with all care.

[rufisgufis]

YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN A CLINTON IS LYING - THEIR LIPS MOVE.

[rufisgufis]

ANYONE HAVE ANY JELLY? HILLARY''S TOAST!

[hoopakai]

Funny how Richardson, once a Clinton supporter from way back, abandoned Hillary, makes you wonder if he saw the real Hillary finally.

Posted by lorinkundert at 04:57 PM : Apr 03, 2008

i think he saw an opportunity to get his name back in the papers after his own losing presidential bid and the fact that nobody pays him much attention outside of new mexico.

Posted by ccfsdc

--------

He could have very well endorsed Hillary and achieved the same thing.

[hoopakai]

The Clintons are babies. Them and their hissy-fits. For shame.

[hawksprings]

"Funny how Richardson, once a Clinton supporter from way back, abandoned Hillary, makes you wonder if he saw the real Hillary finally."
Posted by lorinkundert

Here''s the Deal:
She was supposed to be the "inevitable candidate" this year.
This was supposed to be her coronation.

But Hillary is not a likable person.
And as soon as the Dembots produced another reasonble alternative to Hillary, they are abandoning her in droves.