March 21, 2008
Richardson For Obama
Bill Richardson, NM guv and former Dem prez candidate, will endorse Barack Obama today in Portland.
“I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world,” Richardson said in the statement, provided by the Obama campaign. “As a presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama’s unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.”
Richardson was wooed by the Clintons intensely; And it is they who were indeed largely responsible for his rise in national politics. Richardson served as Bill Clinton's Energy Secretary and as his ambassador to the United Nations.
He is the second former Dem candidate to endorse Obama. John Edwards and Joe Biden wait in the wings.
Full statements from Richardson and Obama after the jump.
Governor Richardson Statement
Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States because I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world. As a Presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama's unique ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.
Moreover, as a former ambassador to the United Nations and senior U.S. diplomat, I've had to deal with some of the world's toughest characters – from Saddam Hussein to North Korean generals to Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir. And there is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a Commander-in-Chief when our nation's security is on the line. He showed this judgment by opposing the Iraq war from the start, and he has shown it during this campaign by standing up for a new era in American leadership internationally.
Senator Clinton is a distinguished leader with vast experience. Her historic candidacy has also been a pleasure to witness. 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.
Senator Obama Statement
Whether it was as a congressman or cabinet secretary, ambassador or governor, there are few more distinguished public servants in America than Governor Richardson, and I am deeply honored to have his support.
Governor Richardson has been one of our nation’s most effective governors, reaching across party lines to make progress for the people of New Mexico. As Governor, he has turned around New Mexico’s struggling economy, and fought to strengthen its middle class, offering tax relief for working families, creating over 80,000 new jobs and reducing unemployment to its lowest levels in 30 years – and he’s done it while being fiscally responsible and balancing the budget for five years in a row. And as energy secretary and governor, he has also been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
But Governor Richardson hasn’t just been a leader in showing us what Americans can achieve here at home; he’s shown us what America can achieve in the world. Whether it’s fighting to end the Iraq war or stop the genocide in Darfur or prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists, Governor Richardson has been a powerful voice on issues of global security, peace, and justice, earning five Nobel Peace Prize nominations. And he knows that to secure American interests, we have to talk to our enemies, as well as our friends, which is why he stood up to North Korea and Saddam Hussein to secure the release of American hostages. And that’s the kind of tough, aggressive diplomacy we need to meet the new challenges of the 21st century.
Governor Richardson ran a spirited and historic campaign for the presidency. He was a leading voice for ending the war in Iraq and securing our nation’s energy future, and he advanced the dialogue on many of the most important issues facing our nation. He has a unique ability to connect with Americans across this country, and he was an informed, inspirational, and always civil voice on the campaign trail. And I look forward to fighting side-by-side with him in the months ahead to bring about real change in this country, and restore America’s leadership in the world.
Posted at 09:53 AM
Comments
That's gotta sting over at Camp Clinton.
Seth | 03.21.08 11:36 AM
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As soon as Hillary blew away her big popularity leads in Ohio and Texas that was the end of it. The rest is a deception. Even if Hillary was allowed to have a re-vote in FL and MI she would have needed to win all the remaining states including MI by 60%. Without a re-vote in FL she would have needed 62%. And without a re-vote in MI and FL she needs to win each and every State by 64 %. It is insurmountable task, especially taking into account her spotty performance in this primary race. She has never won 5 states in a row.
She is not staying in the race because she is a fighter or stubborn. It is because she needs money to repay her loan and back wages to her fat cat advisers. With Michigan gone away, Hillary needs to have an exit strategy after the PA primary if she fails to win by 64%. But for the reason stated herein, she will not.
Watch her campaign expenditure from now on. It will be trimmed low in order allow a higher saving level. Politics is a fat cow especially, if you have voters who have stronger passion or ties to their candidate than their party. It is a blind reality. Cash is collected from the poor masses to enrich a few. That is a Republican trickle down policy - - As the rich get richer, the poor get happier! Let us not forget, Hillary was once a Republican in her early life. It appears that this value or policy has never left her.
jesse | 03.21.08 11:54 AM
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