March 21, 2008
Richardson: "Si Se Puede!"
PORTLAND, OR -- NM Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed Barack Obama this morning, hailing him as a "once in a lifetime leader." Richardson pointed to the speech about race relations Obama gave earlier this week as the tipping point for his decision.
"This week a great man gave a great speech," Richardson told the crowd of several thousand.
"Senator Barack Obama addressed the issue of race with the eloquence and sincerity and decency and optimism we have come to expect of him," he added. "He did not seek to evade tough issue or to soothe us with half truths."
He said he spoke to America "like adults."
"Senator Obama could have given a safer speech," Richardson said. "He is, after all, well ahead in the delegate count for our party's nomination. He could have just waited for the controversy over the deplorable remarks of Reverend Wright to subside, as it surely would have. Instead, Senator Obama showed us once again what kind of leader he is."
As an Hispanic, he said he was "touched deeply" by the words, citing the demonization of Latinos over the issue of illegal immigration.
Richardson's endorsement will likely set some tongues wagging, since he has been frequently cited as a potential Democratic vice presidential candidate. He is the second Democratic presidential contender to endorse Obama. CT Sen. Chris Dodd endorsed him in February, four days before the primaries in Texas and Ohio.
Richardson, who held two Cabinet posts in the Clinton Administration, saved his praise for the Clintons for last saying that the Democrats "had two great leaders." Like Dodd before him, though, Richardson also called for Democrats to quickly unite behind Obama's candidacy and stop "fighting amongst themselves" so they could focus on the race between the Democratic nominee and John McCain.
Obama, perhaps buoyed by the endorsement on a day that his comments to a Philadelphia radio station have caused a ruckus among cable news outlets, was in rare form, giving one of the fieriest speeches he has delivered in weeks.
"It's not just a change in parties," said the IL Sen. " It's not just putting forward a bunch of 10-point plans. It's restoring a sense that this government is working for you and fighting for you and is of and by the United States of America."
He and Richardson took the stage together, and they hugged twice, when Richardson turned to Obama to say he endorsed him for president and at the end of his speech. The largely white audience in Portland shouted, screamed and chanted "Yes We Can!" To which Richardson, who had sprinkled some Spanish into his speech, shouted back, "Si se puede! Si se puede!"
(NBC/NJ's ASWINI ANBURAJAN)
Posted at 01:56 PM
Comments
I respect Gov. Richardson but give me a break! I'm so tired of hearing how we should all unite behind Obama now because big and scary McCain can't hold it out. He can't even raise money, and in a heated primary both of our Democratic Senators are raising so much more than him. And he's even considering public financing!
With as heated as the campaign is, anyone who withdraws now without fighting for it would leave behind sour and bitter supporters. They both have roughly half the Dems behind them ... and the contest isn't over.
Jon | 03.21.08 02:21 PM
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Dolores Huerta, who started the term with the UFW, is not pleased by Obama's camp co-opting Si Se Puede....
Angela | 03.21.08 06:28 PM
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Angela: Neither is Bob the builder. Get real...
Seth | 03.21.08 09:57 PM
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Bill Richardson endorses Obama, despite the fact that Hillary Clinton won his home state, despite the fact that Latinos have overwhelmingly supported her in the primaries. Isn't this "Trust me, I know how you feel, but I know better than you do" mentality one of the things we hate so much about Bush? "Change", indeed.
Babs | 03.21.08 10:27 PM
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Richardson's endorsement is a slap in the face
to the Clintons. "Talk about biting the hand
that feeds you." His entire career was built up
by the Clintons, and now he betrays them.
I suppose there's a secret deal in there... like a VP slot for Richardson. Time will tell.
The irony is that endorsements don't really influence voters (like Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy's endorsements remember!) It ends up being an embarrassment for them.
It would have been more gentlemanly if he had just remained silent. Now he has "stepped in it" and his reputation may go down with his ego....pride before the fall.
Francie | 03.22.08 10:39 PM
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Bravo to Richardson for backing Senator Obama since he feels he is the best candidate. However, now that we know where he stands....let's hope he is relegated to obscurity as a Nice guy with poor judgment.
Senator Clinton is supported by the majority of the Latino vote. She is learning who her true political friends are. I think that she will work with Obama and Richards when she is President. However, they won't get any high-ranking cabinet posts. Please join Dolores Huerta and other Americans in making the right choice for President...Senator Hillary Clinton. Being courageous means avoiding playing politics Governor Richards and this race is far from over!!!
JerryDTX | 03.24.08 01:29 PM
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