Bill Richardson's not-so-subtle message to his friend Hillary: It's time

[scheming daemons]

Bill Richardson is as good a friend to the Clintons as there is.

Bill Clinton spent Super Bowl Sunday at Richardson's house. Bill Clinton named Bill Richardson U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.

Richardson is the quintessential "Clintonista". He considers Hillary and Bill Clinton as two of his dearest friends.

Today.... Bill Richardson, in plain terms, told them both.... "Give it up. It's over."


We can parse and spin this until we screw ourselves into the ground. But all Bill Richardson did was confirm what most of us already know, even Clinton supporters deep down....

Barack Obama is the nominee.

[K Gardner]

1. I agree and agree again. But today, the talking points have gone out and

evidently the message from the Clinton Camp is: Throw Him Under the Bus. First salvo just fired on MSNBC. "He's not well known enough to make a difference in the states that are left."

No acknowledgement about this man's stature as a democratic party leader, governor.. nada. Just dumped him.

[Adelante]

5. Jesus Christ, did they really say that?

Unbelievable.

[K Gardner]

47. Yeah, and this was a "surrogate" I'd never seen before. She looked hesitant and not

very well-versed.

[anigbrowl]

64. Well, you know what that means.

[flor de jasmim]

9. Have you got a link for that?

[K Gardner]

46. No.. I heard it when I turned on MSNBC today.

[grantcart]

54. Is Richardson dead to us or just in a coma?

[hogwyld]

10. The Clintons are infamous for discarding

those that are no longer useful, no matter how long the relationship.

[hisownpetard]

14. Yeah. I had a husband like that.

[BeyondGeography]

17. Real bridge-builders, aren't they?

If Puerto Rico still means something on June 3, Gov. Richardson will enjoy making them eat those words.

[workinclasszero]

21. Hillary throws longtime friend under bus??

Couldn't see that coming eh?:sarcasm:

Gee I wonder how Hillary's Latino voters will feel about that?:shrug:

Prolly like Hillary's blue collar voters in Ohio feel after the truth about Hillary leading the charge to ram NAFTA down their throats, I bet!

[BumRushDaShow]

34. Remember, she already threw her Hispanic campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, under the bus. n/t

[workinclasszero]

52. Oh yeah, forgot about her...

Throwing Latinos under the bus is getting to be a trend now with Hillary.:wtf:

[anigbrowl]

63. Be fair, replacing her was the smart thing to do. She was a poor campaign manager.

I'd have more respect for Clinton if she had fired Mark Penn and a few others at the same time. What a waste of space that guy has been.

[PetraPooh]

50. More importantly at this time, how will other superdelegates feel about seeing

Richardson thrown under the bus?

[workinclasszero]

53. Very pissed off, hopefully. (nt)

[DangerousRhythm]

24. Won't make a difference?

Jeez, where have I heard that before? That's really rude and ungracious of them. I hope their words come back to haunt them later on.

[AntiFascist]

59. Didn't they originally say that about Michigan? Karma n/t

[blonndee]

42. Ha! That's why the Clinton campaign so aggressively courted his endorsement.

Joshua Lott for The New York Times

SANTA FE, N.M. —

Lots of people are calling Gov. Bill Richardson these days, “just to check in.”

Barack Obama calls every three days or so. He called on Friday of last week, but Mr. Richardson was tied up with the Legislature, so he tried again on Monday and left a message on voice mail (“following up from Friday”) before finally connecting with his defeated presidential rival late Tuesday, and then again two days later.

Mr. Richardson took a half-hour call from Bill Clinton on Tuesday and received about 10 others — a typical day — from people calling “on behalf of Hillary”: former cabinet secretaries, mutual friends, elected officials. “Heavyweight types,” Mr. Richardson calls them.

“Barack is very precise,” the governor observed, sitting in his office at the New Mexico Capitol. The Obama campaign rarely pesters him with surrogates. Mr. Obama’s approach is like “a surgical bomb,” he said, while “the Clintons are more like a carpet bomb.”

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/us/politics/23richardson.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=politics

[JanusAscending]

61. I heard him say this afternoon

that when he called Hillary to give her a "heads up" as to what was coming,there were some pretty heated arguments over his decision. He made it seem like it was mutually heated dicussion!!!

[DontTreadOnMe]

2. We are not trying hard enough to lose!

Does this mean the scorched earth politics of the Hillary campaign is over?

[mdmc]

3. And if HRC somehow pulls it off, she can offer him the veep

And he could accept, and be a healer.

[scheming daemons]

7. Clinton will spin this... but this is an EMOTIONAL blow to her as much as a political one....

Before long, she'll be left with just Bill, Lanny, and Dee Dee.

[psychopomp]

25. She is smart enough to have seen this as a possibility

She is just too ego-driven to care.

[crankychatter]

65. My cat hates it when I put him off the keyboard

is that an emotion?

[DontTreadOnMe]

8. ...and

then she can offer Holy Joe the Secretary of State...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. Significant that Bill Richardson is Latino

[davidpdx]

6. I think it's a step in the right direction and I'm pumped that Richardson endorsed Obama

My feeling is he maybe able to cut into Clinton's lead in Penn and do well in the May and June states. I just don't see her dropping out. I don't think you can underestimate Clinton at this point. She may have two or three more kitchen sinks left.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

20. I predict Hillary will win PA the same way she won Harlem NY (Not one black person voted for Obama?)

...Didn't Gore say something like he would run if Hillary wasn't. I'm sure Gore knew corporate America was backing Hillary the same way they backed Junior. Gore had the chance to honestly become president yet he chose to sit it out.

Obama was swift-boated with this preacher mess. Our corporate controlled media gave America a reason to believe how a person like Hillary (who has been doing so poorly in the race)could win PA.

[crankychatter]

66. Hillary-HAVA-Gate?

u right there sister

no wonder she loves ESS

[Voice for Peace]

22. Richardson on the campaign trail seems like a great thing

because he is enormously likeable, imo, humble, heartful. I don't think that kind of appeal should be underestimated.

[crankychatter]

67. I believe him 100%

He knew Obama wasn't doing the politically savvy thing and that he was doing the RIGHT thing... that's very impressive

I knew he'd come around... because he's that way too

He could make a lot of brownie points bashing illegal immigrants where he's from... he won't do it.

This man was sincerely moved to action...

[psychopomp]

11. That is the message

and I hope his friends the Clintons take it to heart.

It is time to get this thing on the hump! U-N-I-T-Y
:bounce::bounce::toast::bounce::bounce::toast::bounce::bounce::toast::bounce::bounce:

[gateley]

12. Richardson supporters --

does this influence you at all? Since my guy hasn't endorsed anyone, I'm not sure if it would have an effect on my current leanings or not. Just curious.

This must have been very difficult for him to do, and very difficult for her to accept.

[sellitman]

13. What a brave man!

Must of been a heartbreaking decision.

But for the good of the party he made it anyhow.

A true Patriot.

[travelingtypist]

15. And she'll ignore this one like she's ignored all the others.

As low as the Clinton campaign as sunk, they'll figure out some
unknown deep dark secret to drop on Richardson. If there isn't
one or he doesn't have one, they'll make one up.

[IsItJustMe]

43. Who is Bill Richardsons Pastor by the way?

LOL

[futureliveshere]

16. Latinos for Obama

This is great news and a good way to start the day. I was hoping for this for a long time. Now if Bill really steps up to the plate and starts aggressively campaigning for BO then we will def see the Latinos looking at Obama more favorably and that provides another powerful reason for the SD's to consider BO more electable.

[flor de jasmim]

18. Yesterday J. Rockefeller said he felt he COULD NOT stay on the sidelines...

perhaps Richardson felt the same urge, or perhaps this is the beginning of a choreographed move of the SDs to create ongoing momentum in the 6-week slump before the next primaries. If it is, SMART MOVE!

[gayron]

19. LOL

Let me say this, it is not over for her and if she pulls out, your Obama will loose this one. Watch and see.

[Binka]

30. LOL

Let me say this, you are a joke.

[cali]

31. that would be lose not loose, genius.

And yeah, barring a complete implosion of Obama's candidacy, hilly is toast. And you're crystal ball is shit filled. You don't know what will happen in 9 months. duh.

[Kurovski]

56. His crystal ball has been buried with him.

A life's work tucked beneath a tombstone.

Let us pray.

[elocs]

23. It is past time, but I think Clinton's scorched earth policy will not allow her to withdraw.

With her win at all costs attitude, if she splits the party she loses whether she gets the nomination or not, but especially if she loses the GE which would be likely because the betrayed Obama supporters would stay home by the millions--the blacks, the young people who are so excited and motivated by his candidacy, what is her future in the Democratic Party?

She could remain a senator from NY, but how many Democratic senators would ever vote her into any position of power within the party? Very doubtful. It's time to end her candidacy and at least retain the possibility of becoming a great U.S. senator rather than a bitter presidential candidate who feels that the nomination was rightly hers all along, that it was her turn and how dare Obama challenge her.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spinbaby]

27. I just blew Diet Pepsi out of my nose

You owe me a keyboard. Funniest thing I've read in a long time.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[w13rd0]

29. LOL...

"The flag pin missing from his lapel tells me he doesn't share a deep love of this country. God help us all if he's elected. "

You know what's really a "big deal"? All these recent members spewing RW talking points and bullshit. Really, a missing flag pin tells you someone doesn't share a deep love of this country? REALLY? I think you are in the wrong fuckin place. Abramoff and Scooter Libby made sure to wear their flag pins. I heard Lyndie England and the CIA torturers wore theirs too. And don't forget Vitter, Ollie North, Mike Savage, Rush and all the other worthless shitheads that do damage to this nation daily, proudly wearing their flag pins.

...I think I've got some kiwi fruit in the fridge that will likely last longer than you will.

[mjg540]

32. SPEWING IS A WORD FOR REV. WRIGHT AND ANYONE WHO SAYS HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH

The flag represents the United States of America. Perhaps you missed the Flags flying from the destruction on 9-11. I'll bet you see plenty of them on the military vehicles in Iraq.The flag drapped coffins. Shall we replace them with chickens as they have come home to roost. Right wing talking points is what you're going to have to deal with if Obama is nominated, you better get used to them. A bit sensative are we?

[cali]

37. I don't give a flying fuck about the flag

It's a piece of cloth. That's it. It can be used to represent something noble or it can be used nefariously. Too often it's used in the latter way.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

45. Go right ahead. Doesn't phase me in the least

I'm with E.M Forester who said "If I had to choose between betraying a friend and betraying my country, I hope I'd have the courage to betray my country". I'm with Reck-Mallezcwen who said "Nationalism, a state of mind, where one hate's another's country more than one loves one's own".

What is patriotism? For me it sure the hell isn't fetishizing a flag, or thinking your country is the best country on earth. That's dangerous and traitorous to humankind. I care far more about humankind as a whole than the U.S. I'm proud of that not ashamed. I don't jingoism or people like YOU who spout it off. It's hateful and ugly and dangerous to us all. Oh, and I don't think YOUR life or mine, as Americans, is worth more than the life of someone in Indonesia or Brazil. And if you really want to know how "unpatriotic" I am, get this: I mourn the deaths of Iraqi civilians more than U.S. soldiers- the Iraqi civilians didn't sign up for anything.

Take your disgusting phony patriotism and shove it where the sun don't shine.

[Mooney]

51. Rudy Giuliani, is that you?

I heard that Obama Hussein is a secret mooooooozlim! 9-11! Terror!

[kid a]

36. flagpingate=yellow magnet patriotism=idiot

[kid a]

33. Please take your token $1 DU donation and send it Limpdick legal fund.

[cali]

35. Somewhere a bridge is missing its troll.

Go back from whatever slimy place that you crawled out from. And take your flag pin and shove it where the sun don't shine, honey.

[slinkerwink]

38. clinton doesn't wear a flag pin. She doesn't love America either!

[Pryderi]

41. Go back to freeperville.

[olkaz]

44. Oh lord, we are not going to miss you.

God, they move farther and farther to the right every day, don't they?

[crispini]

48. Enjoy your granite cookie.

:eyes:

[K Gardner]

49. Oh LOOKIE... another visitor come to slam Democrats on behalf of Hillary !

[Why Syzygy]

28. Richardson was actually my favorite.

I'm even thinking of moving to New Mexico partly due to him. I do doubt that friendship means anything to Hillary. Maybe it does. Let's see what she does.

[dailykoff]

39. Hillary, the repo man just kicked in your door.

Says he taking that campaign bus back.

[Kurovski]

55. Senator Clinton is morphing into Ralph Nader before my eyes.

Don't ask.

[LTR]

57. Richardson is the first message

By endorsing Obama, he's seeking to end this thing quickly.

Soon, we'll be hearing from other former candidates. Guys like Biden and Edwards.

Then, we may even hear from the big guns like Pelosi.

The cherry on top of the sundae will obviously be Gore.

These people are holding on to their endorsement, and use it if and when needed.

Last case will be Dean calling both Clinton and Obama in to demand a resolution.

This won't go beyond June.

[DeschutesRiver]

58. I agree

I think things are going bad publicly now because behind the scenes pressure and reasoning have not worked. There will be more.

At this point, Clinton is still in the race either because she is blinded by her own personal ambitions, or she simply doesn't have any judgment. Either is troubling. I don't need a commander in chief who can't admit mistakes or learn from them, who is divisive, not inclusive, or who pursues something that is no longer achievable despite evidence to the contrary. I can now imagine she'd act just like the current administration should we ever be in another war, or maybe do it with this war - decide to continue with it just because she doesn't know how to let go of things.

I think the end will be far sooner than June, probably in April sometime. Her exit from the race will become quite a public matter, and I do hope she will do what is necessary without forcing too many people to make their case. Having to do for her what she is incapable of doing herself is going to be unpleasant, and waste time that is better spent on making the dem nominee a strong candidate for the GE.

[ultrabrown]

60. Richardson would make a fine VP

One of the reasons Bush defeated Kerry was his 44% support from Latinos, which is low, but high compared to historic standards. With Richardson, this problem would cease to exist, and the AA-Latino coalition combined with enough whites would give us a guaranteed victory. Put it in the bank.

[donheld]

62. I heard that. God that had to have hurt

Bet it left a mark.