Richardson: No more negative campaigning

[rinsd]

CONCORD, New Hampshire (CNN) – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson called on his fellow White House hopefuls Tuesday to cease “negative campaigning” right before he filed for the New Hampshire primary.

“You see how some of the candidates in our own party are starting to get negative,” Richardson said. “We’re not going to do it. We’re going to talk about the issues.”

“To all the Democratic candidates, let’s stay positive,” Richardson said. “Let’s get rid of all this negative stuff that I’m seeing.”

Richardson then singled out Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina, for their critical remarks of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York.

“I’ve become very concerned about the negative tone of the campaign,” he said. “I think that Senators Obama and Edwards should concentrate on the issues and not on attacking Sen. Clinton.”

“The differences on the issues should be highlighted, but personal attacks I believe should not take place,” he said.

In recent days, Obama and Edwards have spoken out against Clinton’s decision to accept contributions from lobbyists. Richardson defended Clinton and reiterated that calling her “integrity into question,” was unnecessary and “personally negative.”

“There’s going to be plenty of time to get negative with the Republicans but now is not the time to start food fights,” Richardson said.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/30/richardson-urges-obama-and-edwards-to-end-negative-campaigning/

[texastoast]

1. Imagine--Politicians concentrating on the issues

What a picture!

But, one of the issues (for me) is accepting money from corporations. Yep, I take issue with that.

[bellasgrams]

8. Don't kid yourself the candidates will take any money

as long as it's legal and some that's not. It just happens that most think Hillary has the best chance. If she falls behind they will be flooding the new front runner with money. And he will gladly take it.

[texastoast]

18. So the whoredom continues

Sigh.

[Alamom]

2. Makes sense.......nm

[polichick]

3. Hill can fight her own battles, Bill...

Besides, shining a light on lobbyist contributions is hardly going negative.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. Tell me why I should vote FOR you, not AGAINST the other person.

That's all I ask.

[Horse with no Name]

5. But isn't pointing out their negativity also a negativity Bill?

looks like someone is wanting to be hill's vp.

[seasat]

6. He's definitely not running for her VP

He's criticized Hillary's policy pretty heavily in his press releases. He's especially focused on her plan for Iraq and Iran vote. He probably criticizes her policy at least two to one over the other candidates. He did start off this campaign stating that he wanted to be positive and only offer criticism of policy. If you follow him, though, he is walking a rather fine line on those criticisms. IMHO, he's hoping that Obama and Edwards will go negative and he'll be able to come up from behind as the positive alternative to Hillary.

[polichick]

7. He's probably just trying to get some coverage...

Can't blame him for that.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Very Smart

He sees the writing on the wall and wants to be Hillary's vice president...I'm torn between him and Wes Clark... If he does a good job protecting Hillary's back I'll go with him at VP and Wes Clark at Secretary Of State...

[Alamom]

12. I agree. nm

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. I'm Really Torn Between Him And Clark

Secretary of State is a better gig than vice president but vice president is a great platform from which to run for president...

[Alamom]

15. In that case, both might fare better with cabinet posts.

Being optimistic and hopeful....If HRC wins the nomination and the General,

Richardson is 60 now. He'll be 64 in 4 years, 68 in 8.
Clark is 63 now, etc.

I don't feel real comfortable with a presidential candidate being close to 70 when they run.
Could be just me (and remembering Raygun) but it's a high stress, high energy job.
If we're able to stay in the W-house for "several" terms, someone a little younger could be the better way to go for the next run.

A cabinet post seems a little less demanding. That being said, I would like to see them both in high places.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. Konrad Adenauer Ran Post War Germany At 87

And seventy is the new fifty...

[Alamom]

17. You're right, of course and I'm glad. This is my 10th Presidential

Election. I've been voting for over 35 years so I'm certainly not dissing age.


I guess memories of repuke senility are still scary........

[MalloyLiberal]

10. You stop first, and stop wasting our time when you want to be VP

[sandrakae]

11. Then he must be calling for Barack Obama to call it quits.

Negativity is all Barack's supporters know.

[bigdarryl]

14. WHAT NEGETIVE CAMPAIGNING IS HE TALKING ABOUT

[0007]

19. Bucking for that cabinet position is hard work. Bill is jut showing

off his great skills for negotiating peace and bringing the situation under control.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. Looks like someone is angling for the VP spot

[Ethelk2044]

21. Hillary fucked UP. There were no personal Attacks They were attacking her

political stances. All candidates have a right to attack her political stances. She fucked up for all the world to see.

[Pachamama]

22. Clinton/Richardson '08

:eyes: