I M not 4 U. Me & BHO: BFF. CUL8R
Of course we can only imagine how Hillary's reply would have read. But Richardson did have the moxie to make one of the world's tougher phone calls: informing Hillary Clinton that despite having been appointed by her husband to two cabinet positions, he was endorsing Barack Obama. Richardson has now let it be known that his conversation with Hillary got "a little bit heated."
Kidding aside, consider what it says about Hillary's personality that so much press attention has focused on the call. Imagine if Richardson had instead decided to endorse Clinton. Not many people would be wondering about the atmospherics of his conversation with Obama. Richardson appeared on this morning's Today, and weekend co-anchor Lester Holt wasted absolutely no time: his very first question to the NM governor was about that dreaded phone call.
LESTER HOLT: Before we talk about what was behind your endorsement of Obama, I've got to ask you about the phone call you had to make on Thursday to Senator Clinton. You're friends with the Clintons, you worked for Bill Clinton in his administration. What was the phone call like?A closing observation:
BILL RICHARDSON: Well [chortling], I've had better phone calls. I talked to Senator Clinton about 9 o'clock, and I told her, and, you know, she was, she was disappointed. It was a little bit heated. She asked me why, I gave her the reasons: that race speech, I mentioned there was something very special about Obama [unsolicited advice: when letting a lady down, don't tell her there's "something very special" about the person you're ditching her for], nothing against her and her husband, who I'd served for many years. And, but it was tough, and I've gotta admit, Lester, I really dreaded making that call. All day my stomach was upset [no jokes about giraffes with sore throats, please], and, I did it, but you have to give that courtesy. But it was not an easy one.
Richardson didn't have to disclose that the conversation got heated. To the contrary, in doing so he breached protocol, which in these situations calls for the person in Richardson's position to deflect the question and answer along the lines: "I'm not going to discuss a private phone call, but just let me say that I have the utmost respect for Senator Clinton," blah blah blah. That Richardson chose to divulge that things got a bit hot has to be taken as campaign strategy, a means of reinforcing Hillary's image as not the world's most amiable person.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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It's kind of poetic justice
March 22, 2008 - 07:46 ET by motherbeltIt's kind of poetic justice for the Clintons, who are not loath to toss their friends over the side for political expediency, to have the same done to them.
That being said, Bill Richardson is a shameless opportunist. He has always wanted the VP spot, IMO, and he doesn't care whose team it is on. If he were honest, he would have told HRC: This is the guy who's going to be on the ticket, and I want to be there with him.
As for your comment, Mark, that
Richardson didn't have to disclose that the conversation got heated. To the contrary, doing so adds insult to injury
I thoroughly agree. I was very surprised to hear him say that. He should have stopped at "she was disappointed" (understandably).
Just reinforces my opinion that he is, as my mother used to say: No class, all A$$.
Gratitude
March 22, 2008 - 08:10 ET by allanfBill Clinton named Richardson US Ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and Secretary of Energy in 1998. His rise to the Governorship of New Mexico is in a large part due to his association with the Clintons.
I guess gratitude is an emotion alien to many politicians. If I were in Richardson's position, I probably would have sat this one out or endorsed Hillary. But then, I'm not trying to land the Vice-Presidential nomination.
I think it tells us a great deal about the man.
I think it tells us a
March 22, 2008 - 08:43 ET by motherbeltI think it tells us a great deal about the man.
Agreed. And none of it good.
It's hard to feel bad for Her Royal Clintoness though...
Karma's a bi*ch.
It does tell us a lot about both
March 22, 2008 - 10:30 ET by Gat New YorkIt reminds us that the Clintons are unforgiving vile people, who befriend other worthless people like Richardson who places no value on friendship or loyalty.
Richardson has always been an overrated underachieving lacky.
Richardson has always been
March 22, 2008 - 19:18 ET by motherbeltRichardson has always been an overrated underachieving lacky. -Gat New York
And apparently he's overrating himself again.
The NYT piece on this event explains Richardson's decision to do this now:
“I’m not going to advise any other candidate when to get in and out of
the race,” Mr. Richardson said after appearing in Portland with Mr.
Obama. “Senator Clinton has a right to stay in the race, but eventually
we don’t want to go into the Democratic convention bloodied. This was
another reason for my getting in and endorsing, the need to perhaps
send a message that we need unity.”
Talk about a pile of tripe. First he says he's not going to advise HRC to drop out; then he pretty much does exactly that, by saying that the party needs unity.
The reason he's doing this now is to send a message? Does he think the whole party has been on pins and needles waiting to see what "message" he was going to send???
Talk about ego!!
Joseph Stalin, who would
March 22, 2008 - 14:19 ET by MikeBJoseph Stalin, who would fit well in today's Democrat party said, "gratitude is a disease of dogs." The Clintons exhibited their belief in this attitude at least from their college days. Bill Richardson is also demonstrating this attitude, as is Obama; Richarson by his turning on the Clintons, Obama by going along with and apologising for his pastor's racist and treasonous remarks over a period of two decades.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
That's going to be some
March 22, 2008 - 07:44 ET by Jack BauerThat's going to be some ticket.
You got the black guy with a white mother. And the Hispanic guy with an Anglo name!
Is that a Fourfer!
I feel The Who coming on with a extra verse to "Substitute"
Jack and MB
March 22, 2008 - 08:05 ET by ricklailWhat do the defections tell you about the Clintons? Seems like many of their "close" allies are jumping ship. These people know them better than their own kin.
If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.-Lewis Grizzard
rick...Well... she had so many,
March 22, 2008 - 08:32 ET by Jack BauerWell... she had so many, if not "locked up" then on-baord to begin with.. I'm sure that's all manageable.
I still think she's going to sneak the DemNom. I said that before the Wright Stuff, so I'm sticking on that.
I think there's plenty of time for more to come out and to bite him.
The thing is... the MSgasM has been punctured somewhat, and while they are desperately trying to soft-pedal on Wright... Obama's been wounded.
There's Obama blood in the water. And that's the first time.
So.. the NEXT BIG THING (if there is something) will get instant play with a bigger blood frenzy.
Could be wrong, but I'm always a what-if guy.
Take advantage of your location!
March 22, 2008 - 08:42 ET by sarcasmoShe's still giving good odds, so Hillary might help you make-back that Fred-bet from those evil bookies!
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
Thank you for reminding me
March 22, 2008 - 08:44 ET by Jack BauerThank you for reminding me of the $20 I LOST!!!
It's entertainment, right?
March 22, 2008 - 08:56 ET by sarcasmoI just wonder what you could have made at the time on what would have looked like a pretty wild bet on McCain?
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
I think McCain was still
March 22, 2008 - 10:29 ET by Jack BauerI think McCain was still FAIRLY short odds, 12/1 or something like that. Fred was 14/1 at the time.
it's not too late
March 22, 2008 - 14:01 ET byRP 500 (to 1) just one more click at your site
"Man created god(s) Anything believed was created by man"----Syrius
Loyalty
March 22, 2008 - 08:52 ET by DanoPoliticians are not loyal to there constituents. How could you possibly think there is any loyalty to each other!
Mr. Richardson
March 22, 2008 - 09:45 ET by Uphillshould consider sleeping with one eye open.
Oh darn...those pesky
March 22, 2008 - 13:48 ET by bigtimerOh darn...those pesky little rats jumping right and left off that Clintoon ship...
Been fun to watch...pass the popcorn, we're gonna' need it....
As an aside did anybody see Matthews yesterday at the top of his show spouting off excitedly that Hillary was done, telling her to stick a fork in it basically...give it up gal..you are so over, there is now way you can win, blah blah blah...it was precious.
Quite sure she took heed too....LMAO!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Run That By Me Again?
March 22, 2008 - 14:09 ET by Del DolemonteI guess on Richardson's planet, his statement that "I'd served for many years" actually means the 4 or so years he actually worked for the guy?
LOL Mark
March 22, 2008 - 14:18 ET by candanceYou need to add a warning about removing all beverages before we read your suggested text message - that was hilarious!
Seriously, this admission makes Richardson sound like a real weasel. It makes you wonder what kind of a deal Obama made with him.
The 9:00PM Phone Call...
March 22, 2008 - 16:34 ET by Barkerrrrrrrring
HRC: Who is it?
Bill R: Ms. Hillary?
HRC: Is that you Richardson? What the @%$# do you want?!
Bill R: Well (burp) I just called to say I'm going with Obama.....
HRC: Why you no good @#$&*$ #$@%!# %$# of a @$#%&! Do you remember that trip you took to Tijuana in the spring of '97?!
Bill R: Oh, you wouldn't!
HRC : Oh yes I would.
Click. Burp.
Richardson was obviously
March 23, 2008 - 00:28 ET by jdhawkRichardson was obviously making a play to force billary from the field and more importantly get the racist, America is wrong, hate mongering "pastor" bambi association off the front page.
And, it worked . . .
Meanwhile, in a post billary presidential candidate world, she is still the junior senator from New York. She will hence forth be introduced as the first women presidential candidate, senator . . . And, she will remain a pain in the a** as one of the most liberal senators in the Senate.