Gov. Richardson has endorsed Mr. Obama...could this be the start of something like...

I don't know. We'll wait and see.

Don't know. But don't think so. So far the other people who were running all went Obama's way (Kucinich, Dodd, Richardson). That says something else. Two are left (Biden, Edwards, Gravel if you will). That is more telling to me than anything else. They observe these two a lot closer than you and I can.

Personally i don't care. Obama is his own worst enemy.

Shame on him watching the Super Bowl at the Clinton home and then endorsing Hillary's opponent!

Fern, I hear a little sarcasm in your posting....that is NOT answering the question...

Obama should pick a VP that is politically to the right of himself. Purple people have enough reservations as it is with Obama.

Strategically here is why a Richardson VP makes sense:
1. All evidence to the contrary - Hillary is going to continue argueing "Experience" even though all the records have come out and it seems she has none.
2. Republicans are going to go after the experience thing as well. Well know republican strategists have already said they will go after Obama's lack of experience if he is nominated. They fear doing to much race baiting, and the fake-mulsim thing will backfire - McCain's 200 years in the senate, time on arms services, desire to bomb-bomb-bomb Iran will need to be countered with a strong foreign policy choice - and Richardson has:
1. Executive experience as Gov.
2. Energy secretary experience
3. Ambassador to the UN.

All meaning he is the perfect balance, and would short circuit a lot of the Experience debate. In fact - Richardson's experience makes Hilliary look like a vestal virgin when it comes to international affairs, policy and negotiation.

When Hillary finally goes back to the Senate the Dems will unite around Obama and he will not lack for experianced advisors and potential cabinet members. McCain will be out matched simply because he must run with Bush and the Republican legasy chained to ankles.

Richardson endorsed Obama because he felt Obama was the best path forward. He knows that he won't be a VP on Obama's ticket. Politically it's likely a non-starter and everyone knows that, including Richardson and Obama. The suggestion that Richardson is angling for Obama's VP is part of the game the pundits and the Clinton's are playing to discredit their long time friend's endorsement.

That said, his endorsement, like all endorsements, will have limited impact overall. Where it will matter is that it represents the continuing trend of superdelegates backing Obama and abandoning the political gamesmanship of the Clintons. Last I heard it was somewhere around 60 superdelegates declaring for Obama to a net of about 5 for Clinton since super Tuesday. Seems the Democratic establishment is tiring of the Clinton win at all costs game plan.

Sam is wrong about Hillary supporters voting for Obama in November.

Tim - unfortunately, for many that will be true. But just the vindicative ones. Frankly, can you see many Hillary supporters voting for John McCain? In fact, many of the Hillary "supporters" are Republicans who are voting for her in the primaries because they know she is the best stimulus for getting out the conservative vote in the general election. About 25% of her total vote in Mississippi, for example, were Republicans trying to gum up the Democratic primary, to which she tacitly approves of their support. None of them will vote for her in the fall election.

But the worst problem for Hillary is that many of the currently Democratic-leaning Independents will not vote for her. These are the people who will vote for Obama if he is the nominee but will vote for McCain if it is a choice between he or Hillary.

Did you hear what they have been calling John McCain in Iraq?

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Lawrence of Arythmia.

Nice inuendo and idiocy.

Supporters have learned much from the Clinton smear factory.

There may be those supporting Hillary that will not vote for Obama. It's wishful thinking that will change the outcome of a general election.

FYI Mr. Evans and those who feel Hillary is inept and dose not have the experience to be our next President..briefly:After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Hillary worked with her colleagues to secure the funds New York needed to recover and rebuild. She fought to provide compensation to the families of the victims, grants for hard-hit small businesses, and health care for front line workers at Ground Zero.

She is the first New Yorker ever to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, working to see that America's military has the necessary resources to protect our national security.

She has visited troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and at Fort Drum in New York, home of the 10th Mountain Division and other New York bases, as well as at Walter Reed Military Hospital. She has learned first-hand the challenges facing American combat forces.

Hillary passed legislation to track the health status of our troops so that conditions like Gulf War Syndrome would no longer be misdiagnosed. She is an original sponsor of legislation that expanded health benefits to members of the National Guard and Reserves and has been a strong critic of the Administration's handling of Iraq.

She has introduced legislation to tie Congressional salary increases to an increase in the minimum wage, because she believes if America's working people don't deserve a raise, neither does Congress.

She has supported a variety of middle-class tax cuts, including marriage penalty relief, property tax relief, and reduction in the Alternative Minimum Tax, and supports fiscally responsible pay-as-you-go budget rules.

She helped pass legislation that encouraged investment to create jobs in struggling communities through the Renewal Communities program.

She championed legislation to bring broadband Internet access, which is so important in today's information economy, to rural America.

In the Senate, Hillary has worked to strengthen the Children's Health Insurance Program, which increased coverage for children in low income and working families.

She authored legislation that has been enacted to improve quality and lower the cost of prescription drugs and to protect our food supply from bioterrorism.

She sponsored legislation to increase America's commitment to fighting the global HIV/AIDS crisis, and is now leading the fight for expanded use of information technology in the health care system to decrease administrative costs, lower premiums, and reduce medical errors

Her strong advocacy for children continues in the Senate.
- proudest achievements have been her work to ensure the safety of prescription drugs for children, with legislation now included in the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act,

Her legislation to help schools address environmental hazards. She has also proposed expanding access to child care.

She has passed legislation that will bring more qualified teachers into classrooms and more outstanding principals to lead our schools.

Hillary has been a powerful advocate for women in the Senate. Her commitment to supporting the rights guaranteed in Roe v. Wade and to reducing the number of abortions by reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies was hailed by the New York Times as "frank talk...(and) a promising path."

Hillary is one of the original cosponsors of the Prevention First Act to increase access to family planning. Her fight with the Bush Administration ensured that Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, will be available to millions of American women and will reduce the need for abortions.

She introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005 to ensure better protection of votes and to ensure that every vote is counted.

In 2006, New Yorkers reelected Hillary to the Senate with 67 percent of the vote.

Hillary has proposed a comprehensive, 10-point plan to restore Americans' confidence in their government by increasing transparency and cutting waste and corruption. Her plan includes:


* Banning Cabinet officials from lobbying a Hillary Clinton administration.
* Strengthening whistleblower protections.
* Creating a public service academy.
* Ending abuse of no-bid government contracts and posting all contracts online.
* Cutting 500,000 government contractors.
* Restoring the Office of Technology Assessment.
* Publishing budgets for every government agency.
* Implementing Results America Initiative to track government effectiveness.
* Tracking and eliminating corporate welfare.
* Expanding voting access and safeguarding voting machines.

There is more that she can be credited with experience and success....

I am sooooo tired of people commenting she has less experience than Obama and he will be able to talk away all our woes with his eloquent speechs...and he comes from a background that understands what America needs...

Also to PONHROS...your commetn...."Clinton smear factory" is another cheap shot from someone who has posted he lives in Hell..............I find it hard to consider your comments valid one way or the other....

TALK IS CHEAP....PERIOD.

So the choice is questionably relative "experiance" from a divisive candidate with TONS of baggage or a inspirational leader, Constitutional scholar who has more popular vote? Hillary is not a asset to the Dems. She's a liability. No doubt Obama or ANY Dem candidate would enact the laundry list of commons sense, patrioitc inititaves listed. Why not have the candidate that unites instead of divides?

Sorry Sam...do not agree with your posting at all....any baggage she has carried...she has handled and still rose above the trite comments of many...It is your interpretation, evidently, that Hillary divides and dose not unite....From just the little bit I was able to post here, of accomplishments she has accrued already....that you are dead wrong about her ability to unite....

As the saying goes...."when the going gets tough, the tough get going"....they dont give speeches to inspire....

Donna M. -

Bill Richardson's UN ambassadorship, governing people skills, passing budgets prowess, energy knowledge, diplomatic know-how, foreign affairs mastery, political savvy, and Hispanic appeal, balances out Obama's complete ignorance of all those issues.

How is an experienced Bill Richardson a VP candidate for newbie green-horn Obama?

Oooops, I forgot, this is the United States of Hollywood, and Obama looks good and makes pretty speeches. My mistake.

Yes, talk IS cheap: sponsored, introduced, helped pass, proposed.

"and if that happens, how would you feel about his many speechs calling for "change" and it having nothing to do with race"

You Clintonista smear merchants continue to try to make this about race, smearing a good man by association, and that snide comment of Bill's the other day was just golden, even though even a cursory look at Obama's record and speeches show that he has never believed any of the things you are, with your conservative allies, trying to stick on him. As for Hillary's accomplishments, that's a pretty sad collection of qualifications, since many of those things, and her share of the credit for the rest, are questionable, in the first place. She is a cold, calculating, opportunistic, unelectable, business as usual, lobbyist money taking, crooked politician, that I would never consider voting for, no matter the gender. She shares a lot more traits with McBush than she does any true Democrat, anyway. A warhawk, a lobbyist loving, back room, inner beltway, more of what's wrong with this system, hack. Now if Clinton is elected, by some more unfair, back room wrangling at the convention, in direct opposition to the will of the people, I truly will live in hell, and will have to seriously consider sitting this one out, or, help me Jesus, pulling the McCain lever

McCain is looking better and better. The Democrats could have had 16 years in the White House. Eight with Hillary and eight with Obama, but they prefered pistols at dawn. The Kennedy's and other powers in the Democraatic Party hate the Clinton's so mujch it costs the Party elections.

I am sure the Republicans are not complaining.

I will be happy to vote for Hillary in a losing battle, I am a member of a third party, and am quite used to losing. But if the Democratic party can't field a candidate to work with the new center-left Congress, then the center-right candidate should garner the majority of votes in November.

Obama can't sell his plans to Congress, so what difference does it make that he can sell a progressive message to a progressive core of voters. Progressives have always been outnumbered, but they haven't lost as many races as they have in recent years. Purple States find a moderate Democrat, and voters wonder where this common sense politician was all this time.

And there sits Ted Kennedy, the world has passed him by.

It's a beautiful day here in sunny Santa Barbara - the only thing I can add to this thread is that it made my heart sing to see Gov. Bill Richardson give his endorsement to Obama. Yall have a wonderful day. Salud.

Fern;

You've got it exactly backward; they sent Bill to Santa Fe to try to charm the endorsement out of Richardson.

Ponhros;

I could hold my nose and vote for Hillary, but I could never consider voting for McBush under any circumstances.

Bret;

Against McBush, Barry Bonds would look good.

Donna;

The party isn't stupid, if Obama gets the nomination the VP will be Biden, Edwards, Nelson or Dodd. Richardson will be secretary of state. Bill C. will be ambassador to Outhereistan.

Mary Ann made a good point about the possibility of Democrats in control for the next 8 years....and believe me, its going to take at least that long to turn the republican controls and the mess this war has put us in...

I also like the posting Erik B made regarding Biden, Edwards being considered as VP...that makes me feel a lot better than Richardson who has most definetely confirmed he is a politician that wants to be at the top...

Richardson is my governor and a good man, but he has ever been the political angler. Why did he run for governor of NM? Because he thought it would be his "best bet" state. It's not like he was born here or grew up here. He came here for political career growth. And, he has seen it. I find it hard to fault a man who sees an opportunity and takes it.

I would definitely not put it past him to have endorsed Obama in order to advance his career. But, this is not exactly, in my eyes, the biggest sin a politician can commit.

Richardson says he's very loyal to the Clintons. Anyone can say anything. The Clintons gave his career a leg up, that's for sure. Richardson is most loyal to his own career ambitions. Luckily, he does a good job of what he does while he's at it.

In watching Richardson's endorsement of Obama, I couldn't help but be reminded of the Wizard of Oz. "Barack Obama, you are an extraordinary leader who has shown courage, sound judgment and wisdom throughout your career...." What does Obama get? A badge? :)

A Obama/Richardson ticket would really be good for the country. I have already thought this would be a great idea. A real change, then the Hillbush dystansy.

Donna M. Thanks you for backing your comments of why you believe Clinton has experience with some facts. It shows you think and do research.

Very well said Jett....applause applause....

Chick, I have never had the courage to be vocal with out back up....it amazes me how many do ... I don't find fault with Obama because of race or even his preacher...but what I hear come out of his mouth and the speeches he makes..then I read his biography and about the one book he wrote and had published before he made his announcement to run for the Presidency, and I made the decision I want more experience for who ever gets in and I just do not see it for him. Sometimes, sadly, when I hear him speak about what he really believes...it is too close to what Mr. Bush says....he honestly believes what he says to be the truth...and we all know it is not..but you will never convince him he has done the wrong thing...because he believes it so strongly....and in a way thats how Obama has come across to me...

Oh well, I guess when research is done by several different people they will interpret that research the way they read it....and evidently I chose to read it to favor Hillary.

Donna -- I pick candidates on what they do, not so much what they say. Now I watch politics for over 40 years. Just this last election Bush said some good things (No Child Left Behind Act ) but he ran a very dirty, vicious Swift Boat Veterans) campaign. And look where we are now. Now Clinton is running one as bad so I don't want to see what we will get in the White House. Now Obama is running a very high road campaign. I want to see if that will make a difference in the White House.

I would like all presidential candidates give a list of who they want as vice-president and who they would have on their cabinets. This would give me a better idea of what to expect.

Well, nice thread - I'm still voting for Obama - thanks for trying - but my mind is made up. Salud.

Sen. Obama has been the difference inthe election cycle, inspiring has been a words often used. This is required to lead the ability to work across the polictical parties that tend to separate us from the purpose needed to get the job done.
Race is not the main issue nor is gender but a new direction first to get us out of Iraq so we can provide ofr the needs of everyday Americans.

Donna, thanks for the question. I wouldn't want to venture a guess as to whether Richardson is interested in being VP. But I don't fault him for getting on the good side of who he must perceive as the likely winner. I admire him and think he would be great in many positions of the federal government.

I am a little confused about the second part of your question. I think he jumped in with the "change" emphasis when he, like Clinton and others, saw the success that Obama was getting with it. Are you suggesting that change is about race?? In general, many speeches calling for change is fine with me.

My wife is for Clinton, I am for Obama. We respect McCain on the immigration issue, on campaign finance reform, and his recognition of the severity of global warming. But we would never consider voting for him. We favor more tax on the rich, pro-choice, and peace. I am also very concerned about separation of church and state and think that Obama understands this the best.

This is a comment I left on my last article on Saturday explaining what I think about the endorsement.

"...of course Richardson said it is because he feels that Obama can unite the country. My first gut thoughts when I heard that he had was that he has known the Clintons for a long time, and familiarity breeds contempt. Now, I'm not saying that he has any contempt, whatsoever, for the Clintons, but what I do think is that he knows Obama far less well, and he has fewer negatives to put into the equation for the reasons not to endorse Obama over Clinton.

I also think it's politically expedient. This will sway the Spanish vote toward Obama and he can claim that victory, and be rewarded nicely should Obama win. I don't know if he'll choose him for his VP, but he might consider it. I don't think Hillary would have considered him."

"I am also very concerned about separation of church and state and think that Obama understands this the best."

Bruce, this is part of what I wrote to Jonathan on his article that also addresses your comment.

"...those who think that listening to someone for 20 years is not going to influence their thoughts and opinions, if only even on a subconscious level, are either kidding themselves or don't understand or care to realize how people's thoughts and opinions are formed over time."

There may appear to be a separation, but what is ingrained will remain functional in his governing and decisions. That's just the way I see it. I know that you are looking at more obvious and clearly cut separation.

Richardson's timing was very strange--it seems that he should have endorsed before Texas. Maybe he made a deal with Obama to be VP candidate?

It would be interesting if Obama could get Chuck Hagel as his VP candidate, crossing party lines. Not too likely, but an Obama-Hagel McCain-Leiberman contest would be an intriguing scenario.

I'm with you, Richardson sold out to the higgest bidder and that was Obama. He wants the VP slot and Obama is weak with Hispanic voters. A perfectly arranged political marrriage. Unfortunately, my opninion of Richardson is deeply damaged. I liked him until he sold out to that inexeprienced man who associates with felons and goes to a racist church, other than than I guess he is just perfect. Too bad his wife is not proud of America unless it votes for her Obama. Wow, what a power couple!

To Linda and Ethan I agree with your postings..and when you say wow what a power couple....you are just touching the top of the ice berg....its the things that are not being said on the television that we can read on the Internet that concern me about Obama...I have come to one conclusion tho....in reading who the largest contributors are to Obamas campaign (more than Clinton) and the fact that both he and his wife are lawyers...there is going to be a lot of lawyers who make a LOT of money if Obama wins this election....and lots of court cases....that could end up costing the American Public as much as this darn war....thats a whole different twist...

Linda;

I'll bet you $50 AMERICAN MONEY that there's no Obama/Richardson ticket, if he gets it.

He got something even if he says he didn't. otherwise it makes no sense, since he would not be political force at all had he not worked for Clinton.

Delores;

Nobody has said that he didn't get anything. I'm just saying that it isn't the VP slot. Clinton could have well offered him that early on.

What's the point in dealmaking? Either candidate will lose to McCain. Clinton supporters won't vote for Obama, and Obama supporters won't vote for Clinton.

Yep. I absolutely believe Richardson is vying for the VP spot. But, then, can you blame him? It does show a lack of loyalty in his character though. I had a higher opinion of him before this...

Richardson is a go nowhere loser who was lucky to get where he was. I predict he will lose the governorship and fade away now that people know of his total lack of character and boundless ambition.

Boy Tim and those of you who are a McCain supporter...I hope your wrong in suggesting he wins this election - especially after last night watching the history channel and one of the most fascinating shows I have ever seen about the first, second and possibly third world wars and how the psychs, and Nostradamus predicted those wars and other happenings that have happened thus far...that fulfilled their prophesies...a lot of it was about the Nazi's and Hitler...but the real scary thought was the mentioning of the third world war that would start sometime between the 1990 and 2010 years...and it was not a pleasant prediction....McCain will most defiently keep this war going...and if he dose he will succeed in fulfilling the third world war and predictions....awful thought.

Nostramus? Donna ... there are much more real things to worry about.

Do you really base your beliefs on stuff like this. No wonder America is declining in the world.

The Clintons are going to hijack this nomination away from Obama anyway so it does not matter. Besides, the Democrat party will not run a 2-minority ticket in the General Election.

nice picture!

Donna, I am not a McCain supporter, but I am a McCain voter if Hillary is not nominated. I also believe that enough people will vote for McCain, based on the pure hatred for the "other" Democrat.

Something to ponder in terms of the history of war is the number of times that troops were taken off the battlefield, not by political pacifists or liberal idealists in power, but by conservative politicians. One of lifes little ironies.

Obama needs to find someone like Richardson for his VP...............to balance out Obama's lack of any valuable experience on any important subject.

If Hillary wins, she's choosing Edwards. She'd love to have Gore again, but since his Nobel Prize for Saving the Polar Bears, he's too pricey.

John Edwards will be attorney general. Richardson will NOT be Obama's VP for two reasons:

(1) The Democrat party will not run two minorities in the general election. That is a sure-fire way to a loss of McGovern proportions.

(2) Obama is going to have the nomination stolen from him by the Clintons who will convince the Super delegates he is not electable because (a) he cannot win the "big states" and (b) Rev. Wright.

You read it here first, people.

Bruce - as I said - it was the most fascinating show...2 hours long with LOTS of information about this whole mystical business...I do believe in psychics, yes..are there phony psychics out there - oh yes - and if you talk to anyone who has had dealings with legitimate gifted people, you will not convince them they do not exist...and I have had personal experiences so you can believe what you want to...as I do... the bible talks about the Anti Christ in the end times...do you question that?...It is also a fact that psychics were used in war time...I will never forget the hulabalu about Jean Dixon advising Kennedy NOT to go to Texas...and for a while he considered that...but I would imagine there were many sceptics around him at the time that also said "hogwash what dose she know...your the President...are you going to believe some one like her...what will people think"and we all can remember what happened to President Kennedy...

Again, I found it very interesting and the predictions being said hover a hundred years ago addressing the dates of 1990 - 2010....sure seems a little weird to me to have what is going on now....that fits the prediction...just my opinion

Hi there.

Congratulations on your Gather homepage feature!

Have a nice day.

Rocco -

I think there is a lot of secret love for Hillary out there, that just hasn't been tapped into yet. When Obama's next boffo happens, the party will not be so in love with him any more. Hillary knows how to play in the hard-ball world, Obama does not. This race issue has exposed chinks in his armor, but the next screwup will cost him the nomination..............and we have 5 months to go. Expect another bombshell the size of Jeremiah Wright, this Summer.

I don't feel that Richardson will be running as VP either, but maybe something else may happen for Gov. Richardson like a high cabinet post.

Too bad Hillary pads her resume, is unethical and lacks the expereince that she claims. She didn't have a security clearance as first lady.

For more info about Hillary padding her resume check out the following link at fact Check. org.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/hillarys_adventures_abroad.html

I have supported Hillary Clinton since Joe Biden threw in the towel ... damn American people ... but her latest comments and hissy fits give me a lot of pause. This is an odd election that gets odder every day. I have to say in way I don't care who wins, they all promise to be interesting. My big issue is the war. I think we need to win this war in Iraq, and stand up to Iran .... but Bush has ballooned the price so high, and screwed the economy so bad we are in a world of hurt ... and we do not know how bad it is.

This kind of social volatily does not bode well for Americans integrity and credibility.

It could be that we have peaked and are on the decline ... and that is going to take another 50 unstable years to understand, accept, and in that time of denial we are apt to make some major international mistakes.

The future of this world just does not bode well for the human race at this point.

http://blogs.forbes.com/trailwatch/2008/03/obama-weathers.html

"...these poll results show no significant change in public opinion of Obama over the last two weeks, despite scrutiny of sermons given by his former pastor, Jeremiah A. Wright..."