by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright March 22, 2008
All Rights Reserved.

oordinated attacks by GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) regarding Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Il.) ties to controversial minister Rev. Jeremiah Wright haven't upended his campaign. Hillary and McCain tried to taint Barack's patriotism by association with Wright's occasionally hateful, anti-American speech. Beaten up and bloodied by the relentless attacks, Barack managed to celebrate Good Friday with a stunning endorsement from New Mexico Gov. and former presidential candidate and Clinton U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. Calling Barack “a leader of a lifetime,” Richardson shocked the Clintons throwing his support to Obama. After watching Barack beaten up by Hillary and McCain and watching his March 19 speech on race, Richardson helped reverse the bad publicity.

      Richardson's endorsement was long sought after by both Hillary and Barack. Former President Bill Clinton watched the Super Bowl Feb. 3 with Richardson at his New Mexico ranch, the Clintons' attempt to woo his support. Clinton political advisor James Carville likened Richardson's decision to endorse Barack to Judas on Good Friday, betraying a long-time friend. “An act of betrayal,” said Carville, blasting Richardson for turning his back on Hillary. Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, achieved national acclaim from Clinton's appointments. Richardson's decision had more to do with his admiration for Obama, not, as the cynics imply, promises about a possible VP job. “There's some special about this guy,” said Richardson. “I've been trying to figure it out, but it's very good,” impressed with Barack's ability to reach across party lines.

      Richardson's endorsement drives another nail into Hillary's flagging campaign, hopelessly behind in the delegate count. While she's favored to win Pennsylvania's April 22 primary, Democrats' proportional delegate counts won't yield her enough delegates to make up ground before the primaries end with Puerto Rico June 3. With Michigan and Florida unlikely to hold new primaries, Hillary's chances of catching up got more bleak. She's still trying to woo uncommitted superdelegates, convincing them she would fair better in November against McCain. Superdelegates aren't likely to vote in some smoke-filled room against the will of pledged delegates. In endorsing Obama, Richardson signaled his displeasure with the increasingly negative tone of the campaign, urging uncommitted superdelegates to seek party unity around the candidate with the most pledged delegates.

      Hillary's chief strategist Mark Penn played down Richardson's endorsement, coming too late to make a difference. He also discounted the Jan. 28 endorsement of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), an icon in the Democratic Party. Penn recently suggested that Obama's problems with his former pastor made him unelectable, yet most polls show Barack fairing better against a November match-up with McCain. “I believe the campaign has gotten too negative,” said Richardson, forever the peacemaker in the presidential debates when Clinton and Obama mixed it up. Richardson blamed Clinton for negative campaigning, praising Barack for keeping his campaign positive. “I want it to be positive. I think that's what's been very good about Sen. Obama's campaign—it's a positive campaign about hope and opportunity,” said Richardson, rejecting Hillary's tactics.

      Richardson's endorsement gives Barack a shot in the arm with Latinos, a voting block with which Hillary has a decided advantage. Barack wins another superdelegate with Richardson, reinforcing a trend away from Hillary. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), while officially neutral in the race, forcefully urged superdelegates to follow pledged delegates, in effect backing Obama. Sixty-two superdelegates have backed Obama since Feb. 5 Super Tuesday, where Hillary was supposed to win the nomination. Hillary has less than five superdelegates committing to her since Super Tuesday. Richardson's endorsement sends a loud message to superdelegates to get off the fence and Back Obama for party unity, since it's not possible for Hillary to take the lead in pledged delegates. Hillary's campaign can only talk about winning the most populous states and popular votes.

      Richardson backed Obama because, like Caroline Kennedy's Jan. 27 endorsement, he believes Barack is a “once in a lifetime leader.” Richardson got fed up tar-and-feathering Barack for his association with his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Caroline compared Barack to her late father John F. Kennedy, who inspired a generation of leaders, including Bill Clinton, to pursue careers in public service. Hillary frequently criticizes Barack for his gifted oratory, the very thing admired by followers of President Kennedy. Richardson believes it's time for the Democratic Party to coalesce behind Obama and get on with the important work of beating McCain. Without asking Hillary to step aside, Richardson reminded the Democratic Party that there's much work to do between now and November. He got off the fence, endorsed Barack and hoped others would follow.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2005 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.