December 9, 2007
Posted: 06:39 AM ET

Richardson said he's fine with celebrities stumping for candidates and added that he'll soon have some of his own.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) – As ‘Oprahbama’ fever sweeps Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Gov. Bill Richardson told reporters in Nevada on Saturday, “Of course celebrities play a role in American culture, and I don’t see any problem in trotting out people that are outside of politics that support your candidacy.”

The announcement that Oprah Winfrey would stump for Sen. Barack Obama ignited a debate over the role of celebrity endorsements in presidential politics. A South Carolina legislator who supports Sen. John Edwards called the Oprah events “publicity stunts,” perhaps unaware that celebrities have hit the trail for her candidate as well.

In Iowa, Sen. Hillary Clinton danced around a direct Oprah question but argued, “At the end of the day it’s a choice among those of us who are running. And I think that most voters understand that.”

Richardson agreed with Clinton, saying, “I think the voters should make up their minds on the qualifications of the candidates,” but admitted to CNN, “I’m going to have a few [celebrities] of my own too.”

– CNN Nevada Producer Alexander Marquardt

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Richardson • Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • Nevada


James, Houston,TX.   December 31st, 2007 2:48 pm ET

Bill Richardson should seek out Tony Orlando as his Celebrity Rep.
Maybe Tony can get Bill on the "Nutrisystem". Look what the System has done for Tony! Tony has lost 102lbs and that doesn't include divorces and He's Singing Again!

TheMidniteRyder Everytown USA   December 11th, 2007 7:30 am ET

Nah Chuck's endorsing Huck = "Better vote for my friend Huckabee cuz Walker Texas Ranger says so POW" or some such thing - forget - must be a senior moment

Or were you referring to Kwai Chang Caine LOL "You are not ready grasshopper"

"If a man dwells on the past, then he robs the present; but if a man ignores the past, he may rob the future. The seeds of our destiny are nurtured by the roots of our past." — Master Po ;=)

bongo   December 10th, 2007 1:10 pm ET

I heard the Spice Girls and that guy from Kung Fu were endorsing Richardson.

Steve in SC   December 10th, 2007 11:49 am ET

Is he feeling left out or what? Too funny!

The MidniteRyder Everytown USA   December 10th, 2007 5:56 am ET

so much venom - such little substance sigh

when did American politics go awry? oh wait I know the answer to this one - since our dear old founding fathers first begged Washington to be King George the First of America - but he wisely declined and after some more arm twisting finally agreed to take the oath of Prez on April 30, 1789 in New-York-City… and then basically the two party system was born and the rest is history (except now we're stuck with dubya the self-crowned king for another year - but that's a whole nother hot potato)

maybe it's time to seriously consider scrapping the party system all together and just vote for the person - be they man, woman or other - just let it all hang out

and may the best man woman whatever win

ps and what's wrong with pudgy guys, some of y'all should take a full length look in the mirror LOL

Missy Dix, Hudson Ohio   December 10th, 2007 2:28 am ET

Interesting topic, well reported by CNN

Jenny, paxton MA   December 10th, 2007 12:28 am ET

betty hooker, harry belafonte, danny glover, and you belong to the intelligent 5% of the population. the problem is, the rest, the dumb 95%, rules in the so-called democracy.

Val Davydov, Agawam, MA   December 9th, 2007 9:14 pm ET

I agree with john williams san diego, ca completely. The two "heroes" hate America.

John T, Omaha, NE   December 9th, 2007 8:40 pm ET

I kind of feel sorry for Richardson. His Latino heritage isn't working for him since there is a well-known female candidate and an African-American candidate in his Democratic party running for the same job. You'd think he could have worked that angle in a bit better, that and his experience as a governor of a border state, and as a diplomat. He's just too low key right now; no one is paying any attention to the man. I haven't heard too many negative things about him, but to be honest, I haven't heard much of ANYTHING about him or his beliefs. It's too bad that the Dems may have a very viable candidate sneaking under their noses because of his lackluster media coverage. But is the media to blame, or should Richardson have done something different?

john williams san diego, ca.   December 9th, 2007 7:02 pm ET

Betty Hooker ATTN: Your two heroes 'harry belafonte and danny glover' are pro-Castro, pro-cuba and anti-american and your american hero edwards is a pure fraud but he's got you sold.

TAS West Columbia, SC   December 9th, 2007 4:49 pm ET

“At the end of the day it’s a choice among those of us who are running. And I think that most voters understand that.” (by Hillary Clinton, yesterday)

Now if that isn't no(n)sense double-talk Hill-Speak, then I don't know what is…..

And believe it or not, there ARE folks out there in the electorate, who actually would put someone who talks like this, in the Oval Office.

I have always been a Democrat, but if SHE's the nominee, I may be looking elsewhere.

Its NOT that she is female (my doctor and vet are both females). She is simply not qualified to make the Changes we need here in the US. Unless of course you believe that talking out of both sides of her mouth is a qualification…

The only remote advantage I can see for HER being Pres, is to make sure that the liberals regain control of the Supreme Court.

Conservatism is lost cause, but like Racism and the rampant use of guns in our society, it still rears its ugly head now and then.

We -certainly- need to stamp out the conservatives, but NOT with Hillary. Edwards, Obama, Biden, or Richardson… Yes.

Hillary NOT…

TAS, one of many liberal Democrats in Columbia, SC.

Julie Medford,Oregon   December 9th, 2007 4:13 pm ET

This is the political year of big money,celebrity endorsements and 1 term senators in the top 3 spots for the democratic party. My friends and family and myself included are instead going to go for substance over hype and pick a candidate who has experience both Foreign and Domestic and most important he does not just talks about our problems, but take action on them, by leading and passing bills with both parties and most important has a exit strategy on the war that makes since.

curtis   December 9th, 2007 3:59 pm ET

"Me, too! Me, too!" shouted little Mikey Huckabee as he tried desperately to be one of the big kids.

Kate, Aurora CO   December 9th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

Maybe his first "celebrity" endorsement will come from President Felipe Calderon of Mexico. I mean since this candidate does not believe in enforcing the immigration laws and advocates all but an open border. They could work together to help aid all of Mexico's poverty stricken citizens move to America.

Ba Gua Zhang, Chico, CA   December 9th, 2007 2:21 pm ET

"Obama's black ." Actually, 50%. His father is black; mother white. Running only on the black factor is disingenous. He's an American first and foremos. Ditto for those who thrust their Christianity at us first. Let's look at all the candidates that way,
as Americans.

Independent in IA   December 9th, 2007 1:05 pm ET

Just figured it out….he's gonna try to get Howdy Doody to stump for him.

chris   December 9th, 2007 12:27 pm ET

Obama's black and he's got Oprah who is twice as big and black as he is. Who will you get that is twice as stupid as you are?

Forest Gump?

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Philip, Austin, TX   December 9th, 2007 12:18 pm ET

"In Iowa, Sen. Hillary Clinton danced around a direct Oprah question" …… when will Madame give us a direct answer about anything? And this is not even about Iran .. it's Orpah!

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 9th, 2007 11:29 am ET

Let's see if Martin Sheen can come to this guy's aid. It might increase the viability for them both.

Chris, Middletown, CT   December 9th, 2007 10:04 am ET

Wow…a guy with a 1% share - getting press everyday from the Clinton News Network….she's betting the Dems will look past her ambiguous answers to simple questions (do you support the governor of NYs position to license illegal aliens?? wait…she answered both ways…nice) - now she has her sites focused on pandering to the latino vote…people who support the entitlist left wing baffle me….

Betty H., North Carolina   December 9th, 2007 9:48 am ET

This morning CNN showed large portions of Oprah's speech for Obama. I think the story could have been covered without broadcasting Oprah's speech to the nation. Doesn't this kind of coverage encourage all future candidates to try harder to find celebrity endorsers in order to gain this kind of free air time? Do we really want that?

Betty Hooker, Greensboro, North Carolina   December 9th, 2007 9:38 am ET

Harry Belafonte spoke eloquently for John Edwards in South Carolina. Those who remember Belafonte's work with Martin Luther King were very moved that this great gentleman came out to endorse John Edwards. Like Danny Glover, who often campaigns with Edwards, I believe Belafonte was speaking as a civil rights and human rights champion, rather than as a celebrity. It is very interesting to me that Edwards endorsers/supporters will go to small and poor towns as well as large venues, and will do as much listening as they do talking.

Nando, Palm Coast,FL   December 9th, 2007 9:08 am ET

Bill, you can bring out Elvis, you never had or will have a chance to be president.

Desiree, Queens, New York   December 9th, 2007 8:40 am ET

I think the use of the celebrities takes away from the real issues.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 9th, 2007 8:26 am ET

But people should ask … are the crowds there to see Oprah or Obama?

I hope voters, when looking for quality, will give Richardson a fair chance. I don't want a star or celebrity for president. I want someone who is in it for the country's best interests - not his/her own, or heaven forbid, just for "the party."

Independent in IA   December 9th, 2007 7:08 am ET

And Billdro is frantically looking for some poor schmuck who needs the publicity to engage in his own dog-and-pony show.

Chris Hassel, Saint Paul, Minnesota   December 9th, 2007 4:33 am ET

This is a good man and an experienced leader. He would be a good Democratic nominee for president. He'd win the 2008 election. I only hope we support him.

MidniteRyder Everytown USA   December 9th, 2007 3:26 am ET

You know this story just kinda touched my heart for some odd reason?! LOL In this day & age of political cynicism along comes a rather quiet & humble man. Maybe worth looking into…. the little engine that could - just keeps chugging along.

Clinton/Richardson '08 ??

mike shelton, yuma, arizona   December 9th, 2007 1:23 am ET

If Richardson had any big celebrities behind him they'd already be here. He needs to quit.

John Degraff   December 9th, 2007 1:16 am ET

Sorry Bill, but Carrot Top is not going to help you at the polls. Plus, I here he has links to Balco.

caroll,charlestown,s.c   December 9th, 2007 12:59 am ET

Nervous to miss vice presidency? Talk of desperation….Go home Bill!

henry,newton,iowa   December 9th, 2007 12:48 am ET

Talk of copycats!

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