Obama and Richardson chat at Sen. Tom Harkin's Steak Fry in Iowa.(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(CNN) - CNN’s Candy Crowley reports that supporters of Bill Richardson in Iowa are now moving over to Barack Obama as their second-choice candidate - a vital designation in the Democratic caucuses. A Clinton source tells her that “The 'Richardson thing’ is real," and that Clinton supporters in the caucuses report “people are moving en masse from Richardson to Barack Obama.”
Obama supporters dispute the reports.
Earlier Thursday, word spread that Richardson caucus goers in precincts where the former New Mexico governor was not “viable” – could not meet the required 15 percent threshold - were being urged to go with Obama as their second-choice candidate.
A Richardson spokesman told CNN that “no deal was cut between the two campaigns.”
The spokesman also said that there is a “natural overlap between Richardson and Obama supporters” on such issues as the war in Iraq and bringing change to Washington.
From CNN Politics
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RICHARDSON FOR VICE PRES!!!!!!!!
I am a Hispanic American. Bill Richardson has shamed us. How can he be so ungrateful and move his votes to Obama. When his career has been promoted and established by the Clinton administration. We Hispanic Americans believe in loyalty. He obviously does not. What a hypocrite and a traitor of principle..
Richardson goes to Obama – is there no loyalty amongst anyone anymore? I told you how mucha whites hate.
I 2nd your nomination for Richardson for VP
Oh, Nelson, Richardson himself doesn't move his votes - research how the caucus works, if you don't meet a threshold you have to pick a different candidate.
This is surprising. Richardson has the deepest, broadest resume-and Obama's is the skimpiest. Why aren't the Richardson people moving to Edwards?
Richardson wouldn't be bad, but Obama/Biden would be an awesome ticket. Hope this trend continues and Barack wins Iowa!!!
Obama-Richardson is the best ticket I can imagine. I'd prefer the flip of this ticket, but this will do fine. In Obama, you're looking at one of the most inspirational figures that we've seen in decades. In Richardson, one of the most experienced candidates in the field... an ambassador, negotiator, executive. This could be a real change in the way that this country is run.
GO'BAMA GO!!!!!!
Just left my caucus in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where EVERY Richardson supporter went to Edwards, giving him a lead over Clinton.
Nick – NPR announced earlier this evening that Richardson said his delegates should go to Obama if he didn't get enough of a percentage to carry.
Richardson did move his votes. Indirectly. But he did.
And I think anyone BUT Hillary. We do not need or want another Clinton in office.
Ummm...Nelson....Richardson isn't the traitor.....according to YOUR logic, HIS SUPPORTERS ARE TRAITORS...THEY ARE THE ONES MOVING TO SUPPORT OBAMA....
Catch the wave baby!!!!
I just came back from my local caucus here in Iowa. We had 234 individuals in our precinct show up (an amazing number). Two candidate groups (Richardson, Biden) were non-viable after the first role call. Approximately 80% of those from the non-viable groups went to Obama. Maybe the extremist politics of Hillary are too much for the more moderate general public.
b – CNN itself was just showing how Richardson delegates were going Edwards instead of Obama by 2 to 1.
I don't understand why they report otherwise.
Save the Vice Presidency for Gov. Schweitzer. Richardson will be selected as Secretary of State.
Spradley, is it really surprising that Richardson's people are moving to Obama given the change of appeal in Edwards. I am avid Edwards supporter, but given the competition and leadership America needs right now, people are looking for charisma and fluidity... character traits that Edwards just isnt the best at.
NO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!
How has Bill Richardson shamed anyone? He doesn't get to pick where his non-viable votes go. Shame he failed to meet the threshold though as he was a great candidate.
From here it looks like we could see either an Edwards/Obama ticket or an Obama/Edwards ticket. I prefer the former.
Hillary is trailing.
I pray we don't have to worry about another Clinton trying to redefine 2-letter words during an investigation.
Nelson "you dont speak for me" we hispanics? what the h..., every hispanic is just a person, just as white, black or asian, "is not a matter of skin color" "a head a word" you talk I talk, you buy I I buy, you vote, I vote. "IS A MATTER OF CHOICE"
Way to go, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa!
READ IT AND WEEP!!!! 59% OF PRECINTS REPORTING SHOWS OBAMA IN THE LEAD WITH 35%!!!
GO'BAMA GO....GO'BAMA GO!!!!!
FIRED UP...READY TO GO!!!!
Well of course they would..........and that's fine. BILL Clinton came in fourth in Iowa, in fact, the winner of Iowa has always lost the election.
Obama, like Bush, is all about uniting (I'm a uniter not a divider) and bringing people together. Of course he has not a clue how to run a country, but that's OK, he'll surround himself with people who do. Sound familiar? Pluse he LOOKS so refreshing!!! So what else matters, right?
Why are they moving? Because they were told by HQ to do that. This is a very complicated ballet. Things don't happen by accident.
He perhaps thinks Obama will win and he can have a seat at the table. Obama is not electable, for a million reasons, and if he does (G-d Forbid) get elected, Richardson will be very much needed because Obama has not a clue, and misses votes (such as funding Iraq) so he can say he didn't vote for it) and meetings for the job he is paid for: the Senate.
I still hope for a turn around, but in any case, I am curious about where Biden's votes went.........or Dodd.........one would think to Clinton. One would hope for either Edwards or Clinton.
T. Blackwell, I prefer Edwards (after Richardson) because I'm looking more for substance than style these days. Too much sizzle and not enough steak has done this country in.
I am a Hispanic and am sad that Richradson has cut a deal with Obama. I will spit on him (metaphorically, that is) next time I see him.