(CNN) - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Tuesday suggested he may endorse a former rival in the Democratic White House race sometime this week.
In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer set to air at 6 p.m. hour of The Situation Room, Richardson praised both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and suggested now might be the right time he publicly backs one of them.
"I may make a decision and do an endorsement," Richardson said.
Asked if the endorsement could come within the next couple of days, the New Mexico governor replied, "Possibly, yes."
Richardson, a former member of the Clinton administration, wouldn't hint at which candidate he was leaning towards, and said it's still possible he may make no endorsement.
"I'm just not trying to be cute. I just have felt that an endorsement by me, I don't think it is that significant," he said. "But I still might do it."
Both Clinton and Obama have heavily sought Richardson's backing since he dropped out of the race in January. Richardson, one of the highest ranking Hispanics in the Democratic Party, could give either candidate a boost in the Latino community ahead of Texas' primary on March 4. Latinos are expected to play a big role in that contest.
In the interview Tuesday, Richardson praised both candidates, and said the two are running a "classic race."
"Change versus experience," Richardson said of the race. "And obviously I ran on the experience mantle. It didn't work out too well. But I think they are both exceptional candidates, represent fundamental change. I think it is going to be very, very close. I don't think this race is over."
Watch the full interview with Richardson tonight on The Situation Room, 6 p.m. ET.
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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Richardsons endorsement would be welcomed by either candidate. I hope he makes the right choice. and can live with that choice. Same goes for Dodd, I hope he can live with his choice.
I don't know why the Hillary keeps pushing a "busted" set of healthcare plans. Her campaign simply doesn't give people any credit. Quietly, and on their own time, people research the plans and compare them. Sure, her proposal woud theoretically cover more people, but it's clumsy and punative. Obama's plan, in lcear irony with Hillary's attack points, is a far more realistic step towards, perhaps an eventual univerical healthcare system.
Nice mustache. I didn't even recognize him. Wonder if he will make his endorsement before or after march 4th.
Hispanics represent 15% of our population, and are a vital part of our economy, and our social and political landscape.
The Hispanic vote carried Hillary in California. I would hope that Governor Richardson be respectful of the many Hispanic voters who admire, and are not intimidated or afraid of, a strong woman in the White House.
Hispanics will carry Hillary to victory in November. They are a vital part of our country, and need to be heard. They are not fooled by "hope" and "vision". They vote for experience, knowing that a weak America will not fulfill their dreams.
Please Bill endorce Obama. He can help the hispanics, whites, balcks, men, women, young and old.
The Amercian Southwest is counting on you to support the candidate who has always represented your constituents in politics and for a long time. Don't let her down and don't let the people you represent down.
Obama – Richardson would make a great ticket in `08.
I have seen you a few times on TV....always "insinuating" that you would be endorsing someone soon...when it is clear that you will be endorsing Baraka Hussein Obama. Quite frankly, it does not matter to Clinton's supporters. She has many high-ranking officials endorsing her also. Go ahead, make our day!
He is going to endorse Obama! Change versus experience , judgement versus experience! with all the respect to Clinton' hardworking and intelligence, but we do need a leader with vision and good judgement.
Hey, Mr Richardson, you are now behaving like a bride to be being courted and your endorsement at this time possibly has no weight.
You have been at for several weeks saying you will endorse either Hillary or Barack then maybe not and are enjoying their attention very much..
Goes to show what type of President you would have made.
Keep your endorsement – we already got the important one's, besides after March 4th this thing is over and your Latino's are independent thinkers you don't need you to sway them which side to go.
How about concentrating on manicuring the beard.
i love richardson. i hope he endorses obama
long live the neck beard!!
Come on! Endorse Hillary now!
Wow... Who cares who that grizzly man endorses!
What happened to the good old days with the news media simply and fairly reported the news and did not endorse anyone? The media has almost immediately pushed Obama to the forefront while almost totally ignoring Edwards, Huckaby and Romney. Hillary can't do anything to please the news media. Romney and Edwards dropped out. Huckaby won't go away. Hillary is always being criticized and never does anything right according to the media. Then when it appeared that the race would be between McCain and Obama, the media comes out with that awful story intimating that McCain had an inappropriate relationship. What is it about this Obama guy that has all of you buffaloed? Have you ever heard of a wolf in sheep's clothing? Does he has "something" on the news media that would make the media so very, very obviously biased and unfair? You have done a great disservice to the other candidates and I won't vote for Obama just because the media has been cramming him down our throats for months. The media should just report the news, fairly and impartially.......and not endorse anyone.
Mr. Richardson, Please endorse Senator Obama, if you endorse Hillary, I will still respect you though.
My top choices for Obama's VPs are
1. John Edwards
2. Bill Richardson
3. Joe Biden
4. Chris Dodd
CNN, Please show my comment for once
Yet another Clinton crony.
If he were smart, he will vote clinton. Obama will divide this party and if he becomes our nominee, I will not vote and become an ind
Wow, what an incredibly relevant article. You could simply wait until he actually makes an endorsement before reporting it. Then there would actually be something to report.
why this article? Isn't it like 2weeks old?
Can you imagine the incredable amount of pressure currantly being placed on Bill Richardson? WOW!
He's a politician though, and as such, will do what's best for Bill Richardson. If he had come out prior to Super Tuesday, no one would have been surprised to see him come out for Hillary. That was then. He has a poitical career ahead of him and he can read the writing on the wall. My money says, unless Obama falls on his sword in tonight's debate, he comes out tomorrow for Obama.
Richardson, a former member of the Clinton administration, yet another Clinton crony.
CNN, I bet that if Richardson endorses Hillary you'll give it as narrow a coverage as possible but if he endorses Obama we won't hear the last of it.
And by the way why don't you make a ticker out of Farakhan's endorsement of Obama and Obama's silence on the said endorsement (not distancing himself from it)? Are you afraid to publish the true views of the American people? And tell me, would Farakhan endorse Obama if Obama were not a black Muslim like himself? Does he find in Obama a soulmate for his semitism and Black versus Jews war?
And will you be brave enough to publish my comments, especially as they do not favour Obama?
"And obviously I ran on the experience mantle. It didn't work out too well." qoute
hope Hillary is listening
CNN was this really a story?
Asked if the endorsement could come within the next couple of days, the New Mexico governor replied, "Possibly, yes."
Richardson, a former member of the Clinton administration, wouldn't hint at which candidate he was leaning towards, and said it's still possible he may make no endorsement.
I think Richardson summed the whole thing up best when he said "I just have felt that an endorsement by me, I don't think it is that significant," he said. "But I still might do it."
Wake me up when he finally makes a decision!! How very "presidential" of him!!!
Senator Richardson, please endorse Hillary Clinton. The inspirational and effective candidate for the Presidency, who will not be bringing a very young family into the Oval Office, and will have the mature motivation and be able to attend to the official matters at hand. The Clinton's know the White House and the situation. This Nation will never have an opportunity like this again. We cannot afford not to take the offer of their experienced public service and promoted agenda.