Richardson: I never promised Clintons
(CNN) - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday sharply disputed Bill Clinton's reported claim that Richardson promised not to endorse Barack Obama's bid for the White House.
"I never did," Richardson told CNN. "I never saw [President Clinton] five times. I saw him when he watched the Super Bowl with me. We made it very clear to him that he shouldn't expect an endorsement after that meeting."
Bill Clinton's comments reportedly came during a recent meeting with some California superdelegates. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the former president got "red faced" when the subject of Richardson came up and said, "Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that."
In the interview Wednesday, Richardson acknowledged he was "very close to endorsing" Clinton, but decided not to after the campaign got "nasty."
"I held back. I waited. I felt the campaign got nasty. I heard Senator Obama; he would talk to me continuously," Richardson said.
"The Clintons should get over this," he added.
Richardson, a former U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration, endorsed Obama late last month.
Read more: Richardson denies promise to Clintons
Related: Watch Bill Richardson's interview on The Situation Room.
From CNN Politics
- The 53 most stunning lines from Trump's 'Fox & Friends' interview April 26, 2018 11:14 pm
- Inside the dramatic collapse of Ronny Jackson's bid to lead the VA April 27, 2018 01:21 am
- Ronny Jackson withdraws as VA secretary nominee April 26, 2018 04:27 pm
- Trump tweets on 2026 World Cup bid April 27, 2018 01:34 am
- Stormy Daniels' lawyer pushes back on Cohen's 'blanket' Fifth Amendment claims April 27, 2018 01:36 am
- 1 poll number that should be a wake-up call for politicians April 26, 2018 11:46 pm
Hey Bill, take your own words to heart. "Just chill out, man... chill out"
He's not Judas he's Brutas.... stabing the Clintons in the back.... well we all know what happened to Brutas eh?
Richardson can not be manipylated! Chapeau!! The Clintons should change their name into Lie-Clintons. They are willing to lie about anything. Is President Clinton trying to 'snipe' Richardson?
maybe some of these "men" have a slight problem with the thought that a woman can win. wow, what a blow to the ego.
Not until she's damaged Obama sufficiently for her run in 2012. Unfortumately, she'll NEVER go away.
Richardson is a back stabber and the Clintons are better off with out him.
Minds do change3 when there is more information- what is the problem
Mah wife superdelegate relations with that man!
uh, I'm not under oath, am I?
Bill Richardson.... You Are Done!
And Bill Clinton thinks we should believe him Why?
Promises? When Bill said "I do" didn't that mean he would not drop his pants for other women.
I agree with Richardson. He went with the candidate who best represents him. The Clintons need to stop their whining and run the race. I think that's impossible for them.
That's it. I have been undecided until now. Obama will not get my vote. There are two other candidates in the race.
thanks everyone!
Judas! Traitor , that is what you are. You are going to love when Clinton gets the nomination. Eat your hat, loser, and and your master B.O.
Hillary 2008!
I think that Bill Richardson should stop calling Clinton a liar! He would probably not even be where he is today if he had not been mentored by President Clinton!
Just goes to show, the Clintons are on an ego trip, raising money from poor Americans to cover their losses. The game is over.
LIES ,LIES,LIES ,more LIES from Camp Clinton. These people are beyond dispicable! Please leave and go back to Hollywood where they like you.
I know that you will NOT post this as usual CNN. But I had to have my say anyway.
Any one but Hillary Rotten in 08.
Bill Clinton elevated Richardson to national attention and stature when he was president, and this is how he is repaid. Shame on you, Mr. Richardson, i.e., Judas. If not for Bill Clinton, NO ONE would ever have heard of you!
I believe Bill Clinton. That's it, pure and simple. The media is trying to choose our candidate for us.
Forget me. I have a mind of my own.
As for Hillary and the sniper fire? She's exposed to sniper fire every day and manages to keep her head up.
Good for her.
All you Richardson and Obama naysayers – don't hate – appreciate. Bill Richardson gave his endorsement based on his own opinion and he has that right. Richardson has not given us any reason not believe what he is saying isn't true. On the other hand, we have sniper fire and I did not have sexual relations with that woman. YOU DO THE MATH!
Why is Ricardson is talking? Is this the only way he can get into the news? Hmmmm.........
He waited until he could get a clearer picture of which way the wind was blowing. This is so transparent and so pathetic.
Tell me again why we care?
Hey Linda...I think the word you looking for is traitor....Unless Richardson works on the stock exchange...get over yourself!!!! and use proper english!!!!!
Bill Clinton is a known liar. It is in the record.
Bill Richardson, on the other hand, has no such record of lies.
I believe Richardson until proven otherwise.
If Richardson is Judas... doesnt that make Hillary Jesus? I have yet to see her walk on water, but i have seen her dogde snipers bullets...Oh wait THAT WAS A LIE.
Richardson can support who ever he want, and IF he gets the VP position its not like he isnt qaulified...