Richardson: 'I'm not going to stoop to Carville's level'
Richardson recently endorsed Obama despite his longstanding ties to the Clintons.
(Photo credit: AP)
(CNN) - Barack Obama supporter Gov. Bill Richardson, D-New Mexico, responded on Sunday to controversial comments by James Carville, saying that he would not "stoop to Carville's level."
Carville, a Hillary Clinton supporter and former strategist for her husband's 1992 presidential campaign, compared Richardson to the Biblical figure Judas in an interview with the New York Times last week. When later asked whether his comment was accurate, Carville made no attempt to apologize, saying that it had "the desired effect."
"I haven't gotten into the gutter on this. And you know, I'm not going to stoop to Carville's level. I barely know the guy in the first place," Richardson told Bob Scheiffer on CBS's "Face the Nation."
Carville had argued that Richardson's endorsement of the Illinois senator was an act of betrayal since the governor has a long history of political ties with her husband. Richardson disagreed.
"I think loyalty to the nation, loyalty to the party is a lot more important than personal loyalty," he said. "I owe the Clintons a lot. I served in the president's cabinet. That loyalty is to President Clinton. That doesn't mean that I'm going to for the rest of my life be in lockstep with whatever they do."
Though Richardson did not personally attack the Democratic strategist, he criticized the Clinton campaign's behavior.
"I ran against Senator Clinton. I was a presidential candidate. And what I ran against this personal venom that people like Carville and many others in the Clinton team that feel a sense of entitlement, that the presidency is theirs. "
On CNN's Late Edition, Carville acknowledged that his comment was harsh, but said that these kind of campaign spats are "powder puff stuff" compared to the general election.
"I don't think this campaign has been particularly negative. I've probably said the most negative thing in the whole campaign," he told Wolf Blitzer.
–CNN's Peter Lanier
"I think loyalty to the nation, loyalty to the party is a lot more important than personal loyalty," he said. "I owe the Clintons a lot. I served in the president's cabinet. That loyalty is to President Clinton. That doesn't mean that I'm going to for the rest of my life be in lockstep with whatever they do."
Gee, that makes SENSE, doesn't it?
The 14th amendment abolished slavery, right?
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DNC stacked the deck against Clinton.
They chose the votes of "new" democrats- too lazy, too selfish, and too apathetic to ever vote before, OVER the votes of "old" democrats- the ones who vote democratic in every election.
Bad gamble.
Disenfranchise your base and Nov is lost.
That is okay with those of us who were shafted by our own party.
I was so angry when I heard Carville's comment. Apparently, Senator Clinton's campaign thinks she is Jesus. What a crock and an insult to Christians everywhere.
The Clintons and their surrogates will do anything to win this nomination. I'm tired of these politics.
McCain or Obama.
The Problem is the Clintons THINK everyone that they worked with has to walk in LOCK-STEP with them for the rest of their lives because they OWE them not because it is what they believe in.
Who are the CLINTONS walking in lockstep with? They owe PLENTY of people who put them where they are. The people who OWN them expect THEM to do as THEY are told.
What were the names of those 20 major $$ Supporters of her again? OH and throw in the list of donors to the Clinton library while your at it so we can know who pulls Hillarys Strings.
Maggie Williams, former aide to the first lady during her stint in the White House and now the campaign manager for Sen. Hillary Clinton, earned about $200,000 last year on the board of a Long Island, N.Y., subprime lender that charged prepayment penalties — a practice that Hillary Clinton, as a candidate for president has been a huge critic, the subprime industry is being blamed by Hillary as the reason so many poor people in America are losing their homes, now Hillary seeks to eliminate them.
Question, will Maggie Williams do anything to help those of us who have lost our homes….and will Hillary ask her to give back the money she made while she was on the board of this sub-prime lender?
I don't respect double talk…and Hillary you not only speak doulble talk you "are" double talk.
I've Mispoken again and I can't get up....
Very Well Said.. Time to move on and move forward..
Love you Richardson. You do not owe the Clintons nothing..
You serviced your time well, while in their cabinet.
Hmmmm....but what DID you promise to Hillary, Mr Richardson?!!
What an opportunist. You certainly led the campaign along by the comments that you made (and were posted).
If you were so taken by Obama- why didn't you endorse sooner?
Pathetic.
Huh? But he can stoop to Wright's level and endorse Obama?
Gov. Richardson is a political opportunist. He swayed to the gust of wind of the Obama campaign.
Did he put his name on Obama's "secretary of state" short list for this support?
He'll throw his support to any candidate if it'll propell him further up the political ladder.
Richardson is a looser. The guy would not have gone anywhere without the help of the Clintons. His career is over.
What a looser!
Richardson's point is well taken. The United States is a republic, not a feudal barony where loyalty to the liege lord is paramount.
Carville, on the other hand, needs to untwist the knot in his panties and get a grip. After all, if Richardson is Judas in his universe, what does that make Hillary?
Sheesh, talk about delusions of grandeur!
Good for you Bill Richardson!
Carville has stated in the past that Bill Clinton did something stupid with a young woman when the Monica story was news.
Hey Carville, it wasn't just "something stupid". Clinton was breaking his marriage vows... the ULTIMATE BETRAYAL !
Did Richardson have a vow with the Clintons ? NO!
Obama is right.. it's silly season and you, Mr. Carville are a silly guy !
No way. All this is in a day? Nay display of hearsay is Okay?
Well said Governor Richardson who reflects the overall mood and positive spirit of the Obama campaign!!
Good for you Richardson, why should you feel obligated to be loyal to the Clintons, it's the nation and its people that are by far more important I appaud you for that. Good for you.
Obama 08!
Richardson you went lower than James. You played traitor over to O.B. from HRC'S crew. You also disgraced your country and your people.What comes around goes around. GO HRC
What you neglected to mention, CNN, is that Richardson ran against HRClinton in the Presidential Race. As he said, why didn't they call him a Judas THEN?
Also, as Richardson so aptly stated, he worked for PRESIDENT Clinton, NOT Hillary Clinton,
Bill Richardson,
I am of NM and adore you.
Neutrality was a better virtue in a race that has favored Obama and disadvantaged Clinton.
Edwards was the better leader
You haven't Mr, You have sunk a way down further...
You will find out just how far, in the months to come....
Carville was brought up in the Louisiana political arena. Nuff said.
Richardson wouldve been a better pick for president than any of these clowns.
Thank you Gov. Richardson..... This is why YOU are on the Obama Team!!!
Obama/Edwards08 Si Se Puede
Richardson in his own right is capable of being a good Prez. But for now. I hope Richardson becomes VP! Now that would be cool.
Richardson: 'I'm not going to stoop to Carville's level'
That judas gost Richardson, has already stooped lower than Carville