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
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Obama and Richardson
STAY above the FRAY!
Decent Respectable Honorable
Trustworthy Honest
Appearances COUNT
versus a doormat contender...
full of grime
In my eyes Richardson is just looking for a VP spot. I would not for Obama no matter what, and I am hispabic voter.
To Tim (3/30 at 1649hrs EDT): Learn your spelling first before you start name-calling others........... LOSER!!
and McCain looks on with laughter........
Umm...Tim, when you can spell LOSER, then you can post on this forum. LOOSER doesn't mean LOSER. Then again, Clinton's supporters aren't exactly the smartest lot.
Some of the remarks that Bill Clinton has made of late makes him sound like James Carville with hair.
If Richardson is Judas, what does that make Hillary ?
The Clintons only care about themselves!
Hillary needs to end it if she cares at all about anything but herself!
Carville says his insult had the 'desired effect'? What effect is that?
Reminding people how petty and childish the Clinton camp is?
Or reminding people how narcissistic they are, thinking their candidate is the equivalent of Jesus Christ!
James Carville has demonstrated the same old venomous politics practiced by the Republicans and championed by his wife. I had expected more from a Democratic strategist.
Where are the snipers, the canceled welcoming party, the flack jackets?
Is it the Truth?
Yeah!
He ain't a Clinton slave no mo!
His eyes have seen the glory of the comin' of the Lord!
DrFill
Who cares whether Richardson endorses Obama or Clinton??? The guy is an idiot
Choosing a guy who is not and will not be the right person for this country, at least in the next four year, is that what you meant loyalty to your country and to your party. How about the people, the Hispanic Americans whom you have claimed to represent for ???
Good for Richardson. Carville just came off as bitter since his candidate didn't get the endorsement.
he is Judas...bottom line
loyalty is loyalty....nobody can trust him now
so I guess you people on here feel that anything GOOD the Clintons did for so many people should be forgotten? what kind of heartless and ungrateful people are you???
I want all of the superdelegates to vote the will of their constituents. Obama STILL wins! Go figure.
Rising above it is the way to keep HOPE alive. Caqrviloe like Billary is showing his true colors. Way to go Bill ... Obama-Richardson-08 !!!
I used to support Richardson. Now I realize he is an opportunist who will betray his own state's wishes. After this ill-timed tryst with Obama fails, Richardson should get on with his retirement and ride that TV horse of his out into the sunset.
James Carville is simply a talking head who hasn't done a thing in politics since 1992. oh..except for marrying one of the most right wing republicans one can think of and has a house with eight cats and six dogs..
Pretty hard to "stoop" to someone's level when you're below it to begin with! Richardson would have to look UP to get to Carville's level.
Now I only wonder WHY Richardson is sucking up to Obama. Maybe he thinks he can become vice president if Obama wins.
Judas. Sounds right to me.
Hillary or McCain – 2008
Good for you Bill Richardson!! It seems the Clinton camp loves to play childish games and change rules as they go to try and win.. Last I checked cheaters never win.
Obama 08
I think Carville is right.
Money talks... Who do you want to support today, Richardson? You are worse than the bibilcal Judas... We will wait to watch you stab Obama in the back... haha... when? You are all a bunch of outrageous politicians anyway...
But are the Clintons God?? This non-democratic spirit of entitilment must stop. America is not for sale. Drop out already Sen Clinton!!!