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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I have no respect for Richardson. I think he earned his nickname.
Carville ? – Clinton ? They are worth each either . Disgusting !
I am a REPUBLICAN.
Very refreshing to see that the democratic party still has members that
put the nation and their integrity first.
hooray for Bill Richardson.
I applaud Richardson for standing up. We can be loyal friends but have different thoughts and views. He followed his heart and soul.
Good for him.
No Amber, don't get it twisted – it's Billary that have already made promises she probably won't be able to keep...And do you actually believe in liars??? Well I guess it takes one to know one...
I think Richardson is like Gore - his best years ahead of him. He's grown in stature a lot for supporting Obama. Carville is sad; sick.
If you can't spell "loser," you're the loser.
The Clintons think they're entitled to everything and it's enough to make me barf. Who cares what Skeletor has to say anyway?
Well... are you stumping for VP Richardson? haha... looks like you want something from Obama. All we need is another bad politician in office. Yikes!! Wake up America! Let's see if CNN will publish this comment!
Hillary –
Duck and run for cover.
The swallows are returning to Capistrono.
This is why Obama does not want Florida to VOTE
If Florida decides to have a second Presidential Primary this year, Hillary Clinton will begin the race with a sixteen-percentage point lead over Barack Obama. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows that Clinton attracts 55% of the Sunshine State Primary Vote while Obama earns 39%.
I criticize Richardson for being a political opportunist, for jumping on the small but growing bandwagon for Obama. I criticize Carvill for his caustic comments.
But since I'm for Obama I still appreciate what Richardson did.
Some of the endorsements that Sen Obama has gotten from loosing lot seemed to have hidden motive, could it be a little hope of future positon in Obama's cabinet ? Otherwise, why would a smart person like Gov Richardson go against his "soul" and endorse Obama.
Traitor, in exchange for ?
Obama is a cunning fox, where is his God and Allah?
If he is nominated i wish everyone to him John to win even if he does
not have the intelligence like Obama who is a political fox and wolf.
May God bless America
May Buddha enlightens America
Richardson is an opportunist. CNN, why are you ceing so biased again. Please OBama just go away. You are making yourself into a puppet for all these old democrats.
OBAMA YOU ARE THE STATUS QUO!!!!
should be help not him John
Like I said earlier in the day.
Mobee March 30th, 2008 5:07 pm ET
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Carville was brought up in the LOUISIANA political arena. Nuff said.
"I think loyalty to the nation, loyalty to the party is a lot more important than personal loyalty," he said.
How about loyalty to the voters of your state, Governor?? They have spoken and it's clear you are out of step with the will of New Mexico's voters.
Where would you be without the Clinton's?
Carville called out a disloyal opportunist... where's the problem?
small point that someone else has probably already addressed...Joe it was the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery, not the 14th...
Carville did not compare Hillary to Jesus. Anyone who betrays a friend is called a Judas. Richardson did it to get his campaign bill paid by Obamas campaign, Sounds like a Judas to me.
I agree with Gov. Richardson. I thought Carville's comments were particularly offensive in that his comments seemed to equate Hillary with Jesus!
Loser is spelled with one 'o'. So is Obama!!
Boy, CNN really must dislike Carville.
Anyone who signed a contract and now is forced into foreclosure has nobody to blame but themselves. Quit trying to make the rest of us pay for your stupidity.
Get educated.
Sticks and stones, Carville...... ask Hillary about those unpaid bills she left behind in Ohio. Oh, I'm sorry! It's Pastor Wright's fault she didn't pay in full on those media buys! Ha!