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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To the Hillary people: LOSER IS SPELLED LIKE THIS. Looser is not as tight as-either way they are both applicaple to Hillary.
No Richardson is a real man, not a brown nose. Be lead by your conviction not by race or feelings – all you I stand no where
Richardson should be given a medal... by GW himself.. He knows what hes doing... Keep up the good work Judas.
It is always good to take the high road.
james carvelle has become ann coulter. same kind of outrageous comments sure to stir controversy.
Carville is a Mccain plant!
Richardson is looking out for #1 as all politicians do. He's hispanic and since Obama is having trouble with that vote, O probably 'promised' him something.
Richardson has betrayed by hitting a new low and it will undoubtedly come back to bite him.
HILLARY 08
We love you Bill Richardson. Stay strong. Stick to the issues. Don't let them drag you into the mud. You have every right to support whomever you like.
Judas Richardson.
Richardson is already in the gutter. He would be a nobody if it werent for the Clintons!! If the Judas shoe fits, Bill wear it!!
Isn't he a superdelegate? I'm wondering if he is going to use his vote for Obama or go the way his state voted and vote for Clinton? Something to watch for.
Too bad, beside Clinton choice, we still have McCan.
I don't know what's worse, Obama, or his cult-like supporters.
Maybe this year, I'll just vote republican.
Richardson you are a traitor and a loser! Who could trust you?
Carville you were right.
Since CNN is anti Clinton you will only see Anti Clinton Tickers and very few Anti Obama tickers.
I can not respect your endorsement, you waited to long and you did it to take heat out of Obama's pastor anti American remarks.
I totally believed what Mr. Richardson response to the comment that James Carvelle said was right. The common sense that, u could disagree with the people that u are close to doesn't mean u have to support them even if they are wrong or otherwise.
Personal interest comes first. If you're smart enough... you could have just KEEP QUITE. Is it loyalty to your country when you support one of the candidate? I don't think so.
Whatever Richardson- you've been in the gutter since you endorsed Obama.
Very good dude! You cannot stoop to Carville's level.
You already have gone lower that the lowest of all levels: Iscariot 's.
Is the economy, stupid!!!!
Very good dude! You cannot stoop to Carville's level.
You already have gone lower that the lowest of all levels: Iscariot 's.
It's the economy, stupid!!!!
Why would anyone in thier right mind and with an IQ above 80 support anything with the Clinton name on it? The Clintons and thier backers are ruthless, horrible people who will stoop to anything for the sake of gaining control and power.
Wake up democrats!
Fox and White Friends, is the most racist program on television. The stupid commentators actually believe all the lies they tell. They are so desperate to get viewers they've started some type of stupid contest.
I will not stoop to the level of some of the posters and post in this blog!
Bush – Clinton, Bush – Clinton...this is when I wake from my nightmare.
durty politic and personal interest, dream VP? That`s all about it?