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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Why is judus still speaking?
Governor Richardson has served this Country with honor. He voted without polical 'back scratching' and Hillary's campaign smears him? Why isn't the Democratic Party and Senators McCain and Obama insisting Hillary release her 2000-2006 tax returns.
Well said, Mr. Richardson! Be loyal to your country! The Clinton family doesn't own America and Hillary is not entitled to get your support and even less to win the nomination.
Carville's comments show howver his understanding of loyalty: For him it means obviously a life long brown nosing!
Carville is an antiquated joke, and no democat under the age of 35 pays any attention to him.
Jimbo, thank you and goodnight.....
Gov. Bill Richardson told earlier that one speech from OBAMA helped him to make the decision (NOT DEEDS OR ABILITIES OF OBAMA).
I hope Hillary Clinton can deliver a good speech and get Gov. Bill Richardson to change his mind.....
-HILLARY 08.
Well said Richardson. It is a shame that CNN gives air time to commentators like Carville.
Bill thank you,silence is the best answer for a fool like Carville
I agree. Richardson endorsed Obama for his own political reason. He is not for the nation or this people as he claim. This is not the first time he has turned his back on people that have supported him and it won't be the last. We will see what deal comes out of this!!
Please CNN do not have Carville on your show. This man is really crazy. He lack of sensitivity is frightening.
If the Super delegates are (ideally) supposed to vote the "will of the people," doesn't that mean ALL of the people, in the entire country, as opposed to individual states? If that's the case then, yes, Richardson went along with the majority of popular votes, delegates, and number of states won to date. Seems like he just looked at the math, ignored any "personal and/or perceived" obligation to Bill Clinton, then voted, and voted for what he truly feels would be in the best interest of the country, and the democratic party.
I'm glad he's not going to sink down to Carville's level. Carville supports corruption, lies, big money backers, and everything else that is inherently wrong with our current government. No doubt Carville still believes Clinton's lies about Bosnia, Ireland, NAFTA, Canada, and too many other Clinton lies to list... and probably ignoring the latest news out regarding Clinton's Campaign Manager.
I am glad that CNN has finally brought this up. When this man, James Carville, (who seems to think he's Jesus Christ??) called Bill Richardson Judas, I thought it was far worse and more insidious than anything the Reverend Wright had ever said. (and alot more contrived as well) . I find it extraordinary that you keep him on your program as part of "the best political team in America" at the same time allowing him to use his position with CNN to do another man in. These kind of remarks to a fellow democrat are full of hate, but you seem to condon one and condemn another???
Carville is a TROLL who is serving his master the Hillary monster.
Richardson is 100% correct!
Carvel is an idiotic - who cares what he thinks or say! He has been bought and paid for by the Clintons. If that is enough for him, then he should leave it alone because everyone does not have to live their life according to his program!
Richardson owes no one an apology. Think of it like a job - once you leave the job permanently, your services ends as well!
Good for Richardson. I am glad to see that so many are taking the high road but the Goons will be in here later and I am sure they will have something negative to say!!! but they should stop and look at the polls, this may explain why their candidate of choice is behind. Negativity takes so much more energy than just being plain ole nice. Can you say N.I.C.E HRC supporters. Go ahead, try it. It does the psyche good!!!
Mr. Richardson, With all due respect, you shouldn't aim so high.
You already did Bill.
You already have, Judas.
James Carville is the typical example of the nasty side of the Clintons. With Clinton supporters like James Carville, they made Republicans in the general election a piece of cake! And, the Clintons are the exact things we don't want to see in politics anymore!
Way to go Carville!!!!
I could care less if Ricardson wants to pretend to be the better man.....hes just looking for a VP spot with that endorsement anyway!
I feel Carville is going to take Hillary down.
Do they understand how much it has hurt Richardson supporters????
Carville is a little teched in the head. Always has been. The older he gets, the more teched he gets.
Loyalty First...but look at the reciever...Anti-American loyalist
I admire and respect you, Governor Richardson. Mr. Carville remarks were offensive and disgusting!
Carville has blinders on and he is one nasty Clinton backer. His statement is typical of how the Clintons and supporters are running this campaign. I've lost any respect for Carville and turn off the sound whenever he is on TV
This is about the future of our country, not the Clinton buddy system