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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Good for Richardson for not stooping to that little mutant monkey faced troll.
Bill Richardson is a traitor. Only a friend can betray a friend. By supporting a liar like Obama he has now showed his true colors. Obama's religious affiliation and the lies he made about them should be enough to convince any rational person.
Richardson was not loyal to the people of his his state.
He has given his support to Obama simply to further his own political career.
Typical politician... Flat out selfish...
I think what mr Carville need to know is this, Richardson presents in Clinton admistration was not to serve him but America and the party. Governor Richardson knows what it mean to serve the nation then going to the Government with the interest of serving one man. Carville is wrong in many ways because endorsing another Democrats doesn't mean betrayal at all.
Both people are American and democrats, where does this word come from.
Thanks
Of course... another Clinton surrogate think he hit the top of the ceiling of their "negativity", what's more to come? Just how far they'd go?
Carville mans the cannons; takes a chunk of out his own boat.
The Clintons have disappointed me so much during this process. I can't vote for Hillary...they have really shown their true colors.
carville wants to create a victim in HRC,
so we can all feel sorry for her. Won't work.
Or to deflect from Bosnia misspeak. Won't work.
BS "Judas" Richardson - not buying it!
If you don't count the votes in Fl and Mi- then Obama wins by cheating.
Who will vote for someine who cheats another democrat out of her victory?
What James Carville said was really out of line. However, I understand his sentiment. I liked Richardson until he went back on his word about the role of SuperDelegates. The interview with him on CNN showed that he knew he was wrong...
Good for you Bill Richrdson. No low level politics for you! I commend your Dignity. Obama/08
Isn't this story really old? Or did I miss something new?
You go Bill Richardson. Well said
cnn doesn't fail to stoop to carville's level everyday with it's pro-clinton coverage
Well said Bill
This is just another example of the Clinton machine using slimeball politics as usual to win votes and not earn votes. Wake up America!
Bill Richardson is an honourable person. He doesn't need to respond to such negative tactics,
OBAMA 08
Ricardson has aready stooped as low as he can go. He said the super delegates should go the way the voters did. Is defecting to Obama doing what the voters want?
You go Bill. Great job!
The Clinton surogates specialize in the politics of personal destruction. Despite Mr. Carville's opinion, the Republicans can't hold a candle to this stuff.
Opportunistic politicians like Bill "Judas" Richardson are a dime a dozen.
CNN
I can't even understand you did not call Carville on his lying body language when you asked him about his extremely rude comment!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame on you Carville. You just made yourself the laughing stock of Hillary's campaign that you will be branded with for the rest of your life. The least you can do is apologize- it might help restore the respect of Americans you once had.
He has already "stooped" way below the level of James Carville.
He is a backstabber. You can't get any lower than turning your back on your friends in order to further your career.
Richardson is a sleaze bucket.