Richardson: I never promised Clintons
(CNN) - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday sharply disputed Bill Clinton's reported claim that Richardson promised not to endorse Barack Obama's bid for the White House.
"I never did," Richardson told CNN. "I never saw [President Clinton] five times. I saw him when he watched the Super Bowl with me. We made it very clear to him that he shouldn't expect an endorsement after that meeting."
Bill Clinton's comments reportedly came during a recent meeting with some California superdelegates. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the former president got "red faced" when the subject of Richardson came up and said, "Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that."
In the interview Wednesday, Richardson acknowledged he was "very close to endorsing" Clinton, but decided not to after the campaign got "nasty."
"I held back. I waited. I felt the campaign got nasty. I heard Senator Obama; he would talk to me continuously," Richardson said.
"The Clintons should get over this," he added.
Richardson, a former U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration, endorsed Obama late last month.
Read more: Richardson denies promise to Clintons
Related: Watch Bill Richardson's interview on The Situation Room.
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Hillary and Bill are trying there best to destroy demoncratic party I never seen anybody like them 2 they need to run as republican both of them acting like fools, I believe Richardson did never say he will endorse Hillary. I hope the hispanic people see how Bill and Hillary use the Hispanic people for vote.
Why is this on the Ticker for 2 days straight ???? Who Cares
richardson is good without the clintons
it's time for this race to be over. Obama has more votes, more delegates, more donors, polls higher among Dems nationwide, polls higher against McCain. And the bitterness among some of Clinton's backers has, in my experience, gone completely berserk in the last 4 weeks. The party needs time to get back together - I hope that Clintons will let that process begin on now, instead of making it wait for several more painful months, because some wounds are occurring that may not ever get restored.
Obama is fool's gold according to Uncle Sam, well anyone who would vote for a Republican for President after the disaster they have caused with their criminal war, cronyism, and ineptitude is just a plain FOOL.
The Clintons believe everyone OWES them their life
I admire Richardson for emdorsing whom he believes is best qualified for the presidency
Rather then endorsing out of "loyality"
I want every American to ask themselves
Do we REALLY want the Clintons back in the House???
With all the scandals and dishonesty...
Is this whom we should trust our nation with???
But Mr. Richardson, these are the Clintons. They are "entitled" to the White House. If you know them at all, you know that they are the only ones in this world that count. Hillary discounted all the little states when they were voting for Obama, but now she wants "everyone" to have a say. The caucases were inconsequential, but now she wants "everyone" to have a say. Guess that includes Mr. Richardson, since he is part of "everyone", Hillary.
"The Clintons ARE NOT entitled to anything and everything. Geez…."
Neither are the illegal Mexicans that Richardson sticks up for...he should get over it.
Holly, while I agree with the gist of what you are saying, I think "Read my lips, no new taxes" was the elder George Bush
Judas
Me thinks the gentleman doth protest too much. Richardson is lying.
He is a Judas! I pledge to max out and campaign for any one who ever opposes him for anything. He and Obama deserve each other.
What good is his endorsement? Clinton had the hispanic vote even when Richardson himself was running.
RICHARDSON, YOU ARE A JUDAS....IN JAN YOU SAID SUPERDELEGATES SHOULD VOTE WITH THEIR STATE...SO WHAT HAPPENED? YOUR STATE VOTED FOR HILLARY. OH, I THINK I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED B. HUSSEIN PROMISED YOU SOMETHING, HMM, MAYBE THE V.P. JOB....TRADER!!!
Richardson is only looking for political gain. He shoud know better than to mess with the Clintons as they are one of the most powerful names in the party. I think he just committed political suicide.
I'm so sick of Billary reporters referring to Obama as the "least experienced" candidate. We have had "experienced" candidates like George Bush in the presidency for many years, and look at the economy! "Experienced" candidates got the US in the situation it is in today! For those who want to bash Obama, for being least experienced, I challenge you to research Hillary's "lifetime of experience"....the numbers don't pan out! Oh, and let's not forget Bosnia and how she dodged bullets! LOL
Regarding Richardson, he has every right to endorse who he wants and the Clintons NEED TO MOVE ON.
Obama 08
Bill when someone puts you on the map and jump starts your career you show them some kind of appreciation and not a stab in the back. You are not worth this blog!
When you say get over it you are talking to the people of New Mexico not just Hillary supporters.
And CHERYL, before you comment, we know you like Obama, and saying everything IN ALL CAPS is just annoying and isn't swaying anyone. Obama is just a typical politician, but he's just more capable of hiding it behind eloquent speach.
Obama can't win the general election (of course, Hillary can't either) because of their overly-liberal policies.
We shouldn't have gone election process. We have wasted alot of time and money. Alot of energy too. We could have just annoited Hillary. If nomination is about friendship not the country. I am glad Bill have independent thinking!
Who caresabout Richardson. The man is an outright liar. In Feb he told the media that the superdelegates should go with who "wins" their state. He's obviously NOT a man of his word. He will not sway Hispanic voters who are loyal to Hillary.
He should have just stayed out of it like Edwards!
You Obama people with your hateful comments will cost Obama! I will NEVER vote for him!
"The man 'doth protest too much, methinks..."
Mr. Richardson, why are you out defending yourself all the time lately? This is a clear sign of someone who is feeling guilty about something....I knew when James Carville came out and made the Judas statement, that there was something else underneath...the reaction was so strong, Carville didn't react that strongly about any other Obama endorsement....I truly believe Richardson DID Tell the Clintons he would NOT endorse obama....In this story above, Richardson says that after the Superbowl, he made it clear that they (the Clintons) should not expect an endorsement....that's funny because I SAW him and HEARD him say he was very close to endorsing Hillary after the superbowl..........I think this guy's political future is over....
The Clinton's are a trip. No wonder their marriage went south in the White House. Is this how they do each other. Lie after Lie.
I would love to see an Obama/Richardson or an Obama/Sebelius ticket – both Richardson and Sebelius are honorable, knowledgeable individuals!
Vote Honor & Integrity ‘08!
If Richards did say it, is he not allowed to change his mind? Bill, they will find a way to cheat and make your wife the Dem nominee! Trust me...lol
I think at a minimum. Bill Richardson should have remained neutral.
I have always had a lot of respect for Bill Richardson. No matter what anyone thinks of the Clintons, Bill Richardson was a friend, and someone the Clintons had given opportunites.
I don't think the Clintons are anymore negative then any other candidate.
There doesn't seem any rational for Richardson's endorsement other then political expediency.