April 3rd, 2008
10:38 AM ET
15 years ago

Richardson: I never promised Clintons

CNN

Watch Bill Richardson's comments.

(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.


Filed under: Bill Richardson
soundoff (433 Responses)
  1. JT

    Did you honestly just say "Why would Bill lie"? It depends on the meaning of "is" I guess.

    I'd call the Clintons pathological liars, but they do it fully conscious of their intent.

    April 3, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |
  2. Terry

    Does anybody really care who Richardson endorses? I think it's more of a personal issue, and the Clintons feel betrayed.

    April 3, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |
  3. Fred

    It's funny how Richardson said the super delegates should follow the will of the voters of their states, and yet he does not. He musr REALLY want to have a job with Obama, and I'm sure he'll get one. Shining shoes and carrying luggage! You Democruts are so funny when you fight amongst yourselves!

    Big Mac '08

    April 3, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  4. faith

    loyalty is a contract written in blood apparently

    April 3, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  5. Renee

    Come on guys... who does'nt want to be on the Winning Team!
    Richardson is no fool.

    April 3, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  6. Anthony

    Bill Richardson should have been the nominee. Obama should make him VP. He has qualifications Hillary wishes she had.

    April 3, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  7. Ray, West Indies

    It is a shame Richardson didnt follow Obama when he said that superdelegates should follow how their state voted. I think Obama should remind him, or no he would loose Richardson, better stay quiet.

    April 3, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  8. Susan from Texas

    Why is this guy still spouting off of the mounth? Get over what? I don't hear the Clintons saying anything. He must be trying to keep his name in the news. Mr. Richardson get over yourself, you are insignificant.

    April 3, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |
  9. Will

    Richardson is a loser.

    April 3, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |
  10. Jesus

    Hello, Judas
    This is Jesus calling, where's my endorsement?

    April 3, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |
  11. Mimi in Chicago

    Billary does need to get over it and move on – such is politics.

    April 3, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |
  12. ECHEWEOZO

    THANKS CNN

    April 3, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |
  13. No Obama!

    Come on! RIchardson, could you just shut up and go away!

    We know how dirty trick you play with Obama! Obama must promise you big !

    However, Obama and you will never make your own dream true!

    No Obama! No Richardson!

    NO No NO

    April 3, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |
  14. John

    The Clintons have used Bill Richardson as their personal fire hydrant
    because there are no more states with significant Mexican populations to vote. That's the way these scumbags operate.

    April 3, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |
  15. LaLa

    That's right...GET OVER IT BILL! The Clintons are always crying about something!

    April 3, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  16. Dave, SC

    Seems to me that if this Gov. Richardson were committed to Sen. Clinton, he would have done so from the start. ALL of her true-line endorsers have supported her from the start. Shame on President Clinton for misspeaking like his wife.

    April 3, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  17. Joan

    actually Clinton never said Richardson promised TO ENDORSE Hillary
    he said Richardson promised NOT TO ENDORSE Obama. Those are two different things. I notice the absence of Richardson denying that.

    April 3, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  18. jay

    We don 't care about what the clintons say. It is about issues affecting us as Americans!

    April 3, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  19. Shelby

    Go Bill Richardson!!! The Clintons are political bullies its just a shame so many others dont have backbone it takes to stand up to them.

    April 3, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  20. Hillary

    Clinton to Richardson: "Obama CANNOT win!!!"

    April 3, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  21. Alice

    Yeah, like Bill Clinton never lied and deceived...under oath even.

    April 3, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  22. Editor

    CNN- Just say you are biased. What positive story have written lately supporting Hillary?.

    April 3, 2008 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  23. Morgan

    This guy is such a trader, it's disgusting. There really is no trust or loyalty left in Washington.

    April 3, 2008 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  24. 4Real SC

    Bill Clinton needs to stop bickering about not endorsing Hillary. This not a beauty contest where you beat up the judge if they don't vote for your daughter. This is for the American People stupid Bill.

    April 3, 2008 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  25. BL-NYC

    Richardson would not even have a job in politics or any exposure if it were not for Bill.
    His endorsment of Obama was simply for his own gain!

    April 3, 2008 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
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