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Clinton 'gracious' about Richardson backing Obama |
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By Klaus Marre
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Posted: 03/24/08 11:28 AM [ET] |
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New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said Monday that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) was “very gracious” when he informed her that he would back Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) in the race for the Democratic nomination. The endorsement was a major coup for Obama and could help the Democratic frontrunner make gains with Hispanics. It also sparked controversy as Clinton ally James Carville likened Richardson, who had served in President Bill Clinton’s cabinet, to Judas. In return, the governor said he would like to see the campaigns move away from “gutter politics.” However, in an interview with MSNBC, the New Mexico governor stressed that his criticism does not extend to the former first lady. “She was very gracious. She was not happy,” Richardson, who later described the phone call as ‘heated’ in an interview with CNN. “She did say she was disappointed.” The governor noted that he was very close to backing the former first lady, especially after the personal effort of her husband to get his support. |
