Posted on 03/21/2008 10:17:14 PM PDT by george76
Endorsements rarely determine the outcome of presidential races, but the decision by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to announce his support for Barack Obama today is nonetheless an important boost for Obama in his nomination battle with Hillary Clinton.
The endorsement is valuable for at least five reasons. The first is timing. Richardson has ridden to Obama's rescue during what has been the roughest stretch of his candidacy. It comes after the uproar over Obama's spiritual mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, which has knocked Obama off stride. It comes after losses in Ohio and Texas, which cost Obama the opportunity to force Clinton out of the race.
It comes also at a moment when the Clinton campaign has become, if not confident, at least hopeful, that there is still a way for her to win the nomination, predicated on perceptions that Obama might be a risky candidate in the fall campaign. Richardson's endorsement won't eradicate all the problems that have sprouted up around Obama's candidacy, but his timing could not have been more helpful.
Second, Richardson sends a signal to superdelegates that they too should back Obama. This may be the most significant aspect of his decision to back Obama. Superdelegates will decide the nomination. There is no way either Clinton or Obama can get to the 2,024 votes necessary to win the nomination without the superdelegates.
Fifth, Richardson's support could help Obama improve his standing with Hispanic voters. Clearly an endorsement would have been more valuable before the Texas primary, where Clinton beat Obama by 2-1 among Hispanics. But better late than never.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.washingtonpost.com ...
I think that theory is over stated.
Richardson isn’t going to help him much.
Most are forgetting that, mathematically, Obama id the nominee. Short of massive subterfuge, there is NO WAY that Hillary can win. It’s a done deal.
This is the source that was referenced earlier.
I think he is definitely trying to encourage the superdelegates to jump off the sinking Hillary ship before it drags the entire party down.
Thanks for the Viva Obama.
My spanish is not that good, but I understood much of it.
Will New Mexico go for BO ?
He he. Throw Hilary from the train. They’re turning on her left and right, er well you know what I mean.
BO has the elected delegates and enough of the super delegates to win in August.
My guess is that Richardson wants to ride with the nominee ?
Hillary will drag this into August if she can.
This will just make it a little harder. Other super delegates will fuss.
Caption: Sorry, Barry, but I won’t kiss open-mouthed.
I'm glad you included "Short of massive subterfuge" in your statement.
There's still a long way to go and the clintoons are in this to win no matter the cost.
It ain't over till it's over.......
The clintoons have resurrected themselves from certain political death more than once. They seem to have a knack for that.
Richardson would be an excellent VP nominee to join Obama.
Helps with hispanics and probably insures the dems get NM electoral college votes, as well (it being a swing state much needed by the GOP)..
Most people probably don’t even know Richardson IS Hispanic. His name sounds like a Chicago Blue Blood entry.
Richardson is a boob. I cringed everytime he spoke during the debates..
THat’s true, but no one wants to say it.
Obama is desperate. He has promised Richardson something really, really big to buy him away from the Clintons. VP? Ambassador to St. James Court?
Too bad - but Barack says we can always hope.
McCain stands a slight chance of wining against Hillary but Obama will make minced meat out of him.
Think about TV debates viewed by 30 to 50 million people.
McCain, the crusty old curmudgeon, will be standing there with a head full of nonsense about "conducting a civil discourse", mumbling like he has a mouthful of marbles and looking like the school janitor in a borrowed suit.
He will be facing a quick witted, energetic, youthful looking Barack Obama, The "Siver Tongued Devil" himself.
It will be like a one-sided claymation Celebrity Death Match with McCain on the losing end.
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