(FUENTE: WASHINGTON POST)
CHICAGO -- Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) will endorse Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy today after a long courtship by both Obama and his rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Obama campaign announced this morning.
The endorsement of Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, has been seen as a rich prize since he abandoned his own presidential campaign in January. He is expected to appear with Obama at a campaign event in Oregon today.
In a statement first reported by the Associated Press, Richardson described the Illinois senator as a "once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world."
Clinton campaign advisers dismissed the significance of Richardson's endorsement, Washington Post staff writer Anne Kornblut reported. "You know, look, I think everyone has their endorsers," said chief strategist Mark Penn. Given that New Mexico had already voted for Clinton in its primary, "perhaps the time when he could have been most effective has long since passed, " Penn said. "I don't think it's a significant endorsement."
But it is one that Clinton had solicited. For Obama, who is laboring to stop Clinton from building momentum and persuading voters that she is more electable, Richardson's endorsement could add to his credibility among Hispanics, as well as among Democratic superdelegates whose choices could prove decisive. In recent weeks, the bumpiest of his 13-month campaign, Obama has picked up more superdelegates than Clinton.
Richardson chose Obama despite his close ties to the Clintons and Hillary Clinton's win in New Mexico's primary. He served as energy secretary and U.N. ambassador in Bill Clinton's administration, and the former president joined Richardson to watch last month's Super Bowl.
But when it came time to decide, Richardson said Obama "will be a historic and great president, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."The Obama campaign provided a copy of prepared remarks Richardson is scheduled to deliver in Oregon.While Richardson called Hillary Clinton "a distinguished leader with vast experience," he said it is "now time for a new generation of leadership."
In a reference to the Clintons's argument that Obama is too inexperienced to be commander in chief, Richardson referred to his own role as a globe-trotting troubleshooter who has met with rogue state leaders. He said Obama possesses "the judgment and courage we need in a commander-in-chief when our nation's security is on the line."Obama returned the praise and said he was "deeply honored" to have Richardson's support.
Obama said in a prepared statement that Richardson has a strong economic record in New Mexico. On foreign policy, Obama credited Richardson with "tough, aggressive diplomacy" that aligns with an Obama credo that "we have to talk to our enemies, as well as our friends, which is why he stood up to North Korea and Saddam Hussein to secure the release of American hostages."
The endorsement of Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, has been seen as a rich prize since he abandoned his own presidential campaign in January. He is expected to appear with Obama at a campaign event in Oregon today.
In a statement first reported by the Associated Press, Richardson described the Illinois senator as a "once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world."
Clinton campaign advisers dismissed the significance of Richardson's endorsement, Washington Post staff writer Anne Kornblut reported. "You know, look, I think everyone has their endorsers," said chief strategist Mark Penn. Given that New Mexico had already voted for Clinton in its primary, "perhaps the time when he could have been most effective has long since passed, " Penn said. "I don't think it's a significant endorsement."
But it is one that Clinton had solicited. For Obama, who is laboring to stop Clinton from building momentum and persuading voters that she is more electable, Richardson's endorsement could add to his credibility among Hispanics, as well as among Democratic superdelegates whose choices could prove decisive. In recent weeks, the bumpiest of his 13-month campaign, Obama has picked up more superdelegates than Clinton.
Richardson chose Obama despite his close ties to the Clintons and Hillary Clinton's win in New Mexico's primary. He served as energy secretary and U.N. ambassador in Bill Clinton's administration, and the former president joined Richardson to watch last month's Super Bowl.
But when it came time to decide, Richardson said Obama "will be a historic and great president, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad."The Obama campaign provided a copy of prepared remarks Richardson is scheduled to deliver in Oregon.While Richardson called Hillary Clinton "a distinguished leader with vast experience," he said it is "now time for a new generation of leadership."
In a reference to the Clintons's argument that Obama is too inexperienced to be commander in chief, Richardson referred to his own role as a globe-trotting troubleshooter who has met with rogue state leaders. He said Obama possesses "the judgment and courage we need in a commander-in-chief when our nation's security is on the line."Obama returned the praise and said he was "deeply honored" to have Richardson's support.
Obama said in a prepared statement that Richardson has a strong economic record in New Mexico. On foreign policy, Obama credited Richardson with "tough, aggressive diplomacy" that aligns with an Obama credo that "we have to talk to our enemies, as well as our friends, which is why he stood up to North Korea and Saddam Hussein to secure the release of American hostages."
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