MyDD :: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (?)

Looks Like Richardson Is Out (?)

by Todd Beeton, Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:18:31 PM EST

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.

Richardson planned to announce the decision Thursday, according to two people close to the governor with knowledge of the decision. They spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the governor's announcement.

Question: will he endorse Obama and campaign for him in Nevada, potentially eating into Clinton's hispanic base of support?

Update [2008-1-9 20:0:47 by Todd Beeton]:Commenters are reporting hearing conflicting reports on CNN and MSNBC, that Richardson is claiming that he will not drop out. But the story has now become a breaking news headline on Yahoo News. Hmm.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Democratic primary, bill richardson (all tags)

Permalink :: 39 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Is he even likely to endorse someone? Dodd and Biden still have not.

What would LBJ do?

by Socks The Cat on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:20:37 PM EST

Dodd and Biden are Senators (none / 0)

So that makes sense. They have to work with the next admin which they think, hope will be Democratic.

Richardson doesn't have to worry about that ... unless he wants a spot in the next admim. He may play it safe and stay quiet.

Since Clinton does better among hispanics just Richardson getting out helps her.

by dpANDREWS on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:23:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Fox thought he'd endorse Clinton (2.00 / 1)

That is what they mentioned may happen ... who knows.

My guess is if he as ambition done the road he stays silent and waits.

by dpANDREWS on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:21:19 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Then why did he have his cacus supporters move to Obama if that is his plan?

What would LBJ do?

by Socks The Cat on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:24:05 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Short term tactics, Hillary had to be taken down for Richardson to have any chance at all. Didn't work out, if you wound a king, you had better kill him. He has to make amends with the Clintons if he wants a future in national politics, regardless of who wins the nomination.

by souvarine on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:11:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Huh? How does he have a future in national politics if he endorses Clinton but another Democrat is elected President?

by Ron Thompson on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:19:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

He is between a rock and a hard place, he won't endorse anyone. Even if Obama wins Hillary and Bill won't just go away, and Richardson owes a lot to them.

by souvarine on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:15:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Well, how does he make amends with the Clintons except by endorsing her? Send her a muffin basket?

by Ron Thompson on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:45:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

We have never had anything official from Richardson's camp. He did, in fact, deny it. We only know that some local captains made it happen.

by americanincanada on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:26:45 PM EST

I know the Richardson captain (2.00 / 1)

in my neighborhood. He had told me weeks ago that Edwards was his second choice. On Thursday he told me that the campaign instructed him to send supporters to Obama. I believe him--there is simply no way individual precinct captains just made this up.

Now, it didn't work out to Obama's benefit in every precinct. But read the comments below this thread for evidence that the deal was in play in more than a few areas:

http://www.bleedingheartland.com/showDia ry.do?diaryId=876

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:31:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know the Richardson captain (none / 0)

Is it plausible that they would have given the instructions to some precinct captains and not others?

Is it plausible that some precinct captains who didn't like Obama might have ignored the instructions or something?

What do you think happened here?

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:33:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm sure some ignored the instructions (none / 0)

but I don't see any reason why they would have told some precinct captains to go to Obama, but not others.

I will give my neighbor a call to see what the campaign told him exactly, and what the logic was behind the move.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:14:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Richardson should stay quiet. It doesn't make since for him to endorse anyone at this point. The race could go either way at this point. He can endorse later. What's the point in endorsing now?

by lonnette33 on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:27:13 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

sense...

by lonnette33 on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:28:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

He can play king-maker. By endorsing now, before we're too deep into the primary calender, he can have an actual impact on who gets the nomination. If he waits until after 2/5, when one candidate might have a firm and secure upper hand, he's not going to make that big of a difference.

If he endorses Obama now, he will shoot to the top of his VP short list, and the Secretary of State job is his for the asking. If he endorses Clinton, he'll probably get something in return, too.

by Kal on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:35:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

If it was that simple then why has it not always been the case? As people dropped out in 2004 didn't they endorse people right away?

What would LBJ do?

by Socks The Cat on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:29:36 PM EST

Good riddance (2.00 / 1)

I don't think that he added much to the last debate. That will mean more debate time for Edwards, Clinton and Obama in the upcoming MSNBC and CNN debates which is fine by me.

It's really funny. I didn't know much about Richardson but I was considering voting for him earlier this year due to his executive experience as Governor. Throughout the year, his debate and forum performances along with his side deal for Obama has totally soured his candidacy to me. If he wants to remain Governor, fine. If he wants to replace Domenici in the Senate, also fine. I'm just glad that he's finally out of the race and will no longer take up valuable time during the debates....

by ademption on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:32:28 PM EST

Good riddance (none / 0)

I don't think that he added much to the last debate. That will mean more debate time for Edwards, Clinton and Obama in the upcoming MSNBC and CNN debates which is fine by me.

by ademption on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:32:37 PM EST

Re: Good riddance (none / 0)

sorry for the double post....

by ademption on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:33:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

They will follow Edwards more than Obama; that's what I saw firsthand in the caucus anyway, despite what Richardson asked them to do.

by Jerome Armstrong on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:33:30 PM EST

MSNBC (none / 0)

Says he said he is not leaving.

by Cleveland John on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:37:04 PM EST

Richardson had Hispanic support? (none / 0)

One Million Strong --- Join up

by psericks on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:38:22 PM EST

Re: Richardson had Hispanic support? (none / 0)

heh. who knows, but I'm saying he could possibly move some of Hillary's hispanic support to Obama by campaigning hard on his behalf in the community.

by Todd Beeton on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:47:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

He really burned his bridges with the Clinton camp already. He would look like an idiot if he turned around and backed her. I think he'll lay low. Did Biden or Dodd ever make an endorsement?

by alexmhogan on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:43:29 PM EST

Kiss of death (none / 0)

Thind time I have started a poll and had a candidate drop out before the numbers are released - first time in the presidential race though.

Texas Economics

by IVR Polls on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:45:41 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (2.00 / 1)

Some people come out of a losing presidential campaign with increased stature. Chris Dodd did this year, and perhaps Joe Biden as well.
Bill Richardson, on the other hand, . . .
Richardson entered this race with the most impressive resume (Congress, Secretary of Energy, UN Ambassador), as the first Hispanic with a shot at a major party nomination, and as the only governor in the race for his party, four of whose last five non-incumbents came to the Presidency after serving as governor.
And he bombed. From his comment that his ideal of a Supreme Court Justice was Whizzer White to his comment at his final debate that he'd been involved in hostage negotiations that were more civil, Bill Richardson's campaign will always stand as testimony to the fact that one can have a glittering resume, executive experience, obvious intelligence, and a minority heritage, and still be completely clueless about appealing to the national Democratic party. Future campaign consultants should ask themselves "What would Bill Richardson do?" and then do the opposite.

by Ron Thompson on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:46:48 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

I hear that Richardson is planning to endorse Chris Dodd.

by hwc on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:47:03 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

well played.

zombies are coming

by leewesley on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:14:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

CNN says he hasnt (stated he has then withdrew statement)

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:53:25 PM EST

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (none / 0)

Come on Richardson Campaigners, move to Edwards on your own, and announce it here.

Geeze I'd love to see that, 5, 8 or 15 Richardson captains co-writing a letter of endorsement.

It wouldn't be done for quid-pro-quo, but it would be political in the best sense. You just can't make a move like that for selfish reasons.

I'm for Edwards but I'm not a captain, or even a corporal.

by inexile on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:02:09 PM EST

The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

Where are Edwards' supporters going to go once Edwards finally throws in the towel?
Edwards seems committed to sticking around till South Carolina, which I suppose means that he will drop out before Florida, assuming that he doesn't do well in the SC primary.
Assuming that Edwards drops out before Florida, who will Edwards supporters work in favor of on Super Tuesday?
I think we can safely assume that they won't work for Hillary Clinton.
Edwards doesn't appear to be even trying for Nevada, so unless Edwards earns a double digit victory in SC, I think it would best for the Democratic party if all Democrats saw it as now a two candidate race between Obama and Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and decide now which out of those two choices they like the most representing them in November.
I may be wrong, but I really don't see any possible way that Edwards can steal the momentum.
Since both Obama and Clinton got more votes in New Hampshire than even McCain did (and both walked away with 9 delegates), we have to look at New Hampshire as a tie between Obama and Clinton. But who would have won NH if Edwards had stopped campaigning prior to the NH primary?

"Please. How stupid do I look to you? World Domination. I'll leave that to the religious nuts or the Republicans, thank you." The Monarch (Evil Villain)

by fetboy on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:04:39 PM EST

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (2.00 / 1)

I will support whichever campaign posts the fewest "Edwards should drop out" comments between now and then.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:12:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

he will stick around longer than that (2.00 / 1)

Why should he drop out? He is raising the important issues that the corporate media rarely cover.

If he did drop out, I imagine most of his supporters would go to Obama, but I also know of some who would prefer Hillary. it wouldn't to 100 percent to Obama.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:12:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

double digit victory in SC?!?

he's getting killed, where does the media come up with the idea that he can win SC?

zombies are coming

by leewesley on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:17:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

Apparently even a small victory for Edwards in SC, which would require a complete miracle, wouldn't be enough for this commentor!

Amazing how desperate some people are for the guy to do their bidding and drop out.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:28:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

i kinda agree...

but i just don't think he is viable, however his presence in the race can help Obama.

zombies are coming

by leewesley on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:49:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

Maybe he's not, but the logic of saying "even if he wins SC, he should STILL drop out unless it's by a huge margin" just escapes me.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 09:16:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Bigger Question is,,, (none / 0)

agreed, but he will NEVER win SC.

never.

if he wins i'll quit drinking and smoking.

zombies are coming

by leewesley on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 06:41:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Looks Like Richardson Is Out (?) (none / 0)

Man, if Richardson's not dropping out, this breaking story is just one more sign of his terrible campaign.

by Kal on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:17:04 PM EST

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