Richardson Endorses Obama, Draws Criticism from Carville

Seventy-one days after withdrawing his bid for the Democratic nomination for president, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, a move that has drawn heavy criticism from members of the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Richardson, who has made few headlines since dropping out of the presidential contest on January 10, stated his support for Obama's candidacy in a March 21 email to supporters.

"Barack Obama will be a historic and a 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," wrote Richardson.

The decision to endorse Obama came as a surprise to many who had expected Richardson, a two-time member of President Bill Clinton's Cabinet, to endorse Sen. Clinton. While the Clinton campaign has tried to minimize the significance of the Obama endorsement, campaign supporter, and former Bill Clinton campaign manager, James Carville referred to it as "an act of betrayal."

"Richardson's endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic," Carville told The New York Times, who later stated that his intent was to "brand" Richardson as a traitor.

Richardson was appointed by President Clinton in 1997 to serve as the Ambassador to the United Nations, a position he held until Clinton named him Secretary of Energy in 1998. Many credit the Clinton administration with providing a national platform for Richardson's political career, and the New Mexico Governor had previously remained a political ally of the Clintons.

"My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver," stated Richardson. Despite his close relationship with both the former president and Sen. Clinton, Richardson called Obama an "once-in-a-lifetime leader" at a Portland rally, telling the candidate "You will make every American proud to be an American."

According to Richardson, Obama's March 18 speech about race was the decisive factor resulting in his endorsement. Richardson told ABC's "Good Morning America," "He could have said nothing or glided through it. Instead, he attacked the race issue head-on, talking about stereotypes, taking some very, very tough stances on this issue."

Richardson added that he sees Obama as a desperately needed agent of change: "[Obama] understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans."