March 22, 2008 Hispanic Governor
Boosts Obama;
Setback for Hillary Clinton By Arun Kumar
Washington
In a major setback to Hillary Clinton's hopes of becoming America's
first woman president, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has
announced his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama, her rival for
Democratic nomination.
Richardson, America's only Hispanic governor, who dropped out of the
Democratic presidential race Jan 10, joined Obama bidding to be the
first black US chief executive at a rally in Portland, Oregon,
Friday.
"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," Richardson
said with Obama standing at his side.
Democrats were blessed to have two strong candidates in Obama and
Hillary Clinton, but that it was time for the party "to stop
fighting amongst ourselves", said Richardson, and to prepare for the
tough fight against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee,
John McCain.
Richardson was secretary of energy and US ambassador to the United
Nations under President Bill Clinton, with whom he watched the Super
Bowl this year. He said he remains friends with the Clintons and his
admiration for them would not waver.
But he said it was time for a new generation of leadership to bring
America forward. "You are a once-in-a-lifetime leader," the governor
said from the stage. "Above all, you will be a president who brings
this nation together."
As a Hispanic, Richardson said he was touched by Obama's speech
earlier this week on race, which he deemed historic. He said he has
been troubled by the "the demonisation of immigrants - specifically
Hispanics - by too many in this country," and praised Obama for
tackling the issue.
"He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only
by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as
Americans," Richardson said.
Obama and Hillary Clinton both lobbied Richardson for his
endorsement after he dropped out of the race. His endorsement could
boost Obama's standing with Hispanics, a group that has consistently
backed Clinton.
Obama said he is "deeply honoured" to receive the nomination and
touted Richardson's commitment to working toward global peace and
stability.
Richardson called Clinton Thursday to tell her of his decision,
Clinton's campaign said, shrugging off his endorsement of her rival.
"Both candidates have many great endorsers, but the voters, not
endorsers, will decide this election, and there are still millions
of voters in upcoming contests who want to have their voices heard,"
Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said.
Richardson's endorsement may be more important for its influence on
super delegates, the nearly 800 Democratic elected and party
officials whose backing will be essential for either candidate to
win the party's nomination.
The Clinton and Obama campaigns have been waging an intense battle
for the backing of super delegates, roughly half of whom have yet to
declare their support.
Richardson pointed out in his speech that Obama is "after all, well
ahead in the delegate race for our party's nomination," drawing a
roar of approval from the crowd of Obama supporters. Obama leads
Clinton by 1622-1485 or 137 delegates, according to the latest CNN
count.
Richardson is the second former Democratic presidential contender to
endorse Obama, after Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Two other
former candidates, Joe Biden, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and John Edwards, 2004 Democratic vice presidential
nominee, have remained neutral.
No primaries are scheduled until Pennsylvania's on April 22 with 188
delegates at stake. Obama hopes to use this gap for such
announcements to assert that he is the front-runner for the
nomination. Oregon holds its primary May 20.
Meanwhile, a new poll suggested the lengthy Democratic primary
contest bodes well for Republican chances of holding the White
House.
As Obama and Clinton slug it out for the nomination, many of their
supporters - at least in Pennsylvania, site of the next major
primary - aren't committed to the party's ticket in November,
according to a Franklin & Marshall College Poll.
Among Obama supporters, 20 percent said they would vote for McCain,
the Republican nominee, if Clinton beats their candidate for the
nomination. Among Clinton supporters, 19 percent said they would
support McCain in November if Obama is the Democratic nominee.
Democrats won Pennsylvania in the 2000 and 2004 presidential races,
but it was a competitive state in both election cycles. McCain,
meanwhile, has touted his appeal to swing voters.
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