Richardson Endorses Hussein
Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential hopes got a needed boost Friday with the endorsement of Bill Richardson, a former White House rival and one-time member of the Clinton administration.
Richardson’s announcement came as Obama grappled with a row over incendiary racial remarks by his former pastor that polls showed cost him support in his race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
The move is a double victory for the Illinois senator, bringing on board a supporter with influence in the important Hispanic community and well-known ties to the Clinton family.
Richardson served as energy secretary and UN ambassador in the administration of President Bill Clinton and was called on to conduct delicate diplomatic missions in North Korea and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
In an e-mail to supporters, Richardson reiterated his affection for the Clintons but said it was time for the Democrats to end their infighting and allow “a new generation of leadership to lead America forward.”
“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 wrote.
He referred to Obama’s landmark address on race and politics Tuesday, in which he tried to blunt the controversy over his former pastor Jeremiah Wright, saying his words were of a “courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader.”
Richardson dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination on January 10 after a poor showing in the first state-based primary and caucus contests.
(AP)
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