When Bill Richardson recently pledged his support for Barack Obama, he acted in contradiction to his previous statements that superdelegates should vote as their constituents voted. When asked about it, he had this to say:
Responded to John Roberts’ question about his reversal in going against his previous position that he would vote as a superdelegate as his state voted by calling Roberts’ position “technical” and saying the closeness of the race there (won by Clinton) gave him some “flexibility.”
Bill Richardson is now saying that a close vote entitles superdelegates to be "flexible" in who they vote for.
I have to say, that’s a bit of a surprise.
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Zed
Hi Jane!
Great new photo btw.
Jane! Bill is now on Tweety!
I think Bill Richardson is looking for a VP spot or a cabinet spot. He waited on this endorsement until it was fairly clear that Obama was going to be the dem candidate. Nothing admirable about it at all.
Where is Edwards in all of this? Is he a superduperdelegate?
Do I detect a little sour grapes, Loo Hoo…? ;-)
Edwards and Gore both.
Maybe he forgot to send in his $10.00 superdelegate fee.
Yeah, enquiring minds want to know.
That’s interesting, both Jane and Bill R. have less hair in their photos than expected…
Hi Jane!
Actually, I’m not too happy with Hillary’s campaign these days.
whoops, my enquiring minds thingie referred to MaryMc’s question about Edwards. where does he stand?
Hmmm… isn’t this like having flexible ethics? Relative to the situation? Sometimes good, sometimes not so good? Good if I do it, not so good if someone else does?
By the way, Jane, nice new photo. I’m dyin’ to say – you saucy wench.
I have a faint memory of an earlier report John Edwards was not a super delegate and more recently saw a news item stating he was withholding his endorsement until after the primary.
his previous statements that superdelegates should vote as their constituents voted
No, he said that super delegates should listen to their constituencies. And in that same original interview he said his state was very close. He also didn’t set a timeframe on when the voters stop speaking.
The Clinton campaign has been repeatedly arguing for various ways of determining who should get the nomination. Including the latest lame ass attempt by Evan Bayh saying we should be looking at the primary through the lens of the Electoral College. Where are the complaints about this?
Bill just said the Clinton staff has a sense of entitlement about them, that is, if you served for him you must vote for her…!
Nothing admirable about it at all.
Sure, if that’s true. But Richardson said it was a tough decision for him and the behavior of each campaign affected him.
What good is an endorsement after the primary?
Has Edwards turned into a chickensh*t?
Actually, I think this was fairly obvious from the Wolfie interviews quotes posted last week.
“saying we should be looking at the primary through the lens of the Electoral College. Where are the complaints about this?”
Complaints? Are you serious? The whole purpose of the primaries is to pick a candidate to win the general election and the only way to win the general election is to win the Electoral College – OF COURSE we should be looking at the primary through the lens of the Electoral College!! Not doing so would be the height of stupidity and negligence.
Don’t let the interests of your candidate make you take your eye off the real target…
I don’t think it’s a surprise, because I agree with Katrina Vanden Huevel just now on David Gregory’s show: Richardson is going to be Obama’s Veep. He’s a bridge to the Clinton people (or at least those who didn’t burn the bridges with their “betrayal” comments last week, Mr Matalin).
It also backstops Obama with some serious foreign policy credentials as viewed inside the Beltway; puts the Non-Coastal West back in play; and makes for a truly historic ticket: a Hawaii-born biracial man and a Citibank-born biracial man.
I frankly don’t think Richardson would have made the endorsement without the Veep deal. He’s just that kind of politician, in my view.
More likely not particularly enthralled with either choice so not worth the grief he would receive from the supporters of the one he doesn’t endorse.
My $.02
Could it be that there is no one he wants to endorse?
At the Portland rally last Friday, Richardson specifically pointed to the personal impact of Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech in Philadelphia addressing race.
While I think it’s important that superdels stay attuned to their constituents’ choice, I can understand the importance of rewarding courageous acts as well.
There is nothing preventing Clinton from setting a landmark example of her own and gaining the support of inspired individuals.
To me at least, this kind of support is easier to accept as opposed to bucking your constituents through personal patronage.
.
brilliant minds, dakineo1.
I don’t think a lack of endorsement makes him that. It’s his choice to make, and if he chooses not to endorse anyone, so be it.
Superdelegate has turned into a comedy. I have no idea what rules apply when and by whom. I thought it was something simple like superdelegates were independent of popular votes and could choose a candidate independent of primaries/caucuses. Guess I just read the wrong rules.
Even more confusing, the rules keep changing more than my nine year old granddaughter changes game rules. I thought she was the master game rules changer. Nnnoooooo! Our venerable candidates, past and present, operate with the best nine year old rational.
Did you ever read game rules manufactured in a foreign country, writen by someone who doesn’t speak English and is using an English Language book for the American consumer?
Interesting…! They’re a nation unto themselves, eh? ;-)
:})
“Has Edwards turned into a chickensh*t?”
I find it hard to imagine he has lost his courage – am hoping & praying he will be tapped by the new president-elect, i.e. VP, Attorney General etc. et al.
And would help Obama with the Hispanic vote, which he seems to be having some trouble with.
Neither am I. Hill and Mac are starting to melt into one with Hill being the melter and Mac the meltee.
A superdelegate can do whatever he wants. Richardson imposed his own rule on himself with a previous statement he should not have made. A superdelegate can change his mind about his decision if he wants to do so. Maybe Richardson changed his mind. I know I did.
The Clinton campaign keeps using different arguments for why the pledged delegate count should be overridden. Saying certain states are “insignificant”. Saying the Texas caucus results don’t matter. Saying caucus states don’t matter.
Where is the indignation about all these hypocritical attempts to ignore the rules after the game is over?
That’s my take, too! The Latino-Black divide is very real…! 8-(
1,791 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Hamsher:
This horse yer beatin’ is stiff and cold…come on, let poor old Bill Richardson off the poor nag here. I don’t have a problem with a local politician super delegate supportin’ who he thinks better represents his constituency and would help more Democrats down ticket as long as the popular vote was close enough to argue about. And I would also say that if an Obama super delegate in Texas switched to Mrs. Clinton-McCain…but ya know what’s interestin’, none of the switches are from Obama even after the Reverend Wright brouhaha…doesn’t that tell ya sompthin’ Sister Jane?
KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP YER EYES ON THE TARGET!!
Well, there’s an argument to be made there, since Richardson wasn’t very successful getting anyone’s votes and couldn’t manage to stay in the race until states with sizable Hispanic populations voted.
New Mexico’s a swing state, though, and if having him on the ticket helps our Democrats there downticket as well as winning the Electoral votes, I’m all for it.
i must be missing something, because i don’t see what the big deal is.
if richardson had made a commitment to senator clinton and then went back on that promise, she has every right to be pissed.
if richardson had made a commitment to the voters of NM during a campaign for office and then went back on his promise, the voters have every right to be pissed.
but that’s not what happened… richardson said one thing during an interview on feb 25, and then did something different a few weeks later. where’s the betrayal in that? maybe he just changed his mind?
i agree that the whole superdelegates thing sucks, but i don’t get what richardson did that was so uniquely out of line.
hoping someone will explain it to me….
Well, I don’t know about the Vice Presidency, but let’s just say it were true–an Obama-Richardson–midwest/southwest, Black/Latino ticket–imagine not from New England, not from the South, not from CA or NY, but Chi-town and New Mexico, not white and utterly anti Iraq war…on the surface at least quite a change–well then, wouldn’t they have a lot to live up to?
Does anyone know how Elizabeth Edwards is doing? I was concerned because there is a lot of stress in campaigning and she was out there. I hope she is resting and rebuilding her strength. It takes its toll.
I am glad John Edwards has stepped back from the fray.
richardson says-paraphrased-”So ?!?” /s
OT
wanted to make sure people know about this-
description of what the show covers is on the site info page below.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/…..escription
2 part frontline/bush’s war on pbs tonight and tomorrow night. old footage from 40 shows and new footage.
they are streaming shows online, now, too.
they have a show about tibet on the main page.
“You don’t need a Richardson to tell which way the wind blows.”
the AM yak shows will suffice.
Can’t remember which commenter said it:
Go Calvinball!
“Sooner or later, all our games turn into Calvinball“
Sadly, as is the Asian-Black divide.
Richardson was the only major Democratic candidate to commit to not leaving residual troops in Iraq. I’d be happy to have him holding Obama’s feet to the fire.
*shrugs* I can’t be indignant at a attempt to “ignore the rules” until I see one. Everything you mentioned was an argument (admittedly some of them very BAD arguments) to win over super delegates WITHIN the rules.
But regardless of whether you like the carousel of reasons, the fact remains that the naming of a candidate who can win the Electoral College is THE reason we have primaries. Period. End of story. So it’s just insane to object to THAT particular argument. In my opinion. You’re free to disagree.
I think a better VP choice for Obama would be Wesley Clark. He has broader national security chops than Richardson, plus having endorsed Hilary early he would also be a peace offering to her supporters. Furthermore, being from Arkansas, he has southern and border states appeal. Finally, he’d probably make a pretty good president if need be.
I forgot that Elizabeth might not being doing well. Now I feel bad about my chicken remark.
I’m sorry John!
He doesn’t have the charisma to be the front man, and unfortunately that’s a requirement. He’s a proven diplomat which serves the role as VP well I believe. I have no problem with him as VP.
Wow.
I hope this will help bridge the divide.
Wow Teddy – certainly rings true & makes me optimistic to imagine the bridge building between Hispanic and Black Americans Richardson could achieve in the general election as part of the Democratic ticket and beyond.
I’ve really been thinking that he wants to be part of the arbitration process that’s bound to happen. It increases his stature to do that rather than get with bareknuckles and bully super delegates….
No, but I did have a way-too-small hat with a tag that said “one size fits most, made in China.
It’s his creative rational that is abrasive. He could just say, “I changed my mind.” That works.
There’s no mind changing allowed in politics. You make your decision (or if you are Bush, you are told what your decision is) and you go with it in spite of unfolding events. It may make you an unfit leader, but it makes you a great politician (or, if you are Bush, a great puppet).
Then what the hell are all these primaries and caucuses for? Why are we wasting our time? Why didn’t we ask Senator Clinton before this whole thing started which states don’t count so all of us could have saved all the trouble?
As far as the Electoral College, that’s asinine. Clinton is running against a Dem, not a Republican. Using this same argument, McCain could point to all the states he won! I guess our super delegates should vote for him!
No reason to feel bad. Just send good thoughts their way. That works well.
1,791 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Minnesota Chuck:
“I think a better VP choice for Obama would be Wesley Clark.”
Oh no…Clark was a stalkin’ horse for Mrs. Clinton-McCain and Obama doesn’t need ANYone with even a scent of Clinton on ‘em. No I think Obama needs someone who has some chops and could not only sit in the big chair if called on but would serve as a very effective political emissary with congress on various issues…I think Al Gore would insure a Democratic victory up and down the ticket.
KEEP THE FAITH, YA CAN’T PLAY THIS GAME AFRAID!!
woof, talk about changing rules. a certain demographic group in SF bay area were all for quotas until they didn’t need them…
do you mean his statement on “flexibility”?
it’s not like we have any clear-cut winner…it would be one thing if there was some kind of statistically significant winner here…i think its the role of the superdelegates to look at the electoral college and decide who has the best shot against mccain at this point
I think there’s been plenty of blowback about Clintonistas telling us which states count and which ones don’t. Of course the ones she wins are the most important. Keeps things simple. I’ve heard plenty on radio and TV about her changing the goal post, etc.
Dude, you must be working pretty hard to have missed it!
*g*
nice new pic Jane. :)
I think Hil would rather be McCain’s veep than Obama’s. Just sayin’…
The parsing of Richardson’s words on superdelegates is a non-issue for me, mainly because there are clear rules that say superdelegates can do whatever they want. He’s probably trying to influence other superdelegates which all the Clinton supporters have been doing as well. If we really want to highlight contradictions a la Timmeh Russert, we could spend countless threads on what Bill&Hill THEMSELVES have said, let alone their supporters.
Curious why there’s been as much made about this as there has. So many people “just want the primary season to be over now,” and “wish we could focus on the issues,” yet the flames of pettiness are often stoked even around the Liberals blogs.
BTW, have people seen the news the Lynn Woolsey is considering switching from Clinton to Obama? The rumours are starting to fly around:
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=932
I think she’d like a heavy weight, period. Wasn’t he considered by J Kerrey and he almost switched to being Dem in 2001 remember? I don’t think she’d want “HIM” just some with some heavy weight creds.
“flexibility” – hmmm. Probably the answer to why Edwards didn’t endorse.
Cute ‘do, too, Jane, looks sassy. Appropriate.
that has been my opinion for several years.
Norske, I agree Gore would be an excellent choice but sadly that ain’t gonna happen! Why would he do it when he didn’t even try for the presidency this time around…?
Jane – I had to go back and have a re-look at the new you. Is that you? It’s a great look!
Maybe Bill R. “declared” so the phone calls would stop…
I agree with bonkers…is this really a big deal?
where’s the new jane pic everyone is talking about?
My pick for Veep is Howard Dean. Just imagine two terms each.
Obama/Dean
Paradigm Change
Selise, try the FDL home page…
i love your reasoning
I like that idea!
OK, don’t shoot me but what about Biden as veep. he has foreign policy creds out the ying yang, doesn’t he? Just pulling that one up the flag pole…
On the front page.
Yes! And Howie Klein taking over for Dean as DNC chair.
I’d love to see a Obama/Richardson winning ticket just so I could watch Pat Buchanan’s head explode.
kirk at 40–from the calvinball links-
” or zones, which are governed by a set of rules declared spontaneously and inconsistently by players. Zones may be appear and disappear as often and wherever the player decides. Zones are often named for their effect.”
=============
sounds like here sometimes * g *
and when it is, we should do this–
================
1.7. Songs are an integral part of Calvinball and verses must be sung spontaneously through the game when randomly assigned events occur. These random events will be named and pointed out after the player causes the event.
===========
I’d be very surprised if Gore would sign up for another four more years as VP, especially with someone nearly a quarter of a century younger than he at the top of the ticket.
I don’t buy your McCain-stalking-horse theory either. My guess is that he signed on 1) in hopes of positioning himself either for the VP slot or a high national security position (SecDef or SecState) and 2) based on his recent book I suspect he is genuinely impressed with Hilary and Bill. That’s not saying I support her; I don’t, mainly because I believe she’s less electable and also that her coattails will prove more frayed.
any of the afore mentioned works for me
Dang, bonkers, don’t bogart that joint yer smokin’…! ;-)
And Lou Dobbs’!
But seriously, that would be a strong ticket.If neither one of them kissed the Pukes’ ass in the general election campaign I would vote for them in a heartbeat.
Sorry, Jane. A comment about personal appearance. Hair gone! Hair white! The shock almost turned my hair white! Richardson’s a pill.
Speaking of which, it’s really not too early to have that discussion.
Who really will be the next DNC chair, and how do we ensure they get the chair in spite of the machinations of the Carville-types?
I’d just as soon have another 4 years of Dean given the success of the 50-State Strategy, but he might be fed up with the in-fighting and be ready for something fresh. Who do we need instead that will champion and advocate for the grassroots/netroots/populist/Democratic wing of the party?
dick C – left you a reply at #71 last thread in epuville downstairs.
it would be one thing if there was some kind of statistically significant winner here
Obama is something like 170 pledged delegates ahead. Clinton picked up a net of only 9 delegates in her “big win” in Ohio. A difference of about 17 Ohios is significant!
The other day I read at TPM that Hillary’s campaign is basically out of funds. That is at least substantial. The question this thread is pursuing is just beating a dead a horse for a third time . Not policy, not substance; just process. This is just about as unproductive as anything I’ve seen, since there is nothing we can do about it anyway. One superdelegate has made a decision; I say, so what! Who the hell cares! Move on or be left stuck in a ridiculous, useless rut unnecessarily. I know that’s what I’m going to do.
DING!
(((((bonkers))))) ((((((howie)))))
So who’s the hottie on the front page?
…Jane?…Swoon!
Oh so that means a super delagate who happens to lean towards Hillary but her state went for Obama can switch to Hillary…Oh Billy you are so confusing….With friends like this who needs enemies…I’m voting for McCain if Obama is the Dem candidate.
I mean, just imagine Obama and Dean goin all “Good Cop/Bad Cop” on teh Gopers. It would be glorious.
and Peggy Noonan.
a thousand points of light.
What do you want to talk about, March Madness? (I’m game!)
but we’re not going to win any of the southern states…so primaries there are just beauty contests, as an example… states like Il, CA, OH, MO, MN, we need to look at those more closely
How about Matt Stoller..? 8-)
Can’t she take out a loan from the FEC?
Obviously you weenies haven’t seen the Janesters FB album, she’s had that doo for a while.
That is plain silly and strange.
Who cares
Please tell me you are kidding.
I like Obama/Dean! I, sorry to say in 2008, think it would be a mistake not to have a white person down ticket. Anyone with hidden race issues would have a great deal of trouble with voting for an Obama/Richardson ticket. We might lose…
Rock Chalk Jay Hawk
That’s Mr. Weenie to you.
I heard a clinton campaigner say California takes too much time and is pretty big (code: we can’t afford it, so we’ll skip it.) on the radio. sorry no link or anything.
Sheesh, I hate being jilted like that while Florida gets to flip everyone the bird.
selise, I had to go out and come back in to see the new and beautiful pic of Jane.
depends on where you live. i don’t think that it would have been possible for LA and many other cities that have large hispanic populations to have had elected black mayors, representatives, etc. had there been a black/hispanic divide.
Oh, and what happens to the black hispanics? Are they caught in the middle?
I see where you’re coming from, but I think that pairing would be very vulnerable on the national security front against a gooper ticket with McCain at the top. This will especially be the case when the Cabal pulls off the October ratf**k that they’re probably dreaming up as we write.
I wasn’t speaking of you specifically, that’s how come I said weenie(s)!
Bill Richardson is a good guy. I’m sure he thought long and hard about his decision. Give him a break. *g*
Troll alert…don’t feed ‘em…don’t talk to ‘em …don’t speak their names
Just teasing!
Oh, and what happens to the black hispanics? Are they caught in the middle?
NO, they are caught in Havana!
I have spent my life in insignficant states… believe me, it gets depressing after awhile
HA!
You mean like this dude?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YJRg5fGN-sQ
Dissolve that ego
FWIW, a few days ago, I went out to wiki and did a quickie analysis.
I went through each of the states/territories that have voted so far. I assumed that the winner of the popular vote for that state got all delegates for that state or territory (everything winner-take-all).
Through the Mississippi votes, Obama lead Clinton 29 state/territories to 15.
But Clinton would be leading in delegates 1746 to 1609.
All I’m saying with this is, it isn’t necessarily all that clear cut.
It sucks living in the ATM state. I’ve not given money to anyone in my state for months.
I’m still getting acclimated to the Big Bad World of Foul Mouthed Fem Blogs to go looking for more danger in social networks. (car auto lock chirp).
I’m a weenie, but I’m a safe weenie.
Mr. Richardson would have made a good president. And he would make a more that decent vice president.
Lahoma
How ’bout them Hilltoppers y’all?
Hear, hear! Richardson deserves no less than such acknowledgement as a great public servant.
daaaayam! When you’re right you’re right!
Heh, Ahnold! ;-)
A thousand points of blight – right?
I and to further my #117, I did not count FL or MI in my totals.
Why do Dem vs. Dem battles map to the general election? The general election is not Dem vs. Dem.
Dang right.
I see your point as well, but McDubya is such a weak candidate, that I think Obama could be a little more creative than he could in a much closer race. My original thought was that he’d have to go with Clark, as a sop to the Clintonistas, but if Obama comes within striking distance in PA, he can pretty much write his own ticket. Why not go with the man and movement that started the change he seeks.
Heh, I don’t think he has to pay for entertainment, if ya know what I’m talkin’ ’bout. I can’t wait for Jon Stewart to open California on the US horny governor “advent calendar”.
Even a blind squirrel gets an acorn now and then!
Given the state of meat processing and imports today, “safe weenie” is almost oxymoronic.
My freshman year, we went to the final four. The current stories (and the win on Friday night) have a lot of those same vibes.
and fright!
Do you think that if the Dem Party rules were different, and it was winner-take-all, that Obama would’ve campaigned much differently and used his resources differently?
Practically every state so far Obama has gained considerably ground on Clinton when they actually start campaigning head-to-head. Obama knew what the rules were at the beginning, and developed a strategy to win given those rules which he basically locked up the nomination.
I’d guess if the rules were different, Obama would’ve employed a different strategy, so that hypothetical seem kind of moot to me.
well, the process is supposed to get to consensus, but you know superdelegates got put into place to begin with because during this long out process, we may putforth an unelectable candidate. But given this process isn’t all that old, it’s appropriate to tweak it… not that I’m saying totally sway from popular vote, but it was never done that way originally
R0FLMAO!
I can write “safe weenie” with impunity, then, coming from California…
You are so smart Selise.
I’m going to resist any attempt to fix anything since I know all too well that I always manage to dig deeper.
She is a doll though, isn’t she.
Black hispanics are more than cubans. We (I label myself as one) are in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brasil, Peru, Columbia, Panama, etc.
thank you – love the pic.
Everyone already knows about arnie. We don’t call him the gropinator for nothing.
It was a joke, I do watch beisbol.
I think if the rules were different, all the candidates would have campaigned differently. I was just doing an intellectual exercise based on changing one variable, that is going from proportional to winner take all delegate distribution.
The only point I was making was that the entire deal is not so clear cut as you seem to suppose it is.
I hope UCLA wins at least one more while the Wizard of Westwood is still able to enjoy it.
ah, 1971
Super Delegates should vote as they think best- that’s the whole idea of having em. If we get down to the wire and the leader in pledged delegates falls on their ass- it’s good to have a mechanism to save the situation.
you watch beisbol? Okay, I take it that was a joke too, right?
cheese, talk about greedy!
drives me nuts when folks try to make hispanics such a monolith, about all they have in common is at one point the spanish or portugues ran over their part of the world …
Clinton has said over and over that the superdelegates can do what they want. Maybe she finally got through to Richardson.
Nope, it’s my least favorite but I am a total sports maniac.
McCain said here in San Diego this morning that Osama bin Laden and General Petreas are in agreement about Iraq being the central alQueda front.
IT WAS A JOKE
McBush taking home large bags of money from La Jolla goopers.
My two favorite players are, David Ortiz and Manny…! FTFY!
Mine was Roberto Clemente
Exactly. I keep hearing about a divine but the funny thing is who is telling us about this divide. Here in so. cal in the San Gabriel area there is a lot of tension (dare I say divide) among the hispanics and the asians (mostly attributable to gangs)
He was a class act!
I would prefer Richardson – actually, Edwards – as VP to Jim Webb; he’s talented, but too conservative for my taste. There will be so much work to do that the next president could actively and openly use their VP, but without giving all the power, Bush fashion, to their subordinate.
They could head a Truth and Reconciliation Commission overseeing special investigations into Bush administration lawbreaking. They could oversee the detailed-level push for health care reform, or undoing the rape of federal regulations and their regulators. The options for legitimately using the Vice President’s skills are many.
My favorite George Carlin joke: Roberto Clemente has two balls on him…
I hate beisbol and I even though I am a latina, I don’t keep track of all the latino players or any players at that (baseball is like watching paint dry — for me at least)
I assumed that the winner of the popular vote for that state got all delegates for that state or territory (everything winner-take-all).
How is this relevant? The primary is Dem vs. Dem. The general is Dem vs. Republican.
There are a thousand different ways to slice and dice the numbers. But one way is the most meaningful: who got the most pledged delegates (which are awarded by voter action) according to the rules as laid down from the start?
Yep, but when you live in Georgia and it’s 99 and 99% humidity you gotta do something until football starts.
Yeppers.
Maybe you’d like to go back and read what I said @41. It was on the divide between Asians and Blacks. That comes from my xperience living in Asia as well as living here in a large Asian community.
this is a weird one … I don’t understand why Jane is running with this one so much. And i recall losing some folks from fdl the last time this came around. Not anything I’d like to see repeated ….
Understood but if i just change the location (keeping the temp and humidity) to Brasil, I’m watching futbol.
Well, part of the trashing/mocking of HRC has been because of her concentration on the so-called big states. My little exercise has her losing total states/territories 29 – 15 with another 7 or 8 yet to go.
Yet, if things were winner-take-all, she would be leading in total delegate count.
Kinda like how the electoral college might work.
What makes you think that I didn’t read what you wrote? I simply disagree that there is a general divide. Go back and read what I wrote
Richardson for AG? Richardson for VP?
I’m Governor/Secretary Richardson, and these are my values and positions. If you don’t like them – I have others…
So long as it helps my climb to power.
It’s a flexibility thing.
Groucho for VP! Groucho for AG!
Richardson for Richardson – now and forever.
OTOH, he’d make a great AG for the Bushies: he’s a total slave to power.
damn my anglo scotch genes … left me without the humor gene
I did. I addressed the divide between Asians and Blacks. I never addressed Latinos and Blacks. So, I don’t understand your response since I never mentioned Latinos. How that get into the response?
Isn’t this how that stupid conversation about who could “know’ what it was like to be black started last week? Take a break.
An earlier commenter had said someting about balck/latino and you said black/asian. I addressed both by responding to you. I can make it more general by asking which blacks (american, african, latino) and which asians (chinese, japanese, thai, etc.) neither group are monoliths or?
Okay, so when someone makes a general statement about a group(s), that shouldn’t be pointed out to them?
Whatever
cute “do”, Jane.
Looks far more “portable”.
:)
i’m pleasantly surprised that you would suggest what it is that people can or can’t talk about. that’s okay by me as long as someone sends along the pre-approved discussion list
Good catch Doc.
The Wen Ho Lee hit job was an abomination I hope he sued and won big time FROM THE ASSHOLES who libeled him not the tax payers.
This is at least the third Richardson posting, Jane, and I still don’t get what the point is. You appear to be arguing against Richardson on the argument that superdelegates should respect the popular vote in the jurisdiction they represent, but you don’t follow through to the obvious conclusion: under those rules, Hillary Clinton will have to win the remaining states by about 30 points.
Or are you saying that pro-Obama delegates should respect the vote of their constituents, but pro-Clinton delegates may vote their consciences, since this would reflect the lines being put out by their respective candidates? How conveeeenient.
I hope we can keep to a discussion of the post, instead of going after fellow commenters. Truce?
I wasn’t going after anyone. I asked a question and then I’m told to give it a rest. If I did someting wrong, please point it out
puuhleease…the cons own the machines and the money…hillary plays plays for the neocons …who actually thinks obama will be allowed in. Ted Kenedy said %95 of the republicans and 75% of the democtraic congressman are corrupt so i am counting this and predict hillary will be the one, a dark day for our country
Of all people, Chris Matthew suggested an explanation of Hillary Clinton’s behavior which makes since:
Her goal is either to win the nomination, or to ensure that Obama looses the general election so that she can run again in 2012.
I would have never believed it, but it makes more sense than any other explanation of her take no prisoners campaign and otherwise pointless endorsements of McCain.
Sorry about the mispellings, but the revelation was really upsetting. I have argued in behalf of both Clintons for years.
Randi Rhodes has been saying that for a while now, so wonder if Tweety got it from her? Not sure about the theory myself, since about 1995 I’ve been thinking the DLC/Clintons actually exist to overthrow the DemocratIC Party to make sure us Dirty Hippies don’t overturn BigMoney’s applecart.
Since I believe that premise, my mind goes right to Hillary trying to make sure an Outsider doesn’t become Prez, and she and her BigMoney stringpullers would rather have CrazyTrain since he’s part of the “La Familia.” Seems paranoid, but their actions over the last 15 years or so back up this theory IMHO.
I think that Bill Richardson may be well clearing the way for the
Clinton’s coup on the nomination and that Carville’s recent tirad is just a front…
First, what leverage would Richardson have possibly had to get Obama to promise him the VP spot? People come up with these theories without thinking them through. I’m a Hillary supporter, but it’s clear that Obama is the likely (though not definite) nominee. Richardson didn’t endorse him when it would have meant something, and he couldn’t even deliver the Latino vote for himself. I’m not ripping the guy; I admire a lot of what he’s done in his career. But his endorsement isn’t exactly a profile in courage. He won exactly zero delegates. What possible motivation would Obama have for putting him on the ticket?
And from a purely political calculation standpoint, why would Obama want another minority? He would be better off picking someone like Strickland, who’s the Governor of an important state and a Clinton supporter. As for turning his back on Hillary, I don’t think he’s that stupid. I know it gives a lot of commenters a great deal of satisfaction to just say “screw her,” but the fact is that she has nearly as many delegates as him, has a very loyal following, and is supported by more regular Dem voters. Obama doesn’t have to marry her, but it will be up to him to extend an olive branch.
And can we please stop with the whole Clinton/McCain thing? I had no problem with what she said the first time, that she would have a better chance of countering McCain’s experience than Obama would. I happen to think she’s right, and the Obama camp has been talking about how unelectable she is, so it’s not like she just brought it up out of the blue. The threshold comment was poorly though out, and I wish she hadn’t said it. But she’s not a neocon, she’s not going to run as McCain’s VP, and she’s not out to destroy the party. I wish people could just stop the slander already.
Believe it or not, this campaign isn’t that vicious, and the more people talk about how awful Clinton is, the more I wonder what they’ll say when the Republicans get going. Hillary hasn’t smeared Obama, despite what his followers like to contend. Insisting that she drop out in the middle of the campaign “for the good of the party’ is just silly. When has a candidate had over 1,000 delegates and dropped out with significant states still to go? If the kind of campaigning Hillary is doing is mortally wounding Obama, then his supporters need to take a hard look at their candidate.
Obama draped himself in the mantle of the “positive campaigner,” all the while portraying Hillary as a dishonest, untrustworthy candidate who will do anything to win. (And please, before you type “Well, she is” try and realize that it’s not that clever a comment.) Hillary had to go after him because the press was giving him a free ride. What serious candidate would sit back and say “Gosh, I wish someone would point out this guy’s shortcomings, but since no one will I guess I’ll just have to lose?” Now that Obama has to go more overtly on the attack, his apologists frame it as “Look what Hillary made him do.” Face it, if he had to go negative earlier, he would have. But he had the press to do that for him. He certainly hasn’t had any problem pushing the BS slanders about Drudge and “as far as I know.”
Finally, I’m no fan of Mark Penn, but I would like it if someone could cite where he said states “don’t count.” He said wins in some states are more important than others. You can disagree with that stance, but it’s a far cry from saying a state doesn’t count. If someone can show me where he made that statement I’ll gladly admit I’m wrong. I don’t have much respect for peope that just mindlessly repeat this stuff.
I agree and I hope Elizabeth is OK. Her father died recently and I thought she looked pretty tired by the time he stepped out of the race. I wish them all well.
What did the racist preachers friend running for potus give “fat guy in a little coat anyway?
(I sure miss Chris Farley)
First, before anyone starts jumping all over me, please know that I am not a Clinton partisan; I was originally for Richardson, then Dodd, then Edwards, then I just gave up and decided to support whoever ends up as the Democratic nominee. (Isn’t it sad that I have to say that before I express my opinion? That I am so afraid of being personally attacked for expressing my opinion? I know it doesn’t happen that much on FDL, but still, I’ve been burned and I get nervous.)
Anyway, that said, I am very disappointed that Richardson has decided to endorse Obama at this point. To begin with, and most important, I think that the superdelegates should just stay out of it until the people have had a chance to vote. The people are perfectly capable of making their decisions without the influence of the political biggies and, in fact, the process would be much better off without their interference. Moreover, endorsements like this can cause all kinds of other serious problems, from the kind of horrible pressures that Rep. John Lewis was subjected to induce him to change his endorsement from Clinton to Obama because, despite his personal preference for Clinton, the majority of his constituents had voted for Obama, to the awkward situation that Sens. Kerry and Kennedy find themselves in, supporting Obama when the overwhelming majority of their constituents voted for Clinton.
As for Gov. Richardson, he is now stuck tap-dancing around his own self-created awkward situation on the endorsement, trying to explain why it’s OK for a superdelegate to go against the vote of the majority of his constituents because, well, it was wasn’t very much of a majority after all, so really it’s OK, if he’s “flexible” and all that. It just makes him look both foolish and opportunistic. I had expected more from him. It doesn’t do much for Senator Obama, either, as far as I’m concerned. Not that Obama is responsible for Richardson, exactly, but Richardson has diminished himself with the way he has gone about this endorsement. So, his endorsement doesn’t contribute that much.
It’s all so depressing.
For all of his foreign policy experience, thanks in no small measure to Bill Clinton pulling him out of relative obscurity, Bill Richardson was a terrible candidate. I saw little evidence for a Latino wave behind him, and the strongest impression that he made on me was his foolish faux pas on homosexuality being a “choice” even after he was given a chance to dig himself out of that hole by the incredulous questioner. And this followed an earlier use of a derogatory Spanish term for a gay person. Some diplomat this. I feel that he has diminished the value of his endorsement of Obama by repeatedly sticking his foot in his mouth during his current 15 minutes in the limelight.
Richardson’s term as governor is up. He’s looking for a new job! I’ve never had the faith in him as many others.
I agree, he’s looking for VP. I heard from a friend who works as a democratic campaign consultant that Richardson is “dirty” and will never get a VP nod. Perhaps the Obama campaign is not as informed on this as Clinton’s. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
So far there have been 6 super delegates for Clinton, including Lt Gov Denish and Mayor Chavez. Fred Harris has gone for Obama. Tom Udall won’t endorse since he is running for Senate. No telling how Bingamin will go though his buddies have gone for Obama.
Bill Clinton watched the Super Bowl with Bill. Think an endorsement was talked about. Richardson is not some indentured servant who is required to vote for his Old Boss.
My sentiments, too. Three postings on this? Other than that, I think Jane Hamsher doesn’t like Richardson’s ever changing justification for what appears to be a vote of conscience, until someone points out meaner motives on Richardson’s part.
Jane Hamsher:
There are no rules for superdelegates, so quibbling over principle seems like selective indignation, as you’ve never offered a complaint about superdelegates who were “pre-pledged” to Clinton, for example.
Here’s your answer. This Judas needs to be “singled out for special treatment.”
I am so with you on this. Edwards would be a huge asset as Attorney General. I doubt he would take VP again. What do you think?