New Mexico Governor and Tufts alum Bill Richardson (A '70, F '71) endorsed Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for the presidency on Friday, dismissing the requests of the Clinton family, his longtime political allies.
In endorsing Obama, Richardson hailed the senator for his recent speech on race while suggesting that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) should consider ending her presidential campaign rather than contributing to a bitter intra-party fight that might endanger the Democrats' chances in the general election.
"I am very proud today to endorse your candidacy for president," Richardson told Obama at a rally in Portland, Ore.
"Sen. Barack Obama addressed the issue of race with the eloquence and sincerity and decency and optimism we have come to expect of him," Richardson said of Obama's speech last Tuesday, in which the candidate reacted to the recently publicized incendiary remarks of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
"He did not seek to evade tough issues or to soothe us with comforting half-truths," Richardson said. "Rather, he inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility."
Richardson emphasized that common experiences with Obama have contributed to his support for the senator, pointing out that they each have an immigrant parent and had lived abroad during childhood.
Professor of Political Science Jeffrey Berry said that the endorsement, while a rebuke to an old friend, would probably not sway many Hispanic voters. Obama has struggled to catch on with this demographic.
"I don't think it is terribly significant in terms of people's voting intentions, but I do think it's important in terms of building pressure on Hillary Clinton to withdraw before the convention," Berry said.
Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, appointed Richardson in 1997 as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later made him secretary of energy.
According to the New York Times, President Clinton visited Richardson last month to watch the Super Bowl with him, and he told his wife's campaign aides that Richardson had promised not to endorse Obama.
Mark Penn, Sen. Clinton's chief strategist, framed the endorsement as insignificant, saying the time "when it could have been effective has long since passed."
But James Carville, a campaign advisor to Sen. Clinton, seemed frustrated by the apparent reversal. He was quoted in a New York Times article calling Richardson's endorsement "an act of betrayal" against the Clintons' long-running support for his career.
Professor Berry said that, as he did not see the endorsement affecting many voters, he did not forsee the move having a serious effect on Hispanic superdelegates.
"It might be of some significance with other Hispanic superdelegates, but I think the superdelegates are going to follow their instinct about what's best for the party, and I don't think any one individual opinion is going to be paramount," Berry said.
During his appearance with Obama, Richardson repeatedly cited Obama's speech on race as particularly motivating.
"As a Hispanic American, I was particularly touched by his words," Richardson said.
He believes that Obama will be able to restore "American global leadership" and announced that Obama "will make every American proud to be an American."
Furthermore, Richardson said that Obama is the leader "who can bring us the change we so desperately need." Richardson expressed his confidence in Obama to make progress against global warming and "do what is long overdue - end the Iraq War and bring the troops home."
Obama "understands the importance of realism [and] bipartisanship of foreign policy," Richardson said. He also praised Obama's opposition to the Iraq war from the beginning.
Richardson concluded by saying that "we're blessed to have two great American leaders and Democrats running for president."
Richardson addressed his long personal and professional alliances with the Clintons. "My great affection and admiration for Sen. Clinton and President Clinton will never waver," he said.
"It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and prepare for the tough fight we have against John McCain in the fall," he added.
"The 1990s were a decade of prosperity of peace because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, and I was in that administration. But it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward," Richardson said.
"Barack Obama will be a great and historic president who can bring us the change we so desperate need," Richardson added.
