Richardson endorses Obama, Clinton machine spins

Yes, Governor Guillermo Richardson endorsed Senator Obama. No, the Clinton machine didn't need him, according to senior strategist Mark Penn.

Citing Sen. Clinton's victory in New Mexico in February, senior strategist Mark Penn said, "Perhaps the time when he could have been most effective has long since past." [sic. s/b passed]

Associated Press

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced his endorsement of Barack Obama at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore., Friday.

Never mind that Gov. Richardson was relentlessly courted by both candidates; if he doesn't endorse us he don't count.

But he does count for others. "...there were also personal aspects to Gov. Richardson's swing behind Sen. Obama. He noted that both are the sons of one foreign-born parent -- Sen. Obama's father was from Kenya, Gov. Richardson's mother was from Mexico."

And Gov. Richardson told of the time, during one of the many Democratic debates, when his attention wandered and he didn't hear the question that came at him. Sen. Obama, then his rival, bailed him out by whispering to him that it was about Hurricane Katrina.

"He could have thrown me under the bus," Gov. Richardson cracked, "but he stood behind me."

That is how loyalty is earned.