Richardson Gives Stirring Endorsement

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, longtime Clinton compatriot, endorsed Hillary Clinton's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, today. This is surprising for at least two reasons: Richardson owes a lot of loyalty to the Clintons for two high level administration appointments (UN ambassador and Secretary of Energy) and he probably would have been at the top of Hillary Clinton's list for vice presidents. Although with Obama's lead, that possibility seems vanished (a Clinton/ Obama ticket is the best she can hope for).



In part two, Richardson gives an interesting story from the campaign trail that he says illustrates why Obama is a genuinely "good guy."



Richardson is the second former Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Sen. Obama, joining Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd.

Richardson Suspends Campaign, Tree Falls in Forrest

Bill Richardson announced today that he has "suspended" his presidential campaign. Kind of like how you suspend cleaning an apartment building's hallway before it gets bulldozed.

When asked why he was stepping out now, Richardson cited five key reasons:

1- Can't deal with new "rock star" status

2- Wants to spend more time with his family... 's chef

3- Candidacy just an elaborate ploy to score a free month tour of wintry New Hampshire

4- Campaign suspended as long as the Cheesey Gordida Crunch is back at Taco Bell

5- Yeah, like a Latino could do well in Nevada...

Quote of the Day 8/10

"What I believe is that this is an issue that you’re born with. It’s not a choice, it’s not a lifestyle, and I didn’t understand the question. What I thought that the question was — and this was my mind at the time — that there was an implication that politics intervenes with science. And, I always love the word choice. I’m for freedom of choice, I have in my health care plan a choice where everybody can keep their health care plan."

- Bill Richardson, explaining his answer to a question during Thursday's debate on gay issues, in which he said sexual orientation is a choice.

Gay-bate

Last night the Democratic presidential candidates participated in a new kind of debate, one completely on gay issues, televised on the gay network, LOGO.

One by one they sat before a panel of gay leaders and answered questions that centered primarily on gay marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and Don't ask/ Don't tell.

Of interest:

- Obama's compared his parents interracial relationship in the 60s to the challenges faced by gay couples today.

- Clinton's opposition to DOMA and don't ask don't tell, two of her husband's "accomplishments."

- Biden and Dodd didn't go.

- Richardson said he thought homosexuality was a choice.

- The GLBT group that ran the event tried to hold one for republicans, but no candidate agreed to participate.

Casting Couch: Bill Richardson

In our on going effort decide who would best portray notable political figures in their life story, we come to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.



Mr. Richardson is a proud Mexican- American, and a very accomplished individual. He is a former Congressman, former Secretary of Energy, former Ambassador to the UN, and current governor. He also has a reputation of being something of a ladies man (if you can believe it). He's a good speaker and has a good sense of humor.

So to cast him we need someone with the total package. A modern- day Renaissance man, with all the tools.



Or, we could just go with SNL comic Horatio Sanz because they look so much alike.

Either way.

Click for past casting couch segments:

Barack Obama

Fred Thompson

Hillary Clinton