Saturday, March 22, 2008
Judas? I Doubt It
Call me cynical, but I see Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama as less about supporting him or about betraying longtime friend Sen. Hillary Clinton than it is about gambling on his own future after the New Mexico governorship.
Face it: the genial, talented Mr. Richardson aspires to higher office--most recently, to the presidency, which he had to admit in January was not within his reach right now. Key phrase: "right now." For most politicians, "right now" is a passing barrier. "Tomorrow" with all its hopes and hypes and high powers is what they're really after.
Thus, the Governor waited until the way was clearer on who he thought would win the Demo nomination and would be in place to offer him a post of international stature or a high profile domestic position. It's an easy bet that he left his meeting with Sen. Obama feeling relatively assured of a top job in any Obama cabinet or White House.
For those who value political loyalty over political pragmatism and have called Richardson a "Judas" for leaving Hillary, I'd say it's wiser to think of the ancient Chinese General Lao Tzu's advice about politics and war: "No permanent enemies, no permanent allies." I'd say Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has figured that out. Of course, if he's wrong and Hillary wins the nomination, he WILL be out. Like his beloved New Mexico, he'll be far, Far, FAR out.
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3 comments:
O cynical one, you're probably right. But I think Richardson might make a great running mate for Obama, offering the kind of governmental experience the senator lacks. Not to mention possible appeal to the Hispanic vote.....
Thanks, Anonymous. I agree Richardson would make a good V.P., but I doubt Obama--should he win the nomination-- would choose Richardson as a running mate. Why? Because...with Richardson's endorsement in hand, and a lot of the Hispanic vote likely to follow, O. does not need the Governor on the ticket. He needs someone who can draw older white Dems, crossover Republicans and by-god independents. Hmmm...wonder who THAT could be? Can we say "Hill-a-ry?"
I was interested at Richardson's answer to Larry King's question tonight if Obama had offered him a position after receiving his endorsement. He seemed indignant and said "Of course not!". What a crock....maybe the key word in the question should have been "before" not "after" Richardson's endorsement. I kind of like what James Carville said about Richardson being a "Judas".
How true it is that politics makes for some strange bedfellows.
This election year gets odder by the day. And so it goes. Jon on 3-24-08
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