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.