Why Richardson’s endorsement counts
By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune
When someone throws a wrench into your game,
Just call that so-and-so a dirty name.
James Carville, Hillary Clinton’s chief name-caller, says he refuses to apologize for comparing New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Richardson used to work for Clinton’s husband, the former president, as U.N. ambassador and as energy secretary. Sen. Clinton apparently thought Richardson would be loyal and endorse her.
But it was not to be.
Richardson, who himself had been a Democratic candidate for president but dropped out of the race, decided that based on his experience as a Clintonite, he would rather see Barack Obama as president.
It is an endorsement not to be taken lightly.
Which is why Carville, once described as Bill Clinton’s junkyard dog, was so upset. Carville is famous for mocking Clinton’s opponents, and even people who might take issue with Clinton, or endanger Clinton’s political position.
One of his most famous insults was against Paula Jones, who had accused Clinton of sexually harassing her while she was an Arkansas state employee.
“Drag $100 bills through trailer parks, there’s no telling what you’ll find,” Carville said of Jones, implying she had been paid to testify against Clinton, and that she was mere trailer trash.
The insult stuck, even though the evidence was heavy that Clinton had tried to take advantage of Jones, Kathleen Willey, Gennifer Flowers and other women, just as he later took advantage of “that woman” he “didn’t have sex with,” Monica Lewinski.
To Gov. Richardson’s credit, he didn’t insult Carville in return, which may add even more credence to his endorsement of Obama.
