Richardson to help retire HRC's debt

Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 12:59 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
After Bill Richardson endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primary season, many in Clinton Land were upset with the New Mexico governor -- given that Bill Clinton made Richardson his Energy secretary and UN ambassador.

Well, it looks like Richardson is making amends by hosting two fundraisers in New Mexico on August 17 to help Hillary Clinton retire her debt.

"Gov. Richardson's efforts reinforce Sen. Obama's commitment to unifying the Democratic Party and assisting Senator Clinton's effort to retire her campaign debt," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in a Richardson press release announcing these fundraisers.

Added Clinton spokesman Kathleen Strand: "Sen. Clinton is grateful for Gov. Richardson's and Sen. Obama's efforts to assist with retiring her campaign debt and she is looking forward to continuing to campaign for Senator Obama and help ensure victory for Democrats throughout the country this fall."

It's worth noting that Richardson's own debt from his presidential run (as of June 30) is $292,726.

*** UPDATE *** Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley emails to add that Hillary Clinton will be in attendance at both fundraisers.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

MSM: will you start calling McCain on his having handed over his campaign to Karl Rove (well, Steve Schmidt but the result is the same)? Will anyone have the cojones to call this as it is?

Just Wondering (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:02 PM)

What a big man he is when he was called Judas by the Clinton team. I really like him.

karen bourland overland park ks (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:04 PM)

Go Bill.

banko (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:05 PM)

How far is the party going to bend over backwards to accomodate her?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:10 PM)

Isn't the kind of thing that a possible VP would need to do...to make it more palatable to the Clintons (and supporters)? Why has Richardson fallen off the lists? He basically wraps up NM and maybe CO all on his own, reinforces the "change" message while having extensive foreign policy and energy experience. What's not to like?

rashomon (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:11 PM)

Wow. Talk about turning the other cheek. Richardson was called a Judas by a Clinton surrogate (James Carville), but now he has been able to forgive to the point of helping Hillary retire her debt?

Jesus would be proud.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:11 PM)

all of it, what a waste of money. politics isn't that important that we should spend that much money on it. and for what? another scumbag in the white house? i never have and never will contribute a dime to a campaign willingly and i'm proud of it.

Bill S. Preston Esq (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:11 PM)

It's worth noting that Richardson's own debt from his presidential run (as of June 30) is $292,726.

-First Read

*******************************************

Thanks for the mention. You went there before I could.

What in the world is going on? This makes no sense.

donna (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:12 PM)

A kudo for Richardson. Does this mean James Carville will apologize to Richardson now for comparing him to Judas Iscariot after the NM governor endorsed Obama instead of Hillary back on Good Friday weekend?

Just wondering. It's good to see the Democratic Party coming together. Watch out, Republicans. As long as our side can keep up the enthusiasm and continue to register new voters, McCain is doomed.

Philimus, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:14 PM)

If BR is going to help retire HRC's debt, who is helping him retire his?
----------------------
{Tried to post earlier...Gary from MT, you've got a great idea there!}

Is your headline a rhetorical question? OF COURSE HE'S MR. NEGATIVE!

Also - why is Moldy McCheese trying to kiss Pelosi's behind? 'Cause the GOP's in trouble, that's why.

I heard on "Countdown" last night that his staff has no control over him - meaning that he does whatever he wants and expects his staff to clean up after him. He's a loaded gun with a tricky trigger.

You conservatives talk about Obama having no experience - but how does this attitude from McCain not scare the "h" out of you? Seriously? He's liable to be in talks with I'm-a-nut-job and tell him to "f" off! Can you say "diplomacy"?

MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:14 PM)

Where is Hillary? She cannot be any busier then some other Senators who have come to Obama's defense on various issues as Biden and others. I thought she announced she was going to actively support Obama in his bid for the Presdidency. If I were Richardson I would say if you want our help paying off and reducing your debt, then get your butt out there and start stumping for Obama. Take some invitations from some of these news talk shows and let the country know what a mess we will be in if McCain is elected President. And if you want to be on the ticket as VP then by gosh start acting like it instead of letting others including Hagel who is a Republican to actively show their suppport for Obama.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:15 PM)

Mr Chuck Todd,

I watched you this morning on Morning Jealous...error Joe. Nice try in trying to label Obama as an arrogant person. Arrogant is you!!! You think you know everything about politics. You need to cut that garbage out boy!!!!!!

SAM (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:17 PM)

Richardson is sure a wheeler-dealer type. Always playing both sides of the fence. He must really have a tingly feeling running down his leg for a Washington job.

Chris Talbert, Keene Utah (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:17 PM)

Of course he's trying to help HRC retire his debt.

That way, he can ask supporters to help him get rid of his! That way, they can swap donators that are already at the limit for their own candidates.

Seams to make perfect business "scratch my back i'll scratch yours" sense.

obama '08

It's Simple... (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:18 PM)

Wow, Bill Richardson who has his own debt to contend with helping Hillary. Obama, who has a load of money, won't help Hillary. Guess he's busy being a symbol for all of America to look up to.

Jack, Dallas (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:20 PM)

Bill Richardson would make a good running mate for Obama
Could he swing New Mexico ?
Could he energize Latinos ?

But, he's still my 2nd choice

Joe Biden is better because he's a snappier debater
I think Biden would take it to McCain

Richardson was a little too 'concilliatory' in the Demo debates

Obama's running mate needs to really hit McCain

Both men are known quantities
Tey've been 'vetted' by the primaries
No scandals were discovered on either

I'm now wondering about Edwards and the National Enquirer (we don't need scandals)
Pity, he is a populist and that's what we need

Obama/Biden '08
Time for some change

Obama/Richardson '08

PS
Congress can hold Rove in contempt
But, the Attorney General has to prosecute...
Don't count on that

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:20 PM)

What a BIG person Bill is. I don't know if I would have done that after the way they jumped all over him... but nice of him. A Classy Man!!!

GET RID OF MORNING JOE !

GET RID OF MORNING JOE ! (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:20 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Throw her a bone and tell her to go write a book.

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:20 PM)

Gov. Richardson's a class act. I hope he's still on Obama's VP list. Sillie Hillie stay in NY please. She and Bill I guess would be destitute if they paid off their own debt. Would you want to play poker with a Clinton...not unless they put cash on the table first.

bill, okla (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:20 PM)

Clever. Looks like Obama is trying to make nice-nice with Hillary through Richardson. Obama is quickly coming to the conclusion that he has no chance to win this election without Hillary's help. Poll numbers are showing his little trip last week did nothing to help him, and probably hurt his standing back home. Now he's using Richardson to pay off Hillary. Hillary should tell him, just like she's telling Obama, to take a long walk off a short pier.

Skit Pooler, Manning LA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:22 PM)

I’d rather contribute to retire Richardson’s debt. I think Richardson has the right chemistry and integrity.
I doubt it as an act of contrition. Richardson has the right attitude. Futhermore, Bill has already said he's done a lot for the Clintons alreay.

----------------------------------------------------------------
John McCain's newest ad is more dishonest and reprehensible. Don’t blame Obama. McCain is ludicrous. How can the befuddled symptomatic amnesiac McCain blame Obama for rising prices at the pump or approve this message?
Fact check says…
McCain said on July 7th “Our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been 30 years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the future of the country”. According to the Energy Information Administration estimate that if the politicians would start drilling now it would be 2030 before there would be enough oil flowing to have a "significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices. Because of opposition to hastening the development of alternative sources of energy and new kinds of cars.

“But no one person can be pinned with the credit or the blame for something as vague as "rising prices at the pump." OPEC policy, the weather, wars in oil-producing countries, refinery capacity, consumer demand, environmental concerns, and the value of the dollar and a host of other considerations factor into the cost of a fill-up. In fact, McCain may be paying Obama an inadvertent compliment by alleging he has such influence in this area.”
But most experts believe that if we haven't implemented other strategies well before 2030, we're in deep trouble.
MCCAIN HAS BEEN IN CONGRESS FOR 26 YEARS OR HAS HE FORGOTTEN?

Here’s My rap to you MSNBC for chetto Joe Scarbough again…

JOE MUST GO; NO MO MORNING CHETTO JOE
MORE RACHEL; GO JOE;
WE NEED RACHEL

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:24 PM)

For all the people who complain about 'Morning Joe'

How you ever listened to Morning Edition on NPR ?
It's intelligent and informative
It has some of the same shortcomings as the other MSM
But, at least it's thoughtful and intelligent

It's too much of a rush in the morning to watch TV

Obama/Biden or Obama/Richardson
The winning tickets

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:25 PM)

C.A. If I were Richardson I would say if you want our help paying off and reducing your debt, then get your butt out there and start stumping for Obama.

Oh, I'd like be near by when that conversation took place. About thirty seconds into the talk, Hillary would do to Richardson what Jesse Jackson threatened to do to Obama. Then she'd have something new to hang on her rearview mirror.

Jerome Biggert (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:25 PM)

While the Republicans are launching charges of "hubris" etc.; Barack Obama, Bill Richards and other prominent Democratic Leaders are steadfastly continuing to unite our party and this country.

Whatever we do; we cannot stop supporting the drive to bring this great nation back from the brink of the chasm created by the neo-cons...

I will continue to make my donations to party and candidate as circumstances permit. I am not worrying about the "indulgences" I have to give up to get this done...I am worried about the future of our nation and our children!

Debate! Contribute! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKE SURE EVERYONE YOU CAN INFLUENCE VOTES THIS ELECTION!!

GA GUY (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:26 PM)

Could it be that Obama has chosen Richardson for his Veep, and has accepted to retire his debt, which frees the Gov. from New Mexico to help Hillary until they roll him out?

Given Richardson's foreign policy chops, 95% of the Hispanic vote, and all those southwestern states he will probably help deliver, Bill may be the way we will make bricks without straw.

Bricks= Voter confidence

Straw= Fair, and unbiased media

donna (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:27 PM)

I agree with "it's simple." Obama obviously hasn't helped him get rid of that remaining $200,000 of debt that Richardson has, so he is trying to make nice with big momma and her 18 million voters. He might also be talking with his own voters, many of whom quite like Hillary seeing as how she won the state with 51% of the vote.

Greta (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:30 PM)

Joe Biden is better because he's a snappier debater
I think Biden would take it to McCain
---------------------------------------------------
Presidential candidates don't debate vice presidential candidates. Biden would debate McCain's VP choice. Once.

John Doe, Seattle Wash (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:31 PM)

That's fair...Richardson helps Clinton, Andrea Mitchell and MSN help McCain with a full hour of free advertising on her spot this afternoon.

Jennifer (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:32 PM)

You folks kill me with your contempt for Morning Joe. If you dislike him so intensely, why don't you just turn off your TVs?

Sally (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:32 PM)

I hope we will all take a moment and reflect in the upcoming days. Think about it.

An African American may be elected our next President of the United States. Can you imagine? I am starting to be filled with so much emotion as we inch closer to the Convention. Just think - Senator Obama’s next announcement will be his vice presidential pick!

As much as we all want to attack the McCain campaign for their lies, let us not let the GOP ruin this election for us. That’s what they’re trying to do. John McCain is only their nominee because they had no one else. They’re done. No leadership whatsoever in the Republican Party.

I sometimes feel as if Senator Obama has to carry the weight of all our country’s sins throughout the last 200 plus years. If he is, he isn’t showing it.

This is so historic. It’s a once in a lifetime election.

Take joy in it.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:32 PM)

I hope that HRC returns the favor! (But I doubt she will)

Obama/Maddow '08/'12

Cheetoh luvr (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:34 PM)

It's hard to believe that people would want our President to be hated around the world. Because the best way to fix our foriegn policy or get out of Iraq is to make sure everyone hates us. Thanks Dubya for spreading the seed hate.

Elias Salinas, KCMO

Who hates us? Can you name a country, or a leader, that hates us? Other then Chavez, Ahmadinejad, al-Assad, and Kim Jong-il.

I think the American liberals are the biggest haters of this country. They certainly make certain they prove it everyday.

Candice Workman, Lovett, SC (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:34 PM)

JOES S IS A COMPLETE IDIOT
HE SPET ALL DAY BASHING OBAMA AGAIN
GUESS WHAT JOE? YOU WERE WRONG

Spinning 'symbolism'

From Playbook:

THE GOP IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT a quote that The Washington Post runs on both a blog and in the paper, in which Obama supposedly tells House Democrats: “I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions.”

BUT A DEMOCRATIC SOURCE SAYS: “His entire point of that riff was that the campaign IS NOT about him. [The Post] left out the important first half of the sentence, which was along the lines of: ‘It has become increasingly clear in my travel, the campaign, that the crowds, the enthusiasm, 200,000 people in Berlin, is not about me at all. It’s about America. I have just become a symbol … .”

Nj (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:35 PM)

Do we have a time lag on the west coast. I just got the latest post nearly twenty five minutes after it was posted. On the last article about McCrazy's latest nasty campiagn ad, along with a whole string of less recent nasty campaign adds, I;m just wandering if Johnboy actually has to put them on air since you guys are doing it for him. One of your frequent pundits writes a horrible critique of what a wonderfull job Obama is doing at home and overseas and how he is accepted as if Europe liking him is an anointment and means he's getting way to confident, maybe actually errogant. Give me a break.
I wander is General Electric and thier ilk having some impression on your unbiased news coverage? Are you guys starting your very selective and passive campaign to slowly erode Obama's success?
Please don't tell us one more time how he is new to the scene( meaning too new) and the American public doesn't know enough about him. Is that your job and you don't want to do it well or are you just lazy?
If you're goig to try ad derail him at least be honest about it.

Dand1212@msn.com (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:36 PM)

Andrea and Joe both should leave msnbc..They make me wanna puke,They both hate on Oboma as much as possible...Im sure msnbc can find someone to replace these two...and meka should go as well....God they are bad..

mike louisville Kentucky (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:37 PM)

Jerome Biggert (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:25 PM)

Jerome:

One knows not to get within 20 feet of Hillary when making such a demand. That's about a safe enough distance where her eyes cannot burn a hole right through you.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:38 PM)

For all the people who complain about 'Morning Joe'

How you ever listened to Morning Edition on NPR ?
It's intelligent and informative

If you call Americas answer to Radio Pravda informative, then I guess you're correct. And, you're welcome <for all American taxpayers that pay for the leftist NPR to broadcast because it could never support itself otherwise>

Winslow Wyatt (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:38 PM)

Have you ever noticed how much like a bully or battering husband Joe is? He totally tries to intimidate, mock and control Mika? It makes me cringe. And he is so biased, it is beyond acceptable for a public program -- debases women, and anyone who doesn't agree with him and debases the network.

Susan Jenneson, Mendota Heights, MN (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:38 PM)

I believe the clintons can afford to pay their own debt, they could easily pull a few million out of one of their tax exempt offshore accounts, to even bother trying to pay their debt is ridiculous when that money could be used for much better purposes elsewhere, if the arrogant idiot hillary would have dropped out when she should have instead of beating the dead horse for months she wouldn’t have any debt.

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:38 PM)

Poor Andrea Mitchell...she really is a bitter old white woman prepared to support a man who would ban her daughters and granddaugters from having the choices she has enjoyed during her childbearing years...she is an old hag like the hillary witches who claim they will vote for mcsenile...the only thing in common between mccain and clinton is that they are both white...thats it

Rojer ramjet (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:38 PM)

I think Obama should pay the debt. After all, it's his fault Hillary has so much campaign debt. His campaign money should be re-distributed to help a fellow Democrat in need. He's the rich one and she's middle class. He's supposed to help her now, no matter how she managed to borrower her way into her current predicament. Obviously, someone sold her, against her will of course, a sub-prime campaign.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:39 PM)

This is a very touching story... http://www.enewsreference.wordpress.com

eNews Reference (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:40 PM)

You folks kill me with your contempt for Morning Joe. If you dislike him so intensely, why don't you just turn off your TVs?

Sally

___________

The attendents at the nursing home won't let them.

Nurse Ratchet (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:41 PM)

For all the people who complain about 'Morning Joe'
How you ever listened to Morning Edition on NPR ?
It's intelligent and informative
MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:25 PM)

Yep... changed when Idiot Joe returned a few weeks ago.

You folks kill me with your contempt for Morning Joe. If you dislike him so intensely, why don't you just turn off your TVs?
Sally (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:32 PM)

I have, so have many others I talk with regularly. I now play the TiVo of the prior night's Jon Stewart while getting ready for work. Then I listen to NPR for my news during the day.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:41 PM)

How is he going to help Sen Clinton when he can't pay off his own debt? This is just a publicity stunt.

Desiree, New York (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:42 PM)

Talking about turning the other cheek, wow.
And to Rashomon at 1:11, I agree with you in terms of Richardson being VP. In fact, Richardson was my FIRST choice with his extensive background. I thought a ticket with him at the top would be a smash hit for the Dems this year.

To answer your question, I must be brutally honest.
This country is still coming to grips with someone other than a white male as President, Majority leader and Speaker of the House (Nancy Pelosi finally broker through that ceiling last year).
But, and this could end up being the problem for Senator Clinton or Governor Sebelius, taking a non-white male and then another non-white male may make some of us in this country (WRONGLY I SHOULD ADD) think twice about the ticket when there should be no doubt about who will restore our image and our standing in the world. And as a by-product, be able to lean on our allies for help in wars, sacntions on Iran, trade, etc. No doubt, Senator Obama has laid out a plan that is worthy of being President. But there are just enough people in the voting electorate who will not allow themselves to vote for a ticket which does not at least include an anglo, and preferably a male.
Which by the way, to those puma females, how do you reconcile that you would rather Obama select Bayh, Biden, Clark, Dodd, Kaine, WEbb over Gov. Sebeliius, who happens to be a female? I don't understand that line of thinking. For, if after all, what you want is a female to break the ranks, much like Germany did this past year, and we've seen in other countries in the world, most notably Great Britain with Margaret Thatcher, why would you not hope for at least a woman?
I just absolutely don't understand your line of thinking.
And one more thing while I think about it.
Why would you vote for McCain and ??? when McCain's voting record on women's issues are abominable? Please help us less elitist folks understand.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:42 PM)

Pat, Boston:

You've got me totally verklempt.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:43 PM)

We DID turn off our tvs Sally, aren't you listening? And Matt, is that true about Chief Justice Roberts? Is there a confirming source?

First Read it would also help your page to have a return to top to click.

so (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:44 PM)

I've got to start watching Joe Scarborough again. The comments here indicate that he's got his groove back.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:45 PM)

Candice Workman, Lovett, SC (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:34 PM)

Candice:

I don't know what planet you have been living on the last few years but polls show as well as public commentaries from citizens as well as their leaders that our reputation has sunk to all time lows with every single country on this earth (some worse then otyhers). Great Britain may be an exception but even many of their citizens are not happy with the U.S.

And if you think "hate" is too strong a word I'll give you that regarding some countries that we still consider our friends. But how about loss of respect. I think that is a more fitting description regarding the reputation of the U.S. across this globe.

Let's just say it is pretty bad when you have two nieces that have to come home early from Europe as once discovered they were Amercians they were treated rather rudley and clearly were not welcomed.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:46 PM)

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