Richardson Accentuates the Positive, But Calls Out Obama
EmailABC News’ Tahman Bradley Reports: Addressing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Gov. Bill Richardson D-N.M., said Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., should denounce the comments which David Geffen made to New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd.
"If we’re going to win, we have to be positive," Richardson stressed, later adding, "I think these name callings are no good."
The verbose Governor called on all Democratic contenders to sign a pledge which would forbid negative campaigning, shortly before pointing out to the crowd that "governors actually do things," in a seemingly not-so-veiled swipe at several Congressional opponents.
Richardson, who served as a U.S Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration and Ambassador to the United Nations, hoped to prove that his decades of experience–particular in foreign policy– make him qualified to be the next President of the United States.
The Governor pointed to the various missions abroad as U.S. Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations in which he was sent to represent the U.S. by President Clinton, saying that Clinton use to say, "Bad guys like Richardson, so I’m sending him there."
Poking his ’08 rival former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., who has said he would raise taxes to pay for a universal healthcare plan, Richardson said the next president does not have to increase taxes to pay cover every American and that he will not increase taxes as president.
Like all of the 2008 Democratic presidential candidates not presently serving in Congress, Richardson called on members of Congress to use their power to end the war.
Touting his work to reinstitute "collective bargaining" during his tenure as governor of New Mexico, Richardson pledged that as president he would fight for the Employee Free Choice Act.
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Governor Richadson is absolutely right. Senator Obama should immediately denounce every hateful comment by Mr. Geffen about the Clintons.
Who would have believed that the candidate who stands on stage preaching about the need to run clean campaigns, is the first one to go negative.
Nice going Obama – you just stuck a fork in yourself.
Posted by: Sarah Gates | February 21, 2007, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
Tell me why Obama should denounce words that another person, not part of his paid campaign workers, said about Hillary to of all people Maureen Dowd — I would call it “hear say, third party and why does everyone want it to be a fight.
I would say it is between Geffen and the Clintons. And isn’t her staff just a little too touchy???
Posted by: Paulet | February 21, 2007, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
Bill Richardson was the only candidate who said that America needs a “man on the moon” approach to solving our nation’s energy needs. He’s got my vote.
Posted by: Estevan Gonzales | February 21, 2007, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
I think Richardson was right, too. Obama doesn’t seem to have the gravitas or maturity to be president if he stoops to this level. I didn’t like that Lincoln Bedroom remark one bit, and I think he looks like a lightweight for not showing up today in Carson City Ne Va (short a sound) da.
Go Big Bill!
Posted by: Cara Valente-Compton | February 21, 2007, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
My neighbor, Harry, had some bad words to say about Hillary too. Mr. Obama, I expect you to disassociate yourself from Harry and denounce him also or are denunciations of the political sort only for the well known detractors?
Posted by: Michael Hall | February 22, 2007, 1:13 am 1:13 am
why should obama appologise.why did he say anything.you people are are just being jealouse of someone who is great.these fake news medias should keep on hiding the truth.but it will out.American like obama care you don’t report the truth.we will vote for him
Posted by: jones | February 22, 2007, 3:03 am 3:03 am
I’ve seen enough of Obama for now, time to change the channel.
Whats the deal with him not showing up to Nevada? AFSCME not important to him?
Posted by: BenMurphyNYC | February 22, 2007, 11:44 am 11:44 am
be honest. did Giffen say anything untrue? of course not. why did it hurt hilary? because she wants hollywood money alone and bc she sees obama as a threat period.
and you Dems get it right even if you dont like it. if hilary gets the nomination then hopes for the white house are gone. take it or live to see it happen. rep will dig up all these dirts starting from bill to her iraq vote and hell will break loose. now obama too is no exception but in all fairness obama being honest has already exposed all his weak points publicly . rep has nothing more to pin him down with. rep dont wanna face obama there4 will be glad if hilary wins. wait and see.
Posted by: Tayong | February 23, 2007, 9:58 am 9:58 am
I think this whole Obama/Clinton issue is being generated by the media for excitement, and is an exercise in ridiculousness. Why would you have to apologize for something I said? Anyone has a right to say whatever they want. Obama has no control over what someone else says. He has never said anything negative about Sen. Clinton himself. Calling this “slash and burn” politics is ludicrous. Get a grip, people. When you look at some of the things politicians have said about each other over the years, this is pretty trivial. I think Sen. Obama’s response is right on.
Posted by: ilima | February 23, 2007, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
i agree with bill richardson obama should say sorry
Posted by: jimmy vaughan | March 4, 2007, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
I totally disagree with everyone who said Obama should apologize for what he did not say. Bad politics, bad omen. someone made a free speech, and some people were asking soneone else to apologize, is that not stupid. To hit the nail on the head, it would be very stupid if Obama apologizes for what he didn’t say, anyway, Obama is a smaret guy, he didn’t make any comment about the whole issue.
Posted by: Frank Ebere | April 24, 2007, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm