By Lindsey Ellerson

Jul 30, 2008 1:27pm

Gov. Richardson to Hold Two Fundraisers for Sen. Clinton

ABC News’ Sarah Amos Reports: Governor Bill Richardson is doing his part to unite the Democratic party today, announcing he will hold two August fundraisers for Senator Hillary Clinton in his home state of New Mexico.

A press release sent out by the Governor’s office Wednesday states Richardson, a former candidate for the Democratic nomination himself, will hold two invitation-only events on August 17th. One event in Santa Fe will be hosted by Dave Contarino, Governor Richardson’s former campaign manager and long time strategist. The second event will take place in Albuquerque and will be hosted by a well-known New Mexico businessman. Clinton will be in attendance for both fundraisers.

The Governor, who is "an ardent supporter of Senator Obama," according to the press release, will preside over both events with his Lt. Governor, Diane Denish.

"Senator Clinton is grateful for Governor Richardson’s and Senator 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," said Clinton spokeswoman Kathleen Strand in the release.

And of course, to prove just how unified they all are, Obama spokesman Bill Burton was also quoted in the press release stating, "Governor Richardson’s efforts reinforce Senator Obama’s commitment to unifying the Democratic Party and assisting Senator Clinton’s effort to retire her campaign debt."

Richardson has often been one of the strongest voices to call for party unity among Democrats. In fact, while addressing the Democratic Leadership Council in Chicago last month, Richardson promised he would be involved in helping to retire Clinton’s debt. A promise he is now making good on.

And while this show of support is something all Democrats welcome, the hard feelings between Richardson and the Clintons still lingers in many political minds.

A cloud of endorsement speculation surrounded Richardson after he ended his own presidential bid. Richardson was heavily wooed by both sides, with former President Bill Clinton even flying to New Mexico to watch the Super Bowl with the Governor.

In the end Richardson chose to endorse Obama. The decision not only ruptured his relationship with the Clintons, but lead to James Carville calling him "judas" in interviews. Perhaps these fundraisers will be the first step towards a reconciliation.

User Comments

How Christian of him. I still won’t vote for Obama.
PUMA!

Posted by: SadStateOfAffairs | July 30, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm

Let me guess… she’ll take the money. The Clintons have always been willing to overcome their principles for a little cold hard ca$h!!!

Posted by: ick! | July 30, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Obama just told him he is offering sec of state to clinton…or he thinks clinton may be VP.
actually I think he is tryign to mend fences but also do the right thing…everyone should be donating to Hillary to retire her debt whether you agree with the long primary or not…
and PUMA only is selfishly hurting Clinton at this point but they don’t care.

Posted by: dl | July 30, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

PUMA! vote as you always have Republican!~

Posted by: GHM | July 30, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

Judas????

Posted by: The Commander Guy | July 30, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!
Obama…community organizer turned senator overnight…143 days’ actual senate experience…the only political career days of experience in high office….for President?….are you kidding me?!?!!!!!

Posted by: neil1785 | July 30, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

dl is trying very hard…real hard…to be nice….

Posted by: neil1785 | July 30, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

How is Richardson going to help Sen Clinton when he is still trying to raise money to poay off his own debt? I bet he’s using these fundraiser to help pay off his debt too. This is a publicity to get people to like him in case he’s the vp nom.

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | July 30, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

ick!,
Hillary is too much of a lady for that crap…she’s smarter than that….

Posted by: neil1785 | July 30, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

The debt is still not retired!?! How much debt did Obama help retire to date? Hillary has been on the campaign trail for Obama. It doesn’t speak highly of the Obama campaign lip service commitment and their follow-through capabilities when they have promised to retire her debt nearly 2 months ago.

Posted by: Jane | July 30, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

Whoops, I thought the fundraisers were carried forward to help Hillary “retire” from politics not just her debts. Check please!

Posted by: Barry Cohen | July 30, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

Great!, Judas is trying to get back into Hillary’s good graces; it’s going to take more than hosting two fundraisers to make amends for that stab in the back.

Posted by: Scott | July 30, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

Jane
Hillary has 20 million dollars !
do you understand it is illegal for Obama to give money directly and to raise money specifically for your opponent is really hard…
the problem is the schmucks in PUMA who are so self centered and focus on their own spite rather than helping the woman they say was running for THEM.
they would rather raise money for their own spite.
from the group that Hillary needed for the debt she accrued and some of us on the obama side say often that people should be giving to Hillary and if you stillcan buy a freakin t-shirt.
Freakin selfish PUMA people …yeah that’s noble.
ugh not.

Posted by: dl | July 30, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Obama promised to only cover the outstanding bills of her debt, like printing cost, food… etc. those people who depended on the money to survive. Hillary was on her own with the rest. Which, yes she should be.
Thank you Richardson, you have a right like everyone else in the US to vote for and back whom you wish.

Posted by: becky | July 30, 2008, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm

PUMA can kiss my a$$. Go ahead and vote for 8 more years of George Bush! Obama will win in a landslide anyway! Idiots!

Posted by: Duane | July 30, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm

Obama’s supporters only donated $110,000 for her in June but Clinton’s supporters donated about $2mils.
Is that fair? is the party unite? Obama’s campaign try to cover the fact. We rather vote for hero McCain than rock star Obama with the thin resume who ignore the wounded soldiers in Berlin.

Posted by: Laura | July 30, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

Obama’s details – Always good for a laugh!

Posted by: Soetoro No! | July 30, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm

Why is he doing this? He wants something for Clinton or maybe he has realized that not only should have been loyal to his state who voted for Clinton in the primaries but also to the people who have him a job in the last democratic white house.

Posted by: rachel | July 30, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

Laura: Really… if you voted for her you should support her. You should still be behind her paying off her debt. Why is this Obama’s problem?

Posted by: becky | July 30, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

COMING SOON…oh…it’s already happening….
By Michelle WhiteDove (America’s #1 Psychic and God-fearing Catholic)
=Obama is now ego centered instead of solution driven. He is all talk and lacks a real a game plan. You will hear this in his upcoming interviews.
What will happen to Obama?
As of today, Obama is over-confident and the power is going to his head. He is buying into his own PR hype. His people are playing up the Christian family man, but we are in the beginning stages of scandal, after scandal. His colorful past will crop up as his opposition is digging for the dirt. In Obama’s younger years he never thought that he would be running for US President. So now the ugly truth will be spoon fed to the American public: marital indiscretions, prejudice, drug use, associations with the wrong people and even money laundering associated with his church. The country’s opinion will turn on him. Unfortunately this will cause Oprah great embarrassment, and will lead to a drop in her ratings.
In the end, Obama’s reputation will be too tarnished for the vice president, Hillary will not want him. I believe that she has already spoken to John Edwards about him jumping back on the ticket as VP. John is the man with ethics, morals, and he’s standing by his wife during her time of crisis. He looks good on paper and he’s not a threat.
-Senator Barack Obama He’s a good person but American is not fully accepting of his vision. He will pull a majority of the African American votes, and will be a strong front runner at first. I see a strong start, weak finish. In the end his party will not support him as their frontrunner on the ballot. Could end up on the ticket as a VP but doubtful.
This prediction remains unchanged.
-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton She will have the support to run as the Democrats choice for President. She has been preparing working hard and has the low down and dirt on all the politicians. Hillary has collected and documented scandalous information on her peers, she’s been waiting for this moment to use their dirty laundry as leverage to get what she wants. She’s off the charts smart, & calculating, and has her ducks in a row. Personal politics: She’s for the environment and social medicine. Truly for the people and creating a better USA. She has what it takes to help turn this country around. She’s not the greatest human being….she will do anything to get what she wants. She feels that the END always justifies the MEANS. Mark my words Hillary WILL BE America’s first woman president as I have predicted this for years.
This prediction remains unchanged.

Posted by: neil1785 | July 30, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

neil1785: Hillary may or may not be America’s first woman president but mark my words it will not be in 2008.
Obama is our best choice so we need to get behind him and give our children a chance at a good future.

Posted by: becky | July 30, 2008, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm

Never vote for richadson or obuma, never.
Big deal Billy boy who cares!

Posted by: HP Boston | July 30, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

Go PUMA!
The ultra’s who hijacked our party are getting nervous. Take it to Denver and show the socialists that they won’t be tolerated! Restore Democratic principles! Regain the party! Assert your power!
Posted by: A | Jul 30, 2008 2:13:38 PM
———————
I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when thousands upon thousands of us show up but not FOR the PARTY!

Posted by: HP Boston | July 30, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

PUMA! vote as you always have Republican!~
Posted by: GHM | Jul 30, 2008 1:42:08 PM
———————————
This year for darn sure!

Posted by: HP Boston | July 30, 2008, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

Does Judas have buyer’s remorse?

Posted by: geevill | July 30, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

Got another begging letter from obuma today. I sent him some dirt from my yard, it was the least I could do.
I sent a large check to PUMA PAC!

Posted by: HP Boston | July 30, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

Becky,
Obama is best choice for our children with the arrogant character, no value and judgment?? Ignore wounded soldiers in Berlin???

Posted by: Laura | July 30, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

Laura-
A large portion of Obama’s donors are individuals who donate $5,$10… $200 when they donate to Obama; They are hurting financially in this economy as well.I am not a bundler, just a concerned citizen; I have donated to both Obama’s campaign and Hillary’s debt retirement recently but in both cases I couldn’t donate a lot. After donating to Hillary clinton’s debt retirement, I received three emails from the Hillary Clinton offices:1 thanking me for my donation,a second welcoming me to “Team Hillary” and third an invitation to “Dinner Under the Stars”. Though I hav supported Barack Obama from the start of this presidential campaign, I am still respectful of Hillary Clinton and HAVE donated toward the retirement of her campaign debt; I intend to continue to do so as I think this is the honorable thing to do, but I am by no means required to do so and I don’t feel I should be chastised for not having a large amount of money to donate.

Posted by: AnotherLaura | July 30, 2008, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

Jane-
The Obama campaign did not promise to retire Hillary Clinton’s campaign debt;
They said we would help her retire her campaign debt. First, it is illegal for Obama’s campaign to pay Clinton’s campaign debt outright; He can however encourage his donors to donate toward retirement of her debt.
It is a matter of unity and respect for Obama supporters to help Hillary Clinton retire her debt it is not a legal responsibility and it does not encourage
Obama supporters to do when it is made to sound like a financial transaction.

Posted by: AnotherLaura | July 30, 2008, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm

Laura-
You don’t sound much like a Hillary Clinton supporter.. Perpetuating that
already debunked McCain campaign line of reasoning? that Obama ignored our troops.

Posted by: AnotherLaura | July 30, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

Just be careful for what he does.
He has something in his mind or,,,maybe Judas feels guilty.

Posted by: catleya | July 30, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

I started as a Clinton fan, but every time I hear from the PUMAs it just provides sad evidence to me how divisive Hillary’s campaign was, whether she intended it to be or not. By refusing to quit when it was over, it created the PUMAS, who continue to refuse to quit even after Hillary has stated that it’s over. You don’t see this happening on the Republican side with people like Romney. As much as I dislike him, I respect that he knew when to get out, and now he’s a leading McCain VP candidate. PUMAs, the only person you’re hurting is Hillary.

Posted by: justme2727 | July 30, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm

Richardson is such a sleazy kiss-ass!

Posted by: pennbird | July 30, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

Im moving to Canada, I will just watch all you yahoo’s on the news. Good Luck.

Posted by: HelloCanada | July 30, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

Neil, does it need to be repeated so many times because the McCain supports don’t get the concept with just one (singular) posting???

Posted by: Jus | July 30, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

I started as an Obama fan, but every time I hear how venemous his supporters are and how hateful they are with their slurs and threats, I quit supporting Obama.

Posted by: misa | July 30, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

It’s funny how these PUMA people yammer on and on that they’re 18 million strong. But why is it that they haven’t helped retire her debt? How much have you people donated?
Oh yeah that’s right, she can’t retire her debt, because she’s too busy setting money aside for her “Senate” 2012 campaign!!

Posted by: Jennifer | July 30, 2008, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Hillary,use them and abuse them. We still want you for President, America does not want Baracksissy Obama……his numbers continue to fall. We need you, Hillary…hang in there and PUMA is behind you. As for fat a$$ Richardson, use him and abuse him. He deserves all the wrath you can put on his big ugly Obama lookin self!

Posted by: Will | July 30, 2008, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm

Well, at least he sees the error of his ways. Must not have got the VP slot and is covering his a** for 2012. I feel something in the back of my throat…blaa

Posted by: Miki | July 30, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

Someone posted…..”Obama’s supporters only donated $110,000 for her in June but Clinton’s supporters donated about $2mils. Is that fair?”
You MUST be kidding right? That debt does NOT belong to Obama’s supporters. You should be HAPPY for WHATEVER aide they give particularly with all the Hillary supporters threatening to go for McCain or stay home! You talk as though it is Obama’s obligation, not Hillary’s!
What you should be asking is whether it is fair to ACCEPT money from Obama supporters, when you have no intention of supporting Obama. In which case, their money would be better spent on OBAMA, rather than on Hillary!

Posted by: Obaman | July 30, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

As a POINTMAN, I’ll give Clinton this advice. “Don’t trust Richardson.”

Posted by: Pointman | July 30, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

Poor Bill, Poor Obama. And they thought it was a slam-dunk! What is Richardson up to? Party unity? No real friend does what he did. Politics make strange bedfellows, and I guess he and Hillary are both in it for the long haul. If politics is your life, you gotta stay in it to win it. I am not sure what a win is when you lie, then endorse your friend’s opponent, then help raise money to repay campaign debt. Must be something in it for both of them. I really do question Richardson’s judgement. Does this mean he will be the VP after all? Or is he just a magnanimous person for the good of the country?
The best candidate still in the race is John McCain. He has the experience, the knowledge, and the wisdom to talk straight and get things done across the aisle.
FROM THE HANOI HILTON
TO THE WHITE HOUSE!
McCain ’08

Posted by: georgia | July 30, 2008, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm

Good. Although, I am having a hard time accepting the fact that you bailed on her in the first place for a newbie.

Posted by: irma | July 30, 2008, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

I have been a hardcore Democrat and volunteer for over two decades and I WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA IF HILLARY IS OVERLOOKED FOR VP. Nor will I ever contribute or volunteer again. If I feel this betrayed as a loyal Democrat, I can only imagine how many more people who weren’t all that into politics have been turned off by the Obama MEDIA WEIRDNESS.

Posted by: irma | July 30, 2008, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm

Vote McCain. He will be there 4 years. If Obama gets in, he will be there 8. I think McCain will do less harm in 4 than Obama will do in 8. Not my first choice, but if you ask me McCain is the only choice. Obama is not presidential material. He would make a good ambassador to Germany or France, but not president of the U.S.

Posted by: Pat | July 30, 2008, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm

As usuall, no matter what Hillary does, it will be wrong…If she tells Richarson to “stick it”, she risks splitting the party, if she accepts, she seen as a money grabber…

Posted by: dbaragona | July 31, 2008, 9:18 am 9:18 am

I’m noticing a lot of negativity built up over the course of several of these comments. All politics aside, a lot of people are drawing conclusions about a political candidate on the basis of their supporters. That would be the same as damning Jesus because a psychotic self-proclaimed Christian from Wako, Texas did horrible things claiming to be the word of God.
Instead, take a look at the actual candidate. Barack Obama has consistently been resistant to using “smear” campaigning and continually tries to press a greater issue of national unity and cohesivity over vote-stealing ideologies such as “anti-war, anti-abortion, anti-gay,” etc.
In many people’s eyes, the lack of experience becomes a big issue when it comes down to McCain v. Obama. Point of fact, just because there is more time spent at something does not make one inherently better at it. Obama has been in the Senate for only a short time. Before any more time goes on and he is forced to adapt to the corrupt and petty environment of Congress, he is trying to make a difference. McCain on the other hand has been in the Senate for so much longer, and what does he really have to show for it? If he was going to make a difference, why hasn’t he yet? It’s all a game of procrastination, and it’s a game that I legitimately believe Obama doesn’t want to play. I believe he is ready to act, and I believe that he is ready to make the necessary changes to move forward. Long post short, I believe in Obama.

Posted by: Daniel | July 31, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

My favorite quotes this week are from and about McCain. His own campaign disavowed McCain’s comments on making social security whole by taxing people making over $250,000, by saying McCain DOESNT SPEAK FOR THE McCAIN campaign!!!
Who does? The tri-lateral commision or the CIA?

Posted by: Bruce Becker | July 31, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

Hillary only needs to ask DUBAI to raise the Clinton allowance.—- After all, that’s where their money came from in the first place. (Bill Clinton is STILL
on the Dubai payroll as an “advisor”.)

Posted by: Clifford | August 1, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm

Judas!!
No integrity Judas has. Now he sees Obama is going to lose. So the sooner he sucks up to the Clintons, the better.
Oh Boy, this JUDAS is a BIG, FAT joke!!!

Posted by: Jkan | August 1, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

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