NEWS: Richardson Criticizes Hillary's "Red Phone" Ad Hitting Obama; Praises His Judgment
By Greg Sargent - March 3, 2008, 2:25PM
tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com
Yesterday Bill Richardson gave an interview that has gotten a bunch of attention already, because in it he said that Dems should coalesce behind the candidate with the "clear lead" after tomorrow's voting.
"Whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday, a clear lead, should be, in my judgment, the nominee," Richardson said.
But Richardson also offered up some other comments in that interview that have passed unnoticed: Specifically, he criticized Hillary's "red phone" ad, which Hillary pollster Mark Penn credits with shifting the race her way...
He was outspoken in his criticism of Clinton's new "ringing phone" ad, which suggests that Obama is not ready to become commander in chief.
"I happen to disagree with that ad that says that Senator Obama is not ready," he said. "He is ready. He has great judgment, an internationalist background."
That Richardson would directly fault Hillary's core closing argument, and endorse Obama's central claim to having sound judgment, seems telling -- another sign that Richardson may be laying the groundwork to endorse Obama, should tomorrow's results give him an opening to do so. |
