In a move that could potentially sway Democratic Hispanics to vote for Barack Obama, New Mexico Governor Richardson announced his endorsement of Obama for President on Friday. This move was surprising, since he served the Clinton administration as a United States Ambassador to the United Nations and as the Energy Secretary under the Presidency of Hillary's husband, Bill Clinton.
Although Governor Richardson reaffirmed his affection for the Clinton family, he said of Obama in a statement given in Oregon on Friday, March 21, "Your candidacy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation, and you are a once-in-a-lifetime leader." He also said he felt it was time for a new generation to lead in the White House.
Both Clinton and Obama have been trying to garner support from the highly popular Governor of New Mexico. Richardson referred to Obama's brave speech earlier this week tackling race issues as his motivation to endorse the candidate. He said the speech touched him personally, and that he felt Obama not only understood the Hispanic people, but that he would respect them as well. This could have a significant effect on the voting preferences of minority small business owners, families, and anyone who has felt misunderstood or under appreciated by former administrations.
Many political strategists felt that Obama's moving speech, during which he laid his soul bare to the world in a highly personal oration, would have a significant impact on the nation's minority groups.
The garnering of Governor Richardson's support could help sway the Latino vote in Obama's favor with the newly publicized endorsement. This could be a potentially significant vote, since the Hispanic population is the fastest growing segment of the electorate.
On "Super Tuesday," Hispanics heavily favored Hillary Clinton, with two out of three Latinos voting in her favor on the Democratic ticket. There is speculation as to how well the primary's forecast the outcome of the general election, though, since relatively few people take the time to vote in the primary elections.
The Clinton Campaign Dismisses Richardson's Influence
Hillary Clinton's chief political strategist, Mark Penn, said he felt the time for Richardson to significantly affect the outcome of the elections had long since passed. Clinton herself also stated the endorsement was not significant. This could strike some as highly unusual, since Richardson played such a key role in the Bill Clinton Presidency.
As a successful and highly skilled negotiator and diplomat, as well as his high degree of popularity among his constituents, there has been talk about having Governor Richardson become Secretary of State in a Democratic Presidency, or possibly even running on the ticket as Vice President.
As of right now, Governor Richardson is a super delegate with nominating powers if a vote is necessary to determine the Democratic Presidential candidate in November, which would occur if neither candidate garnered enough electoral votes. This is yet another reason Richardson's support is so crucial at this stage in the nomination process.
There is uncertainty right now as to how Governor Richardson's support will sway the Latino vote come November, and whether it will sway Hispanics to vote for Obama over Hillary Clinton. For now, though, his support, while downplayed by the Clinton camp, is a crucial supporter that both had been trying to win over. For now, it appears Obama has won this particular battle.