Obama/Richardson ‘08

Bill Richardson wants a new job—Vice-President of the United States.

Both Clinton and Obama have been looking to get the Richardson endorsement since he dropped out of the race in the early days of January. However, despite the claim that his decision was based on Obama’s speech on race, Richardson’s Friday endorsement of the Illinois senator comes at a time when it is fairly certain Obama will recieve the Democratic nomination. With Florida and Michigan now all but out of the equasion, Obama is likely to maintain his lead in delegates and the popular vote. Cries that any Superdelegate vote to the contrary will tear the party apart fortells the inevitible future of the 2008 Democratic primary election.

Richardson has risked quite a bit with this job application. His ties to the Clintons go back to his days as U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary under President Bill Clinton, and as recent as watching the Super Bowl with the former president just last February. Hillary Rodham Clinton advisor James Carville has since likened Bill Richardson to Judas on Good Friday. Somehow, I don’t think the two Bills are going to be catching any Final Four games together any time soon. Richardson has placed all of his political clout on the table with this one.

The Richardson endorsement also comes at a time when people are starting to hint that Obama cannot beat John McCain in November. Like it or not, race is a factor in this presidential campaign cycle, and it has both helped and hurt Barack Obama. His lead over Hillary Clinton has been aided by 90% of the African-American vote, but his connection to the fiery rhetoric of Reverend Jeremiah Wright has brought tarnish to the luster of the political golden boy, and called into question his ability to win in the coming general election.

With race proving to be such a large factor, an Obama/Richardson ticket could be tough to beat. According to the U.S Census Bureau, Hispanics and African-Americans are the first and second largest minorities in the nation. And Bill Richardson could be just the man to take away any Hispanic votes that illegal immigrant amnesty advocate John McCain might recieve in November. If Richardson can deliver a 90% Hispanic vote to go along with Obama’s 90% black vote, then Barak Obama will be the next President of the United States.

And I doubt I’m the only one who knows that.

 UPDATE: As I was saying…

By Angela from Normal, IL Mar 21st 2008 at 9:28 am EDT
This is the “Dream Ticket!”

Thanks Gov. Richardson!!

By Debbie, PA Mar 21st 2008 at 12:37 pm EDT
Agreed “Dream Ticket” I have been tell me husband that since he left the race. He is the one Obama needs to run with for VP.

By Jesus from Los Angeles, CA Mar 21st 2008 at 1:11 pm EDT
This is the winning ticket! Obama/Richardson ‘08.
I just look at the speech! I have got that “gut feeling” it never fails!

I’ve got a feeling in my gut, too, Jesus. But I doubt it’s the same as yours.