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Richardson, only Latino governor, endorses Obama for the speech on
race
By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer
March 21,
2008
(AP): Bill Richardson, the only Latino governor in the
United States,
backed Barack Obama for president, moved to deliver his
much-coveted endorsement by the senator’s speech about race.
The New
Mexico governor joined Obama at a spirited rally Friday and said
the
Illinois
senator demonstrated his leadership abilities this week with his
speech on race. ``You are a once-in-a-lifetime leader,'' the
governor said from the stage. ``Above all, you will be a president
who brings this nation together.''
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Richardson
dropped his own bid for the nomination in January.
Richardson
was relentlessly courted by both candidates and his support for
Obama provides him a potential counterweight to Clinton’s strength
among Latino voters.
It was not
the first time racial concerns had helped to drive a prominent
backer to Obama. Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy was
moved to drop his neutrality and side with Obama in part because
of what he saw as Bill Clinton's racially tinged criticisms of the
senator.
Richardson
heaped praise on Obama’s speech of March 18th, about
the nation’s racial divide. [This speech in its entirety can be
viewed online at:
www.laprensa1.com
or at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23691239#23691239
“As a
Hispanic-American, I was particularly touched by his words,''
Richardson said. ``Senator Obama has started a discussion in this
country that is long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting
race against race.'' |
