NPR: Bill Richardson Says It's Time for Primaries to End

Bill Richardson Says It's Time for Primaries to End

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson likes being on the fence.

At least that's what he's saying in an interview with CBS News. It's also the reason why he hasn't endorsed either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama yet.

"I'm usually not on the fence. But you know what, I like being on the fence. I am very comfortable with it," he said of his indecision.

But one thing he is very clear about. It's time for the Democratic Party to get focused on fighting the general election in November. And that means it's time for the party to pick a nominee. So he's also advocating that if the contests Tuesday in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont produce a clear leader, it's time for the other candidate to call it a day. He didn't say what a "clear lead" was, but he said it's more than a handful of delegates.

"I just think the D-Day is Tuesday. We have to have a positive campaign after Tuesday. Whoever has the most delegates after Tuesday, a clear lead, should be in my judgment the nominee," Richardson said on "Face the Nation" on CBS.

But as Don Frederick notes at the "Top of the Ticket" blog at the Los Angeles Times, the definition of a "clear lead" is in the eye of the beholder ... or the campaigns' spin meisters.

9:00 AM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

These "on the fence politicians" reconfirm their lack of leadership through their indecisiveness. Their non endorsement keeps them politically "safe" with their constituents without having to show their true character and beliefs by endorsing a candidates/policies before the primaries.
Why then should they be in positions of leadership if they can't make decisions till it's "safe" or in his(Richardsons) words "comfortable". It's seems as if it's not about keeping the party together but more about keeping your re-election chances aligned with how the primary winds blow. Richardson's position is obvisous...he would have endorsed Hillary if it weren't for the earlier momentum or "changing winds" of Obama. He wants to be "comfortable" and make sure he on the winning team in case his true beliefs do not prevail.

Sent by lramirez | 11:53 AM ET | 03-03-2008

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