Stage Directions for Richardson: "Turn Toward Obama and Smile"

Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic publishes the text of the "endorsement" speech given by Gov. Bill Richardson to Sen. Barack Obama. Oops. Someone forgot to remove the stage directions.

I know Senator Obama well.

I first got to know him when I chaired the last Democratic National Convention, where he gave that wonderful keynote address.

And then, last year, as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, I came to fully appreciate his steadfast patriotism and remarkable talents.

I also felt a kinship with him because we both had one foreign-born parent and we both lived abroad as children.

In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation’s special responsibilities in the world.

[Turn toward Obama and smile]

Barack Obama, you are an extraordinary leader who has shown courage, sound judgment and wisdom throughout your career.

You understand the security challenges of the 21st century, and you will be an outstanding Commander in Chief.

Turn toward Obama and smile. "Just words"?

Stage Directions Anyone? [Marc Ambinder]

More BILL RICHARDSON
More OBAMA

Some Background ...
Richardson Endorses Obama [R20]
Richardson Ends Presidential Bid [R20]
Richardson "Can Use a More Support from Gays" [R20]
"I'm the Most Pro-Gay Candidate" [R20]
Democrats Debate Homopohobia, Racism,HIV [R20]
Democratic Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate + PDF]

Comments

[Curry J]

OMG, that is tooooo funny.

[Wall Street]

That would be an example of how "calculating" the .... oh, wrong candidate, sorry.

[Will]

What was the point of this post? The man was giving the most important endorsment in months so I'm sure this is common in politics.

What will you uncover next? Does someone help them write their speeches.... GASP!!!!!

We get it, you support Hillary.

Pointing out stuff like this only serves McCain at this point. In case you have been out ot the loop, Hillary can not catch up with Barack at this point.

[Greg G]

>>>Pointing out stuff like this only serves McCain at this point.

Will, sorry, but you're ABSOLUTELY WRONG. Rod has been the only, repeat ONLY, black gay blog attacking McCain. Look at the archives, he's been doing it for years, and, much more than the other blogs that spend all day Hillary bashing. Just the other day he reported how the McCain campaign has been distributing the Jeremiah Wright video. I don't recall seeing or hearing that ANY of the other black blogs or black gay blogs.

And for what it's worth, Obama will not be able to reach the 2024 number either, w/o superdelegates. I'm so sick of all these people who know that Obama WILL NOT win Pennsylvania or any other large state and now wan to rush to "unify." This is a nomination, get over it.

[Wall Street]

Umm, this blog "out of the loop"? That was hilarious. Almost as funny as you describing Richardson as the "most important endorsement in months." Obama needed some good publicity, Rchardson is a good guy, but he doens't have many votes outside of New Mexico. That state went for Hillary, remember.

[Alan C]

You're right, stage directions probably happen all the time in politics, it's just a light moment on the campaign trail, nothing more, nothing less. FWIW, I'm an Obama supporter, but must admit when I read this it made me chuckle. "Curry" does make a point, tho, if the stage directions came from the Clinton campaign many people would be making a huge deal.

[Blkpoetx]

I'm sure Hillarie's Read...

... when speaking with black crowd use Southern black accents, let the preacher do the talking.

...when speaking to mexican crowd, don't say anything just smile and hold hand of mexican kid dress in mexican garb, oh don't forget to have staffer give you flowers while you are on on stage, don't say nothing just smile.

.. when speaking to white crowds, speak very limited, be sure many cameras aren't around

.. when speaking to cameras, make sure you get angry, use tear solution in your purse, and make the country not trust obama.

end of memo

[ATL Kid]

Blkpoetx, that was just ridiculous. It was a stage direction. Laugh. Lighten up. It seems only Luther and a few others can keep it real.

I have no idea why some Obama supporters continually trash and insult Clinton and then say their candidate offers "unity" and "change" and hope. If that's the case, sound like it. The comments in many blogs are an awful reflection of your candidate.

[Will]

Good one Blkpoetx, lol.

[carl]

ATL Kid, that is a great point. After spending months demonizing the Clintons and their supporters as racists and worse, now, the Obama campaign and its supporters now realize the need the all the people that they've ignored or taken for granted. Now they want stop in the third quarter and call the results. Thanks a lot, Barack, for being so "transparent" and never addressing Jeremiah Wright a year or two ago.

We're screwed either way. If Obama gets the nomination, more than likely, the election will be all about race and patriotism and scare away even MORE white emn and working class voters who are not voting for him. If its given to Hillary, black folks will go crazy and the media will say she was the Wicked Witch.

You all really have NOTHING to celebrate. Obama will probably win the nomination. But there is absolutely no way he can win the White House with this mess, which will only get worse. And if you don't think it will, you don't know politics.

[Rod Mc]

Will, neither one of these candidates will be able to win the nomination on pledged delegates alone. When primary season is over, both will present their best cases and we'll have a nominee.

Not sure are you new to this blog, but I've been talking about John McCain and the Republican effort to smear Barack Obama for almost two years. It never attracts much attention.

[TheRevKev]

I don't really care because unless I see the PDF of the speech and it can be authenticated, this means nothing.

So now the Latin can't think on his own?

So now the Negro needs to push people to support him?

This is such a silly trick and I really do think that the Republicans are up to their old tricks again and already and we are fighting amongst ourselves while they giggle like schoolgirls.

[PA]

Will and Blkpoetx, some of us like the tone here. This blog doesn't call people names and insult voters, all in the name of "unity." It's also one of the few black blogs, at least that I know of, that thinks independently.

In addition, I live in Pennsylvania and will be happy to cast my ballot in the primary and happy to help make history. One-man, one-vote, remember that concept?

[Blkpoetx]

"Turn toward Obama and smile. "Just words"? "
...

can't we all just get along, I like many Obama support take it personal when our candidate is made fun of. too much is at stake with our country. this blog entry to me.. is silly.... was it to point out a flaw or something? this has nothing to do with this issues. this entry is like Fox news...

always talkin trash about shug.. i mean Barack.
a black man can be to black or too free.

gee.. any news on Mccain?

[Rod Mc]

Blkpoetx: There is plenty of news on McCain and the Republicans, but you've never left a comment in any of the posts, ever, even on Friday's post about McCain staffers distributing the Rev. Wright video.

And please don't make this into a racial issue.

[West Side Poz]

Blkpoetx, you need to re-read your comments and all those insults and fall back. Take some lessons from Luther or Derrick or some other Obama peeps with a sense of humor.

I'm sorry to come here and play hall monitor but some of these people are just outrageous. They will lie or twist whatever Hillary or Bill says, attack their supporters, attack this blog, and now want to PLAY THE RACE CARD against a BLACK MAN? Because he printed a speech that distributed BY THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN?

I love this blog. There is news about black gay men from Nigeria and Jamaica, or HIV programs in New York City, black men in pop culture, politics ... You don't have to agree with everything here, I don't, but it is nothing like Fox News. Nothing. If you know of a better site, please let me know.

[Blkpoetx]

yo... i'm just playing.. just playing... i'm for Barack though and i did take offense.. it's all good

[iemmathu]

Whats with all the vitriol directed at Rod?

This isn't newsMax. . . its Rod 2.0, and he is on our side.

Rod's blogging on this election has been some of the best out there. As he has stated, he likes both candidates but leans toward Clinton and that is reflected in his posts.

I'm a huge Obama supporter - but I'm not gonna stop reading this blog or hating on Rod.

Keep it up Rod your coverage of this race has been SUPERB.

[TheRevKev]

AGAIN, ROD, I AM REALLY PLEASED TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY.

WHILE SO MANY PEOPLE CAN MAKE IT PERSONAL AND POLITICS CAN BE SO PASSIONATE, I AM STILL GLAD TO SEE US HAVING THIS KIND OF DISCOURSE!

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I HOPE THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING AS ACTIVE AND THEY ARE TALKING AND WRITING!

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, I AM FOR A MCCAIN-FREE AMERICA!!!

[Blah]

My personal thought about this "endorsement" from Bill Richardson is that it reeks of some type of back-room "promise" that would give Gov. Richardson a very important role in an Obama administration. Just a thought . . . .