Clinton Camp Freaks Out Over Richardson's Obama Endorsement

The news of New Mexico governor and long-time Hillary Clinton friend Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama was officially and cleverly greeted by Clinton campaign adviser Mark Penn with a yawn. But apparently James Carville didn't get the memo:

Mr. Clinton helped elevate Mr. Richardson to the national stage by naming him his energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations. And Mr. Clinton left no doubt that he viewed Mr. Richardson's support as important to his wife's campaign: He even flew to New Mexico to watch the Super Bowl with Mr. Richardson as part of the Clintons' high-profile courtship of him.

But Mr. Richardson stopped returning Mr. Clinton's calls days ago, Mr. Clinton's aides said. And as of Friday, Mr. Richardson said, he had yet to pick up the phone to tell Mr. Clinton of his decision.

The reaction of some of Mr. Clinton's allies suggests that might have been a wise decision. "An act of betrayal," said James Carville, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and a friend of Mr. Clinton.

"Mr. Richardson's endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic," Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week.

Frankly, Jimmy, you're a fine one to talk about betrayal, considering that you've been one of the voices leading the rearguard action against Howard Dean's efforts to undo the a) shoving of the party ever further towards Republicanism and b) concentration of power in the hands of a few well-paid DC-based elite consultants like, oh, say, James Carville: