Marc Lamont Hill

Melissa,

On Friday, I received one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2008 political season. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a close political ally of the Clintons, publicly endorsed Barack Obama. Although I’m not an Obama supporter (yes, I must write that every time we talk about him!), I am still excited about the endorsement. Why? Because it represents a rare moment of principled decision-making among mainstream politicians.

Unlike most politicians, whose endorsements are shaped by transparent careerism, Richardson made a choice against his own political self-interest. By most credible accounts, including ours, Richardson had the inside track on the VP spot on Hillary’s ticket. Although conventional wisdom suggests that he won’t secure such a position with Obama –I’m thinking Secretary of Homeland Security– he nonetheless decided to endorse the candidate who he believes is a “once-in-a-lifetime” leader.

Even better than Richardson’s choice was his response to the Clinton-sponsored critics. When they pointed out that he owed the Clintons because Bill made him US Ambassador and Secretary of Energy, Richardon replied, “I paid him back. Because I served well.” When hired hitman James Carville compared Richardson to Judas Iscariot (what does that make Hillary? and Barack?) Richardson dismissed the Clinton’s gutter politics and accurately pointed out that they “have a sense of entitlement to the presidency.” This is bold talk from a guy who spent much of primary season protecting Hillary from the competition.

So, Melissa, what do you think? Am I being naïve or is Richardson really doing something special here? Also, how significant is a Richardson endorsement at this point in the primary? Finally, doesn’t he look a lot more Mexican now that he’s not running for president?

Holla at ya boy!!!!!

Melissa Harris-Lacewell

Marc,

Richardson’s endorsement was, without a doubt, one of my favorite moments of the political season so far.  It had been a tough week for Obama because of the incessant replays of the Wright sermon clips and the screaming Buchanan and friends analysis of Obama’s exquisite race speech.  I confess that I was allowing my natural cynicism to begin overwhelming my Obama-generated political optimism.

Then, on the horizon, appeared a great hero to revive the momentum, repudiate the Clintons, and renew my faith in black/brown coalition politics.  Bill Richardson is my favorite person of the month.

Let’s review. First, I am sure Richardson was on a very short list to be Hillary’s VP.   The “Hill and Bill 2008″  buttons were already in production. (In part because “Bill” could easily refer to Richardson or to the past president!)  Richardson chose to follow his conscience rather than his personal stake in the Veep role.  That is the kind of choice I can respect. He then used his media platform these past few days to urge the Democratic Party to pull together, choose a candidate and act like adults.  I started to get a good idea of why Richardson is an effective hostage negotiator.

Second, this guy could have easily waited a week, two or even a month before offering an endorsement.  Richardson chose to stand with Barack at a difficult and potentially costly political moment.  He chose to support Obama in the fire of the Wright fervor. His timing signaled agreement with the central tenets of racial healing and reconciliation that Barack articulated Tuesday. Richardson’s passionate endorsement symbolizes the linked fates of African Americans and Latinos in the American political project.

Finally, Bill came out wearing a goatee!  What?!  In a week when Barack fully embraced and articulated his racial identity, momentarily moving against the insistent demands of a de-racializing  campaign, Bill joined him with a beautifully, blatant display of his ethnic aesthetic.  There they stood, black and brown, with no white politician to condone or bless the actions.  Just Barack and Bill. It was beautiful.

Yes, Marc, I am with you on this one.  Richardson is now to be referred to as “Brother Richardson”  by Obama supporters around the country.

Melissa