Iowa Independent - Richardson will send supporters to Barack Obama

The Huffington Post has already speculated about this, but now it's coming from another source. The Iowa Independent claims to have an exclusive scoop.

Gov. Bill Richardson's campaign is expected to direct their supporters to caucus for Sen. Barack Obama in the second round of voting at Thursday's caucuses in precincts where he is not viable.  Two sources familiar with the plan told Iowa Independent that the New Mexico Governor's organizers have been instructed to direct supporters to Obama in the places where they fail to reach the 15% threshold for viability.

The reasoning appears to be strategic.

Richardson would prefer an Obama victory over Clinton because a Clinton victory could end the campaign before New Hampshire voters even head to the polls.  And if Edwards's numbers look weak, Richardson could head to New Hampshire as the best alternative to the top two contenders for the Democratic nomination.

The strategy doesn't make much sense to me. Just to finish third in New Hampshire? Richardson is dead in the water no matter what.

•  Richardson's campaign set this straight.

  It isn't true.

  Richardson Campaign Response  (4.00 / 4)

  Hi this is Joaquin with the Richardson Campaign and the rumor is false- there are no deals.  These are typical last minute election shenanigans.

  Joaquin H. Guerra
  Richardson for President
  jguerra-at-richardsonforpresident.com
  by: Joaquin H. Guerra @ Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 23:02:36 PM CST

  by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 04:58:44 AM PDT

  •  Rovian Strategery! Thanks PP

    by JFinNe on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:03:24 AM PDT

  •  Spoil-sport.

    You and your pesky "facts".

    by Marcus Tullius on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:03:26 AM PDT

    •  I'm not going to tangle with anyone anymore

      There are better things to do.

      by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:06:07 AM PDT

      •  It'll all be over soon.

        And the collective sigh of relief will be mighty.

        by Marcus Tullius on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:07:15 AM PDT

  •  A non-denial denial.

    there are no deals

    No doubt.  "Deal" implies that Obama 08 has offered Richardson something in return for second round support, something that the article didn't say in the first place.

    by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:03:26 AM PDT

    •  ok, whatever

      Parsing, parsing, parsing.

      Oh well, it's caucus day, people can believe what they want, and they will anyway.

      by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:05:32 AM PDT

      •  Well, exactly.

        I don't know why you presume that only the Richardson camp isn't participating, esp. when the email clearly allows for the possibility that camp is directing a second round vote to Obama.

        by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:12:35 AM PDT

    •  There are no deals means

      there are deals, huh?  Sounds like the parsing around here of Gore's statement that he has "no plans to run" as meaning he is running.

      Heh.

      by livosh1 on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:29:23 AM PDT

      •  No, there's no deal

        The statement from the Richardson camp allows for the possibility Richardson is directing his troops without a deal with Obama...which is exactly what the article says.

        by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:36:06 AM PDT

        •  'The rumor is false'

          Parse that

          by Feanor on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:50:20 AM PDT

          •  Which rumor, pray tell?

            Could be the rumor of a "deal".  He doesn't say.

            I'm not "parsing" anything.  I'm reading, and just reading, without reading any more into a terse statement.  It's not hard.  I don't know why people aren't willing to do it.

            by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 07:25:13 AM PDT

  •  That is in direct contrast from what I heard

    from an Obama campaign worker last night.  

    But it's supposed to be hush-hush, so I'm not surprised that they are denying it.

    by bawbie on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 06:27:39 AM PDT

  •  Maybe

    Joaquin just doesn't know about it?

    I think Sam would probably tell you he's not fully aware of all of Obama's election day strategies either.

    by Daaaaave on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 07:21:02 AM PDT

    •  Doubt It.

      http://www.iowaindependent.com/...

         Robert Becker, Iowa director of the Bill Richardson for President campaign, took particular offense with reports circulated this morning that his campaign was encouraging non-viable supports to switch to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

         "Here we are the day of caucus and there are all these rumors about deals being made," he said. "I'm just sick of it. We have not directed our supporters to caucus for anyone other than Bill Richardson."

      by JoaquinHGuerra on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 11:29:30 AM PDT

•  If it's strategic, the strategy might be

  Richardson simply likes Obama better and would rather he be president over JE or HRC.  It's not impossible to believe.

  by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:01:28 AM PDT

  •  But it isn't true

    The Richardson campaign says so.  Please see my other comment.

    by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:02:39 AM PDT

    •  See my response. nt

      by Inland on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:04:19 AM PDT

    •  Deal or Just Strategy?

      Your comment only says there are no deals. The article doesn't claim that there is a deal, just strategy.

      There is no deal between the two campaigns; there is only a strategic decision -- one which makes complete sense -- on the part of the Richardson campaign about where to direct its supporters if their group is not viable in certain precincts.

      by blitz boy on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:07:39 AM PDT

      •  It's NOT MY COMMENT

        It's the RICHARDSON'S CAMPAIGN'S COMMENT.

        Sheesh, did you even click the link?  I didn't make that up.

        by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:10:12 AM PDT

      •  No Strategy Either

        http://www.iowaindependent.com/...

           Robert Becker, Iowa director of the Bill Richardson for President campaign, took particular offense with reports circulated this morning that his campaign was encouraging non-viable supports to switch to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

           "Here we are the day of caucus and there are all these rumors about deals being made," he said. "I'm just sick of it. We have not directed our supporters to caucus for anyone other than Bill Richardson."
        

        by JoaquinHGuerra on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 11:31:13 AM PDT

•  I agree

  that it makes no sense (the rationale for this).  I also don't think it is true.  

  by EricRSINY on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:07:16 AM PDT

•  I hope it is true

  Obama would skyrocket with all this extra support.  And for sure Obama would take all those "experienced" guys around him.  

  by leftisbest on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:08:30 AM PDT

•  Is the Obama campaign making this up?

  To confuse voters in Iowa hoping to sway a few?  

  by Rhoda Mae on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:10:50 AM PDT

  •  Nope. Thank you.

    by ameri on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:22:45 AM PDT

•  This makes no sense

  Richardson is a long time ally of Clinton.  I just don't see this happening...

  by Jeffrey Feldman on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:29:08 AM PDT

  •  It Doesn't Take A Weatherman...

    to tell which way the wind is blowing and Bill Richardson can tack with the shifts in the wind as well as anybody.

    by howardpark on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 06:39:16 AM PDT

    •  howard!

      Gives me goosebumps when you channel Dylan.

      (Are the weatherman caucusing, too?)

      by Jeffrey Feldman on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 07:34:37 AM PDT

      •  TC!!!

        And off-topic:  we missed you at the meetup.  Hope you had a great holiday season, and only good things to you and yours for 2008!

        by mindoca on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 08:16:58 AM PDT

•  My guess

  My guess is that this was not for public consumption, but was to be a strategy by the Richardson campaign at individual precincts.

  It really does make sense (if Richardson isn't content with taking a backseat and going for VP) for him to want to keep the race alive.  

  by badlands on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:35:47 AM PDT

•  I call bullshit.

  Guess we'll have to wait and see.  If you bothered to diary, you should have linked to Richardson's response to the story, instead of PP having to do it for you.

  by godislove on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 05:51:13 AM PDT

•  Richardson's logic makes sense.

  If Hillary wins Iowa, she'll wipe out Obama in NH and the race will be over.  If Obama wins Iowa, Hillary will still likely win in NH but it keeps the race alive into Feb.  Richardson wants to stay alive and compete for as long as possible.

  However, I have no doubt that Bill Clinton has been weighing in on Richardson and Biden and has made a strong case that they would have no chance either way and they would be better off with Hillary because she can win in the general and each can get a nice position in the Administration.  That's just speculation on my part.

  I like Hillary's approach with regard to Biden and Richardson supporters. She is making the pitch directly to those voters and attempting to convince them on the merits.  I believe those voters are likely to weigh experience heavily and Barack doesn't measure up in that regard.  

  by khyber900 on Thu Jan 03, 2008 at 07:25:15 AM PDT