Richardson Endorses Obama

Today, former presidential candidate Bill Richardson announced his plans to endorse Democratic front-runner Barack Obama. This comes as a shock to some people because Bill Richardson served as energy secretary under Bill Clinton. Most people agree that being Hispanic, Richardson has a lot of pull with Hispanic voters. In the past three months since Richardson dropped out of the presidential campaign, there has been a lot of speculation about his decision. It has been up in the air as to whom Richardson was going to endorse, and both parties were hoping to get his endorsement.

Clinton doesn't seem worried about Richardson's endorsement of Obama. According to CBS, Clinton says its the voters that matter, she believes that votes will make their own decision regardless of what endorsements each candidate has.

So will this endorsement hurt her campaign? I don't think it will have much of an effect. When Richardson dropped out of the presidential race in January most of his Hispanic-American supporters, changed their alliance to Clinton. I think most voters will stick with who they decided to vote for regardless of who someone endorses. Clinton needs all the votes she can get, but I don't think this is going to make a huge difference in her current campaign.

If Bill Richardson would have aligned with either Clinton or Obama sooner, I think it would have had a greater effect. Right after Richardson dropped out of the presidential race his former supporters were probably looking for the candidate to support. Since Richardson waited three months before declaring his support to a Candide, I think most of his followers have already made their own decision. While I think most voters will take into consideration an endorsement by another political figure that they respect, I think most voters will make their own decision.

I think the political endorsements of political figures and celebrities are a game. I think it looks good for the Candidates to have endorsements from all these people that you have heard of and that people know and respect. In reality though it all comes down to who you actually support, and agree with. I know I would never base my vote on who an actor or actress happens to be endorsing. I would also vote based on what another political candidate says or does. I think people give Americans to little credit. I think many Americans are closely following this campaign, and I think they know enough about each candidate make the correct decision, without having to rely on someone Else's endorsement of them.