Football, not favors

Richardson watches Super Bowl with former President Clinton but makes no campaign endorsement announcement

Doug Mattson | The New Mexican

2/3/2008 - 2/4/08

Just a couple of old friends hanging out and watching football.

That was the official line as former President Clinton and Gov. Bill Richardson followed the Super Bowl on television Sunday night at the governor's mansion.

This was about male bonding, not necessarily the former president trying to win a key endorsement for his wife just two days before the New Mexico caucus and Super Tuesday.

"It shouldn't be construed that that's what they're talking about," Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley said. "It might have been discussed, but they aren't sharing it with us."

Political questions were off-limits as Clinton and Richardson sat glued to the television in a room that smelled of cigars, a table holding sandwiches and fresh fruit at arm's length.

"I have to root for the home team," Clinton said as his New York Giants drove into New England Patriots territory in the fourth quarter with a
10-7 lead. "We like Brady, but the Giants have been great today. The defense has been unbelievable."

Richardson, a Patriots fan, stayed fixated as Clinton discussed New England quarterback Tom Brady's mobility on a bum ankle. "He's going to have to get (Randy) Moss open," he said.

Clinton and Richardson had planned to drive to Red River to watch the game, but heavy snowfall there forced them to stay in Santa Fe, Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a tight race, and have both been seeking Richardson's backing as they scramble for delegates on Super Tuesday, in which 22 states including New Mexico will hold primaries or caucuses. Obama visited Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Friday, before Hillary Clinton stopped in Albuquerque on Saturday night.

Richardson, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, worked under President Clinton as energy secretary and U.N. ambassador. He had said he might not endorse a candidate, although just last week he told the Washington Post that he might do so before Tuesday, telling the newspaper that Hillary Clinton, President Clinton, Obama and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who is backing Obama, have all called him.

Among all those seeking Richardson's endorsement, President Clinton has visited New Mexico the most in recent days — Thursday, for a fundraiser in Santa Fe and a swing by the Capitol to talk with lawmakers, and again Sunday night.

Contact Doug Mattson at 986-3087 or dmattson@sfnewmexican.com.