Bill Richardson calls on Democratic rivals to quit flinging mud

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

BY ROBYNN TYSVER

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Bill Richardson called on his Democratic rivals for president to quit flinging mud.

Richardson said Tuesday that winning the election was not worth "sacrificing our principles."

The New Mexico governor vowed to remain positive in the final weeks before Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses on Jan. 3.

"I refuse to attack anyone's character. That is not what we need, and I call on my colleagues to stop it," said Richardson, who has been in fourth place in Iowa most of this year, according to polls.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10195302

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No mention of the small breakfast with key labor people in the area this morning.

[rpannier]

1. I keep hearing this "Don't fling mud" from various places

I would ask Gov Richardson, "When is pointing out a candidates failed policies and positions mud slinging?"

Commenting on the clothes someone wears or the car they drive or calling them stupid is mud slinging.

Commenting on issues they supported and votes they made is not mud slinging.

[Windy]

3. Agreed. Its not going to help you Richardson. The people want answers

and want to know what the differences are between the candidates. That is not mudslinging!

[billin2008]

8. Governor Richardson has said issues should be discussed.

He is talking about attacking each other's character. It is one thing to talk about the influence of special interests as a general discussion; it is quite another to say that an individual candidate is so beholden to a specific special interest that he or she cannot make a decision that would adversely affect that special interest. That is what John Edwards accused Hillary Clinton of being unable to do. That is an attack of character and integrity (Be careful of stones, oh ye who live in glass houses paid for by trial lawyer litigation....)

[Captain Hilts]

2. Reason #347 to like Bill Richardson! nt

[OHdem10]

4. Contrasting your opponent is not flinging mud.

I am all for these candidates getting toughened up. If this tiny
bit of sparring is so hurtful---they will wilt away when they are
up against the Republicans.

[Hekate]

5. But -- but--Bill, then Wolf Blitzer wouldn't have anything to smarm about at the next debate!

We couldn't have that, now, could we?

Hekate

[seriousstan]

6. Translation......."Stop running so I can catch up".

[Vattel]

7. Bradly slung mud

at Gore and one thing is for sure: it didn't help. The media will be biased enough against the democratic candidate without being helped along by other democratic candidates.

[McCamy Taylor]

9. He is right. Press is fueling the flame war. Dems looks like a Situation Comedy

TWO MAN RACE (the TV sit com/democratic primary race as covered by the nation's corporate media)

Theme music plays

(Scene opens on a luxury apartment. Hillary enters stage left through the front door. She is wearing a pants suit with baggy pants, carrying a brief case.)

Hillary: "Honey! I'm home."

(Obama enters stage right. He is wearing only a white apron.)

Laugh track.

Obama: "Where have you been? My souffle fell hours ago!"

Hillary: (rolls her eyes and leers suggestively) "I know how to get your souffle back up!

Laugh track. Scattered applause.

Hillary: "Where are your pants?"

Obama: "You're wearing them!"

Hillary: (looks down at her legs) "Is that why they were so long? Brand new, too. Did you get them as a graduation present?"

Subdued laughter.

Obama: (hands on hips, head cocked to the side in stereotypical Negro posture of outrage) "I got them about the same time you were in the White House serving as the Secretary of Steak--- and Potatoes."

Loud laughter.

Hillary: (walks by Obama, grabs his jewels in passing) "Honey, I've negotiated better!"

Uproarious applause.

[CreekDog]

10. And the alternative is?

[FREEWILL56]

11. It kind of sounds like

he is kissing hillary's behind to get a possible vp nod from her because he isn't doing so good. Methinks he's kissing the wrong ass.

[ozone_man]

12. What principles?

"sacrificing our principles."

Do Democrats still stand for principles? Only Kucinich and Gravel as far as I can see. The rest are very weak as far as core Democratic principles are concerned. Screw Richardson. Lets's get it on and talk about real issues like ending corporate welfare, ending the Iraq war, funding social security, single payer health care. It's not a contest to see who can be the nicest.

[gorbal]

13. Maybe he is addressing the wrong people

The Media is making it "Appear" like they are flinging mud...so perhaps he should address the media.