Gov. Richardson: ‘Permanent fissure’ with Bill Clinton

Bill Richardson — famously called a ‘Judas’ by a Clinton loyalist for backing Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton
in the contentious Democratic presidential primary — says he’s not concerned that Bill Clinton continues to hold a grudge
against him.

“It could be pretty much a permanent fissure. But that’s politics, that’s OK,” Richardson told National Public Radio’s Renee
Montagne in an interview that aired Thursday morning on "Morning Edition." “I did what I thought was best for the country...
But with him — he wants to keep a grudge, that’s fine with me. I move on. I’m governor of New Mexico. I’m happy where I
am.”

Richardson... dropped out of the race after poor showings in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary... After he
picked Obama over Clinton, Clinton backer James Carville called it “an act of betrayal” and compared the move to the
biblical betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Bill Clinton, who had personally pleaded for Richardson to endorse his wife,
was said to be especially incensed. Richardson told Montagne he’s spoken to Hillary Clinton and that a fundraiser he
held two months ago raised nearly $250,000 to help her retire the debt she accrued during her presidential campaign.

“She appreciated it. You know, we talked,” Richardson said. “Have I heard from President Clinton? No.”