The decision by Richardson, a Hispanic governor of New Mexico, is a victory for Obama and could improve his chances of winning over Latino voters who have leaned toward his Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Richardson chose to abandon the former president and his wife, saying it was time for a new generation to take the stage.
‘Once-in-a-lifetime’
“Your candidacy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation and you are a once-in-a-lifetime leader,’’ Richardson said as he stood next to Obama in Oregon. Clinton and Obama had cultivated Richardson’s backing in part because the Hispanic politician could garner support among the Hispanic community.
Hispanics largely backed Clinton in nominating contests on “Super Tuesday”, with polls showing her winning two-thirds of the Latino vote in several states, and it was unclear whether they might shift to Obama because of Richardson’s endorsement. But Clinton’s chief strategist Mark Penn dismissed Richardson’s potential impact this far into the race.