Clinton Aide Defends Calling Richardson 'Judas'

By Associated Press, Associated Press
March 24, 2008

WASHINGTON — An adviser to Senator Clinton, James Carville, is refusing to apologize for comparing Governor Richardson of New Mexico to Judas.

Mr. Carville made the comparison to The New York Times after Mr. Richardson, once a member of President Clinton's Cabinet, endorsed Mrs. Clinton's rival Senator Obama last week for the Democratic presidential nomination. Mr. Carville called it an "act of betrayal," and pointed out that it came around Holy Week.

"Mr. Richardson's endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out (Jesus) for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic," he said.

Mr. Richardson told "Fox News Sunday" over the weekend that he wouldn't respond by getting "in the gutter like that."

"That's typical of many of the people around Senator Clinton," Mr. Richardson said on Fox. "They think they have a sense of entitlement to the presidency."

Mr. Carville told CNN today that Mr. Richardson had committed an "egregious act" and he intended to make a sharp response to it.

"I wanted to use a very strong metaphor to make my point," Mr. Carville told CNN. "I doubt if Governor Richardson and I will be particularly close in the future."

A Clinton spokesman, Howard Wolfson, told reporters today that he didn't agree with Mr. Carville's comment.

"If I had said it, I would apologize," Mr. Wolfson said. "I did not say it, and if I had I would, but that's up to him."

Mr. Richardson served as ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary during the Clinton administration.