Former Dem Gov. Not Ready for Hillary: ‘I’m Not in the Suck-Up Camp’

The 2016 Democratic presidential race could very well give the country an anointed non-incumbent in Hillary Clinton, a remarkable feat, but not everyone is already so eager to get on board the Clinton hype train. Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico and one of Clinton’s 2008 rivals, told The Washington Post he’s “not in the ‘Ready for Hillary’ camp” just yet.

Why? “Because of our differences when I endorsed Obama.” And, he says, “The differences haven’t healed, and I’m not in the suck-up camp.”

After Richardson bowed out of the 2008 race, he backed President Obama over Clinton, and there were reports of divisions between Richardson and the Clinton camp. However, even though he’s still “not in her camp,” Richardson praised what Clinton’s been doing on her book tour and how she’s “honing her skills” ahead of the eventual presidential race.

That being said, Richardson does think one of the big obstacles Clinton will have to overcome is the “inevitability syndrome,” which could kick in soon if she stays atop the headlines throughout this year and the next.

[image via Petar Kujundzic/Reuters]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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