Richardson Hits Clinton Camp For Calling his Endorsement Insignificant

In first post-endorsement interview, says "I resent the fact" that Clinton camp is spreading idea that he is only influential with Hispanics and westerners. "You know, that’s typical of some of his advisers that kind of turned me off." Watch clip above. Read full transcript here. Further explains decision: "I owe a lot... to the Clinton family. But I served well. I paid it back in service to the country." Earlier: Clinton strategist Mark Penn says, "The time that he could have been effective has long since passed.... I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.” And/But: Politico points out that the Clintons were lobbying Richardson for his support eight days ago. Clinton's Singer: "Everyone in the Clinton campaign has the utmost respect for Gov. Richardson and many of us know him well. Mark was referring to the fact that Gov. Richardson didn’t endorse prior to his state’s primary and certainly didn’t mean to imply anything else...." New Mexico Governor endorses Obama in Portland, Oregon, cites his Tuesday address on race: "He appealed to the best in us.... As a Hispanic American I was particularly touched by his words." "You are a once-in-a-lifetime leader." Read full text of remarks here. Watch clip above. Also hold joint press availability following event. Read transcript here. Read more on Richardson endorsement here.