A Clinton-Richardson Detente

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who was called “Judas” for backing Barack Obama over his ex-boss’s wife during the primaries, seems to be back on good terms with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) team.

Clinton adviser Lanny Davis, in The Hill’s Pundits Blog, praises the idea of a “Team of Rivals” Cabinet that includes Clinton as secretary of State and Richardson as secretary of Commerce. By apparently adding both to his administration, “the president-elect has also shown the wisdom to select two people who have substantial experience and expertise in both foreign policy as well as economic issues,” Davis wrote.

Richardson earned the ire of former President Bill Clinton, who had appointed Richardson as his ambassador to the United Nations and secretary of Energy, by backing Obama in March. The endorsement, made when Obama was battling Sen. Clinton for the Democratic nomination, prompted former Clinton aide James Carville to call Richardson “Judas.”

Richardson, however, has since hosted fundraisers for Clinton to help her retire some of her campaign debt.