Richardson to Beltway types: Lay off

Bill Richardson says that strategists who are urging Obama to hit back strong against McCain's recent negative campaigning have a "beltway" mentality, and are full of "sour grapes" for being excluded from Obama's "outsider campaign."

In a classic piece of reporting, The Hill -- which is a website that is part and parcel of what it terms the "chattering class" -- reports that Obama surrogates like Richardson think the response to McCain, despite the concerns of that same "chattering class," is right on track in a campaign that is just warming up:

“One of the advantages of Obama is he doesn’t listen to the Beltway mentality,” Richardson told The Hill.

Richardson dismissed any complaints the chattering class might have, noting that in his role as a campaign surrogate, he is repeatedly asked to respond on Obama’s behalf, particularly as the debate is more and more centered on energy.

He said the campaign is quick to provide talking points, and that it set him up on “Larry King Live” Monday night and three morning shows Tuesday.

“They lined up the interviews,” Richardson said. “My sense is that Obama does hit back rapidly, effectively. I think they hit back hard, and they’re very effective with surrogates.”

Richardson said that while it is a closely contested race, it is still summer and the campaign “hasn’t reached the vicious stage.”

“I think right now it’s warming up,” he said.

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