by Mark Silva

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, backing Sen. Barack Obama, says it's time for the party's primaries to "come to closure.''

Former Gov. Mike Easley of North Carolina, backing Sen. Hillary Clinton, says, "If it goes all the way to (the Democratic National Convention in ) Denver, I don't think it would be bad for the party. I don't think it would be bad for the country.''

Richardson and Easley appearing on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer today. While Richardson maintains that Obama is best-suited to lead the party's presidential ticket, Easley - who suggests that Obama has done what he needed to do about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments for now, will face that controversy again in November if he is the nominee.

"Sen. Obama has continued to move forward,'' Richardson said. "He's won Guam (by seven votes, splitting the four pledged convention delegate votes with Clinton), it's now 31 states to 15 in caucuses... I believe that in North Carolina that Senator Obama will prevail. It's very tight in Indiana. I was recently in Kentucky across the river, where it's obviously a very highly contested race. But look at the reality... Sen. Obama needs 270 more delegates to secure the nomination. He's won 31 states. He's ahead in the popular vote. There are nine primaries to go.

"Well, we're not going to win White House by winning Guam.'' Easley said. "We know that... The thing that is helping Hillary Clinton right now is Hillary Clinton and her policies about creating jobs, about getting the economy turned around. This is what this country needs. This is what people want right now. She's reaching out. And she's really connecting with people who are -- those we might call Reagan Democrats.

Easley, noting that Republicans in his own state are attempting to use Obama's association with Wright against the Democratic candidates for governor there, said: "It's not going to be an issue in North Carolina in the primary....But it will be an issue in the fall if he's the nominee. But it's not going to be in this primary. And Senator Clinton has not tried to make any political gain out of it. I admire her character for that.

"'The most important thing, I think, is that Sen. Obama finally did what he had to do,'' Easley said. "He has two competing interests here. He's got a spiritual adviser and friend for 20 years on one hand. On the other hand, he's got a man who said some things that he just cannot condone, needed to denounce. Those are the kind of tough decisions you have to make in politics and in executive positions. I think he made the right one this week. But it's not going to -- it's not going to be an issue.''

See the full interview here, courtesy of CNN:

BLITZER: And joining us now with their take on where the Democratic contest stands right now, the New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. He is a strong supporter of Barack Obama. And North Carolina's Governor Mike Easley, he's a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton. His state is holding its critical primary on Tuesday. To both of you governors, thanks very much for joining us.

RICHARDSON: Thank you.

BLITZER: Governor Richardson, I'll start with you. And I want you to be specific. If Hillary Clinton says she is very firm in letting the Iranians know if they drop the nuclear bomb on Israel, they would be obliterated in her words. What is wrong with that kind of blunt language to the leadership in Iran?

RICHARDSON: Well, of course, the United States would have to respond to Israel's attack. They're our foremost ally in the region. But Senator Obama is right. His foreign policy is going to be one of diplomacy, of negotiation, of getting our allies to pressure Iran, of going to the United Nations Security Council.

I just don't think you have to saber rattle. This is President Bush talking about what he's going to do in Iraq and Iran with North Korea. That hasn't worked. You know, I remember Yitzhak Rabin, what he said is you don't make peace with your friends. You make peace with your enemies. And it's important that we be very firm with Iran, that they cannot have nuclear weapons. They cannot attack Israel.

But it's how you get there and what has incited a very bad relationship is Iran today is this saber-rattling of the Bush administration that we have the secret military plans to attack them, that we're hostile, that we're negative.

I think what we need is a comprehensive Middle East policy of diplomacy and negotiation, building international support for our goals, getting U.N. Security Council support for sanctions on Iran. That's what our policy should be. And that's what Senator Obama is affirming today.

BLITZER: Governor Easley, do you want to weigh in on this sensitive subject?

EASLEY: Yes, well I agree with what Bill says. I think he's exactly right. Diplomacy is the way you start and the way you try to keep it and try not to have to get past that. And she said, Hillary has on many occasions, that she wants to use diplomacy. The military action is the last resort. She doesn't want to get into another war.

But at the same time, you have to be clear with Iranian government. You have to be -- you have to make sure they know if they don't see the light, they're going to feel the heat. We got to protect Israel. If we don't have Israel in the Middle East for the United States, we're in a whole lot of trouble.

And I think to mince words right now is a big mistake. I think what we need to be doing is telling them very clearly, you keep your hands off Israel or you're going to be dealing with the United States. And it's time somebody speaks to them very clearly.

BLITZER: All right. Let's move on, talk about what is going to happen in North Carolina and Indiana in two days from now on Tuesday. Our latest poll of polls, the average of the major polls that are coming in today show this -- North Carolina Governor Easley, Obama 50 percent, Clinton 42 percent, 8 percent still unsure. That is a narrowing of where it was only a couple weeks ago. We had a significant -- a much more significant lead.

In Indiana right now, our poll of polls shows it's neck and neck 47 percent for Clinton, 47 percent for Obama, 6 percent unsure. What do you hear in your home state of North Carolina? Is it possible Governor Easley she could upset Barack Obama on Tuesday?

EASLEY: Well, you know, depends on how you define upset. Those numbers are very encouraging when you look at just a couple weeks ago she was down 34 points here in North Carolina. And she got here and they moved it to 25. And she's been getting around.

Here's what I think is possible, Wolf and I don't know how to give it to you in numbers. What is happens right now is the economy weakens. People are getting more and more concerned about their jobs. We lost a lot of jobs here in 2001 and 2002 due to the Bush policy failing to enact special safeguards.

They know Senator Clinton has a best record on the economy. They know she can turn the economy around immediately. She can create jobs. She's been there, done that, can do it again. They're ready for somebody who can get in the White House and do it very quickly. They know it should have been done yesterday or last year or the year before. That's the -- that's what I think is moving things here is the economic uncertainty and the confidence they have in Hillary Clinton to get this done.

BLITZER: Governor Richardson, she won in Ohio a few weeks ago, more recently in Pennsylvania. If she wins in Indiana, especially attracts those white blue collar voters and if she were to stun a lot of people by actually winning in North Carolina, what would that say to you about your man, Barack Obama, and his race for the White House?

RICHARDSON: Well, Senator Obama has continued to move forward. He's won Guam, it's now 31 states to 15 in caucuses. And I know Governor Easley is very popular in his state. I'm sure that's what's bringing more votes to Senator Clinton. But I believe that in North Carolina that Senator Obama will prevail. It's very tight in Indiana. I was recently in Kentucky across the river, where it's obviously a very highly contested race. But look at the reality, Wolf. Senator Obama needs 270 more delegates to secure the nomination. He's won 31 states. He's ahead in the popular vote. There are nine primaries to go.

BLITZER: But Governor Richardson, excuse me for interrupting. He keeps losing the critical battleground states that any Democrat would desperately need, for example, Pennsylvania and Ohio. And she says that she has a stronger Electoral College advantage which is what obviously plays the significant -- the most significant role come November.

RICHARDSON: But what you want is somebody like Senator Obama that can attract Independents, Republicans that, can win states like Colorado and Kansas and the southwest. You know, if you take Indiana and North Carolina, those two states combined are the same number of delegates as Pennsylvania.

And I believe that we have a good shot at both of those. And if you move on to the nine remaining primaries, I believe that Senator Obama is going to continue this trend of winning a significant number of additional super delegates. Just out here in New Mexico, Brian Colon who was uncommitted from New Mexico's state Democratic chairman has announced support for Senator Obama. That is continuing with super delegates across the country.

BLITZER: All right. Governor Easley, what do you say to that?

EASLEY: Well, we're not going to win White House by winning Guam. We know that. And it's not by popularity that is doing anything. I can tell you, I probably hurt her more than I help her, Bill, but I appreciate you offering that.

The thing that is helping Hillary Clinton right now is Hillary Clinton and her policies about creating jobs, about getting the economy turned around. This is what this country needs. This is what people want right now. She's reaching out. And she's really connecting with people who are -- those we might call Reagan Democrats.

I don't know what you call them down here. The ones we are going to have to have to win the White House back in November. I think her policies and experience and resiliency, her toughness in this campaign has been good for her. Everybody sees that she's got a back of steel and a heart of gold and all of that that goes together.

But at the same time, all this talk about who's inspirational, who can bring out young voters and bring out this and that group is not a significant to me as who can be the best president, make real changes right away. And that's what I think she can do to create the job and get us respected around the world again.

BLITZER: All right, governors, stand by. We have a lot more to discuss including the fallout this week from the Reverend Jeremiah Wright matter. Will Tuesday's primaries in Indiana and North Carolina help determine the Democratic nominee?

Also, don't forget to join the best political team on television for complete coverage of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries Tuesday night. I'll be anchoring our coverage starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. You're watching LATE EDITION, the last word in Sunday talk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to LATE EDITION. Coming up in our next hour, we'll get three perspectives on the Reverend Jeremiah Wright controversy and the role of race and religion in this presidential contest.

But right now we're continuing our conversation with the New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. He is supporting Barack Obama. And North Carolina's Governor Mike Easley. He is supporting Hillary Clinton.

Governor Easley, Barack Obama was on "Meet the Press" earlier today and he sort of summarized the relationship he once had, once had with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, his controversial pastor this way. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I never sought his counsel when it came to politics. Some of the reporting that implies that somehow he is my spiritual adviser or mentor, as he himself said, overstated things. He was my pastor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right, he has distanced himself as you know, sharply rebuking Reverend Wright for comments at the National Press Club here in Washington on Monday.

Is this issue from your perspective as a Clinton supporter over with or is there more that the voters should ponder?

EASLEY: It's not going to be an issue in North Carolina in the primary. We don't take that race state. We know the Republicans down here, maybe you don't know that Republicans are running ads on that already and trying to -- some are trying to tie it to our Democrats running for governor to replace me.

But it will be an issue in the fall if he's the nominee. But it's not going to be in this primary. And Senator Clinton has not tried to make any political gain out of it. I admire her character for that.

The most important thing, I think, is that Senator Obama finally did what he had to do. He has two competing interests here. He's got a spiritual adviser and friend for 20 years on one hand. On the other hand, he's got a man who said some things that he just cannot condone, needed to denounce.

Those are the kind of tough decisions you have to make in politics and in executive positions. I think he made the right one this week. But it's not going to -- it's not going to be an issue.

The only thing I want people to understand is that the African- American churches in North Carolina, this is not emblematic of that. They are -- they're welcoming, they're open, they're uplifting. It's based on scripture. It's about forgiving God, a good god and I don't want people across the country to get the wrong idea about the African-American churches.

BLITZER: Governor Richardson, "The Washington Post" on Wednesday had an editorial saying he should have seen this coming, Barack Obama, your candidate. "It seems to us that the whole sorry episode raises legitimate questions about his judgment," the Post said in its editorial. "Given the long and close relationship between Mr. Obama and the Reverend Wright, voters will ask, how could Mr. Obama have been surprised by the Reverend Wright's views? How could he not have seen this coming?"

They make point that those controversial things he said on Monday at the Press Club, he's been saying those things for a lot longer, for much longer. What does this say about Obama's judgment?

RICHARDSON: Well, what it says about Senator Obama's judgment when he was first confronted about the Reverend Wright issue, he gave what I considered to be a critically important speech on race, on stereotypes and how as a nation we come together.

And, you know, the reality, Wolf, is that Senator Obama totally separated himself from this man who obviously sees financial gain and fame from the controversy. And I don't recall this man being on the ballot. Now there's no question, this probably should have been dealt with before. There's no question about that.

But in terms of judgment, I think Senator Obama is saying this is -- this is not me. And what I want to address is how can we help create jobs in this country? How can we create the middle class?

He has a $1,000 middle-class tax cut. He's got a responsible position on gas taxes. He has a responsible position on bringing jobs to this country and, most importantly, bringing this country together after these episodes of divisive race tactics by somebody like Reverend Wright.

BLITZER: Governor Easley, you suggested to me, the other day, it's possible, in your mind, that this contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama won't just end right after June 3, when the last primaries take place, but could go all the way to the convention floor at the end of August in Denver. Explain how that would unfold.

EASLEY: Well, it looks to me like nobody's going to get the delegates they need.

BLITZER: Two thousand twenty-five?

EASLEY: Right -- from the primaries themselves. And whether the super delegates commit, we don't know. I just said -- when I was talking to you the other day, I just said, if it goes all the way to Denver, I don't think it would be bad for the party. I don't think it would be bad for the country.

I think it would be good for people to get involved again and have to stand up and be counted and be part of America one more time.

I mean, this is a time when as many people as we can get involved ought to get involved. And we can make them stand up and say what they want America to do and who they want to lead it.

And then Bill Richardson and I might be able to broker a deal down there, and we'll get him back on the ticket.

BLITZER: Well, let me see if Bill Richardson -- we only have a few seconds left, Governor -- if you can broker a deal that will not alienate, disenfranchise millions of Democrats and other voters in Michigan and Florida, between now and the end of August, because, as you know, they are very upset that their votes, for whatever reason, will not be counted in selecting the Democratic nominee.

EASLEY: I think that's a problem.

BLITZER: Well, let me let Governor Richardson respond.

EASLEY: Oh, go ahead. Sorry.

RICHARDSON: Well, look, my hope is that, after Indiana and North Carolina, after June 3, the nine remaining primaries, that we have a nominee. Because you started your broadcast by Senator McCain talking about jobs and the economy and health care, traditionally Democratic issues, campaigning in Democratic states.

If we continue until the convention, divided without a nominee, heading toward a real skirmish in Denver, that's going to be bad for the party. I think we've already attracted those new voters. Senator Obama's done that. I think what we need, now, is to come to closure. And hopefully, the super-delegates and the remaining primaries -- Senator Obama has 270 delegates more to go. He's won 31 states. He's ahead in the popular vote

BLITZER: All right.

RICHARDSON: And in the big states, Wolf, I mean, if we can't win those big states that you mentioned, then we're not going to win the nomination; we're not going to win the election.

And so I think what Senator Obama brings is independent voters, Republican voters, states, in the past, that we have not won as Democrats, like the Southwest. And that's why I believe it's important that, as soon as we can, that we unite behind one nominee. And I think that should be Senator Obama.

BLITZER: Governor Richardson, Governor Easley, thanks to both of you for joining us.

EASLEY: Thanks, Wolf.