Richardson on Lobby Bucks: "What Am I Supposed to Do?"

CNN reports Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said Tuesday that he has no problem taking money from federal lobbyists.

"What am I supposed to [do]?" the New Mexico governor asked. "I have enough trouble raising money to run a campaign."

Two other Democratic candidates, former Sen. John Edwards and Sen. Barack Obama, have turned the issue of not accepting campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists into a major staple of their campaigns. But not Richardson.

"The unions have lobbyists in Washington," Richardson said. "I take money from them. Nurses, environmentalists, senior citizens."

At a forum in early August, Richardson said it was "silly" to refuse lobbyist money. He told the crowd the candidates are "sucking up to you… [with] slogans that get you cheering."