CNN reports:

In the interview Friday, Richardson also said he called Hillary Clinton Thursday to inform her of his decision to back Obama, a conversation he described as "painful."

"It was painful and it wasn't easy," (Richardson) said. "I've spoken to others who have had that same conversation and they say at the end, itÕs not all that pleasant. "The former Democratic presidential candidate declined to elaborate further on his conversation with Clinton.Last month, Chris Dodd Ñ another former presidential candidate who decided to endorse Obama last month Ñ said he had a "not comfortable" conversation with Clinton informing her of the news.

Also in the interview Friday, Richardson said he ultimately decided to back Obama because the Illinois senator has "something special." "I think that Sen. Obama has something special,Ó explained Richardson. ÒSomething that can bring internationally AmericaÕs prestige back, that can deal with the race issue as he did so eloquently last week, that can deal with the domestic issues in a bipartisan way."