Endorsing - John Edwards will do what he thinks is best for the country and not care how it looks.

[jsamuel]

I am tired of reading people (especially those who have always supported a different candidate) attacking John Edwards at the very idea of him endorsing the opposing candidate. One thing I know about John Edwards is that he knows it is not about him. He will do what he thinks is best for the country. I may disagree with him, but to attack his very character simply because he may endorse the candidate you don't support is tremendously disrespectful to a man who has been fighting for progressives and bringing our issues to the forefront the entire race.

[citizen53]

1. Obama supporters will show...

their cultist behavior whenever you do something that disagrees with their orthodoxy.

[jackson_dem]

4. Sadly the appears to be so, at least for some Obamites

Just look at today. They can't fathom someone endorsing someone other than St. Obama unless they too are somehow evil like Hillary.

[NastyRiffraff]

2. Well said...John will endorse, or not endorse, according to what he believes..

He said he got promises from both BC & HRC to make poverty central to their campaigns. It's a very important issue to him, and if he sees significant movement from one candidate, I think he'll endorse that candidate. Also, the private talks will probably tell him something.

I can't read his mind, though, so I have no idea who he'll endorse, or if he'll decide not to endorse anyone. Either way, whether I agree or disagree with his decision, I trust him to make it honorably, and for the good of the country.

[DiamondJay]

3. don't forget he IS a politician

and a trial lawyer, not to call him immoral or anything, but he will also do what is best for John Edwards politically. And what that is is to endorse Clinton because only she can give him a VP spot. Obama is gonna need someone with a lot more experience and gravitas should he get the nod, because that is what he is sorely lacking. He also has an IOU from the Clintons dating back to the impeachment in which he was a counsel for Bill Clinton. so he'll get something from them. The thing is, I believe he more truly is closer to Obama in message, and he probably feels the same way about the clintons personally, he thinks they are about themselves, they think they own the party, but edwards is looking out for number one, and its to his advantage to help Hillary.

[jackson_dem]

5. Obama is his best bet for the veepship, if he even wants it

It is obvious Clark has been the front runner in Hillary's veepstakes for years. Obama is the one who benefits more from Edwards.

Maybe what is being reported from his friends is true? Maybe he prefers Obama but thinks Obama=President McCain. Why the hell would he not endorse Hillary if he thinks Obama would be another Dukakis?

[DiamondJay]

6. i am saying edwards benefits from clinton

because the clintons owe him, and he can help a clinton ticket. he woudl destroy an obama ticket because of lack of foreign policy on the ticket or experience.

[jackson_dem]

7. What does he bring to a Hillary ticket?

She doesn't need him. Obama would benefit from having a southerner on the ticket and let's be realistic here. The VP is going to be a white male, regardless of who wins. Who better than Edwards for Obama? Maybe Biden but who else after that? Clinton has Clark, who has shown his loyalty to the Clintons. He won't rock the boat as the #3 behind Hill and Bill.

[DiamondJay]

9. he brings middle-american appeal to the clinton ticket

as Hillary is really an elitist entity to non-democrats, because she is a liberal hippie 60's flower child who may have inhaled with Bill, who knows. the "average american" does not like hillary because of that, they hate for, and for the same reason they think they love bush. Edwards can bring the working class white folk to her, and get her closer to some southern states, as long as huckabee is not on any ticket. Clark is a bore, no one wants him. he has no political experience anyways.

[jackson_dem]

11. Good points. I hadn't thought of that before

[surfermaw]

30. You got that right, and remember Clark wasRep. and then Dem.

[Donnachaidh]

20. hogwash

He would destroy an Obama ticket because of lack of foreign policy? Oh please! Obama MIGHT be able to say he has the same amount as Edwards. MIGHT with a real stretch and a bucketload of salt. :eyes:

[surfermaw]

31. But you forget, Hillary has foreign exp...she doesn't need Edwards for Foreign P but for the White M

[benny05]

17. Jeez you never knew him

Edwards will do what is best for the client, which is US, not for him.

[benny05]

18. Jeez you never knew him

Edwards will do what is best for the client, which is US, not for him.

[surfermaw]

29. Bull Crap...

[SoCalDem]

8. realistically, he has 26 delegates who will ultimately vote the way THEY want to

and as nice of a guy as he is, and as good as his ideas were, he could not get any traction.. I don't think his endorsement will be seen as that monumentous.

[Joyce78]

12. For Pete's sakes, an Edwards endorsement means zip ... John Kerry

endorsed Obama. That did wonders in Mass. John Edwards dropped out ... enough said. He should stay quiet at this point.

[jackson_dem]

13. Why is Barack flying to NC to visit Edwards then?

Is he dumb? Does he just want to shoot some hoops at Edwards' basketball court? Do they play xbox together or something? If he wanted to just chat he could call him. Clearly Obama, like Hillary, wants Edwards' endorsement.

[Not a robought]

10. After doing better than Hillary in Iowa, he said...

"The one thing that's clear from tonight's caucus is that the status quo lost and change won,"

So if he endorses her, was that a change of heart? Just trying to get some clarity on people's thoughts.

[jackson_dem]

14. Apparently he still thinks that but...

But he apparently also thinks Obama is not tough enough to win and is not ready to be president. He reportedly thinks Hillary will "pummel" the rethugs. So his choice, if he does indeed feel this way, is not between obama and Hillary. It's between Hillary and McCain.

[RiverStone]

24. Ultimately - who gets to "pummel" the pukes...

Will be decided by the voters, not John Edwards.

From what I seen and heard, people are not going to flock like sheeple to either candidate based on a JE endorsement.

Dems are pretty good at thinking for themselves and the electorate is already lining up with momentum for Obama, IMO.

I don't think a JE endorsement for Hillary will change many Obama voters minds, nor would an endorsement for Obama change many Hillary voters minds.

The irony is if JE is to endorse Hillary, he already missed the boat. Why would he have waited after she had lost 4 states this last weekend and in particular why not before tonight? Everyone knows in advance that Hillary needs a boost - it never came and by now - it could be too late anyway.

Of course, all our conjecture about JE is nothing but rumor.

Either way, he was my choice before I went to the Obama camp - so I hope he plays a role as AG or a SCOTUS Justice in the next Dem administration (starting in 09!).

[Joyce78]

15. When everything is said and sung, they're all politicians.

God help us.

[jillan]

25. But Hillary appeals to the lower and middle income voters.

And their healthcare plans were almost identical.

I can't even imagine who he will endorse.

[Blackhatjack]

16. Don't Underestimate Edwards --We Have Not Heard The Last of Him...

Edwards is supremely talented, and has built a grassroots organization that brings value to any cause he decides to back.

It would be foolhardy to think he will now disappear from politics and abandon the issues he has dedicated his time sweat and money to bring to the forefront.

Obviously Clinton and Obama understand this.

[be inspired]

19. I know that too.

JRE will do what he believes is best for the country and specifically for working people.

And for all the Obama supporters who insist Edwards was meaner to Hillary in the debates and that means he should endorse Obama by rights, or who say he is against lobbyist money and therefore should endorse Obama, I have a counter-point to make to you:

Edwards also said something along the lines that voters should ask each candidate if their health care plans would cover every man, woman, and child in America, and if not, they should choose another candidate. That rules out Obama.

I'm kidding about it ruling him out, since actually, NEITHER candidate lives up to the high standard set by John Edwards, NEITHER candidate is truly deserving of his endorsement, and either one will be lucky to get it. And I don't have any idea which one it will be.

[Donnachaidh]

21. John will stick by his guns and work for the ISSUES

Unlike the two showponies trying to outdazzle their way into the WH. :puke:

[JimGinPA]

22. Edwards will do whatever gives him the best media coverage

I like Edwards but I just don't see him doing anything that doesn't benefit himself - in other words,being unselfish for the good of the party.

[jsamuel]

23. Edwards canceled the monday meeting BECAUSE of the media coverage.

[asdjrocky]

32. What a load-

He dropped from the race for the good of the party.

[Iceburg]

26. I agree -- he will do what he perceives to be best for the country...

I am a Hillary supporter, but I would congratulate the Obama team if they do win John's support.

[surfermaw]

27. Forgive then they no not what they do...in politics, must be new at politics

[andym]

28. Edwards will endorse to help keep his message out there-- period!

John Edwards believes strongly in his message, anti-poverty, anti-lobbyist, etc

He wants to keep his message out there. The best way at the moment may be to endorse one of the candidates and then
personally campaign for them and at the same time keep his message alive.

In the best of all words he would endorse both or neither, and then campaign with both on the days in which they agreed to focus on his message. However, the reality of politics in the USA may force him to choose.

Note that after the primaries are over, he can campaign in the GE with either of the candidates should they choose to emphasize his message.

SO, his prime consideration at the moment is how to get the maximum traction for his message NOW.

Likely his choice will be made on this criterion above all.

[saracat]

33. I find it hard to believe John will endorse Obama if Obama doesn't change his stand on Universal

Health Care. Remember, health care and poverty were the cornerstones of John's Campaign.Those were "his' issues. He has already said that Hillary has the best health care plan( Because it is based on his own! ) and the most substantive plan to end poverty. What is there for him to endorse in Obama?

[saracat]

34. Dupe

[saracat]

35. Dupe

[FlyingSquirrel]

36. Thanks for this post...

I agree 100%