Edwards considering endorsing Hillary

[catgirl]

I can only think this is self-serving given his reasons.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/13/edwards-endorsement-clin_n_85997.html

[ananda]

1. Really?

That makes no sense... for several reasons,
including that she is corporate, DLC, and a
free trader; and that she is not going to
win the nomination unless something very
drastic happens to stop Obama -- either some
HUGE scandal or else something even worse.

[jackson_dem]

61. Just like Obama

[WilyWondr]

73. Really?

Do you have any facts to back that up? Because everything I have ever seen about the fundraising of HRC and BHO shows that they are not gathering money from the same sources. I would like to know where you are getting your information from.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/index.asp?cycle=2008 is a good place to gather information about the candidates money trail.

The most telling stats for me are the fact that 33% of HRC's money comes from people giving $4600(the maximum amount) while only 10% of BHO's money comes from that demographic. Also, the fact that HRC has raised $764,000 from lobbyists while BHO has raised $87,000 from lobbyists.


I do not expect HRC to represent people that are not supporting her campaign.
Do you?

[Egnever]

2. He does so at his own peril

He is welcome to endorse anyone he wants. But this voter will write him off forever as a hypocrite if he endorses hillary. His whole schtick was about corporate influence. If he goes with hillary it will all have been a lie.

[Horse with no Name]

9. Your vote for Obama shows you wrote him off already

So big fucking deal.:eyes:

[Egnever]

27. You are right

I wrote him off long ago. Mostly because I didn't believe in his sincerity. Endorsing Hillary will confirm it once and for all.

Near the end when he dropped out I was starting to believe him. This would place me back firmly into thinking of him as an opportunist.

[ihavenobias]

59. I supported Edwards (even donated three times) until he dropped out...

at which point the clear choice *for me* was Obama.

If he endorses Hillary, it'd just make me think less of John, which is really unfortunate.

PS---If anyone was sitting on the fence between Hillary and Obama, yesterday's events (no, I'm not referring to primary wins) should've pushed them toward Obama: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x92907

[Horse with no Name]

60. If you *REALLY* supported John and his message

Then you would feel no animosity whatsoever in whoever he chooses to endorse.

[ihavenobias]

63. Complete and utter BS

I think he would be betraying his message that I loved so much. Hell, he'd even be betraying his own professed beliefs about how he and *Obama* were/are the change candidates (the implication being that Hillary was the status quo, which he also himself said)!

[Horse with no Name]

65. Obama is no closer to his message than Hillary is

Edwards is a smart man. You don't make yourself a millionaire by not making smart, informed decisions.
I will be disappointed if Edwards endorses Obama because I see Obama as being a hollow man. However, if he DOES choose to endorse Obama, I will not lose one ounce of respect for the man.
Those that claim they will never were staunch supporters anyway.

[ihavenobias]

66. Put *your* opinion aside for a moment

Why did *Edwards* say that *Obama* was the change candidate (more like himself, he would say something like "Obama and I") and that Hillary was the status quo? Because Obama's policies are further away from his?

Again, put aside *your* opinion and answer why John Edwards said what he said. Assuming you were/are a supporter of Edwards, I don't think you'll say he was just playing politics at the time. But I have to say, if he supports Hillary than it shows he WAS in fact either playing politics then or would be now.

And again, how anyone can stomach Hillary after yesterday is beyond me: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x92907

[Horse with no Name]

67. That's rich. Put aside "my" opinion and embrace "your" opinion

what a load of garbage.:rofl:
Backatcha:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4575115

[ihavenobias]

69. Um, next time try reading the message body instead of just the subject line

I didn't say accept MY opinion, I want you to explain why John Edwards would contradict HIS opinion as it was expressed during the campaign.

So no more cop-outs, go ahead, explain it. Why were he and Obama (according to John, not me or you) the "change" candidates while Hillary was (again, according to John) the "status quo"?

[saracat]

75. Obama misssed several of the FISA votes yesterday as well as the final one.

And remember there are many votes Obama has missed as well.

[angie_love]

81. Thats funny considering Hillary was in Washington yesterday and missed ALL of the votes at least

Obama was there for the first one. You guys are just so funny.

[Cha]

71. John Edwards would be betraying his

message but I'm not going to go there until there a definet.

[onehandle]

41. Nice jackbooted response.

I'm sure Edwards is scared.

:eyes:

[RiverStone]

46. I was an Edwards supporter before he dropped out....

IMO, to remain consistent and true to his word - he should endorse our party's nominee after the convention.

I'd be very disappointed if he endorsed Hillary ahead of time. Yes- a hypocrite he would be!

Yet on the flip side, he already missed the boat. You'd think he would have endorsed her before she just got her ass kicked in 8 straight losses???

[mdmc]

51. Remember what he said in IA: re- status quo

:)

[jackson_dem]

62. Obama is as corporate as Hillary. Edwards doesn't drink kool aid. He knows this

[Cha]

70. I still can't believe he would

..cause I really believe that he has evolved and endorsing hilary would be selling out..I don't care what cockamammy story about "tough fights" anyone comes up with.

[rug]

3. Attacks on Edwards to commence at 1200 hours.

[theHandpuppet]

11. Yep, just like clockwork

John is now declared an enemy of the United States of Obama.

This is getting pretty scary. :scared:

[rug]

13. By 2000 hours he'll be called a fascist.

[catgirl]

35. Oh please

I posted a news article. People mention real things that Edwards stood for, and
that makes it "getting scary". Straight out of a repug book (the cult-like Obama
supporters). Get real.

If Edwards endorses Hillary, many former Edwards supporters will be more upset
than Obama supporters. I personally think it would backfire anyway.

[jsamuel]

16. Yep. Don't endorse their candidate and they will come after you.

[ORDem]

34. BS. I first supported Edwards then Obama. His endorsement

for whomever is not going to change my high regard for John Edwards.

Edwards for AG! That's where he can really kick some corporate ass!! :mad:

Hillary for Sec'y of State! Where she can straighten out our sick foreign policy!! :think:

[jsamuel]

45. good, but there are many others who will attack him for it without rest

[Eurobabe]

4. "He has serious reservations about both of them."

Then he should remain neutral and endorse no one. Quite honestly, just how important is an Edwards endorsement, really?

Edit: Notice my first choice candidate Joe Biden will not make an endorsement until the primaries are over and the people have spoken.

[TexasObserver]

5. If he endorses Hillary, he's finished as a factor in the Democratic party

And it won't do her any good, anyway.

[Horse with no Name]

12. Then perhaps you should send him your KoolAid?

Must.worship.the.almighty.Obama.

[bigtree]

30. do you know some OTHER Democratic party we're not thinking about?

because he'll definitely get the support and approval from a good chunk of Democrats, who ever he endorses. This isn't such a critical thing. He'll gain some favor, and lose some with others.

[Occam Bandage]

6. He's obviously also considering endorsing Obama, since he hasn't endorsed either yet.

[Abacus]

31. If he's as torn as the article says,

why not support both or neither? I'm not sure I understand the point of an endorsement unless there is a clear preference.

[Occam Bandage]

40. Edwards' endorsement isn't a statement of preference. It's acceptance of a job offer.

Both HRC and BHO have similar offers on the table. He likes Obama's policies more, and thinks HRC will fight better for her policies. After last night he probably thinks Obama has a slightly better chance of winning the nomination, but it sounds like he thinks Hillary is a stronger GE candidate. I'd be torn too.

[Thrill]

7. I doubt he'll do it

[Orangepeel]

8. Edwards missed the chance to endorse Obama

It would look like bandwagon jumping at this point.

I'm sure that Obama would welcome the endorsement (and, as a former Edwards-current Obama supporter, I hope he gets it), but in terms of leveraging an endorsement to further an agenda, the best thing to do politically would probably be for Edwards to endorse Clinton and hope that she makes a comeback.

[catgirl]

18. The Obama camp was talking AG Edwards

I think this is a personal thing. I can only shake my head. I
hope he doesn't do it. It will prove that everything he's said
on the campaign trail was BS.

[Cameron27]

58. Why would you think that?

If Edwards decides not to endorse Obama it could be because of his attack on the mandates in Clinton's healthcare plan which is very similar to his own. I think he'll probably back Obama, but I can see why he's torn.

[saracat]

76. So he should endorse against his own healthcare plan? John would be repudiating people like the

the Sarakasians and James Lowe if he did that.Or some might think.Doesn't matter to me.I will never vote for Obama.

[nomorewhopper]

10. hillary needs endorsements to "counter" the obama wins

you bet hillary will be pursuing all the endorsements she can get, now that she's lost a string of primaries. inbetween now and ohio there's 3 weeks, and she needs to give the people, her voters, and the donors something to rally around.

i don't think edwards is going to endorse her.

part of the problems you have raising money and getting donations after you lose the momentum and 8 primaries/caucuses in a row.

[Brother_1969]

14. If he really does endose Hillary, that will tell me something.

It will tell me that he knows something important that we here do not -- something that will become evident at some point in the future. Otherwise, it makes no sense.

[Straight Shooter]

68. I like your perspective.

He probably has more than simply inside information, he probably has a really good clue as to the actual personalities of the candidates and how that will translate into their governing style.

[goldcanyonaz]

15. Let's start a new thread and trash him...

[tyne]

26. That article gives

no indication that he's going to endorse Hillary. Sheesh!

Next!

[catgirl]

43. Read the title of my post

considering endorsing Hillary-meaning his aides are publicly
indicating that he is strongly considering it. Sheesh!

[sharp_stick]

17. No matter who he endorses it's going to be funny around here

one side all happy and gloating and the other sending out the moron brigades to yap about how much they hate Edwards.

[shaniqua6392]

19. I wonder if I posted that he was going to endorse Obama

what the reaction from Obama fans would be?? They would be like, "Isn't that awesome!!" I could pretty much guarantee that would be the response from what I have seen around here.

[catgirl]

23. It seems like Edwards supporters don't want a HRC endorsement

and would welcome an Obama endorsement.

[jannyk]

54. Wrong! nt

[surfermaw]

72. Speak for yourself, I perfer Hillary

[Tropics_Dude83]

20. A HRC endorsement is all but assured-the man voted for the AUMF for heavens sake n/t

[Armstead]

21. I can only hope that last night gave him reason to re-think

[w13rd0]

22. I support Obama...

...but Edwards can do with his endorsement what he wishes. I don't want to see this nomination come down to machinations, I really hope it doesn't come to that, but politicians do what they do. I'm not going to fault the wolf for being a wolf, or the turtle for being a turtle.

[bigtree]

24. Of course, if he endorses Obama, it will be for noble hope and change

yes he can!!!!!

not really.

[babylonsister]

77. And if he supports Clinton, it's because that lobbyist thingie didn't really

mean much? Please.

[Shine]

25. Time will tell....this Edwards supporter is VERY interested to see which way he swings

I voted for him in my CA primary and his endorsement will carry a lot of weight for me b/c I haven't swung one way or another yet, either. :popcorn:

[woolldog]

28. Who cares?

Nobody cares what Edwards thinks anymore. He's irrelevant.

[asdjrocky]

38. Irrelevant?

It's people like you that make it impossible to support empty suit Obama.

[woolldog]

52. You're crazy

If you decide whom to support based on some anonymous poster's opinion of Edwards. Before super-tuesday it might have meant something. Before the potomac primaries, maybe. But the race is just about over.

And if Obama is an empty suit, what does that make Edwards? I don't buy the experience argument, but I'm shocked whenever I hear an Edwards supporter float it.

[asdjrocky]

55. Where did I say anything about experience?

I can understand you making a mistake, this must be confusing to you because you're new. I've worked in 3 different states as a volunteer for the Edwards campaign, and rest assured, I base my opinion not only on the people here on DU, but also the idiot supporters of other candidates that I run into out on the trail.

But then, I'm sure Edwards would have great relevance if he endorsed Obama, right?

What a joke some of you people are.

[woolldog]

56. Ok. You base it on DU

and his supporters you meet? I still think that's a stupid reason to support/not support a candidate.

Edwards has no relevance anymore period. I don't care who he endorses, seriously. But it's too late in the game for his endorsement to matter. If he had any principled reasons for endorsing one or the other he would have done so already. He doesn't so it's evidently all about getting the best deal for himself...which is fine, but the esteem in which I held him takes a bit of a hit.

[PassingFair]

29. I am hoping that Elizabeth is counseling him to...

keep his mouth shut.

It will be a lose/lose endorsement for HIM.

If he was going to endorse, he should have
done it when he dropped out.

[demokatgurrl]

37. How is it lose/lose for Edwards?

He's out of the race anyway, and unlikely to ever run again.

Endorsements have little effect, anyway.

[PassingFair]

48. It's kind of a crap shoot at this juncture....

I guess if he's going back to being
a personal injury attorney, it won't
matter to him, but if he's looking for
high-profile work in the next administration.....

why piss anyone off at this point.

His endorsement is NOT going to be the
deal-maker.

[Renew Deal]

32. There's actually nothing new there.

ABC rewrote someone elses article.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[catgirl]

49. Care to discuss on the content instead of attacking the messenger?

The OP is full of crap? How 'bout a conversation instead of mud slinging?
Your being hostile and defensive shows you don't like the idea of a HRC
endorsment, perhaps?

[asdjrocky]

50. Ok, fine-

You said:
I can only think this is self-serving given his reasons.

That's where my problem started. Is Dodd self-serving? Biden? Why aren't you asking about their endorsements? That seems of little concern to you.

I've met John Edwards, and his family. I volunteered for that campaign in 3 different states, and I saw nothing "self-serving" from Edwards, or any of the people working for him. The term self-serving could easily apply to someone the nation is calling for, who refuses to run. (See your avatar.)

And by the way, there are many people here who believe in the Edwards Message, and believe he's waiting for certain guarantees for the American People, and that is NOT self-serving.

This has been talked to death, and I'm tired of a good man being put under a microscope, that is not being used on none of the other candidates.

By the way, your OP brought on any perceived hostility.

[writes3000]

36. Like the rest of us, Edwards should endorse the candidate he believes in

And no, folks, all Obama supporters here will not trash him. Just as we all haven't trashed Hillary.

[goodhue]

39. old news, wont happen

[Araxen]

42. I think most Edwards supporters have already

made up their mind.

[Vinca]

44. At this point, I don't think it will make any difference who he endorses.

I'd like to see him in Obama's administration because I think he'd make one heck of an Attorney General, but if he endorses Hillary I guess that idea will be out the window.

[AndyA]

47. Face it, neither Clinton nor Obama are exactly a good match.

Clinton loves lobbyists and corporate money.

Obama's health care plan is inferior to Edwards' plan.

Clinton will not make major changes to the status quo.

Obama wants to have the powers that be at the table when he negotiates on our behalf, and Edwards says that would be an impossible negotiation.

Edwards is far more progressive than either candidate.

So in reality, neither of them is a good fit for an endorsement, other than endorsing the Democratic nominee once that's determined.

At this point, barring a miracle, we're going to wind up with second best at best.

[publicatlarge]

53. Edwards is far from irrelevant

And, there is only one place for him to go, if he is going to endorse and I think he will. That would be Hillary Clinton. Clinton's campaign needs a turning point, and some focus and momentum. An Edwards endorsement at this point might be just what the Clinton campaign needs.

There is nothing wrong with looking to advance ones own cause, and the cause of all those who have supported you. This is all about going forward. I would imagine at this point, Hillary is offering Edwards a deal it would be difficult for him to turn down. It matters most if the deal includes forwarding Edwards' cause of fighting for health care, unions and the working classes - and giving a voice to the voiceless. Edwards did tell his supporters he isn't going anywhere. If he could take a stand, with Hillary, for those he promised would not be left in silence - that would be a wonderful thing. Hillary needs this kind of focus and message to shift her campaign away from the focus on the 'me, me, me' of the 'celebrity candidates'.

If Edwards joins with Hillary, he would probably join her in rallies in Wisconsin, especially - and make appearances in the remaining states with her. Why not? What would they have to lose at this point?

I like it. Makes a lot of sense.

Do it, John.

[indigoblue]

64. I like your idea.

:thumbsup:

[Perry Logan]

57. This would definitely cause some people to explode.

[publicatlarge]

74. Thanks....

Yes. It surely would. One of the reasons I think it will happen. And that would be a good thing. The reaction itself, and the media atttention going into Wisconsin, might be just what is needed for the Hillary campaign. Edwards, as a former candidate - has a lot more cache than the usual endorsers. I see reports John Kerry will be campaigning in Wisconsin for BO.

Anyone heard any more whispers out there...?

[earth mom]

78. Edwards realizes that Obama did him wrong from Iowa on. nt

[tritsofme]

79. I have never liked Edwards.

But I would take his endorsement with a smile.

[IndieLeft]

80. Does he matter any more? I mean really? It's too late.

All that rhetoric about how personal it all is... please. He's proven to be just another politician.

[weeve]

82. Crap like this ...

... is going to make it all the sweeter ( and more reasoned ) when John eventually endorses Obama.

My take is that John and Barack have already reached an agreement between themselves, and John WON'T endorse at this time because they want the appearance that Obama has done it all on his own, by the will of the people, not even needing the endorsement of Edwards. I feel they've already reached an understanding ( John as VP would be my hope ), but want Barack to gain the nomination all on his own, without any other major endorsement.