Once a rival, Edwards staying close to Kerry

[JI7]

it says Ted Kennedy supported Edwards for vp in 2000 and i have read other places that Kennedy supports Edwards for vp this time also.

<WASHINGTON -- He lost his presidential bid and decided against seeking reelection this fall, so the energetic operation that Senator John Edwards has set up in an office just five blocks from the White House is not, technically, a political campaign.

The committee's stated purpose is to provide money and logistical support as Edwards stumps for Democratic candidates for Senate across the country, and for John F. Kerry, the party's presumptive nominee for president.

''He just wants to help John Kerry in any way he can," says Rubey. Like her colleagues, she has yet to unpack or hang anything on the wall, so uncertain is she of her political future.

While hoping not to appear overeager, Edwards has been demonstrating his value to Kerry as a campaign surrogate and, at Kerry's request, surrendering his people to the presumptive nominee's campaign organization.

Since then, Edwards has professed unqualified support for Kerry, doing whatever is asked of him to help the campaign.

Since ending his own presidential candidacy in March, Edwards has also traveled to Ohio and Minnesota at the request of the Kerry campaign. Next weekend, he kicks off a three-week stretch in which he will speak for Kerry at state party gatherings in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Iowa.

In a sign of his enduring popularity with party activists, Edwards is often the second choice of speakers after Kerry himself.>

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/06/10/once_a_rival_edwards_staying_close_to_kerry/

[WI_DEM]

1. I think Kennedy will have a big say

not becuz of any power he holds over Kerry but becuz Kerry respects his collegue and EMK did alot for him during the primaries.

[JI7]

2. Yeah, Kennedy's had almost a lifetime influence on Kerry

Kerry worked for Kennedy's campaign when he was a young guy before getting into politics. and They have been through a lot together. Kennedy's own failed bid for presidency and Kerry's tough senate races . there is no question that what kennedy says will especially be taken into consideration. The man even lost weight and got healthier just so he can help Kerry during the primary by going around the country and campaigning for him. and i don't think that's an easy thing to do at Kennedy's age. but it showed his commitment to Kerry.

[robbedvoter]

3. The saying was said. media is just revealing its cluelessness.

This was no doubt considered:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-edwards3jun03,1,463367...
But the role of understudy does not always seem a natural one for Edwards.
Back at Tar Heel Thursday on Capitol Hill, he was asked about his differences with Bush. After ticking off a long list, he stabbed a finger in the air and concluded, "It's the reason I should be president."
"Or John Kerry should be president," he quickly added.

As for "energizing the base' - another reminder: CLARK HAS A MOVEMENT

[Padraig18]

4. Interesting.

I wasn't aware that Teddy favors Sen. Edwards; that could be a VERY significant factor in Kerry's choice.

[spooky3]

5. Technically, he denies it in this article, so we can't be sure.

[JI7]

6. well

it's not just this article. i have heard from other places. but what we do know is that if it's true then edwards has someone who means a lot to kerry advocating for him.

[AP]

7. Kennedy said such positive things about Edwards in 2002 that I was

momentarily stunned that he endorsed Kerry. And then I realized I was an idiot for thinking Kerry wouldn't get Kennedy's endorsement. But, really, Kennedy's praise for Edwards's health care bill of rights actions gave Edwards a lot of juice a time when he needed to establish his political persona.