Edwards: Clinton didn't choose words well on race

WASHINGTON — Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Sunday that he thinks Barack Obama will be the party's presidential nominee and that Hillary Rodham Clinton must be careful not to damage the party's prospects in November as she continues her campaign.

"I know how hard it is to get up and go out there every day, speak to the media, speak to crowds, when people are urging you to get out of the race. I mean, it's a very hard place to be in. But she's shown a lot of strength about that," said Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who exited the race in January.

"But I think the one thing that she has to be careful about ... going forward, is that, if she makes the case for herself, which she's completely entitled to do, she has to be really careful that she's not damaging our prospects, the Democratic Party, and our cause, for the fall," he said in a taped interview broadcast on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Clinton says she's staying in the race despite losing to Obama by a wide margin in North Carolina and barely winning in Indiana, which helped cement his status as the front-runner. She touts her overall electability in a general election and, pointing to demographics, recently told USA Today in an interview:

"There was just an AP article posted that found how Senator Obama's support among working _ hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how the, you know, whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

Some accused Clinton of reintroducing race into the campaign. Edwards seemed to give her a pass.

"She's in a very tough, very competitive race that's been going on a long, long time. And you know, she didn't probably _ I'm sure she feels like she didn't choose her words very well there," he said.

"What I think is, at the end of the day, when this is over _ and I think it is likely, certainly, at this point, that Senator Obama will be the nominee _ that the Democrats will unite. We'll all be behind our nominee. And we'll be out there campaigning our hearts out," Edwards said.

David Axelrod, Obama's chief campaign strategist, disputed Clinton's assertion.

Axelrod said Obama and Clinton split Indiana voters who make $50,000 a year or less, and that Obama performed better among non-college-educated voters there. He said the same was true in North Carolina. Both states voted last week.

"The words weren't well chosen, but the thesis was wrong," Axelrod said on "Fox News Sunday.

Edwards, meanwhile, said he "might" still endorse a candidate, but "I don't think it's a big deal, to be honest with you."

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Is there something wrong with saying white people without college education and hare hard working wont vote for Obama How else other way can you say it. In my eyes she is not comparing it to Lazy African Americans or Latinos she is comparing them to Lazy whites with college degrees and trustfund who do nothing but wear birkis sip lattes and fight for environmental causes in their spare time thats who she is comparing them to. .I dont see how else she can choose her words. I understood it perfectly its not the first time she has insulted Obamas arugla base. I just think the timing sucks and she should stop attacking Obama on the campaign trail. This race is pracitcally over to tear down now is to help JOHN MCCAIN. What is it about that she doesnt get.

Carol

[missjulz]

Yes, there is something wrong with stereotyping people - as you have fine tuned in the above! You just can't put people in a box, derogate them for things like sipping lattes, or fighting for environmental causes (! the horror ! ) and then call for UNITY? It's divisive, get it?

[rnaretro1972what]

Yes, and in this fine line of discourse, I give
Hilary Clinton!!!!
The next Great Senator of the Truly Great State of WEST VIRGINIA!!!


Why would she choose to serve a bunch of elitists and mixed-ethnics and eggheads and mixed neighborhoods like the people of New York?

[Viper]

Yes, because while many wont or might not, it implied that none were voting for Obama which is untrue.. thus insulting those working whites who are not racists!

Regards

[janedoe37]

You know when I got my degree it wasn't easy. Unless your degree is in basketweaving or something you *work* to get there. Why do we have such a prejudice against getting an education in this country? Sometimes it seems that if you aren't a high school drop out who lives in a trailer then you're an elitist. And that's not a slam against people who live in exactly those conditions. Carol, I'd like to know how you treat the janitor/housekeeping staff where you work. Or the receptionist. Or anyone you view as being "below" you. Before you cast out such negative comments on people that, for some reason, you view as "above" you (and I don't agree with that), check how you treat others. I'm betting, since you are so conscious of a caste system, that it's not very well, if you think of them at all.

[robXdion]

Her argument is a lame one, because those same people wouldn't vote for her OR Obama in a general election. She should have stayed away from mentioning it. And really it's more about working class whites east of the Mississippi River that show low support for Obama. These same types of people are what caused Obama to stomp her out in ID, KS, UT, ND, CO, NE, WY, WI, MN, IA, and with Oregon next.

[gladys46]

it's interesting the way some people give hillary such intellectual high ground ... then she opens her mouth and out it comes ... any damn thing to get elected. of course she chose those words deliberately, percisely and dead on her point!! this is the porlarizing that bill has been deployed to do ... divide and attempt to concur. it didn't work ... bill has been plowing through every cranny of each state (mostly all white areas) yelling racial code!! as if everyone is stupid ALL the time ... well, not this time bill baby!

i'd like to see hillary get elected (if she backrooms this nomination) without african american and/or the youth vote!! can't be done!

[florixie]

Edwards seems like he is testing the waters to see how much his 20-25 delegates are worth. I guess that makes him a superduper delegate. He wants to give them to the winner so he can redeem them later. Not giving them to Obama now, with his clear lead, means he fears Clinton still has a chance or Obama is weak or vulnerable. He may be the deciding factor but does not want to risk his future on guessing wrong until he can be sure he will benefit. Not a bold showing so obviously hedging your bets.

[ohiodem250]

I think he means it when he says he doesn't think his endorsement is that big of a deal. That's not a knock on Edwards. I just think he's right and very realistic about the meaning of endorsements in general. I think what will be more effective for the nominee is for Edwards to go on the stump in the fall. I've seen the man retail campaign up close. Bill Clinton once commented on Edwards: "He could talk an owl out of a tree." From one Southern politician to another that is one of the highest compliments that can be paid.

[pmorlan]

He said on Morning Joe that his delegates don't need him to pick who they want and he specifically stated that he was no kingmaker. As a matter of fact he laughed at the suggestion.

[RJC]

She chose her words very carefully, meant what she said. I hate it when racists are on the wrong side of the "glass is half empty" approach. Remember Obama is half white, so the glass is half full. Cheerup Nazis!

[jupitor]

the reason Edwards is not committing to Obama, is because his wife wants Hillary! She is one of those die hard Hillary supporters, we've all seen. i like the edwards, I really do. but I think his problem was her a lot. she seemed to over ride his will, and wear the pants in the family. I think strong femals like Michelle Obama is great! but she's her husbands equal, and doesn't make or over ride his decisions, at the same time has her own point to make, and does it well! this is a good match of how Partners in a marriage should accompliment each other! I don't see that in the Edwards marriage, or the Mccain marriage or the Clintons Marriage! So kick me, if you think I'm wrong! but I think this is why John Edwards has not committed to Obama, and I think thats who he favors while she does Hillary and over rides his will and his wish's. and I truely like these people, that's the shame of it all! I think Edwards with someone alse would have made a fine President, where he actually could put his idea's into play with no one holding him back!

[PatrickWalker]

Um, Edwards wife wasn't exactly too fond of Hillary either. Back in January, after Edwards dropped out, both Clinton and Obama flew to meet them at their home in North Carolina.

Clinton was open and cordial. Obama was snooty and Edwards wife took offense. It's not like either Edwards and his wife care for Hillary at all.

I know this because my sister's husband work(ed) for Edwards in Raleigh.

[nlandll]

you people are sick especially tom 95134 why don't you take racism and your ignorance elsewhere all you do is make youself sound like the moronic idiot you are being white and seeing racism cross both lines we need better in this country so why don't you just f*** off and stop wasting peoples time with your ridiculous bigotry lets get with whats right for this country

[Tom95134]

You live in a dream world if you think that Hillary didn't know exactly what she was saying and why she was saying it. It is not bigotry to recognize that the history of racism and bigotry is there and that selected words and phrases will trigger those memories for people that lived and grew up during those times.. It's nothing to be proud of it is simply a fact.

[going2ireland]

That was a mighty powerful - er - bigoted statement you made there yourself, nlandll.

[hrayovac]

This is why John Edwards, the person, doesn't match up to the John Edwards on paper: He is a follower..lacking the courage to back a candidate while repeatedly warning of the importance of this election. Lacking the courage to oppose the war and the credit card bill (2000 and 2001). Pretending, for effect, to "gang up" with Obama against Hillary during the debates when no such alliance actually existed. Notice how no one is suggesting him as VP..I'm not sure he's off the list however.

[ohiodem250]

First of all, I don't think Edwards "lacks courage" because he hasn't endorsed a candidate. Second, I think Sen. Edwards is positioning himself to be a party elder, a la Al Gore. Some might scoff at this notion. But think about it. Sen. Edwards had never held public office before he ran for the Senate in 1998. He even admitted that he was not a consistent voter before he ran for office. Then, after deposing Monica Lewinsky while he was in the Senate and being on Al Gore's short list for VP in 2000 (looks a lot better than Lieberman at this point, no?), he almost became the nominee and eventually landed a place on the ticket in 2004 with Kerry. Considering all that, he is a very gifted and talented politician. He would be a very powerful and persuasive party broker. Third, he's probably not on anyone's short list for VP because, unfortunately, being the losing VP candidate and losing your second bid for the Democratic nomination makes you a bit of a liability. I don't think it's because his "lack of courage" or a lack in political skills.

[pmorlan]

John Edwards is no follower. Good grief he lead on all the issues in the campaign. Your comments are just a figment of your imagination.

[DesertLight]

I would love to know the average demographics of people who supported Edwards. I guessing the IQ ratio never hit triple digits.

[pmorlan]

At least they don't say "I guessing". LOL

[DesertLight]

Yeah, I corrected that but it did not get posted.

[Viper]

So far you would be worng... Obama and Edwards got the College educated vote over Hilary.

By pulling out of the race, Edwards greatly helped Obama since that vote was not being split..

Regards

[ohiodem250]

As a field organizer for Sen. Edwards in Iowa this campaign season - someone who developed relationships with caucus goers, who listened to them articulate their concerns for this country, who shared meals and beers with them, who had the doors of their homes thrown wide open for - I take great offense to your comment. You have demonstrated well that you know nothing about politics - that the only thing you know about patriotism is how to form the word with your lips, that civic duty is only a vague and abstract concept you read about in a book. Change, in such a democracy as this, requires a broad coalition of real citizens from all avenues of being. Grassroots is a term you may have read about and maybe even choose to use when you are slinging your opinions carelessly, but you have obviously never witnessed the power of people coming together to create change. For if you had you would never speak so lowly of any American choosing to exercise a right that a great number of people have died to secure. Simply put, you disgust me. And by the way, correct grammar is "I'm guessing" not "I guessing." The color black suits you well, Pot.

[ohiodem250]

As a field organizer for a candidate in Iowa this campaign season - someone who developed relationships with caucus goers, who listened to them articulate their concerns for this country, who shared meals and beers with them, who had the doors of their homes thrown wide open for - I take great offense to your comment. You have demonstrated well that you know nothing about politics - that the only thing you know about patriotism is how to form the word with your lips, that civic duty is only a vague and abstract concept you read about in a book. Change, in such a democracy as this, requires a broad coalition of real citizens from all avenues of being. Grassroots is a term you may have read about and maybe even choose to use when you are slinging your opinions carelessly, but you have obviously never witnessed the power of people coming together to create change. For if you had you would never speak so lowly of any American choosing to exercise a right that a great number of people have died to secure. Simply put, you disgust me. And by the way, correct grammar is "I'm guessing" not "I guessing."

[BatedBreath]

Edwards in wrong about Hillary's choosing her words; she chose deliberately and pointedly. He is right about his endorsement: he is too late and whether he endorses one or the other doesn't matter any more.

[4wehttam]

I agree with you 100%. Hillary Clinton never minces words, she knows exactly what she's saying when she says it. She said it deliberating and she said it to divide. Simple as that. If it wasn't because of the Clinton name and the respect party leaders are trying to show her, this race would have been over when Obama on 11 straight contest IN A ROW.

She's lucky LimBALLS helped her out starting in Ohio and Texas.

[dsbsh]

I am not a fan of Hillary Clinton. I supported Edwards, then Obama in this race (although the fact that Biden won every debate hands-down started to sway me before he dropped out). But how come so many people are dead-certain that Clinton, and ONLY Clinton, "never minces words?" Obama rightfully gets excused by many of us-- but NOT the MSM-- when he makes a valid point badly (the "bitter" comment comes to mind). Hell, John McCain gets a pass from the press for a mere "lapse" when he does it 3-4 times! But Clinton never misspeaks, because she's obviously so calculating that every single word out of her mouth, in over a year's worth of campaigning, is planned? That's ridiculous, and intelligent people ought to know it.

I'm certainly not excusing everything she says. The Bosnia comments were not a mere slip; her constant moving the goalposts on what determines winning, or electability, can no longer pass my laugh test; I'm not even sure about the "white voters" comment we're supposedly discussing here. But the standard being used to measure her statements is unfair, and if we play along, it will make it that much harder to reject it when the MSM uses it to protect McCain.

[missjulz]

I agree - she chose her words quite deliberately. Just like McCain she employs covert methods of insinuation to plant seeds of discord, doubt, and distrust in the minds of voters.

McCain did the same the other day raising the Wright scandal again but in a way that would allow him to say "well, I'm not bringing it up again - but of course IF this is an issue the voters want to discuss that's up to them." Meanwhile bringing it back into the discussion. Saint McCain my ass.

[Tom95134]

Sorry Sen. Edwards. I think Hillary chose her words very well. She chose them to trigger a memory of other phrases used or heard by many people over 50 years of age. "hard working, white Americans" triggers the memory of "lazy ni....." or "shiftless ni.....". Her use of the word "elite" is also a trigger to the phrase "uppity ni....". She's has been very clever in this because she has preserved her plausible denyability of their meaning anything racist. But it is there and I suspect she chose those words very carefully after making sure what memories they would trigger based on focus groups.

[NewArtz]

There will be no peace for the democratic party until those who fought so hard for Hillary Clinton fight just as hard for the democratic nominee. If being a fighter is seen as Hilary's strong point, then I would like to see her use her skills for something other than personal aggrandizement of her own vanity. If she were the nominee, Obama would fight for her, whether he thought she were the better candidate or not.

Two women came before King Solomon both claiming to be the mother of a child. One woman said the child was hers and this other woman had stolen him from her. The other woman said that the child was actually hers. Solomon said that the child should be cut in half, and each woman would get an equal portion. The other woman said that would be fine by her, while the real mother said not to do it...to let the other woman have the child alive.

Do we want to cut the democratic party in half just to prove that the nomination actually belonged to our candidate? Or our we willing to support the party so that the party will live?

The real winner will save the democratic party.

[naturesway]

we typical white women can never accept Barrack as POTUS. NO experience for the job, and more importantly, he has accused us all of being racists and we are unimportant to him anyway.

Nope. No vote for him from millions of us. There is a petition on the net calling for testimonials on why we will never vote for Sen. O. Signatures in the thousands and growing daily. This DEM party will see a backlash, the likes of which will sink Obama and the party for a couple generations. Accept it.

[AdamND]

I will find it very funny if women do this and McCain gets elected and sets back womens rights by like 35 years or so....

[CeeLee]

Typical "white women" response. When the game doesn't go your way you t cry fake tears for sympathy then take your toys and go home. HRC types that have co-opted their feminist gains on the backs of the civil rights struggle, now gleefully choose to go the toxic racist route when it suits them. Self-entitled "white women" like HRC have set the entire feminine rights movement back 100 years.

[SteveClements]

Typical white women? He has not called anyone racist. I understand the strong desire to have a woman in the White House. I look forward to that day mself. But just because Hillary is a woman doesn't make her the woman candidate. Much of her experience has been one of selling out the great bulk of lower income women, minority women, for the few middle and upper income mostly white women whose major concern is breaking the glass ceiling rather than assisting all women to rise above the dirt floor of minimum existence. Clinton welfare reform that threw too many poor women and children off health care. Silence when any talk of union busting occurred at Wal-Mart when on their board. NAFTA, etc, etc. That is why so many third and fourth wave feminists support Obama.

[SpawnOfJerry]

This typical white woman will be voting for Obama. Your accusations of him are unfounded. He hasn't accused anyone of being racist nor does he think you're unimportant. His message is that EVERYONE is important in the political process, no matter your race, gender, or socio-economic status.

With that said, there are bigger things at stake here then your nominee preference. You can either choose to cut off your nose to spite your face by voting for McCain or not voting for Obama in a close state. Or you can choose to accept Sen. Obama as the Democratic nominee for president and vote accordingly. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

[CeeLee]

It is abundantly clear on this HUFFINGTON POST that any challenge to "white women" saying ANYTHING they want no matter now raciallly offensive is OK.
Your self-entitled pedestal is maintained beautifully by this section of the MSM.

[ohiodem250]

NewArtz, because of your King Solomon anecdote I have just become a fan. Well said!

[Isaiah40j]

WE.........LOL. The polls reflect that some of her supporters route information very slowly. Maybe you will catch on soon. GOOD LUCK Ms. Typical!

[blubastian]

If Obama and Obama supporters represent the Neo-Dem Party I have no use for it. I will never vote for Obama. Even if Hillary asks me to support Obama I will not! Hell could freeze over and pigs could fly but I still will not support Obama.

Hillary will get my vote even if I have to write her name in!

[obamanation31]

Most politicians have no back bone. They are more worried about staying in power than standing up to the Clintons. I have a feeling they are not happy about Barack's message for change because it involves them.

[Dollfc61]

It is so obvious that she is staying in just to do damage to his chances. Then she can run again in 2012 if she is successful in losing the general for her party.

she Wants McCain so she has a chance in 2012.

[jeffp26]

Wake up Edwards. You need to, and in this case consider the cliche as poetic justice, call a spade a spade. And that is Hillary.

Sadly she is my senator, and I had heard she had a racist streak before, but she is really disgusting. No wonder most republicans, with whom I have little in common, hate her guts.

[MizFlagPin]

"she has to be really careful that she's not damaging our prospects, the Democratic Party, and our cause, for the fall."
.................................................................................................

Operative word is "our". A word that Hillary has yet to grasp. With her, it's all about me and mine. She's a fighter alright, she fights with party activist, the DNC, the youth voters, college graduates of all colors, non-whites, and so on and so forth. Then she has the audacity to say she has the base that can help her win in November. Her base is so supportive of her that her campaign is broke and drowning in debt.

[adept2u]

Everyone is defending Hillary by saying she didn't choose her words well. She has had now 4 days to restate what she meant - the silence is defeaning.

[olivia]

I don't think Hillary is a racist. I think she would throw any person, any group, under the bus to get into the White House.

[DinSea]

DITTO!!! She has played chameleon all year ... she will blow any "dog whistle" and spew any "trigger" words or phrases to divide this nation. That's why she can't get legislation passed - everyone is too divided & fighting with each other. Not the leader we want or need.

[naturesway]

When, in fact, it's true? Those are the facts.
Like it or not. Obama has divided this country from which we will not heal for 30 years.

[nomobull]

she says something stupid that she hasn't bothered to correct but it's his fault he did not put the words mouth. nor is his fault he planned a campaign past super tuesday just in case.nor is it his fault that he chooses to give voters more credit than she does .and jhe is not the one making an issue out of this although considering what she did with his ""bitter" commentary. he has every right. so unless you have anything other than this pettiness to argue with please hush.

[KillTheMessenger]

If it is true, this nation needs to hang its head in shame. Racism is not Senator Obama's fault but the nation's. If it takes 30 years of punishment, bring it on.

[TheKnownTruth]

Right.....NOT

[sebocd]

Will Hillory choose her words well at 3a.m. when she answers the phone or might she "misspeak", giving a whole new meaning to "the graveyard shift?"

[SteveClements]

How did he divide the country, By not yielding to her entitlemnet to the White House?