What Value Does the Edwards Endorsement Really Provide?

John Edwards, the former Senator from North Carolina, delivered what appeared to be a stinging blow to the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton Wednesday by finally publicly declaring his support for Sen. Barack Obama in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Ever since he unintentionally tipped his hat last week on MSNBC's Morning Joe program and indicated his preference for Illinois' junior Senator, it became clear that an official endorsement was imminent. But what exactly does this mean for Obama? Does having Edwards' support, now, really mean anything?

Over the past few months, the anticipated Edwards endorsement, along with those of other key party leaders such as Al Gore, have become the subject of great mystery among the political punditry. But historically, and especially this year, such endorsements have provided little or no value to the candidates receiving them. While everyone sits on he edge of their seats waiting for Gore's decision, few remember that Howard Dean's 2004 campaign sank nearly the moment Gore gave his thumbs up. And what about Obama's campaign this year? Semi-manic table-pounding by select members of the Kennedy clan--including Caroline and Uncle Teddy--failed to deliver the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Are we also forgetting that, as a vice presidential running mate, Edwards failed to deliver for Sen. John Kerry the state of North Carolina, where he was raised and served as a U.S. Senator from 1998-2004? And before he dropped out of this year's contest in late January, he ran third in his birth state, South Carolina, behind Clinton and Obama...a state he carried in his 2004 bid for the White House. So since 2004, he's become less popular in the all-important South? Is it fairly safe to say that all the hoopla surrounding the Edwards endorsement might be a tad overblown? That in Obama's quest to win over the white working class, the uber-rich trial attorney with the $400 haircuts might not be the answer?

To be sure, Edwards' 18 delegates is indeed a bounty, and Clinton and her supporters would certainly love to have gotten not only Edwards' endorsement, but more so these much-needed delegates as well. But, there's no guarantee these delegates will automatically cast their votes for Obama simply at Edwards' instruction. That decision is theirs, not his. So it remains to be seen just what value, ultimately, this endorsement will truly bring.

Clinton is waging a tough campaign and has vowed to fight till the end, whether that's June 3rd, the day of the last primary, or all the way to the Denver convention in August. But with each passing day, as more and more delegates and super-delegates tip Obama's way, it's going to take a miracle for Clinton to snag this nomination. But again, the jury is still out in terms of how much the simple math will ultimately play in the super D's decision-making. Let's give Hillary some credit, but not just for being a tough, resilient fighter. The truth is, her protracted battle against Obama, contrary to earlier concerns, has been great for the party. The Democratic campaign has dominated the news 24/7. The GOP's presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain, is nowhere to be found.

Comments

[milo9]

I'll tell you the value: he's a voice for the working class of this nation, that now can't be shut down by Corporate Media as it was during the election run. His voice will broaden and deepen Obama's appeal. He will prove invaluable.

[KillTheMessenger]

Value? Edwards delivered a very nice Eulogy to the Clinton campaign and tried to reach out. One can only hope some supporters of Senator Clinton will understand that, even if the Clintons won't.

[jeg]

Current tally: A crashed Hillary news cycle, 7 pledged delegates, and the Steelworkers Union.

Any one of those three is worth quite a bit.

[bowseat93]

I thought the same when I was watching last night. Geez, the guy didn't deliver his own state.

But I think there are three likely benefits from the endorsement. The first already happened...it made the previous nights' blowout in WV an afterthought on the national news (gotta love that 6:30 timing). The second is still TBD, and that's whether it helps in terms of getting some of the (IMO cowardly) superdelegates to to actually commit to one or the other candidate to avoid having this drag out until the convention. And finally, the third is the likely help on the union front (though I'm disappointed that SEIU hasn't seem to have helped Obama much).

Edwards may not deliver votes in NC (or KY), but all in all, definitely an endorsement with some value.

[maritabox]

Alot of Democrats really like him.
That is value.

[Trace8089]

Edwards endorsement will have No value. He has a small constituency. If Edwards had any political stroke he'd be VP or a sitting Senator. This guy can't get elected dog catcher in his home state. He's cute and well spoken but that's all.

[burnt]

"Edwards endorsement will have No value."

ha! This is purely wishful thinking... and almost a deluded as the rest of the Clinton spin. She netted up 12 delegates in West Virginia... With Edwards' not he will wipe that out and then some. Four of his delegates went Obama just today. Large and powerful unions with healthy political campaign funds who can staff volunteers to get out the vote for Obama have committed... on the nod from Edwards. If you by "NO value", you mean "Great value, but delusionally speaking, No value"... then I might agree. Otherwise you are just munching on bitter grapes and playing the fool.

alienated in Seattle

[burnt]

More delusionist spin Andy?

"Clinton is waging a tough campaign and has vowed to fight till the end..."

Interpreted: Clinton will destroy the Democratic Party if given the opportunity. Her fit of jealous rage will delight those Republicans who are posing as Democrats.

Andy... you call yourself a Realisticrat... try injecting a bit of realism into that philosophy. She lost... a long time ago.

[MPeter]

Yes, Edwards endorsement has meaning and value. His supporters will now turn and contribute to Obama; they will volunteer, donate and vote. His endorsement also goes a long way in helping heal the rifts in the Party, particular the racial ones stoked by the Clintons. The endorsement also tells the Clintons that it is time to get off the stage. It is a new day and the train has left the station! So, YES, it helps.