Obama, Edwards and the Disappearing Hillary

If we didn't realize it before, now we know that Barack Obama is a magician. At least he knows how to pull a rabbit out of his hat.

The rabbit, of course, is John Edwards. Although I'm sure he won't appreciate the imagery, Edwards, chose Wednesday as the day he hippity-hopped to Obama's side in Michigan to deliver his long-awaited endorsement.

What a coincidence! The announcement was perfectly timed to steal the headlines and newscasts away from Hillary Clinton and the embarrassment she caused Obama by clobbering him the day before in West Virginia.

Suddenly in the fickle news world "Almost Heaven" became almost nothing. The reaction to the Clinton sentimental media victory lap was "Not So Fast Hillary"

It illustrates an important point: Barack Obama's campaign has outmauevered the Clinton operation at every turn. Frankly it hasn't been all that difficult. All his strategists have usually had to do is stand back and watch hers trip over their own feet as they fought among themselves.

In those rare moments when they've had to initiate aaction, they turn to something they've been keeping in reserve. In this case it was someONE, that someone: John Edwards.

If you think Edwards just HAPPENED to decide Tuesday night he was going for Obama, I've got some land in West Virginia to sell you.

Now comes the inevitable question: Will Edwards be Obama's Vice Presidential pick? I doubt it. For starters it's a "Been There Done That" situation. Besides, chances are he would want some power in a new administration to push his priorities and, oh yeah, keep his profile high and compete with Hillary to be the heir-apparent.

So, the interminable Democratic campaign lurches to Kentucky and Oregon, and then probably to a conclusion within a few weeks.

Right now though, that woman you see in the yellow pants suit, muttering under her breath, might well be Hillary Clinton.

As for Barack Obama, he needs to save up a lot more than just rabbits. Republican attacks dogs are preparing to chew up his hat... and him.

Comments

[kira181]

"Not the hillbillies in West Virginia, with single digit I.Q.s "

This, of course, places you so far above racists that it is no wonder you can't see how funny it is. In a sad and dangerously stupid way.

[kira181]

This was not a comment on the blog post. It was in reply to the deep thoughts of "Grendl".

[Countess]

It is amazing how Obama has outclassed Clinton and the DLC establishment of the democratic party. She had every advantage a candidate could have on her way to the inevitable nomination but Obama proved himself to be more intelligent and to have created a better organization than hers.

[Desiderata]

If the Rove-corrupted Justice Department is ever to regain it's honor and dignity, Obama would please a whole lot of people besides former Edwards supporters (such as myself) by installing John Edwards as the new Attorney General.

[grendl]

I think Edwards would be the perfect running mate for Barack Obama.

See all those fence sitting racists out there, they're the ones not really being considered.

They don't necessarily hate black people, but due to perceptions derived through television and the media have reservations about electing a black president. Reservations bolstered by the medias incessant prodding with questions like " is this nation ready to elect a black president."

These are people who don't live in black neighborhoods, but might work with an African American, or encounter them at social functions occasionally, but because of the racial divide in this country never have the opportunity to see just how ridiculous a metric for someone's worth skin color is.

These are the people who can be swayed. Not the hillbillies in West Virginia, with single digit I.Q.s whose support Hillary is so astoundingly delirious to embrace. They'll never vote for any African American.

Edwards is the key. He's from the South, like Clinton, drawal and all. He's the guy who can be the template, to break the barrier, the white male whose vote has been alienated and dismissed in this race by the special interests seeking reparations, and viewing the White House as some sort of affirmative action.

Edwards is perfect. He's the friend whose courage to step over the racial divide will inspire those fence sitters to do the same. Mark my words.

[yatiyata]

JOHN EDWARDS BETRAYED WEST VIRGINIA

I, A NOBODY FROM FLORIDA, COMMEND , APPLUAD AND AM SO PROUD OF WEST VIRGINIA.
THEY CAME OUT, THEY VOTED AND THEY SENT A BIG MESSAGE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I AM SO DISSAPPOINTED IN JOHN EDWARDS. THE PEOPLE OF WEST VIRGINIA, JUST AS THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA, MADE A LOUD AND CLEAR STATEMENT.
BUT AS USUAL, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DOESN'T CARE WHAT, "WE THE PEOPLE ",THINK.

FOR JOHN EDWARDS TO ENDORSE OBAMA THE DAY AFTER WEST VIRGINIA VOTED FOR HILLARY SHOWS THAT JOHN EDWARDS HAS VERY LITTLE RESPECT FOR THE AMERICANS THAT ALMOST SUPPORTED HIM. I QUESS, JOHN EDWARDS IS JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN WHO DOESN'T CARE WHAT AMERICANS THINK OR WANT. EITHER HE DOESN'T CARE WHAT AMERICANS THINK OR COULD CARE LESS.
THUS THE REASON, HE HIS PROBABLY NOW NOT, ONE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES THAT ARE LEFT.

A FLORIDA RESIDENT, OBAMA BLOCKED MY VOTE BUT NOW WANTS IT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. WHEN COWS FLY OVER THE MOON.

GOOD JOB WEST VIRGINIA.
3 STATES NOW HAVE SPOKE UP, WEST VIRGINIA, FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN.
IS ANYONE LISTENING?

[NorVaGal]

yatiyata: 3 states out of 45, according to you, "have now spoken up". And, in reality, that's not even true because neither FL nor MI ran a legit election where all candidates campaigned and ALL voters cast their votes. So, I guess that brings it down to WV, again, according to you.

Does anyone else find something...... interesting... about that picture? By the way, John Edwards is from NC, not WV. His state voted overwhelmingly for Sen. Obama. Evidently, he does listen to and have respect for the willl of the people, as shown by NC's popular vote.

[ScroogeandMarleyLLC]

Well, Grendl, your words are duly marked. Everything you said was cool until you slammed and insulted every red-blooded white soul in West Virginia with your incredibly stupid remark.

And if you think all the millions and millions of white folk in the neighboring states of the former Confederacy aren't going to take umbrage at what an elitist Dem candidate (who reflects your view) beleves, then I got a bridge in the Sahara to sell you.

[grendl]

I heard a West VA woman said she wouldn't vote for Barack because of his race, maybe with three remaining teeth in her thick head.

The numbers don't lie. And I'm sure West Va has a decent population. I'm guessing around 26 % of the population.

Elitist my ass. You have a lot of nerve. Black people were shanhaied from their native land and put to work in cotton and tobacco fields without compensation, beaten and raped, a legacy which would echo throughout the community up to this day.

Barack doesn't claim he's better than anyone. Just because his vocabulary doesn't include "ain't" and isn't strictly monosyllabic doesn't make him an elitist. Nor does his college degree. Or high school. Or grade school for that matter.

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

grendl, thanks for standing up for yourself and for telling the truth. keep up the good word!