John Edwards is unlikely to endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton before the nomination is decided, according to interviews with several members of the former candidate's inner circle.
At least three individuals who have recently spoken to Edwards expect that he will choose to stay out of the fight, though they warn that no one other than his wife, Elizabeth, can be certain of his thinking.
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Edwards would like to be the Attorney General for either candidate, so I wouldn't expect him to endorse anyone until we know for sure!
Actually, I think John Edwards is well out of it. I think people should just leave him be.
The choice of language in the replies from majority of Obama supporters are indicative of patterns of behavior that exists among his "highly educated supporters" and more to come. Some of the postings sound like they only read, speak or write one sided things, they can have their opinion but they also want to have "their" facts. This is a cult mentality and America does not need another four years fo it.
I wish some day Democratic Party sees the light and have same day primaries all across the nation to put an end to campaigns based on egos, hype, rhetoric and entitlements.
Thank you
Najam, NJ
John Edwards for AG '08
The great cry of the Obamaniac is that anyone with a different opinion or who hasn't endorsed his campaign is someone who lacks character, courage or intelligence.
It couldn't possibly be that one could have a different opinion still has character, courage and intelligence?
Krugman pointed out the failings of Obama's health care plan after treating Obama like any other candidate. The Obamaniacs attacked him as someone who must be an opportunist.
Now they are accusing Edwards of the same thing with no proof.
I think Edwards is having the same difficulty I am.
Both of these two candidates are DLC-to-the-bone. Hillary is weak on Iraq and Obama is weak on health care. These are the two issues Edwards made the fulcrum of his foreign and domestic policy agenda.
I'm proud of Edwards not endorsing either of these two DLC-to-the-bone candidates. His non-endorsement speaks for me.
All the genuinely progressive candidates with progressive platforms were set aside so we could have this beauty contest between two DLC candidates who won't get us out of Iraq or bring universal health care.
I have no doubt that Edwards will endorse Obama once he gets the nomination, but I'm glad he's held out. If Obama changed his health care plan to make it universal or spent even a fraction of the time he spent campaigning trying to filibuster war funding or filibustering any blank check for Bush, then maybe he'd be worthy of an endorsement.
None of the four Senators who ran for President did anything impressive enough when they came to the majority to show they were anything other than DLC candidates who speak well.
Perhaps Edwards intuitively realizes that no matter whether Obama or Clinton becomes President, corporate control of our country won't change.
Not getting caught up in the Obama salvation show is not a sign of weakness, opportunistic behavior, lack of intelligence, cowardice or a lack of a valid opinion, contrary to what the Obamaniacs on this board will espouse.
If Edwards were going to endorse someone, it would seem that it would be Obama whose positions are closest to his own on many issues. So, why hasn't/wouldn't he:
* Ego...he sees himself as a party "elder" (a la Gore) whose input/clout is most valuable only at the very end, say at a brokered convention
* Jealousy...Obama is the candidate he wishes he could be
* Obama is not willing to negotiate away a Cabinet position for his endorsement
Or....
Edwards doesn't lack character just for having a different opinion.
Clinton's weak on Iraq.
Obama's weak on health care, the domestic issue Edwards hyped in his campaign.
I don't accuse people who've endorsed Obama or Clinton as having some character flaw. Perhaps the people who haven't endorsed either like both equally or dislike both equally as much, are entitled to their own opinion and there's nothing wrong with him.
Edward's non-endorsement mirrors my own. Edwards is still speaking for my point of view even though he's no longer in the race. Good for Edwards! However, even if Edwards changes his mind and endorses tomorrow, I still won't see that as a sign of a character flaw.
The Clintons need to run against the Obama's as if they were running against themselves in 92' The similiarities are astonishing.
who cares about his loser ass? take care of your sick wife and two young children and live in your 20,000 square foot house. barack obama DOES NOT need his endorsement to win and when he does, maybe john edwards will get passes to attend the easter egg hunt in the rose garden, he shouldn't get ANYTHING ELSE. LOSER!!
Here is how much Mr & Mrs Obama love this country. Here are some excerpts from Barack Obama"s book; "Dreams from my Father";
"I ceased to advertise my mother"s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
"I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother"s race."
"The emotion between the races could never be pure..... The other race (white) would always remain just that: Menacing, alien and apart."
"Never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father"s image, the black man, the son of Africa, that I"d picked all the attributes I sought in myself."
In the above excerpts the irony is that 12-13 years old, Obama was fully benefitting from his "white" grand mother and other relatives. All this nonsense and calculated anger is displayed in a book that he wrote at "maturity and success." This is also to knowingly entice and incite divisiveness, polarize people, portray and be accepted as a leader. Surely the twenty years of sermons and close association left deeper impression on the very soul or may I say "fueled the fire", now the followers need to realize that before it is too late.
Can anybody say that he does not know or not there when Michelle Obama uttered famous "first time really proud of America" sermon." There are no comments or condemnation because the media has not cornered him yet.
In July 2007, talking to the reporters Barack Hussain Obama said; "I would overcome Hillary"s lead in the polls because to know me is to love me."
In January at a gathering he said that by the time he was done speaking "a light will shine down from somewhere. It will light upon you," he continued. "You will experience an epiphany. And you will say to yourself, I have to vote for Barack. I have to do it."
A few months later, he said, "Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama's been there."
His wife, Michelle said: "Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics," his wife said a few weeks ago, adding that Americans will get only one chance to elect him."
What a sense of entitlement or the "stuff" that he use to "puff on", he can"t say "I didn"t inhale it."
Same is the case with the Farrakhan"s endorsement of Obama, he didn't condemn him until got cornered.
People are by nature good and I give benefit of the doubt to the blinded by the color and charisma followers may not know that his "spiritual advisor" went to Libya with Louis Farrakhan to see Muammar Qaddafi and his church gave Farrakhan a "lifetime achievement award."
Obama's press spokesman Bill Burton said, "Sen. Obama has said repeatedly that personal attacks such as this have no place in this campaign or our politics, whether they're offered from a platform at a rally or the pulpit of a church. Sen. Obama does not think of the pastor of his church in political terms. Like a member of his family, there are things he says with which Sen. Obama deeply disagrees. But now that he is retired, that doesn't detract from Sen. Obama's affection for Rev. Wright or his appreciation for the good works he has done." (end quote)
When Obama says that America need to offer deeds, the only thing acceptable and meant for him and his that we Americans embrace Wright and Farrakhan as both are retired and elect Obama. By the way, it is only a coincidence that Barrack Hussain Obama is linked to two of the America"s most influential pastors who linked to each other in more ways than just speech.
So it is not about the "pastor's words" it is about the pattern of deception, crying wolf and keep giving, and vote him in.
As students of law, both Obama and I know the difference between the "freedom of speech" and "hateful speech." It is the arrogant followers who need to see the difference.
Thank you.
I don't get what you're getting at with this comment. It sounds like your writing out of both sides of an argument. You sound like a friend Obama doesn't need because he already has enough enemies.
You have neglected to post that these were thoughts of a young African American male who is seaarching for his identity. He has experienced people in his life who already hate him simply because of his skin color. It does tend to make sensitive, intelligent people think.
You have also neglected to post the fact that these thoughts evolved and Obama came to terms with his experiences in a way that it quite extraordinary. Instead of harboring hate and anger, he embraced those who hate him for whatever reason as well as those who support him. This has been his way and this is why he is an extraordinary man and will make a President who can represent ALL Americans - not just white ones.
Spoken like a person with no diversity among his friends.
John Edwards is an opportunist. He isn't endorsing because he doesn't want to hurt his chances of receiving a cabinet position, and for no other reason. He claims he likes HIllary because of her experience, yet he himself ran for president with arguably far less experience than Obama. Edwards has all the nice rhetoric, but when it comes to acting on his supposed principles he always fails. He is a slimeball of a politician. I used to respect the man, but his opportunism is disgusting.
So he owes you to make an endorsement
No. As a Presidential candidate, he has assumed a mantle. Part of that mantle includes an obligation to all of us. One could argue that making an endorsement is part of that responsibility, but those of us, who did not support Edwards, did so for a reason. It's because we expect this selfishness from him. Someday, many of you will see you've been had.
I certainly can't blame John for not endorsing.Neither of the Dem candidates even comes close to representing his message, despite stealing what they could Both Hilary and Obama both represent big business over the citizenship.
This is kindergarten where you take your ball and go home. In order to be President, yiou have to be bigger than that. Sorry, you don't get that. This is also why the Clintons are such a problem here.
Good sportsmanship is not longer taught but then neither is philosophy, civics or social studies in many of our schools.
Excellent point, I totally agree with you.
Thanks
I am a registered Independent, and originally leaned to either Biden, Dodd or Edwards with my first choice being John Edwards.
With these three now out of the race, personally I could care less whether John Edwards endorsed either Clinton or Obama. I am perfectly capable of making MY OWN DECISION. I really don't believe "endorsements" by previous candidates make a hell of a lot of difference to informed voters.
The only thing I know for sure, is whether Clinton or Obama gets the nomination, I will vote for either, just to do my part to try to make sure that John McInsane does not get elected.
endorsement of obama would help knock clinton out of the race, and help the democratic party win in november...
maybe WE can make our OWN decision BUT the superdelegates apparently CAN"T! This is why these endorsements matter. Most of them are political hacks out for themselves. They sway supers it's okay to jump!
Not so fast, ......We don't know what is going on behind the scenes here. Clearly he visited with both, with the intention of endorsing one or the other. If his plan all along was not to endorse, he wouldn't have put himself out there as in the process of ....endorsing.
Remember too, the candidates often ask their supporters to hold off endorsing, until they need the positive press coverage, he may be on hold , because that is how Obama or....god forbid Hillary wants it that way.
Does it ultimately matter what some millionaire party person thinks? In the end you have to look at these people and make the choice of who you think will do the best job for you and the country. Truth be told I think Edwards supporters were VERY involved and are following this race closely, I'm sure they have already made up their minds on who they now support, at least 90% I'd guess.
amazing. Edwards is going to go down in history as having stood by and watched the Clintons and msm attempt to tear down one of the greatest leaders in history. Edwards in limbo = cowardice.
You are so right. Of course, the only great leader in Edwards' mind is Edwards.
What on earth is he the leader OF? A new racism in America? Even his wife hates this country.
I'm sorry you find it so difficult to think. Maybe if you'll listen closely to what people say, you 'll understand things better.
More garbage. If she didn't love this country, she wouldn't have helped Obama campaign, she wouldn't have encouraged his candidacy. I say that things that go on in America all the time irritate the heck out of me, that doesn't make me love the country any less. Evil and ignorant deeds done by Governments in the name of corporate interests, aren't reflective of the country itself. It's more patriotic to criticize the wrong of policies in your country, when those policies damage human beings around the world, and the citizens that live here. Mindless flag waving and endless praise of guns and bombs is nothing more than brainwashed masses failing to exercise critical thinking. The Government should work for us, the people, and not for a few who would use that power to benefit themselves and their cronies.
agreed. the way forward is clear, and edwards shows no backbone.
Absolutely. He proves, once again by his actions, that he is all about one thing and one thing only - himself.
Or putting a pressure on abama to improve his policies on health care and economical reform
Look. It's getting down to the wire. If Edwards doesn't really care who wins between Hillary and Obama, then he can still be concerned about putting pressure on one or the other to change their, barely decipherable, healthcare policies to resemble Edwards'. However, if Edwards wants a Hillary win and a Democratic party that has been severly weakened and compromised, he can continue to keep his selfish mouth shut. He has never disappointed me. I continue to put no trust in him.
Who needs healthcare if Obama is elected?
We will all be healed.
I now regret that i supported this opportunist. perhaps the haircut had meaning after all.
Sorry to hear that - Still can't decide if you are an AmericaN or a Corporationist. Hedge funds still paying Off?
Stay silent and prove your true allegience.
Screw the Dem Party- Obama run as an Independent we will follow and we'll bring both thee corrupt 'Parties' to an end!
I was a strong Edwards supporter.
I am disappointed at Edwards. I donated almost $500 to his campaign because I believed in his integrity. I expected him to endorse Obama first and foremost for being against the IRAQ war like he is. Not making an endorsement by now, makes me lose respect in him and make me believe that politics is just about games, and not really to speak for the people.
The people crave for someone who stops playing games with them and stops benefiting the wealthy and powerful. I would have loved to see Edwards endorsing Obama and running as VP... now I d rather see Richardson as VP.
Why do you think the Richardson endorsement came out of left field? Edwards turned down the offer, and Richardson is the second choice. There ya have it.
At least Edwards endorsement isn't for sale.
aicon, if I remember correctly, Mr. Edwards' campaign was not an anti-war campaign. Instead, it was a campaign of populism, i.e., getting the death grip of the corporatists off of our government so that we could return to a "we" instead of "me" way of doing things. The Iraq war was a part of his campaign, because it does have an effect on how our tax dollars are being spent. Other really important points were his position on health care reform, which would've excluded PHARMA and Big Insurance from participating in that effort. Also, one of the important points of Edwards' campaign was campaign finance reform, as in publicly financed elections So, why would Sen. Obama's war position be a good reason for Edwards supporting Sen. Obama when there were other important things that they weren't in agreement on? That there were significant differences between Edwards and BOTH candidates probably accounts for why he can't make up his mind about who to support. Frankly, I don't blame him -- as a former Edwards supporter, neither can I.
No personal offense intended but I have had a very difficult time understanding how people could support a guy who ran on "not my record". Seriously.
Seriously...aren't they all running on "not my record"?
do you honestly believe Obama or Hillary are running on their records?
I think Obama could run on his record. He has the best one of the three, but this doesn't really get out. Granted, he was not in the Senate when Edwards and Clinton made their worst votes and worst speeches, but so what? Those votes should still count against them.
Politico | DAVID PAUL KUHN | March 21, 2008 10:02 PM