Edwards Weighs Clinton Endorsement

[robcon]

"As he weighs a possible endorsement in the Democratic race, former Sen. John Edwards is as split as the party he once hoped to lead — and is seriously considering supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, despite the sharp criticism he leveled at her on the campaign trail, according to former aides and advisers.

In deciding between his one-time rivals, Edwards appears deeply divided. Several former advisers likened his thought process to a heart-versus-head split — with his heart favoring Sen. Barack Obama's strong message of change, and his head attracted to Clinton's tested nature and commitment to tough fights.

Though he sometimes aligned himself with Obama — and against Clinton — as a candidate, several Edwards campaign insiders say the former senator began to sour on Obama toward the end of his own campaign, and ultimately left the race questioning whether Obama had the toughness needed to prevail in a presidential race.

"He is much more torn than people realize," said one former aide who has stayed in contact with Edwards. "Honestly, he has serious reservations about both of them."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4281404&page=1

I'm not sure the endorsement by Edwards matters much, except as fodder for GD-P.

[PresidentObama]

1. Already been posted.

[jasmine621]

21. He sees and understands the "Hillay hate" that has infected our

politics. He would endorse Hillary otherwise but is probably afraid of the blow back. I think he still wants to be VP or President one day.

[Windy]

2. the longer he waits, the more he looks like an opportunist. nt

[robcon]

3. He would be an opportunist if he endorsed a "sure thing."

If he endorses Clinton while she is slipping in the polls and primaries, no one should call him an opportunist, IMO.

[Renew Deal]

6. You're right

Then he'd be a phony.

[robcon]

12. Why a phony? He would be endorsing out of genuine belief.

If he endorsed to join an Obama bandwagon, then he's be a phony, IMO. If he endorsed a candidate who wasn't leading, that would be more likely to be genuine.

It seems you have a kneejerk reaction, Bleachers7, that any endorsement of Clinton is a bad thing on Edwards' part. I think you are the phony in this instance.

[Renew Deal]

17. According to Edwards, Hillary is a "corporate democrat"

So if he endorses the corporate democrat, he's a phony (like we all know he is anyway).

[PresidentObama]

18. He also said Obama would be too soft with the corporations and lobbyists.

If he does endorse Obama, are you still going to call him a phony?

[Renew Deal]

19. This should answer your question

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/02/7191_the_john_edward.html

[robcon]

20. Huh? Again, why would that be phony?

If he thought Clinton was a 'corporate democrat' but thought she was the best candidate - what's your problem?

[paulk]

13. oh, I'm sure if he endorses HRC

the Obama faithful would find something to pillory him with...

This thread already has some examples of what to expect.

[WRPendleton]

8. agreed, it's probably too late

I've always felt that endorsements were over-rated (regardless of who is giving them and who is receiving), but in any case I think the impact of an Edwards endorsement (which is the whole point) would be minimal and might be construed as just trying to stay in the limelight. I think most Edwards supporters have made a decision on who their next choice was. If Edwards had made an announcement the day of or after he left the race maybe things would be different.

[BobRossi]

4. I'm shocked!

Not. It takes one to know one.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. he missed his chance

if he would have endorsed right after he dropped out, before Super Tuesday, it would have meant something.

All his support went to Obama, basically. They ain't jumping off the wagon now just because Edwards says to.

Once again, Edwards proves he's politically tone deaf.

[samrock]

10. I am a Hillary supporter

and I totally agree.. an endorsement now is next to worthless.. IF he had made it right after Super Tuesday it MIGHT have ment something ... thanks for nothting John..

[stillrockin]

7. Hmmm, I wonder if it has anything to do w/ Kerry's

endorsement of Obama.

I was an Edwards supporter, but by now his endorsement of either one is irrelevant to me. At this point, it looks calculated. I'm disappointed, of course, but whatcha gonna do? Politicians will be politicians. . .

[Why Syzygy]

15. I heard Kerry endorsed Hillary.

Was that incorrect?

[PresidentObama]

16. Kerry endorsed Obama before SC n/t

[mdmc]

9. the status quo that IA rejected must not seem to bad anymore

:)

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

11. I doubt he'll endorse now...

But will throw his support behind the nominee. As will Richardson, who is the other sought-after endorsement nod.

[karynnj]

14. In fairness to Edwards, consider that this is all anonymous sources

It helps neither Clinton or Obama. Reading it and suspending skepticism, the only one who an unbiased reader (not me) would come away thinking differently about is Edwards. In this he appears to be considering only the stale points the media uses to differentiate (and trivialize) the two campaigns. None of the points made in debates are included. This makes him sound shallow, indecisive and motivated by politics. I have never been a fan of Edwards, and this characterization seems unfair to me.

This article does him no favors. Let's wait to see what if anything he does.