At last, John Edwards has everybody's attention
By Tom Baxter
Southern Political Report
February 18, 2008 — John Edwards spent a large part of this presidential campaign standing on his toes with his hand raised, trying to get the attention of debate moderators who were more interested in Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Now everybody’s hanging on his every word, and the former candidate hasn’t had much to say. First Hillary Clinton and now Barack Obama have beaten a path privately to Edwards’ door in Chapel Hill to ask for his endorsement. Clinton’s secret mission wasn’t revealed for days, but Obama’s visit Sunday was filmed by the news chopper from a local television station. Edwards and his wife Elizabeth are said to be torn, questioning Obama’s lack of experience and Clinton’s ties to special interests. It has been suggested from the body language of the debates that Edwards’ heart is with Obama. What we know for sure is that some of the former North Carolina senator’s key contributors are breaking that way now that he’s out of the race. It’s also been suggested on the blogosphere that Edwards might be swayed by today’s outcome in Wisconsin, where he gave John Kerry a late scare in 2004 with a close second-place finish. The logic of that somewhat evades us, but we should know soon if there’s anything to it. An Edwards endorsement would help either Obama or Clinton with this year’s key constituency, white working class men. Both Clinton and Obama have expropriated enough of his populist message since he left the race to make the Clinton campaign’s accusation of plagiarism in an Obama speech seem mild by comparison. It may not have been this year’s winning message, but it still has power, especially in a race which seems to be coming down to the last Democrat. Edwards’ endorsement would be especially helpful in the big union states of Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the crucial contests of March and April. And as a candidate for the “which state will settle it” sweepstakes, consider this. North Carolina, with 110 delegates, and Indiana, with 79, vote on May 6. Six other states have Democratic contests, stretching into June, but North Carolina is the last state with 100-plus delegates on the calendar. Obviously, an Edwards endorsement would be invaluable if it came down to the Tar Heel State. Talking with reporters Monday, Obama said he doubted Edwards would endorse either of his former rivals. And why should he be in any hurry? For a candidate who struggled to be heard, the anticipation every time he clears his throat must be nice. |
