Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.
Dawn Teo: Why John Edwards Endorsed Obama Today
huffingtonpost.com — A lot is being said right now to the effect of, "What took him so long?" Some people are criticizing John Edwards for not endorsing sooner. John Edwards said that he would not make an endorsement until the race was over -- until the nominee was determined. Then, today, after Obama received a trouncing in West Virginia, he announces his endorsement.
PeaceAndJustice- 672 diggs
- digg it
- Ridgeliner7, on 05/15/2008, -2/+53"Some have questioned this, asking why he is (seemingly) going back on his word and endorsing before the race is over. I don't think he is going back on his word at all. He is sending a message, and that message is, "The race is over."
- shadus, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5I think everyone has seen that the race is over including Hillary by now, except the media at large, but of course it getting prolonged is better for their ratings.
- Gerz1219, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Well, they did a poll in West Virginia right before the primary, asking likely voters who they thought was most likely to win the presidency (separate from their personal preference). Hillary won by a few points, followed by Obama, followed by McCain. That means the West Virginian electorate was ill-informed about the status of the race. Clearly, the media didn't do a good job of conveying the near mathematical impossibility of Hillary winning the nomination after February.
- execute85, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3The way the democratic nomination process means the race isn't over. Until enough super delegates pledge to Obama, the race isn't over. Hilary knows this. The media knows it. Obama knows it. You should know it.
Look at the 1984 primaries. Hart won the popular vote and most elected delegates. But the superdelegates gave the election to Mondale. It didn't turn out too well, but it shows that the race isn't determined by just the elected delegates.
I hope that after this election cycle, Dean will get rid of the super delegates and make it so the candidate is selected by popular vote. The republicans don't have superdelegates and that works out ok. But the democrats have proportional delegates awarded by state, that's good and they should keep it.- dagamer34, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4You don't think people were really pissed because their votes pretty much meant nothing? It's probably the reason WHY Mondale only won one state that year. It was a "KISS MY ASS" statement to the Democratic party.
- DeQuinceysDiet, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Not correct. Hart did not win more committed delegates in '84.
Mondale limped into the convention with just barely enough commited delegates to get the nomination; Hart had finished the primary season very strong but was still looking at something like a 500 delegate deficit to Mondale. Jackson had also done well for a while, and this combined with a general lack of enthusiasm for Mondale made it tricky for him to turn his solid plurality into a majority, but most indications are that he had done so even excluding the superdelegate count.
I think it's safe to say that Hart would have hardly done much better than the horrible 40% - 60% result Mondale sufferened in November. Marginally better maybe, but it's unrealistic to think he could've unseated the incumbent.
- DeQuinceysDiet, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Not correct. Hart did not win more committed delegates in '84.
- dagamer34, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4You don't think people were really pissed because their votes pretty much meant nothing? It's probably the reason WHY Mondale only won one state that year. It was a "KISS MY ASS" statement to the Democratic party.
- DreKor, on 05/15/2008, -0/+7If you don't think he was asked to wait until after the WV vote to announce his endorsement, you're not paying attention. By waiting ~18 hours, he was able to steal Hillary's news cycle and make Obama the story again. You can say all you want about grassroots and community mobilization, but Obama's people are running one hell of a national campaign.
- Lazydriver, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Very true!!!
I think Edwards was in secret contact with Obama about supporting him for a long while and decided to deliver it right when it would offset Hilary the most, and, with perfect timing!!!
Obama/Edwards 08-12 and Edwards 16!
- Lazydriver, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Very true!!!
- buddyfarr, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1which is a bunch of *****. you should vote for whom you think is the better candidate, not who is currently winning. by the way, I am glad that he voted for Obama. I will be too!
- jabberwolf, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1He's going back on his word
AND
He's sending a message that the race is over.
You really can have a person do the same thing, it is possible.
- shadus, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5I think everyone has seen that the race is over including Hillary by now, except the media at large, but of course it getting prolonged is better for their ratings.
- tcbishop12, on 05/15/2008, -2/+31Like to see former Sen. Edwards swing down to Kentucky sometime this week to do a little campaigning for Sen. Obama
- aussiejan, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5It would be nice to see but I don't think it will happen. Hillary supporters would see it as a slap in the face to her. I think they will just accept the loss in KY and move on the expected big win in OR.
- dagamer34, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I'd rather see Edwards swing by states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado, and Michigan in an attempt to gear up for the fall.
- IdigObama, on 05/15/2008, -3/+19Just John Edwards way of saying who the nominee is. It's done! The wall's are staring to crumble!
- Neiby, on 05/15/2008, -2/+9I think it's his way of saying he wants to be VP.
- saleem, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2If he wanted that he should have endorsed 2 months ago (or before WV vote)
- sircomix, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Walls. No apostrophe.
- Neiby, on 05/15/2008, -2/+9I think it's his way of saying he wants to be VP.
- life38, on 05/15/2008, -2/+8The comments over the last few weeks have been from people wanting immediate closure. What I would like to see people do is look to the end game of the General Election. The campaign between Clinton and Obama helps to identify in a clear manner the strengths and weaknesses of each state. It is also the motivating factor to get people out early to support a democrate, including independents and republicans where they could vote. It has provided the building of the General Election War chests. It has provided time for people to be educated about whom the candidates are, especially Obama. He has been in the every press venue I think every day and mutliple times a day. McCain has been barely mentioned. In Marketing the more you hear about someone/something the more that your are going to remember and ultimately reach the widest audience. So let the elections continue and let Obama continue to build. This process has only helped Obama on all levels.
- foxhaze, on 05/15/2008, -6/+5McCain hasn't been mentioned because all people can do is whine about him. When it's just him vs. Obama, we'll suddenly realize that Obama is the exact same person as Hillary Clinton, and then he isn't going to seem so "hip" anymore.
- petebot, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5Yep, everyone's voting for obama because he's hip. idiot.
- WasabiBomb, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Obama might be hip, but McCain's got to be careful he doesn't BREAK his hip.
- Gerz1219, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Well, except for the fact that Hillary Clinton has spent tens of millions of dollars convincing voters in key swing states that Obama is not ready to be president. She can't just yell "Psyche!" when it's all over and expect her entire base to forget the attack ads and vote for the guy she's spent the whole year bashing as an inexperienced liberal elitist who doesn't share their values.
I agree that the prolonged race has helped expose Obama's weakness with working class whites well ahead of the general. Good for Hillary. But she's also used that weakness to run a polarizing, racially charged negative campaign. Bad for Hillary. It will damage Obama's attempts to bring them into his coalition.
- foxhaze, on 05/15/2008, -6/+5McCain hasn't been mentioned because all people can do is whine about him. When it's just him vs. Obama, we'll suddenly realize that Obama is the exact same person as Hillary Clinton, and then he isn't going to seem so "hip" anymore.
- Macrophage, on 05/15/2008, -5/+11My opinion is still the same..its too little too late..i he looked so "Political" vs BARACKs
natual manner. I am glad he dropped out when he did, and glaad he endorced Barack..but have no doubt he had his own agenda all along and was just waiting to see who who emerge on Top.
PEACE
John From Cape Cod, Ma- oldhick, on 05/15/2008, -3/+6I couldn't agree more. Edwards represents everything that is wrong in this country. The hypocrisy of incredible wealth while trying to talk about the "working man" and middle class. The lawyer who made a career suing doctors and then complaining about sky rocketing medical costs. The cold calculating politician who will do anything and compromise his soul to try to reach the highest political office.
Obama is a welcomed changed from the typical two party politicians.- romistrub, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3"Edwards represents everything that is wrong in this country."
Well, I wouldn't say *everything*. Lordy, you guys have a ***** to clean up. :P
- romistrub, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3"Edwards represents everything that is wrong in this country."
- khail250, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3I wanted to digg you but then i just read the article about things that you think make you cool but don't. Peace? -From whocaresville???
- brokencode, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Peace out!
- oldhick, on 05/15/2008, -3/+6I couldn't agree more. Edwards represents everything that is wrong in this country. The hypocrisy of incredible wealth while trying to talk about the "working man" and middle class. The lawyer who made a career suing doctors and then complaining about sky rocketing medical costs. The cold calculating politician who will do anything and compromise his soul to try to reach the highest political office.
- collective, on 05/15/2008, -1/+8I like Obama and Edwards, but It does feel like Edwards is playing 'pick the winner'. Both candidates have been courting him for so long that it feels he is operating from weakness. If he really did believe in point-blank universal health care he should have sided with Clinton, who despite her past failiures is more devoted to the cause. Picking Obama without demanding a stronger stance on one of his major issues seems weak, like he will bend to the will of whoever is more powerful than him. I hope he continues to pursue the issues he believes in.
- EnderMB, on 05/15/2008, -7/+5That is completely full of *****.
The reason John Edwards is picking Obama is because he wants UNITY! By endorsing Obama he shows that there is still unity in a very-divded Democratic party. It is in NO way that he is doing this to say the race is over.- Mejari, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Do you not see how it is both? If the race is over then we can start unifying behind Obama, the longer Clinton stays in the more divided her supporters become from the majority of the democratic party.
- EnderMB, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1If it were for both John Edwards would not have praised Hillary Clinton. I agree that even though she may still get the nomination her still being in the race is harming both candidates chances, but if she wants to stay in and has fans that will back her she has every right to stay in, regardless of how it's destroying her chances.
I fear that Hillary Clinton is just trying to save her long-term ambitions of becoming president. By being forced out by Obama with such great support she can bounce back in four years time to clinch the presidency from President McCain, who was made president because of how the democrats destroyed their chances.
- EnderMB, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1If it were for both John Edwards would not have praised Hillary Clinton. I agree that even though she may still get the nomination her still being in the race is harming both candidates chances, but if she wants to stay in and has fans that will back her she has every right to stay in, regardless of how it's destroying her chances.
- Mejari, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Do you not see how it is both? If the race is over then we can start unifying behind Obama, the longer Clinton stays in the more divided her supporters become from the majority of the democratic party.
- reuscel, on 05/15/2008, -1/+8Remember when the mainstream media used to care about telling the truth instead of ratings?
Yeah, me neither. - whataboutdave, on 05/15/2008, -0/+7Pretty simple: everyone loves a winner and Obama's a sure thing. It was a no-risk move by Edwards.
- normalkid0615, on 05/15/2008, -14/+4hes a pussy a big fat stinking pussy
-timmy! - 2008recount, on 05/15/2008, -1/+14It was planned by the Obama camp to take away from losing West Vagina.
- Myakka, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I say it was a move to counter the Bush-man's smear campaign!
But I generally agree with you!
- Myakka, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I say it was a move to counter the Bush-man's smear campaign!
- pagalchu, on 05/15/2008, -3/+0He did this now for his personal gains. He wanted to make sure that he endorses someone who is going to white house. So that he can be offered one of those positions at the white house.
- tehjarvis, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Hillaryis44 is VERY hilarious today. More hilarious than usual even. How delusional can one group of people be? The Flat Earth Society can run circles around the Hillaryis44 people when it comes to logic.
- RecoDesign, on 05/15/2008, -1/+6He cant endorse a losing Hillary and then hope Obama picks him to be his running mate.
- a2fan, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0or to be the next Attorney General.
- mudpuddle, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5An Edwards endorsement wouldn't have helped Obama in West Virginia even if it had come 2 hours, days, or even weeks before the election. The Obama campaign shrewdly schedules its endorsements right after setbacks in order to steal Clinton's thunder.
- sircomix, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5Wonderful how this endorsement- broadcast live- largely bumped Hillary's self-congratulatory post-WV interviews from the major networks last night. Booyah!
- warlokaz2004, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Why did Edwards pick today to endorse Obama? Obama told him too....Edwards has been in Obama's pocket ever since being promised he could be Attorney General in an Obama administration. The Edwards endorsement, along with Edwards' 20+ pledged delegates, pretty much neutralizes Hillariry's 20 delegate 'win' in our nations most backward, racist state.
- brownrecluse888, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Uhhh....maybe he wants the VP slot and wanted to make sure he was choosing the correct person??
- saturnx8, on 05/15/2008, -8/+4no hes sucking up in hopes to be the VP co runner. He couldn't win the nomination, so now he drank the obama cool aide and wants to be barrak husseins obama's lackey. Can't go to heaven so you rule in hell ...
- PocchieTheMan, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Actually he stated that he didn't want to be VP on a ticket again. Second, spell Barack right. Poor grammar takes away from merit. Third, SHUT THE HELL UP until you understand what you're talking about.
- ProvocateurCrow, on 05/15/2008, -7/+2Because they are both CFR scum. Look at his voting record, Look at Hillarys not much difference. Then they tell ya this battle between BO and HC is good for McCrazy because he doesn't have an opponent. Uhhh Ron Paul
- gutz, on 05/15/2008, -6/+1To say that John Edwards' endorcement of Obama at this point in the race as a message stating "The race is over" does not follow at all. This event came right after Obama's huge loss (1 to 3) against Hillary in West Virginia. How can you discredit a candidate after a huge win?
The only other explanation is the clear bias of the author and the medium (huffington post) of the candidate they endorse. For the folks who fall for these on a daily basis, I just hope that they take the time to be more critical and analytical.- dagamer34, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Obama won yesterday's news cycle. You'll notice if you take a look at all the news networks that we're talking more about his endorsement than her big win.
- kreatre2007, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4Edwards endorsed Obama because he wants to be on the ticket. He would have done the same for Hillary if he thought she was destined to win the nomination. Edwards is an opportunist and a shyster. I guess living the life of a slip and fall lawyer just isn't enough for him.
- underburn, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2You would have done the same.
- brstilson, on 05/15/2008, -0/+10Obama received his third "trouncing" in a state populated mostly by uneducated racists and is inconsequential to the primary and the general election (yeah, yeah, I know all that "no Democrat since 1916" crap. Things change).
- blackjack75, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Just asking.. wouldn't uneducated racists rather vote republican? (not insulting republicans there, but hey racism is kinda 'conservative').
- winmywii, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You know I am from WV and I often wonder this myself. I usually hate generalizations, but I do think a lot of people here are racist and you can discredit the fact that a large number are uneducated.. To me it just makes sense that they would be conservatives. The stuff I hear these people say is the stuff that I hear straight out of the mouths of the most hardcore conservatives. I guess we're still too poor to be republicans though???
- brstilson, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1I have a very good intelligent friend from West Virginia. He's a college student and he also says there's definitely a problem in his state with ignorance. The reason West Virginia is republican is because religion has a strong presence there. Back in the 1980's, Reagan brought the religious right over to the Republicans. In essence, West Virginia's devotion to the Republicans is purely religious in nature.
- winmywii, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1"The reason West Virginia is republican is because religion has a strong presence there."
Generally WV as a state supports the Democratic candidate. What I was saying is that I am surprise that the WV vote doesn't go for Republicans. The last two years we did go republican (genius!). In the last 10 elections 7 have been for democratic nominees. http://www.270towin.com/states/West_Virginia
- winmywii, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You know I am from WV and I often wonder this myself. I usually hate generalizations, but I do think a lot of people here are racist and you can discredit the fact that a large number are uneducated.. To me it just makes sense that they would be conservatives. The stuff I hear these people say is the stuff that I hear straight out of the mouths of the most hardcore conservatives. I guess we're still too poor to be republicans though???
- blackjack75, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Just asking.. wouldn't uneducated racists rather vote republican? (not insulting republicans there, but hey racism is kinda 'conservative').
- MerryMortician, on 05/15/2008, -10/+4John Edward pisses me off.. what a hack.. a complete loser.. I can't believe people still buy into his "talking to dead relative"schtick. why would I care who he wants for president? did he freakin consult Reagan or something?
ok knock it off morons I'm kidding.- DreKor, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2white space much?
- Diderotten, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Is that a
problem?
- Diderotten, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Is that a
- DreKor, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2white space much?
- webmastir, on 05/15/2008, -8/+3SCREW THE HUFFINGTONPOST. GIVE IT UP ALREADY*(!@#$(*!@#$
- maiku00, on 05/15/2008, -7/+2John Edwards is a weasel for waiting so long.. but better late than never.
- normalkid0615, on 05/15/2008, -6/+1bury me again, EDWARDS IS A FAT SMELLY PUSSY!!! He is a coward, he doesn't care about the poor. He has more money than he can stick up his wifes fat ass.
VOTE FOR OBAMA- getbusyliving, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Bizarre comment. He just endorsed Obama, you ***** retard.
- funkyloki, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I am an Obama supporter. I want to say that first, before I make the rest of my comment. It is my belief that this had been planned. Obama knew he was going to lose in West Virginia, and because Edwards endorsed when he did (coming just on the heels of the WV primary), Obama was able to steal a lot of the luster for Clinton from her win there. Pretty smooth. I am sure a lot of the endorsements come out like this, for maximum effect. This is not a negative comment towards Obama, if anything it shows how shrewd he is (or his people, which is just as good an indicator of him, because he knows how to find good talent) at the political game. He will need to be to work with the entrenched in Washington.
- Trails123, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Edwards' endorsement, immediately after Hillary's mathematically meaningless win in West Virginia, was timed perfectly!
It serves as a reality check to Hillary's massive ego; she just can't accept that she is toast!
http://klintons.com - snotrokit, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5A well timed bitchslap.
- Hoogs, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1It's pretty cool that this was announced during his visit to my city, Grand Rapids. I wanted to go see him, but apparently the doors had closed before I got the chance.
- Mobiletek, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Math is a science, Politics is not.......Edwards joined Camp Obama, time for Hilldog to move along....
- dmark77, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Close, but not quite there.
You can do it :) - peterinjapan, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Vagina. I see what you did.
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2008 —
Content posted by