Edwards "genuinely torn"

[jackson_dem]

This is a good article about what Edwards must be considering right now when trying to choose who to endorse. This isn't as clear cut as the blogosphere world likes to think it is, with Hillary widely viewed as an evil caricature. On health care and trade, two big issues for him, he is closer to Hillary. On poverty and lobbyists he is closer to Obama.

-snip-

That Edwards is agonizing over the endorsement should be worrisome to Obama. Edwards, the scourge of special interests, should be easy pickings for the change candidate in the Democratic race, given all Edwards has said in criticism about Clinton over months of campaigning. But outward appearances suggest he is genuinely torn. An endorsement of Clinton would be a blow to Obama.

-snip-

That debate was most notable for the nasty Clinton-Obama wrangling. But once past the fireworks of the first 45 minutes between the two front-runners, Edwards stepped in aggressively to challenge Obama. He questioned Obama on his many "present" votes in the Illinois Senate and drew sharp differences over Edwards's health care plan, which unlike Clinton's and Edwards's does not constitute universal coverage.

-snip-

He has clear differences with Obama on health care, which they have debated for months, and which may enter into his endorsement considerations. He has asked for and gotten a commitment from both Clinton and Obama to make eradicating poverty a central part of their agenda, but will be trying to decide which of his rivals is likely to deliver as president.

Beyond that, Edwards will be judging the two candidates on their readiness to be president -- based on his assessment of their toughness, their leadership skills, their capacity to get things done in office.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/11/the_john_edwards_primary_1.html?hpid=topnews

[andym]

1. Edwards should think outside the box

Instead of endorsing either of them, he should recruit them as serving senators to sponsor bills today that help advance Edwards' platform: anti-lobbyist, anti-poverty bills etc.

He can then campaign with each of the candidates on days when they agree to talk about his ideas.

[LakeSamish706]

2. I wish the hell he would just not bother endorsing either candidate at this juncture. n/t

[cali]

4. I don't think it'll matter much whoever he endorses

an as I've never had much esteem for him, it doesn't particularly matter to me personally. I suspect he has personal issues with Obama.

[jackson_dem]

7. Obama obviously disagrees

:rofl:

[cali]

8. I'm sure Obama would like his endorsement

that doesn't change my lack of respect for someone I see as nothing but an opportunist. If he endorses Obama I'll still think he's an opportunist. I've never thought he was anything but.

[jackson_dem]

12. Your opinion has no bearing on whether this will have an impact on St. Obama

What I disputed was you claiming it would have no impact. It certainly will matter more than Oprah. :rofl:

[jsamuel]

17. "I'll still think he's an opportunist"

Why? Because he wants his issues pushed under each candidate?

[jackson_dem]

18. Because the kool aid cali drinks holds that Obama is a saint and Hillary evil

Ergo anyone who endorses Hillary must have nefarious reasons for doing so. How could anyone be against "HOPE" and "CHANGE"?

[Donnachaidh]

9. you *suspect*?

Cannot get out of smear-mode, can you? I doubt Edwards worries about anyone's *esteem*. He's always been on point on who and what he stands for. Unlike other candidates that haven't got a stand.

[Occam Bandage]

3. Translation: They both have similar offers on the table, and he doesn't know

which one is going to win.

[DFLforever]

20. You got that right!

[LisaM]

5. I don't think it's necessary for him to endorse anyone at the moment

I do think that a lot of Obama supporters think it's a slam dunk for them. The fact that Edwards is conflicted maybe does show that Hillary has good views that deserve a listen.

It's my opinion that health care and poverty in this country are inextricably linked. If we can figure out how to give everyone a shot at health care, it will go a long way at beginning to erase the gap between rich and poor.

[yardwork]

6. It's no surprise - there's not a big difference between them.

Obama is running his campaign as an agent of change because he can't run on experience. Hillary Clinton is running on her experience.

On the issues, they are very very similar. Similar platforms, similar voting patterns, similar approaches. They aren't even that far apart in age. Obama is one year younger than me. When Bill Clinton was first elected I was thrilled that finally someone from "my" generation would be president. In other words, Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and I are all the same generation. We're all baby boomers. Obama and I are at the younger end of the boom, and Obama likes to say he's a Gen Xer, which is fine.

My point is that there is not a big difference between Hillary and Obama. Choose the one you prefer. I'll vote for whomever wins the nomination in the fall. If there's still a contest in May when primaries finally come to my state, I'm planning to vote for Hillary.

[surfermaw]

21. me to on May 6 in Blue Heaven

[Thrill]

10. If he endorses Hillary he can forget winning any kind

of statewide office in NC.

[Donnachaidh]

11. do you really think he'd run for local office - after running for president?

:rofl:

[Thrill]

13. Not really considering

his chances are already slim to win anything statewide anyway.

[Straight Shooter]

14. I hope he remembers Obama mocking his depth of compassion for the poor.

Not just once, but several times. I think Obama showed a sneering contempt for Edwards by publicly mocking his statement about feeling too much compassion (paraphrasing). Not a good trait in a president. I've seen enough of sneering contempt and mockery from the right wing to last me a lifetime.

Edwards will do what he thinks is right, what his conscience will allow him to live with.

[Renew Deal]

15. That's a great article

for political junkies like us.

[OzarkDem]

16. Please John, support the candidate who will get health care reform

Not the one who talks a good game but will probably deliver little or nothing.
Function over style.
Please do it for us.

[Sir Jeffrey]

19. I am treading into a sea of anger here...

Edwards is judging the candidates based on their readiness to be president. Hmmm...

Am I the only one supporting one of the remaining two candidates that was insulted by this?

Of the three, Edwards has spent the least time in public office of the group, voted consistently on the wrong side of issue after issue (apologizing for his mistaken votes much later during his second presidential campaign...not the first), and has virtually no record as a legislator of getting any progressive legislation passed into law at either the state or federal level. Both Clinton and Obama have *much* stronger records of accomplishment in exhibiting a "capacity to get things done".