John and Elizabeth Edwards Officially Will Not Endorse, Want to Support Causes Instead of Candidates

[jsamuel]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/its_official_john_and_elizabet.php

It's Official: John And Elizabeth Edwards Will Not Endorse In Prez Race
By Greg Sargent

John and Elizabeth Edwards have finally made their endorsement plans -- or lack of them -- official. On the eve of potentially decisive voting in Indiana and North Carolina, with political tensions at white-hot levels, John and Elizabeth revealed all in an interview with People magazine, of all outlets. The news in the interview is that they confirmed they will not endorse either candidate in the presidential race, because they are "saving their political capital for their own causes -- his, fighting poverty; hers, fighting for universal health care," reports, um, People mag. John also shared his thoughts on the pros and cons of Hillary and Obama...

On Clinton: "I like something different about Hillary. I think her tenacity shows a real strength that's inside her." What doesn't he like about Clinton? "Um, still a lot of the old politics," John Edwards said.
As for Obama, he says: "Sometimes I want to see more substance under the rhetoric."
But he cited two things he likes about the charismatic young senator from Illinois: "One is, I think he really does want to bring about serious change and a different way of doing things. And secondly, I think it's a great symbolic thing to have an African-American who could be president."
At that, Mrs. Edwards rolled her eyes and, gripping the arms of her kitchen chair with some exaggeration, seemed about to lunge from her seat. "What about the great symbolic thing about a woman ..."
"It's important. It's important," her husband said. "I know it."

Anyone else miss their presence on the political stage right about now?

[lisa58]

1. good for them...

...what a graceful couple

[Triana]

2. GOOD. They shouldn't endorse anyone, IMO. EDIT: Yea, I miss the Edwards's

I think though, they will both be able to make much more progress on those issues outside Washington - like Gore did.

[Texas Hill Country]

3. so they like Clintons policies (Health Care) but like Obama's speeches... that sum it up?

[saracat]

5. Nope. John says there is no "substance under the rhetoric of Obama"

and Hillary has 'strength". That sums it up!

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Texas Hill Country]

LOL, its been 18 months!!! if there was more, dont you think it would have come out by now?

[saracat]

13. He's like to see "more" Okay. I'd like to see "any" . Opps sorry .Too late.

I could care less what O says.

[Texas Hill Country]

9. Oh, ok... Clinton = strong, Obama = paper tiger

got it. thanks!

[blm]

53. Can you prove it with the fights Hillary took on to oppose Bush and Rove the last 8yrs?

.

[Texas Hill Country]

82. i can cite quite a few examples... lets say, umm, Cheney's Energy Bill?

[blm]

83. Show me where she led that fight at all. When lawmakers take up a battle they usually

stick their necks out and get on the news shows to work to convince the American people of their position.

They work to convince those in the other party and those in their own party. What did Hillary do? Can you show us HOW she led the opposition to Bush and Cheney on that issue?

[Alexander]

10. Wrong. They decided not to endorse anyone. That sums it up.

[newmajority]

15. But John also says....

...that Hillary is still about "a lot of the old politics,"

While saying this about Obama: "I think he really does want to bring about serious change and a different way of doing things."

So Edwards realizes the future is with Obama.

And I still say, he'll be one Hell of an Attorney General.

[saracat]

37. He does not state the "future is with Obama " in any way. You are just

putting words in his mouth. Anyone can genuinely "want to bring about serious change and a different way of doing things" but that doesn't mean they have the strength or ability to do it.And John has never indicated he thought Obama can.He isn't endorsing anyone.Get over it.

[spooky3]

23. come on, youse guys

They didn't make extreme statements about either candidate and were positive about both, as good fellow Democrats should do.

I miss both John and Elizabeth and wish them well.

[redqueen]

73. deleted

nevermind.

believe what you want.

[karynnj]

70. wanting to see MORE is not equal to NO

I wanted to see more substance in 2004 and 2008 from Edwards.

[OzarkDem]

72. So why support good speeches

when the candidate has no substance.

John sums it up pretty well, but I think he just can't bring himself to support a woman for president.

[redqueen]

6. No.

Elizabeth was very careful to say they preferred Hillary's Health Care Plan when some journalist tried to pin her down as a Clinton supporter. That's ONE policy.

Edwards has very clearly and repeatedly pointed out that Clinton is the status quo candidate.

[OzarkDem]

71. Pretty much so

[AspenRose]

4. Good for them.

eom

[cstanleytech]

7. I still wish he had been able to win :( NT

[slick8790]

11. I miss the Edwards'. n/t

[cali]

self delete

dupe

[cali]

12. whatever. Edwards has been talking for years now and accomplished

virtually nothing. Maybe he really will focus on poverty issues. Aside from nominally being the director of UNC Center on Poverty back a few years ago, what has he done?

[saracat]

18. What has Obama done? Ever? Ecept take credit for other legislators work according to his fellow

legislators in Illinois? At least John and Elizabeth have done things like the Poverty law Center and the Wade Edwards Learning Center. Obama has never done anything for anyone but himself. he didn't even do anything for his state Senate District 11!

[cali]

27. let's see: Instead of heading off to a white glove firm to make

a lot of dough after graduating Magna Cum Laude and being the first AA to edit the Law Review, he returned to Chicago to practice civil rights law. Oh, and prior to that he spent 4 years working as a Community Organizer with the poor and disenfranchised. That's way more than JE ever did. Way more.

[saracat]

30. Really?Don't think so. John did a lot more fighting against corporations than Barry did and

he also put himself through school on a scholarship. And he also worked a lot with the Unions and has sponsored many scholarships for kids who otherwise wouldn't be able to go to school. I'd say he has done a lot more than Barry and Michelle.And BTW, this "community organizer stuff" is really overplayed. Hillary did that stint too and it is really no big. BTW, notice Obam gives almost butkus to charity? Hmmm?

[cali]

35. Yeah. And got very, very rich doing it. PROVE he did it primarily

to fight corporations. He was as DLC as they come during his entire Senate career and not corporate unfriendly as demonstrated by his bankruptcy vote and Yucca Mountain vote and war vote. YOU claimed Obama hasn't done anything. Sorry, 8 years working for civil rights and working on poverty issues is not nothing. And Hillary spent 1 year working for CDF. She was never a community organizer. And just because you claim there's nothing to his having done this work doesn't make it true. In fact, that's laughable.

Obama gives a lot to charity through his church which has amazing outreach programs, and last year he gave 10% of his income. And you obviously know absolutely nothing about Michelle Obama.

[saracat]

48. I didn't say he did it primarily to fight corporations . Hre did it to represent those others would

nt.John took cases no one else wanted. he took cases that no one else could win. As for getting rich, so what? barack isn't "poor". either,he isn't as rich as john , granted but he isn't as good a lawyer either.
As for Michelle? Please. her salary doubled, or was it tripled after Barack got the armrks for the hospital she represented.

[cali]

49. lol. how do you know he isn't as good a lawyer? They practiced

entirely different kinds of law. Obama obviously knows far more about constitutional law than Edwards and Edwards knows more about trial law. Obama knows more about election law. . I'm sure they're both very good lawyers. It just sounds childish to insist that JE is better. Let me repeat: Obama could have entered any law firm he wanted. He had the offers. He chose not to go for the big bucks and to actually work for disenfranchised and poor people.

[saracat]

51. BS. I don't think so but whatever you say.Obama probably doesn't know any more about

constitutional law than Edwards. he just uses that as ;"filler" to pad a weak resume. You never see Hillary even "mentioning" her stint as a contitutional law professor.My Dad tught constutional law. It is a basic most lawyers know. No big except in Obamaworld. I say JE and Hillary are both better lawyers because their peers judged them as such Edwards was listed as among the top 100 lawyers in the nation and Hillary was listed as among the top 300. Obama wasn't listed ever in either group. Just saying.
And Obama could have entered any law firm he wanted? I wouldn't be too sure about that. For instance Hillary was at the top of her class at Yale law School qand the Rose Law firm didn't want to hire her because they had never hired a woman. i am sure similae instances happened to Obama regarding race.
It may also be said that he didn't have to work at the big bucks firms as like Bill Clinton, he had his wife supporting him.Wasn't Michelle his boss when he was an intern? She certainly has never shunned the corporate world.

[cali]

58. Oh for pity's sake: He taught it for 10 years at a very prestigious law school.

He was offered a tenured position. Someone teaching Constitutional Law at a top law school for 10 years certainly knows more than someone who never taught or practiced in any field related to Constitutional Law. And sorry, ConLaw isn't something every lawyer knows- beyond the basics. That's an absurd claim. And that Obama was offered positions at top firms is a matter of record. Hillary graduated in the early 70's. Things were different by the late eighties, early nineties. By that time, top minority students were among the most sought after. And now goodnight. I find this all a bit silly. As I said, they're both very good lawyers. You just can't stand hearing one good thing about Obama. You've become sort of irrational about him. You've already declared how much you hate him repeatedly and said you won't vote for him, and I really haven't any use for that kind of stuff.

[saracat]

60. There is no reason to suppose they are "both" really good lawyers. And I didn't say he was a "bad"

lawyers. Them that can't "teach' LOL! Just not listeed as one of the "best" Night!

[spooky3]

65. not true

He was never offered a tenured position. He was offered a tenure-TRACK position. Huge difference. Tenure track provides NO job security but gives you the CHANCE to earn tenure, primarily through publication in elite refereed journals. He never tried doing that, but most faculty who try to get tenure at top schools fail.

[Stop Cornyn]

86. You'll only confuse some folks with the facts.

[stillcool]

44. "This community organizing stuff"

that "Barry" did..why do you have a problem calling him by his given name? What's that all about?
in this community....

Vote of Confidence

Chicago Magazine / January 1993 / Vote of Confidence

In the final, climactic buildup to November's general election, with George Bush gaining ground on Bill Clinton in Illinois and the once-unstoppable campaign of senatorial candidate Carol Moseley Braun embroiled in allegations about her mother's Medicare liability, one of the most important local stories managed to go virtually unreported: The number of new voter registrations before the election hit an all-time high.
--------------------------------------------
None of this, of course, was accidental. The most effective minority voter registration drive in memory was the result of careful handiwork by Project Vote!, the local chapter of a not-for-profit national organization. "It was the most efficient campaign I have seen in my 20 years in politics," says Sam Burrell, alderman of the West Side's 29th Ward and a veteran of many registration drives.
----------------------------------------------

The name Barack Obama surfaced. "I was asking around among community activists in Chicago and around the country, and they kept mentioning him," Newman says. Obama by then was working with church and community leaders on the West Side, and he was writing a book that the publisher Simon & Schuster had contracted for while he was editor of the law review. He was 30 years old.

When Newman called, Obama agreed to put his other work aside. "I'm still not quite sure why," Newman says. ''This was not glamorous, high-paying work. But I am certainly grateful. He did one hell of a job."

Within a few months, Obama, a tall, affable workaholic, had recruited staff and volunteers from black churches, community groups, and politicians. He helped train 700 deputy registrars, out of a total of 11,000 citywide.
****
As for Project Vote! itself, its operations in Chicago have officially closed down. Barack Obama has returned to work on his book, which he plans to complete this month. He also is teaching a class at the University of Chicago law school, and is an attorney at Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland. But he continues to consult with the church, community, and political groups involved in the monumental registration drive. "We won't let the momentum die," he says. "I'll take personal responsibility for that. We plan to hold politicians' feet to the flames in 1993, to remind them that we can produce a bloc of voters large enough that it cannot be ignored."
****
Obama shrugs off the possibility of running for office. "Who knows?" he says. "But probably not immediately." He smiles. "Was that a sufficiently politic 'maybe'? My sincere answer is, I'll run if I feel I can accomplish more that way than agitating from the outside. I don't know if that's true right now. Let's wait and see what happens in 1993. If the politicians in place now at city and state levels respond to African-American voters' needs, we'll gladly work with and support them. If they don't, we'll work to replace them. That's the message I want Project Vote! to have sent."

This article appears in the January 1993 issue of Chicago Magazine.

[dionysus]

84. let it fucking go, johhny couldn't campaign his way out of a wet paper sack... stop being bitter...

[Stop Cornyn]

25. That's the sort of attutude that makes me ashamed to be an Obama supporter at DU, where the best

candidates often have the worst supporters.

[cali]

28. Sorry

I have never thought highly of JE, and I don't excuse him for co-sponsoring an IWR resolution with Lieberman or voting for the war, or enthusiastically supporting it. Or not disavowing or apologizing for it for three years. Or attacking Dean over Dean's not supporting it. don't excuse his vote for Yucca Mt. either. Or his bankruptcy bill vote.

It's the hypocrisy about JE that troubles me so.

[saracat]

33. There is much hypocrisy in Obama as well. I don't excuse his support of conservative judges or

his support of the corporations against s the individuals rights to sue.There is a lot of hypocrisy to go around. At least John didn't contribute to a racist preacher and has always stood for civil rights for ALL folks regardless of color!

[cali]

36. I wasn't referring to hypocrisy on Obama's part.

And supporting Yucca is NOT supporting civil rights. Supporting an obscene war is NOT supporting civil rights. Investing in a rapacious Hedge Fund isn't so commendable either.

[saracat]

43. Nor is supporting a rtapacious preacher who judges people on the basis of skin color

And Michelle makes quite a bit of money from the medical corporations they allegedly want to reform". And earmarking federal funds to your wifes employer and tripling her salary thereby isn't exactly comendable either. And BTW, Edwards changed his vote on Yucca but he was protecting his own state which was his job. Nevada wasn't his state.

[Stop Cornyn]

85. Obama clearly has the worse record on civil justice issues and his health care plan sucks. Otherwise

he's either indistinguishable from Hillary or has positions slightly better from my perspective.

Ultimately, I have to support Obama because Hillary is down-ballot poison here in Texas, but he offers very little distinction from Hillary by most ideological measures.

[Stop Cornyn]

78. Those are all productive comments. If Obama loses, your comments will soften the blow.

[high density]

14. OK, Goodbye Edwards

You can let go of the PR firm now.

[godai]

16. They will vote tomorrow, correct?

Shouldn't they indicate for whom they voted? If not, why not?

[saracat]

19. Why? What business is it of yours or anyones? Aren't votes still secret?

[godai]

21. I just don't understand how they can vote for someone but not say who they support.

It comes off to me as a political move, keeping his options open. Can you explain it some other way? I'd be more impressed if they stated their choice.

[jsamuel]

22. Easy, I voted for Clinton after Edwards dropped out, but I in no way ENDORSE her.

I really don't like her for the same reasons Edwards mentions above, but I choose her over Obama. Voting for someone and endorsing them are two very different things.

[saracat]

24. Absolutely correct. And it may be they don't really endorse either.

[godai]

26. So, that's the distinction...OK

Edwards' endorsement in NC would likely help but, it's clear that that's not going to happen. I guess they don't see a clear choice. For most Democrats, the choice is clear, one way or the other.

[jsamuel]

29. Well, for this Democrat, the choice was clear. Edwards.

[Iceburg]

17. A good decision. They can help unify the party after the race.

[Yael]

20. Good for them! And yeah -- I miss them a lot

:(

[scarletwoman]

31. I salute them for this. I wish so-called "progressives" would take this to heart:

"Support Causes Instead of Candidates"

Electoral politics is the disease that has destroyed the Left. If you are REALLY serious about changing the direction of this country, then STOP putting all your energy into the 2008 presidential election and START thinking about how to build up progressive organizations and institutions OUTSIDE of electoral politics.

Would you PLEASE face the fact that the PTB (Powers That Be) are ONLY going to limit your ability to effect change in this country. When you play their game -- the quadrennial presidential election charade -- you are acquiescing to your own disempowerment.

Build an alternative, parallel movement -- build our OWN organizations that are an alternative to being held hostage by the status quo political system.

Sure, go vote -- but for the sake of all the living beings still left in the world, STOP thinking that it's anything other than a largely irrelevant exercise.

As Paul Wellstone constantly pled: ORGANIZE!

sw

[madrchsod]

39. joe hill--do`t mourn-organize!

[scarletwoman]

47. I wish. I'm so sick of electoral politics distracting everyone from getting together in an actual

MOVEMENT.

We've been bred and raised as followers -- we gotta wake up and start BEING leaders!

sw

[Two Americas]

67. inevitable

There are many hidden ways that the libertarian propaganda efforts have profoundly influenced the thinking of liberals, and one of the most destructive forms that has taken can be seen in the rise of the politics of "personal choice." This leads to an obsession with electoral politics, as a personal expression of "values" and "belief systems," and rather than discussing politics we spend all of our time arguing about whose personal choice - all a matter of personal preferences, prejudices and style - is "better." This has also led to extreme forms of hero worship and cults of personality, as we have all seen recently.

Voting is an effect of the political process, not a cause. It is the final step, not the ultimate and only step. The outcome of political elections reflects the political process, it should not replace the political process. This nonsense about "choices" prevents us from examining who decides what our choices are. The less difference between two choices - as with the two candidates currently vying for the party nomination - the more frantic and zealous the partisanship.

People have been trained to avoid thinking in terms of building an alternative, parallel movement, and the only organizing that happens is either in the cause of voting, or for isolated "causes" which are all driven by the "personal choice" assumptions and premises. Any talk of true political organization is met with completely illogical notions - "we can't do anything until we get into office" and then "we can't do anything until we have a majority in Congress" (then recently changed to "a bigger majority") - or jeers - "why don't ya just write in Karl Marx!" or "third parties never work!"

"But the resolute enemy within our gates is ever ready to beat down our words unless in greater courage we will fight for them."

[Beacool]

32. Thank you Elizabeth!!!!

It's always the same mantra about how symbolic it would be to have an AA as president as if it weren't equally symbolic to have a woman president.

[Raine]

34. Good!

:thumbsup:

[madrchsod]

38. i knew they were not going to endorse anyone

i have always thought john and elizabeth are two of the good people in politics...he was my guy in 2004 and third choice this year..

[ShaneGR]

40. Sounds to me like their vote is split....

I think he likes Obama, she likes Hillary.

[IndependentDem]

61. thats what i have thought all along. n/t

[cornermouse]

41. Good.

And yes, I miss them.

[Clark2008]

42. Eh... he's afraid he'll pick the wrong horse and it will ruin

whatever's left of the political career he keeps hoping he'll have.

[jsamuel]

45. Let's face it Clark2008. It doesn't matter what he did, you would dislike him for it.

If he doesn't endorse, he is worrying about #1.
If he endorses Obama, he is worrying about #1.
IF he endorses Clinton, he is a phony.

[tabasco]

46. Gutless. Just like the IWR vote.

That vote ended the presidential aspirations of Kerry, Clinton and Edwards.

Hillary still maintains her delusion.

[Zachstar]

50. Well it is their decision but I am saddened to hear that they will not help to end this madness.

I wish them luck in their upcoming endeavors to improve the quality of America!

[Pisces]

52. Nothing worse than a fence rider

[Apollo11]

77. It's obvious. John likes Barack. Elizabeth likes Hillary.

So I can understand why they have decided not to formally endorse either one.

It would be potentially embarrasing all round to have John Edwards make a big public statement endorsing Obama, and then a reporter would ask Elizabeth if she agrees, and then she says "well in fact I voted for Hillary".

Better to wait for the outcome and then both get behind the Democratic ticket.

[Lilith Velkor]

54. Good for them

It sounds like maybe they'd cancel out each other's votes anyway, like me and whatshisname (my honey bunny) did.

[annie1]

55. lol. obama = no substance but he wants change and is a good symbol. wow...

i'll take "old politics" over that.

[waiting for hope]

56. Good for them - and I knew they wouldn't -

John has said repeatedly he will support whomever the nominee is. And for those here responding on this thread in a negative fashion toward John and Elizabeth Edwards - just remember who came out first with all the major policy positions and who followed. If it really doesn't mean anything, why bother to respond at all? But please, if it makes you feel safer to keep the blinders on, so be it.

[dogday]

57. I wish them well with their future endeavors and

admire the hell out of them... John Edwards still would of made a great President... It just wasn't meant to be....

[TheDonkey]

59. That's lame.

[adoraz]

62. why didn't they just say this in Jan?

instead of making Obama and Clinton fight crazily over his endorsement?

[mcctatas]

63. We need a smiley jumping a shark...

It's really funny (and sad) to see people trying to claim that thier decision not to endorse is somehow an endorsement for the candidate they want to win. It makes that quote attributed to Einstein "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." seem like an understatement! :crazy:

[datopbanana]

64. I heard liz edwards was going to campaign for HRC after PA

[spooky3]

66. Howard Fineman is the one who thought she MIGHT do so - only his opinion.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

68. How weak ! Really stupid too. He actually could have been a player.

[highplainsdem]

69. Good for them.

And yes, I miss them.

[npincus]

74. I think it's BS

from snippets I've read: he leans Obama, she leans Clinton. I think he wants a role in the next admin (Cabinet position, perhaps) so is hedging his bets. Makes sense to me, and he'd be an asset to have.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

75. Now I can sleep at night.

:eyes:

[Apollo11]

76. So now we know why John Edwards has not endorsed Barack Obama.

Because he is afraid of Elizabeth's reaction! ;-)

[liskddksil]

79. Maybe the candidates should have listened

When right after he dropped out, John told them on the phone to focus on important issues, such as ending poverty. Unfortuanately without John in the race, this has turned into a complete circus.

[Dyllyn]

80. "substance under the rhetoric" (Jeez) POT CALLING KETTLE Come in Kettle

Won't endorse either . Talk about looking out for yourself John Boy. Don't be expecting any rewards mate after November. I'm glad I didn't vote for this weazel

[Dyllyn]

81. "substance under the rhetoric" (Jeez) POT CALLING KETTLE Come in Kettle

Won't endorse either . Talk about looking out for yourself John Boy. Don't be expecting any rewards mate after November. I'm glad I didn't vote for this weazel

[Greylyn58]

87. Good for them...glad they didn't n/t