Is John Edwards poised to make an endorsement in heavily-contested race for the Democratic presidential nomination? Apparently so.
The former North Carolina senator was scheduled to meet with Sen. Barack Obama tonight but that meeting has reportedly been canceled. Sources tell ABC News "the meeting will be rescheduled in coming days", possibly because "the Obama campaign and Edwards wished that the meeting would be done in private without massive media attention."
This follows reports Edwards had a private, previously undisclosed sit down with Sen. Hillary Clinton on Thursday in North Carolina, "which took place at Edwards' home in Chapel Hill, was followed by a Saturday night session during which the former North Carolina senator and several longtime advisers discussed many issues, including which candidate he should endorse."
It probably isn't too late for the Edwards endorsement. The upcoming primaries in Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania should be fertile ground for the Clinton or Obama camps to pick up blue collar former Edwards supporters who may be moved by the endorsement. Obama could especially benefit, because h has had some difficulty attracting these demos. Greg Sargent at TPM Election Central spoke to an Edwards aide who offered more details:
"On Obama, the aide says, Edwards worries 'whether he's tough enough to be President of the United States. If you look at what Edwards ran on, which is not negotiating with the special interests, taking away their power, that's pretty different than the Obama model.'
"The Edwards aide added that Obama's lack of a health care plan with a 'mandate' is a "tough hurdle for him to get over." He added, however, that Edwards is much more in line with Obama on other issues."
In other words it could go either way, but, the delay doesn't bode well for Obama.
On the other hand: Last week, some 22 members of Edwards' former 59-member LGBT steering committee—including Eric Stern of National Stonewall Democrats and political strategist David Mixner—went to Camp Obama after Edwards dropped out of the race.
Plug Pulled on Obama [ABC News]
John Having Private Endorsement Discussions [TPM]
Edwards Meeting with Clinton, Obama [CNN]
Obama Picks Up Edwards LGBT Supporters [Advocate]
More JOHN EDWARDS
More HILLARY CLINTON
More BARACK OBAMA
More POLITICS
Some Background:
Edwards to Quit Presidential Race [R20]
Super Tuesday Analysis [R20]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama: Your Republican Talking Points Are Calling! [Huff Po]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Democratic Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
Edwards Unveils $50 Billion Plan to Fight HIV/AIDS [R20]
Edwards: Universal Coverage [R20]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Elizabeth Edwards on Gays and Ann Coulter [R20]
Edwards Campaign Launches 12-City Poverty Tour [R20]
John Edwards "Unaware of Wife's Position [R20]
Elizabeth Edwards: "Comfortable with Gay Marriage" [R20]
News: New Mexico, Mary J Blige, Edwards [R20]
True, the cancellation doesn't bode well for Obama, but the weekend momentum is with him--Maine put him in the lead, and that is INCLUDING the Superdelegates...
Posted by: Andy Niable | 11 February 2008 at 14:08
John Edwards should endorse Hillary, not just because Hillary and their ideas and their programs are pretty close, but also because his endorsement to Hillary will be great to his future political career. And I guess he will endore Hillary eventually because John Edwards is pretty smart, intelligent and responsible.
Posted by: Tracy | 12 February 2008 at 14:58
senetor john edwards i pray you endorse hillary clinton because i believe you and hillary clinton have heart and a passion for the people of america. i would love to see your name next to hillary's on the same ticket.
Posted by: maria mireles | 28 February 2008 at 13:08
John Edwards i hope/pray for our sake you endorse Obama, you two are sooo much alike, my two year old deserves a REAL chance. I dont know what to say to you to get your attention so i just pray. Mr Edwards who are the real Clintons and who are they paying/punking? Why doesn't anyone never speak on the extensive past of Hillary Clinton, all the scandals/coverups, all the dirt they've done and the bad company she has and has HAD (berger) just to mention. I am/was a Hillary supporter until an hour ago. I just watched The Hillary Movie, sooo much i never knew that no one has ever reported. Y?
Posted by: Tony | 01 May 2008 at 00:45