WASHINGTON - Remember John Edwards?
He ran a spirited campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, never caug
ht much fire and dropped out of the race about, oh, it feels like 10 years ago (actually it was January).
The former North Carolina senator has kept a low profile ever since and has resisted entreaties from the remaining Democrats, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, for his endorsement.
And he is still resisting, as voters cast ballots on Tuesday in his home state’s Democratic primary election, according to People Magazine, which tracked down Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth.
Edwards, who was John Kerry’s vice presidential running mate in 2004, told People he likes Clinton’s “tenacity” but sees “a lot of the old politics” in her.
He likes Obama, too, but “sometimes I want to see more substance under the rhetoric.”
Bottom line, according to People, rather than endorse one or the other, Edwards and his wife will save their political capital for causes such as fighting poverty and improving U.S. health care.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/2008candidates
Photo credit: Reuters/Lee Celano (Edwards, with wife Elizabeth on the right, announces his withdrawal from the Democratic presidential race in January.)
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With the country in such desperate shape economically, you would think the voters would recognize that a Democrat candidate, whoever it is, is needed, so that John McCain, god forbid, doesn’t become President.
From the earliest point in the campaign, John Edwards was the only candidate to broach policy–old liberal, New Deal-type legislation, including Universal Health Care. Hey, Democrats, ye of the poor and hungry, why so much fascination with Barack Obama?
- Posted by Herb FischerJohn Edwards
I cannot believe you are endorsing Barrack Obama. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore I have just been disappointed one more time. What is it going to take for someone to wake up and smell the coffee. I was pulling for you all the way and then you dropped out and now Barack Obama? I am without words or any encouragement for this country’s future. I give up on politics and the hope that somewhere a decent candidate would appear. I will not vote. Shame on you.
- Posted by LindaI loved John Edwards and I thought he would have been great as Obama’s running mate…however, he has totally made himself irrelevant by staying on the sidelines and not supporting a candidate…
I’m sure his supporters would like to know who he has more trust and faith in (Hillary or Obama?).. Who’s policies (although similar) would be more beneficial…
His campaign manager is a complete fool for not making and keeping him viable to the 2008 election. I do still hope that, when president, Obama will offer him a position in the administration! John Edwards is someone who seems to care about the working class American and not just partisan Bull S%*!… It’s too bad he won’t stand up and be accounted for….. Obama 2008!
- Posted by amandaWhy should Edwards “choose a side” as one commentator put it? Endorsements only bruise feelings of the other side. Don’t kid yourselves… both Clinton and Obama supporters will need to unify in the end. Edwards knows this and to endorse one of the other will only upset the other side. No one will care that he didn’t endorse anyone by Novemenber… but they will care when he’s out there stumping for the nominee…
Stop making an issue of it already…
For the record… Edwards didn’t catch fire because for months leading up to Iowa… it was Obama vs. Clinton in the press. The press never validated him… therefore the voters never validated him.
- Posted by Scott TatmanEdwards’ indecision has rendered him irrelevant (unless has some very effective plan up his sleeve).
If he had chosen to make an endorsement before OH, or even before PA, it would have really meant something. He also would have been much more effective in fighting for his “poverty and health care” platform by working with one of the candidates, rather than remaining aloof. Now, it just looks like he is too indecisive or cowardly to make a decision. This is a good example of why he shouldn’t be POTUS.
That said, perhaps he has a plan to do something effective, but it sure doesn’t look like it.
- Posted by JP32What amazes me is the arrogance of Edwards and Clinton. They’re egos haven gotten in the way of them being true representatives of THE PEOPLE, as in WE THE PEOPLE. Isn’t that what DEMOCRATIC is about? HRC is and always has been for HRC, not the PEOPLE of anywhere USA. I don’t know what Edwards’s problem is because I thought he was populist.
The DEMOCRATIC VOTERS of NC spoke Tuesday. Suck it in and Grow the hell up.
- Posted by A NC Democrat voterI’m a little incredulous that so many people believe they know John Edwards’ “real” reasons for not endorsing anyone, at this point.
- Posted by joJohnny Reid Edwards was, is and always will be the man who should have been the Democratic candidate in 2008. He stated over and over again “We are becoming a country of two Americas”. I see this happening more and more each day. He is a great man and would have been a great leader for America and we all know America needs a great leader. I admire his courage to not declare an endorsement of either current Democratic candidate. He is absoultely correct in his assessment of both candidates also. Obama is too light-weight and noncommital to be President. I’m afraid a lot of people will be disappointed in the ‘change candidate’ - he likes to toss the word ‘Change’ around but if elected, he’ll probably find himself extremely handicapped to bring it about. At least Mrs. Clinton knows and understands the ‘hard-ball’ rules played inside the ‘beltway’. I think that’s called experience. John and Elizabeth will be successful in whatever or whomever they choose to support.
- Posted by MooreGood for John Edwards; he spoke his mind very clearly and mirrors much of what I am hearing from other life long democrats - Hilary is too beltway and Barack is too light in substance.
- Posted by Lifelong democratBrace yourself America, I see this November going to McCain.
good for John and Elizabeth Edwards. What they say about both candidates is entirely true. I know they (and I) will support whoever gets the nominee, because either will be much better than John McCain, but it is not as if one is far superior to the other. They are different. But neither of them have the values and conviction of the no lobbyist, no PAC money accepting Edwards campaign.
- Posted by kelsiLand of the Brave—I have to disagree. I’m a huge Obama supporter, but I don’t think Edwards’ decision not to endorse (or Al Gore’s for that matter) has anything to do with closet racism. I think if that were that case he’d have endorsed Clinton.
- Posted by stanA good percentage of Edwards’ pledged delegates have already gone to Obama at the smaller state conventions, so dont put that on Johnny boy to tell them what to do bc they’re already doing it!
- Posted by BOCformer Senator Edward’s home state voted by a 200,000 plus margin for Senator Obama. The right thing to do would be to endorse Senator Obama since his peers have spoken at the polls.
- Posted by GeoWho cares at this point? He sat on the fence so long that it no longer matters what he does.
- Posted by DMR