Yesterday, son-of-a-mill-worker John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama, ending months of silence and rebuffing former rival Hillary Clinton.
The announcement was made in Michigan, a state that acutely experiences America's economic slowdown, and has felt scorn by the Democratic Party this primary season. Perhaps the announcement had more than geographical strategic significance — could this be the first dual appearance made by the reincarnation of the "dream ticket?" Will John Edwards take a second crack at becoming the nation's number two leader?
John Edwards, whose own campaign appealed directly to white, blue-collar voters, received seven percent of the vote in West Virginia, where Obama struggled to keep his momentum. Not, bad for a man not even running. Obama has trouble with the group that embraces Edwards.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is talking Democratic unity. On CNN yesterday, she said that it would be a "terrible mistake" for her supporters to vote for John McCain over Barack Obama. But, does Obama need her on the ticket in order to get her supporters to vote at all?
The New York Times reported that although Edwards denied holding out for an administration position before he endorsed, he told them privately that he would consider the role of vice president, and favored the position of attorney general.
While John Edwards didn't even make Huffington Post's Obama VP frontrunner list, this ticket does seem plausible.
Will Obama tap Edwards?
Tamaris
My-Wardrobe.com
RED Valentino
I was wondering this SAME THING when this came out yesterday...
I dunno, I don't have a huge problem with Edwards he seems like a nice Democrat, and he is able to corner those white blue collar workers that Hillary gets... so maybe its a good idea?
Jill - what do you think? who would you like to see as Obama's VP?
1Edwards would be an excellent choice. They'd be eminently electable.
2I was talking to my BF about this and he immediately came back with "too liberal". Not sure if that's true but perhaps that is the impression.
They're too pretty together. We need a little ug factor.
3I don't know. At first I thought his endorsement might be the beginning of an Obama/Edwards ticket, but they more I think about it, I don't think Edwards would be the best choice. A lot of Obama's critics have stated his lack of experience at the national level or at the state level in an executive role; Edwards shares the same inexperience. The national experience Edwards does have is as a Senator; I don't see Obama picking another Senator, former or current. Also, I think critics would be able to use the "elitist" critique against Edwards just as they have against Obama. I see a lot of people having a problem with Edwards running with his wife being so ill, as well. It seems good on the surface, but I think we're much more likely to see him become attorney general if Obama gets elected. (or something along those lines)
4If they're on the same ticket they'd have to change the name of the democratic party to Team Sexy.
5I think John Edwards would be nice...but I kind of prefer Biden. He is fiesty! I do think that whoever Obama's VP will be will have "blue collar cred", but I don't know if it has to be Edwards. I like Edwards, but he might achieve his goals better by being in a different cabinet position. There are a lot of people that could be a good fit.
6he did not do anything to help nc when he was in office. i live in nc and i would never vote for him and i love obama. so please don't do it obama
7I'm still feeling Wesley Clark. He has the silver hair . . . and four stars .
8Liberty, you're such a cluster queen.
9I don't think Edwards rounds out the ticket enough. Obama needs someone to be the point man on Capitol Hill and Edwards wasn't up there long enough to have real clout, and he doesn't boost the foreign affairs experience. Someone like Biden or Richardson would probably be better as VP. John could be the prettiest attorney general we ever had.
10Wesley Clark would be a serious addition!
11Edwards brings alot of what obama needs but even if Edwards was interested, which I don't think he is, I'm afraid he's too young, given obama's age.
12Clark would be a good choice!
13Team Sexy. HA!
14As soon as he dropped out I said he is going to be our next Attorney General whether Clinton or Obama wins. I don't think he'll go for V.P.
As for Clinton accepting a V.P. tap she sounds more and more like she simply wants to beat the Republicans and that she'll do whatever it takes, so I wouldn't count here out for V.P. just yet.
A smart move in my opinion if Obama taps Clinton for V.P. or visa versa to make it known that Edwards was offered and has accepted an Attorney Gen. nod during the general campain. This way people will feel like they got all three of them and I really don't think McCain will be able to stand up to the popularity of that idea.
15I agree with Jillness that Obama's vp will be will have "blue collar cred" - and I think Edwards has it... but I think he is ultimately weak in the experience arena, which I don't think Edwards or Hillary helps on. I think Obama needs someone who can counter Methuselah with adequate experience, and beyond the election a point person on the hill. Also, I think Edwards has family priorities that may trump any personal desire involving running for the 2nd spot on the ticket.
I think, like Bush, Obama has enough charisma with voters to pick essentially anyone with experience and street cred with a section of the party he's weak on, to not need the veep to be charismatic but to have substance.
(also, I heart Richardson, and that blinds me to any real arguments on whether he is actually a good choice. I just have a huge political crush on him.)
16oooh, hypno, I do think a way to essentially give the voters a way to vote for all three is intriguing... giving them the three that split them would be an interesting way to reunite them...
17I agree hypno.
18I agree with hypnoticmix, I think Edwards has his eye on a cabinet position.
19I think that the push for change aspect definitely makes the lack of experience less of an issue. I think that Obama's biggest weakness is that he doesn't appeal to white working class and thats probably John Edwards biggest demographic. So I think running together would be a big plus.... I like Wesley Clark too and maybe he'd be great as Secretary of Defense.
I have to admit though - I'm totally biased. I've been pro-Edwards since day one!
20PS- here's to Team Sexy!!
21i'm excited about edwards' endorsement - i always liked je and i am a obama supporter so i'm pleased!
22i do not want hillary clinton to be the VP - i am so over the Clintons-let's bring some new blood into Washington~
23PS- here's to Team Sexy!!
24YES! Let's fill Washington with a bunch of people that have never been there ever before!
25I definitely saw this coming. He was going to try to be in the white house one way or another.
26Wesley Clark is a good choice too! There is a lot of talent to pick from. It would be a hard choice!
27took the words out of my mouth liberty sugar -- obama-clark!
28I'm thinking he may be more interested in Attorney General than VP, but either way he'd be a great addition to an Obama admistration!
29mmmm...Obama/Edwards would totally be Team Sexy!!! however, i agree that Edwards simply doesn't have the experience Obama needs to round out the ticket and i agree with the comment about his wife's condition - a lot of people (myself included) will be turned off to him running for VP while his wife is in the hospital for chemo and other treatment.
As for the others:
Joe Biden: Yes on experience but he is seen as very elitist and the republicans will DESTROY the Dems on that. I can just see it being the next Swift Boat controversy.
Bill Richardson: Yes on experience but unfortunately, because he's Hispanic, that will just add fuel to the racial fire that's been slowly burning. it will explode if he's the nominee. I'd love nothing more than to see a fellow Latino make it to the ticket, especially one as excellent as Richardson, but it won't happen.
Wesley Clark - Yes, i can totally see that. Older white male and military experience.
Kathleen Seblius - She hasn't been mentioned too much but she would be an excellent option as well. White, female and governor of a heartland state (Kansas) who is also extremely popular. the only con i could see is that people might view her as a "Hillary substitute" and she doesn't have the foreign policy experience Obama needs to balance the ticket.
Thoughts?
30I prefer Governor Richardson, but that's just my personal opinion. I think Edwards would do well as VP, if he were in that position.
31Bookish, i think Edwards would make an excellent VP but Obama needs someone with foreign policy and/or military experience. I hope at the very least that he would get Attorney General.
Richardson would also be a great VP but hostility towards Latinos (especially immigrants, legal or illegal) is pretty high right now and i fear it would be too much for some people to absorb.
32HF, sarcasm? Wow, that and your icon look great on you!
33Nica, a Hillary substitute seems a good idea especially if the race comes any closer and ends in serious anger between sides. (Hopefully not.) But I think she would need the foreign policy experience to strengthen the ticket. Someone like Congresswoman Jane Harmon might work because she could help bring in California and is ranking member on the House Intelligence Cmte. Personally I don't like her, but she or someone like her might sooth conservative dems.
34As much as i love Obama, the cynic in me knows that Washington will NOT change with one president. Hey, stranger things have happened but the Washington Political Machine that i know will never surrender just because Mr. Smith came to Washington.
Obama needs a Washington insider to help him navigate the murky waters of DC politics. It's scary over here sometimes!
35hmmm...Jane Harmon. I don't know about her...tell me more!
36You picked up on it Rac! Even without the winking smiley. Kate's happy today...I'm glad you like her!
37Hillary substitute? What is that? Hillary-Helper? Hillary-by-product?
38If you need a substitute, why not go for the real thing.
39HF, i think Hillary already has a Senate Majority Leader post waiting for her or a Cabinet post come November, but not VP.
She may have the experience needed but unfortunately, there's too many people who would be willing to vote for Obama but not Hillary and that could significantly shift the election. I also think there's too much bad blood b/w the two campaigns for it to be a joint ticket. And it doesn't really fit in with Obama's "Change" message (even if not too much WILL end up changing...).
I think Hillary would have been an excellent president (or VP) but its just not in the cards.
40Nica...I don't necessarily think it's the best match, but the democratic party is so polarized right now that sometimes I think the only way to unite the party is having them on the same ticket.
41And actually, i wouldn't totally like the idea of a "Hillary substitute" because it would look like they're just trying to replace one white woman with another (but without the blemishes or partisan attacks of the real Hillary!).
I'm betting that it will be an older white male, like Wesley Clark. As much as i'd like to see a truly historic ticket with two underrepresented groups, I doubt the country could deal with TOO much change...
42I know! Heaven forbid there isn't at least one old white man on the ticket.
43yeah HF, i totally dig what you're saying. We are definitely polarized now but i'm hopeful that when it comes down to it, we can all coalesce behind one candidate.
Do you think you will get behind Obama or are you considering otherwise?
44I have a serious emoticon deficiency today. I need a bloody mary. That'll even me out.
45I'm planning on getting behind him if necessary. I will however be pouting and generally unpleasant for at least a month.
46omg, i'd LOVE to see it be two minorities or one male/one female. how bad*ss would it be to get a black or hispanic or even Asian female??? whoa...i think i just blew my mind...
47Edwards just has his eyes on Free Jet Skis!
48Edwards is a good choice for Obama. I think he'd help get him some votes from the people that couldn't decide between Hillary or Obama.
49Yes, I suppose Chelsea would be ok for VP. Not a lot of experience though...
50Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.