John Edwards Endorses Obama

The past week, the major political headline in the media seems to be the endorsement Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) received from former rival and Senator John Edwards (D-NC). The media made it out to be a rather large event. CNN and the other major cable news networks even covered the event where we got to hear Edwards talk to a crowd in Grand Rapids Michigan about his endorsement of Obama. I thought that his speech was a knockout speech. He continued to talk about the issues that he cared about, such as issues involving corporate greed, populism, poverty, and stopping special interest groups from grabbing too much control of our government. Obama introduced Edwards by walking out alone on stage and saying he wanted to do a special welcome for his first speech in Michigan. Then he announced John Edwards' name and he came out giving his most powerful speech yet of anger to the corporate system and strength to the little guy. It was a breath of fresh air to finally hear him back on the campaign trail.

At the same time though, I find the timing of John Edwards' endorsement very curious. I have a MySpace page online and in a political group, I did discuss my concerns that John Edwards pandered. A very smart man in the group named Brian said Edwards came out during this time to try to help unite and heal the party, since it has been ripped and torn apart. I think he makes a very valid point because this party has been ripped apart and he does seem to be a good force within the party that both campaigns like. At the same time, I question this timing because of when it happened. It happened right after Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) big 41 point stomping of Obama in West Virginia, which is the largest margin of victory this primary. The endorsement also happened right when the primaries seem to be wrapped up and that Obama will be getting the nomination, which makes me think that John is pandering to Obama for something. I will get to that in a minute.

We both know why Obama wanted Edwards to come out. The win in West Virginia orchestrated that. It is a fact that Obama has problems with the white working class voter. In West Virginia, Edwards was still able to get 7% of the vote, despite dropping out the race, which means he still has something he can bring to Obama. Obama needs the white working class vote and Obama told reporters on the plane that he hopes that this endorsement helps him take some of that vote. As for as that is concerned, I think it is possible that can happen. However, Obama needs to use Edwards a lot to his advantage. If I was Obama, I would be taking Edwards with him all across the country and talk to working people. I would use Edwards when nominated and mock Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) poverty tour he took through Appalachia, where Edwards can say how Obama cares about them. He doesn't have to be the running mate, but Edwards could be used in tough areas where he had a lot of support.

As for John Edwards, well I am still convinced he pandered for votes. Brian on MySpace said very correct things and I did partially agree with him. However, I think Edwards had a clear motive. I think his motive was to pander to Obama in exchange for something. I am thinking in the lines of a cabinet position.

My opinion on the cabinet position has been very consistent. I believe that Edwards will never, ever be able to be appointed to a cabinet position. I am looking at the math in the US Congressional Elections (which I'll write about another time soon) where the Democrats only seem to have four seats they will definitely win. The Republicans and some corporate Democrats like Clinton and Lieberman are scared to death of someone like Edwards in a cabinet position, especially Attorney General. If Edwards becomes the Attorney General, the corporations will have to watch out because he did prosecute them vigorously as a trial lawyer. As Attorney General, the same thing will likely happen. Therefore, the Republicans and the corporate Democrats like Clinton will filibuster Edwards if he chosen as the nominee and kill his shots.

That means his endorsement will likely lead to nothing for Edwards. If I was Edwards, I'd probably use my agenda and create independent bipartisan causes to help do the things he cares about. As a member of the cabinet, Edwards will be a puppet to the president anyway, which means he doesn't get his message out. Therefore, why should he be in a cabinet position and fight for his causes when he can do that through other means. After all, there are many ways you can do things. How about this John, try donating to people by yourself since you have the wealth. Why not create independent organizations on your own? Why must you work for an administration to do that? To conclude, my final thought is that the endorsement is a potentially good thing for Obama and was a pandering endorsement by Edwards where he likely cut a deal that would go nowhere.

Sources:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/949731,camp051408web.stng

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7401899.stm