Edwards to Endorse Obama

Who Cares?

Now We're Down to Two

Well, by now you now the Edwards candidacy is no more. Now the question becomes who is he going to endorse if anyone?

First I'd like to say that I'm sad Edwards is out of the race. I think ultimately he helped bama but more importantly he was the only one really talking about poverty and America's "Two America's."

However I'm not that surprised that he didn't catch traction like so many would have liked. I mean he reeked of used car salesman and after all he was an ambulance chaser. And then there were these issues:

His campaign paid for two $400 dollar haircuts, an instant source of mockery from rivals and late night comics. Between his first and second presidential runs, Edwards took a consultant job with the hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, earning a salary of close to half a million dollars. While Edwards worked for the company, a subprime lending division of Fortress moved to foreclose on homes of Katrina victims.

Yeah. that doesn't always play so well with the po folk.

As far as the endorsement is concerned my personal opinion on this is either he endorses Obama or no one at all. I just don't think he has any credibility if he endorses Hillary the force of "status quo." But there is a lot of conflicting information surrounding an Edwards endorsement and his role in any future administration.

From ABC's The Note

Obama told ABC's Terry Moran on Tuesday that he asked Edwards to endorse him, in a private conversation.

"There is no doubt that I would love John's support, but I also respect the fact that he is in this contest," Obama said in a "Nightline" interview that aired Tuesday night, with Obama praising Edwards as a "formidable candidate."

However it was also reported (in the same article) that Edwards people had been trying to have a dialogue with Obama's folk but to no avail. They were effectively rebuffed. (funny it was also in ABC's The Note earlier but now I can't find the link. Hmmm...).

From Ramussen Reports - Attorney General Edwards?

Illinois Democrats close to Sen. Barack Obama are quietly passing the word that John Edwards will be named attorney general in an Obama administration.

Installation at the Justice Department of multimillionaire trial lawyer Edwards would please not only the union leaders supporting him for president but organized labor in general. The unions relish the prospect of an unequivocal labor partisan as the nation's top legal officer.

Edwards has stated unequivocally that he doesn't have any interest in being anyone's VP. But Attorney General? Eh. Who knows. I'm looking forward to the next fews days . They are sure to bring some fireworks.

Why Obama Over Clinton or Even Edwards?

If you identify as a democrat or just plain tired of Repub bullshit then you have three options to chose for President of the United States, two of them truly viable:

1. Hilary Clinton
2. Barack Obama
3. John Edwards

Edwards is effectively out as a presidential possibility but has a chance as a VP.

That leaves Clinton and Obama

The Clinton years gave us NAFTA, Welfare Reform, The Expansion of the Prison Industrial Complex and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

None of that was good.

If you look at her voting record you know she’s a fan of war, authoritative regimes and a buddy to big business.

None of that is good.

Obama is a relative new comer. He’s been on the wrong side of some important votes has more corporate money funding his campaign then I’d like and has been a bit wishy washy in his voting record but much of that has to do with his desire to run for President and not make any major waves ahead of tome.

I like what Edwards is saying but he still reeks of used car salesman and after four or five years of campaigning hasn't done much to affect the change he speaks of. Obama seems to be (overall) a decent guy AND possess the ability to bring disparate interests together and get something done that’s good for EVERYONE even though he seems to be light on the details.

Not perfect but good.

It’s a toss up. I know what I’m getting with Clinton and that Devil is one I DON”T WANT. In this case I’d rather roll with the Devi I don’t know.

What's at Stake in New Hampshire

What's at stake in New Hampshire?

Everything.

Hillary is on the ropes. She has to win NH if she wants to remain a viable candidate. There's a tidal wave a coming and if she can't get out of the way her campaign is effectively dead in the water.

She's needs to be the Clinton Comeback Kid Part II or money and voters are going to move from her to Obama.



As far as Obama...NH appears to be his to lose. With a double digit lead in the polls and overflowing crowds at all of his stops it does appear that he has NH on lock. But I'm a fan of not counting your chickens before they've hatched.

If he doesn't win the questions of his electability will come back and perhaps his momentum will take a hit but I don't beleive it wil be a death blow. South Carolina is around the corner and with Black women making up about 30% of those eligible to vote in the primary I'd say he has a good shot of winning there. There's also talk of a union endorsement from the culinary union in Nevada that could go to Obama so NH isn't exactly a must win for him but it would be best if he didn't lose.



Edwards is along for the ride. He wants to finish second in NH if possible. Second for him is all but a death blow to the Clinton campaign and Edwards has vowed to stay in the race 'till the end. While I know he wants to be President I suspect he's playing for second place (Vice President) again. For Edwards it must feel like he's always the bridesmaid and never the bride but I'd be happy with an Obama-Edwards ticket and I think may of those voting for Obama wouldn't mind either.

With that said I will be live blogging the New Hampshire Primary results starting tomorrow night at 8:00pm. C-you there.

Edwards Attacks Clinton. Clinton is Pissed.

One of the highlights of last night's debate:



There was some questions before the debate began on what Edwards strategy would be. Would he attack Obama or Clinton. Well that question was answered pretty early on: It was Clinton from the beginning to the end.

His strategy, and I think it is a sound one, is to align himself with Obama and tout their message of change and Hilary as, he said last night, "the forces of status quo." He wants people to think of him in the same vein they think of Obama and hopefully that's enough to beat Clinton in new Hampshire and help to push her out of the race.

This is Clinton's response to Edward's attack. Not her finest moment.



He pushed her buttons and rattled the hell out of her. There's a shot of him looking smug at what he's accomplished and he should be proud, Clinton was angry and on the defensive. It wasn't good. Not good at all.

Let the Blogging Begin: 08' New Hampshire Democratic Debate

8:30

The republicans are still jabbering away. Currently they're talking about how they are different then the Democrats, particularly Senator Obama. Everybody is hammering away at his "Change" motto...suggesting its naive at least in how he states it and once again everyone is commenting on his lack of experience. The thing is though I think his lack of experience, at least his not being a DC insider is what's working for him, not against him. People have heard the talk of his experience and it's not enough to make them not vote for him...thus far at least.

Oil
Repubs talking oil now. Okay I still think Ron Paul is crazy but the man is dead on about the connection between the Iraq war and rising oil prices. McCain talked sensibly about greenhouse gases and needs for alternative energy but no one will say the dreaded C word - Conservation - god forbid someone say that. Of course when mention of windfall tax comes up on oil companies Thompson is like hell no. LOL. Of course.

Hmm...Guliani talking nuclear now. France 80% nuclear - us 20%. Don't know how I feel about that. Huckabee is talking but he isn't saying anything of interest. He suggested only 10 years to energy self sufficiency. Romney has the last word and essentially said that was stupid. Not gonna happen in 10 years but self sufficiency possible eventually. Technological innovation, government planning, yadda, yadda, yadda.

They're done. Now on to the Democrats.

Oh hell. Gibson wants Repubs and Dems all together in some sort of awkward, forced meet and greet. They look uncomfortable and forcibly friendly. Yuck.

Damn if Edwards doesn't look like a used care salesman.

Commercial Break

We're back. We're getting analysis from George Stephanopolous and Diane Sawyer. Mitt on the defensive and no one likes him. Who can blame them...that hair...geez. Seriously nothing much just more analysis of the repubs.

More analysis this time focusing on Huckabee. Now analysis on Romney and his performance. Alright now analysis on Guliani. I don't like that man. Not even a little bit. Now talking about McCain and how he did. His campaign claims he was the "adult in the room." Eh..whatever.

On to Facebook and those folks reactions.

Commercial Break

We're back. More jabbering from Sawyer and Stephanopolus. Nothing worth talking about. George feels Clinton has the toughest job tonight. Feels she's going to try to break Obama on national security issues. He thinks Edwards doesn't know who he's gonna go after tonight and that Richardson is in cahoots with Obama and the Clintons are pissed about that.

Now on to the Debate.

Nuclear Terroism...(what?)...feels it is one of the more pressing issues facing the US today. First topic of debate. They showed images of Osama Bin Laden...sigh.

Obama - feels that we should go after Al Qaeda in Pakistan even if they don't agree. Feels he would strike if Pakistan couldn't or wouldn't help that we should go ahead and take care of it ourself. Feels we should build a new nuclear non-proliferation strategy.

Gibson said he's just like Bush..GO get'em regardless of the sovereignty of the country.

Obama says no. It's about neutralizing the threat of a sworn enemy of the US.

Edwards responds and essentially agrees. But wants a long term plan. Wants to lead a longterm initiative of ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

Richardson says uses diplomacy first. Last thing we need in the musulim world is another action like Iraq. Now talking about the problems of Pakistani leadership. Talks about asking Mushara to step aside. He's talking nonsense.

Gibson points out that I'm just asking do you take the man (Al Qaeda/Osama Bin Laden) out. Richardson sorta says yes.

Clinton...yabbering about what her husband did...talking about why Osama Bin Laden has regrouped feels we need more Nato troops and faster training of the Afghan army because we didn't get him in the past because of a lack of troops.

Wants Mushara to share security issues in Pakistan and feels we need diplomacy to fix the disastrous Bush policies.

Richardson feels we need to be on the side of the Pakistani people not Mushara. Sites our problems with the Shah.

Obama takes it to Iraq. Bush bashing. Notes that our war of choice took our eye off the ball and that's why Al Queda is stronger and why Pakistan is a problem.

Sigh. Gibson asking a what if about possible Nuclear war. Why I ask. Why.

Edwards says we need to immediately find out who attacked us and get'em. Edwards talking about strength and calmness in the face of a major tragedy. Feels that ratcheting up the rhetoric is what would be a big mistake.

Obama - of course we would have to retaliate. Back to talking about rebuilding the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Feels we need to change the mindset that doesn't seek to change long-term threat and just work on short term threats.

Clinton talks about there being a better organizing of the government from homeland security onward. Feels like we haven't done enough to prevent things from being smuggled int the country.

Clinton feels like there can't be safe havens for stateless terrorists and that wherever they are we will get'em. Says we need to make it clear to states that we will come into your territory if you're housing anyone who attacks us.

Richardson continues to stumble about. Talks more diplomacy. Feels that we need to recognize that number of issues the US faces internationally. Talks Bush and how crappy he is and has been.

On to Domestic issues

Package of Social Security and Medicare

Now we're talking Change. Gibson is setting up a showdown between Clinton and Obama. What does Clinton think Obama needs to do and what he needs experience on.

Clinton is basically she's saying she's the top dog with more experience. Hammering him on his healthcare stance. Damn that's the best she can do.

Obama gets a zinger in regarding Hilary and her staffers. Obama clarifies his stance on Healthcare. Clarifies his stance on social security.

Ahh Clinton tries to call Obama a flip flopper....she's going for the jugular as best she can it's a little weak though.

Edwards - speaks of Obama and they're desire for change. Edwards his going to side with Edwards against Clinton. LOL. Calls her the "forces of status quo." LOL.

Edwards goes for Clinton but good.

Clinton on the defensive. Goes to her record. And she's PISSED. And Edwards looks right happy that he got her flusterd. Clinton feels that what we need is someone who has already delivered change.

Richardson - First real laugh of the night - "I've been in hostage negotiations that were more civil than this."

Plays referee and wants everyone to be nice. Advocates for experience.

Edwards talks about what's at stake is the fight for the future of the middle class. Talks about special interests groups are in the way of how to make America run better and if you dont do that then you can't bring about the change necessary for America to succeed.

Obama get folk back involved in self governance. Get them back to feeling that there is hope and that their way of life isn't slipping away.

On to Iraq

Do you think the surge doing any good?

Clinton saying we can dampen down the violence but hasn't worked because there is no political movement which is what the surge was for to begin with.

Richardson - this man likes numbers. Doesn't really answer the questions. Okay now he's making points about the lack of any sort of political involvement so the surge was pointless and a failure.

Feels that until we end this war change can't happen at home until we get the troops out of Iraq.

Obama gets Gibson...we have such low expectations that anything in Iraq looks good. LOL. good point. Feels like all we've done is gone full circle and points out that the only reson why there is less violent because the Sunni militias decided to attempt negotiation instead of continued violence.

Edwards says its the Presidents job to make tough decisions even if it isn't what the military wants. Feels like there won't be political progress until the Iraqis know that we ain't gonna be around forever. Saying he would end combat missions within a year and there would be no permanent bases.

Richardson wants them all out within a year. No questions asked.

Clinton says they agree on getting the troops out as quickly and safely as possible. Feels its a complicated enterprise and feels it has to be done right.

Commercial Break

Clinton says her feelings are hurt that New Hampshire voters like Obama more...lol. Obama points out that she's "likable enough."

OOHHHH Clinton kinda compares Bush and Obama on the sly. LOL.

Clinton feels if you want change then look at what they've done. Clinton feels she is the emobiment of change. Having a woman president IS huge change.

Obama lets them know he wasn't paying that much attention to the Republicans he was watching football. So can't concern himself with what they (repubs) think about him. Says change is about brining people back into government. Bringing dems and repubs together as one. Says that everyone has done good things but none of them has gotten the big things done.

Richardson lets them know he is the only one who has actually balanced budgets. lol. Talking about how to get energy policy in line with what the country needs and feels he can do it even though he didn't get it done when he was Energy Secretary.

Edwards talks about how much he hates lobbyists with special interests. And talks about his working class upbrining and how this issue is passionate for him and how the first thing he would do as President would get rid of the corporations involvement in government. Gets really passionate about the issue.

Obama points out that he stopped lobbyist from buying folk dinner. Gibson points out that they can as long as they are standing up. LOL. Gotcha Obama. LOL.

Clinton talks about her record again. Gets Edward. Gibson points out that everyone talks about change and Clinton points out that her husband did bring about change.

Edwards says screw the lobbyists and special interests.

Obama keeps hammering on getting the American people back into the game.

Richardson back to playing referee. Saying that its this type of bickering that doesn't get anything done. Once again wants everyone to play nice.

Edwards back on the war path about the entrenched money issues. Guy is doing good. Is hammering his issue home. Feels like its a fight for the American people against those entities who are against change.

Now on to Carbon Tax.

Richardson says it's a bad idea. Feels cap and trade is a better idea.

Obama agrees with Richarddson and says a cap and trade system makes more sense that's why he proposed it. Hmm. Obama talk conservation...interesting.

Clinton talks the economy inching towards recession. Also interesting. Feels that we need to use energy to jump start the economy.

The Economy

Obviously Gibson doesn't know how much New Hampshire professors make. LOl.

Edwards is doing that poverty/income gap talk that makes me like him. He gets it. Talks about corporations making too much damn money. Talks about college grads having jobs at risk if out current tax and trade policies continue.

Obama talks about his middle class tax cuts and initiatives. Feels we need a bottom up economic initiative and not a top down initiative.

Richardson talks again about how he's the only one who has governed a state and balanced budgets. Talks job creation and education.

Gibson wants them to tell him something they said that they wish they hadn't said.

Clinton instead chooses to talk about the Republican party. LOL.

Richardson - cracks a joke about his favorite Supreme Court Justice - a man who was against Roe vs. Wade, Civil Rights and any number of other things. LOL.

Edwards - his comment about Hilary's jacket.

Obama - takes Hilary rout of talking about the Republicans.

That's the end. That's all folks. Geez this was difficult. Don't know if I'll do it again. LOL.

Good Night.