baratunde.com - Latest Comments in Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Eric Cheung — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:23:02 -0000

Edwards has released his delegates and most of them are moving to Obama. I predict he'll clinch before June 3.

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Timmy Mac — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:23:51 -0000

Of course, the other side of the coin is that maybe this announcement will be the killshot on the Clinton campaign, and you gotta love that, B, doncha?

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

atom — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:10:10 -0000

I have a feeling that the Edwards endorsement announcement was held until a moment then the Obama campaign really needed something to change the story. Edwards nearly announced his support for "him" a week or so ago, but I think it was a tactical decision on behalf of the Obama campaign to have him keep the actual announcement in his pocket until after the West Virginia primary. I don't think this was a leadership decision- it was a chess move. Check-mate, people.

That being said, I couldn't be happier that Edwards got off his a$$ and did the right thing.

I love the blog. Bless you for all that you do.

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Don — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:59:50 -0000

Mate,

From where I stand on this side of the world, my first reaction to the Edwards endorsement, was, "Sure Dude, that was Genuine" and very politician like, wait till the battle is over and then come over to greet the victor, and state that for the record, you were always there...pathetic

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

ventureblogalist — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:46:12 -0000

the clinton campaign actually over-focused on the big states. good time article on their 5 mistakes.

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Eric Cheung — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:06:18 -0000

No, I know the popular vote doesn't count. I'm referring more to the spin war that'll follow, especially from the conflict-driven media, the Clinton campaign, and the Republicans.

Also, I too believe that the Democrats will unite behind Obama. I also think he'll be stronger amongst Independents and Republicans. He has the advantage of money and turnout that McCain doesn't have. I also think that if Obama takes up McCain on the offer to do a joint town meeting tour or some kind of bipartisan campaign tour it'll be good for politics. I hope they both keep on message. If they can dismiss their surrogates and the media, maybe this'll be the most issue oriented campaign ever.

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

baratunde — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:56:43 -0000

thanks for the comment, eric.

just a correction on the popular vote. it doesn't matter. the democratic nominee is determined by delegates. the popular vote is a nice concept but completely beside the point. had the goal been popular vote from the start, all candidates would have campaigned differently, focusing on large states like IL, CA, NY, TX

so don't believe the hype on that.

i'd also caution everyone not to believe the hype about dems not supporting obama in november. Democrats are called Democrats for a reason. They vote for Democrats. most people saying they won't support O are talking shit. they're the same folks who threatened to move to canada if bush was electedin 2004.

Re: Johnny “Come Lately” Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Eric Cheung — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:52:07 -0000

At least we know who he voted for in North Carolina. But it was quite telling that in West Virginia he got 7%, his largest percentage in months. I have a feeling both Hillary and Obama would have to write off West Virginia because the voters there seem that unwilling to vote for a Presidential candidate that isn't a white man.

By the rules Obama has this nomination sewn up, but I'm a little nervous about the popular vote. Based on current polling data combined with the relative size of the next five contests, though he'll win more contests she'll likely net more popular votes (and delegates, but the delegate contest is over). Obama's margin is kind of thin right now. If Hillary overtakes him then the general election campaign is that much tougher.

Fortunately Obama has been reaching out to Michigan and Florida and other states that haven't been in the Democrats column in years. But yeah, an endorsement from Edwards would have been nice in advance of West Virginia.