Posted: May 14, 2008 7:19 PM
Former Democratic Rival Edwards Gives Coveted Endorsement to Obama
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Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards formally endorsed front-runner Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday, saying that the Illinois senator is a man who “understands that this is a time for bold leadership.”
“The reason I am here tonight is because the Democratic voters in America have made their choice and so have I,” Edwards said to a crowd of cheering Obama supporters in Grand Rapids, Mich.. “There is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two, and that man is Barack Obama.
Obama graciously accepted Edwards’ endorsement, introducing him as “one of the greatest leaders in the Democratic Party.” “I am so grateful for John Edwards for coming to Michigan tonight,” Obama said. “I am grateful for his support, but more importantly, I want to thank John for everything that he has already done to make us one America.”
The former North Carolina senator’s announcement comes as a blow to Sen. Hillary Clinton, since both she and Obama have courted his support for months.
Before announcing his endorsement of Obama, Edwards praised Clinton for her “strength and character,” saying “she believes with every fiber of her being that America can be a better place and that we need change.”
Edwards, who finished second in the Iowa caucuses, was popular among labor unions and blue-collar voters. His endorsement may boost Obama’s appeal among those voters, who have tended to prefer Clinton, as indicated in Tuesday night’s West Virginia primary.
Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe, said in a statement those on the Clinton team “respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over.”
In his endorsement speech, Edwards addressed working-class equality, the war in Iraq, energy reform and education, among other topics.
Edwards was awarded 19 pledged delegates in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. According to party rules, those delegates are not under obligation to support the candidate he endorses, but it is expected that many of them will.
-- By Alexis Matsui, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | Comments | Link
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John Edwards gives me a distinct impression that he is trying to buy the Vice Presidency! He knows that Clinton will not give him that. He doesn't inspire me at all.