For weeks I have been wondering if John Edwards will do the right thing and endorse Hillary Clinton.
For much of his campaign, Edwards was dogged by questions concerning his sincerity. Could a man who was so wealthy — and conspicuously so — really be the champion of the “other America?” To his critics, that positioning looked too strategically staged and insincere.
Edwards can put that opportunistic label to rest once and for all. The conventional wisdom is that Edwards is holding onto his endorsement, making sure he supports the clear winner. That, of course, is the wrong thing to do! The right thing is to come out and endorse Hillary NOW, before the Texas and Ohio primaries.
For one thing, with so many political lemmings jumping aboard the Good Ship Obama, it will make it clear that Edwards is a man of principle, not politics. More importantly, given his past positions, Hillary is his natural ally.
Looking at his choices — silence, Obama, or Hillary — choosing Hillary makes the most sense for Edwards, for Hillary, and our country –
– They both are committed to solutions, not just rhetoric and fancy speeches about change.
– They both are committed to real universal health care.
– They both are committed to helping America’s working poor.
– They both have expressed their commitment to rebuilding America’s middle class.
– They both have similar positions — and histories — concerning Iraq.
– They both have expressed unambiguous support for the rights of the LGBT community.
– They both have the experience, ideas, and realistic goals for helping our economy get back on track.
– They are both for ending abusive, predatory lending practices.
– They both want NAFTA renegotiated to better protect the interests’ of American workers, and to end tax incentives for corporations that move jobs overseas.
If you can reach John Edwards’ supporters with this message, please do so NOW.
Hillary, the Democratic party, and the country needs John Edwards to act today so that his choice can make a real difference on March 4th.
6 responses so far ↓
Shirley Pettaway // March 1, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I think he should endorse Barack. Hillary has focused more on personal attacks rather than issues. I.e. “empty suit” “blank screen” “all hat..” “The heavens will open up…” etc etc.
When the race started I was for Hillary but I have changed my mind. If she gets the nomination I will vote for McCain. All of his attacks have been on the issues. Barack has never made one comment about her personally. That is more in tune with Edwards and who he is.
Politics can be very very aggressive but I am sick of old time tactics.
Rake Morgan // March 1, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Where have you been, Shirley?
Obama has repeatedly attacked Hillary and spread lies about her positions on health care, NAFTA, and other issues. For you it seems to come down to “who do you like” not who can provide universal health care, get our economy back on track, and provide leadership in the world community.
What’s a shame is how many voters like you treat this campaign like an American Idol episode rather than a presidential election.
Sam // March 1, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Rake, the only appreciable difference between Obama’s healthcare plan and Clinton’s healthcare plan is the universal mandate. I’d rather keep my insurance independence, but for those that are unable to do so, government subsidies will provide the means for affordable healthcare. But, do not forget that any healthcare system must to originate in Congress. By the time all is said and done, who knows how different either plan will be. For this reason, I place more value on the candidate’s judgment than his/her legislative agenda.
But forget about all of that. All that matters is that Barack’s dance skillz rock the hizzouse!!
Rake Morgan // March 1, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Good to read your comments, Sam.
You sure make 15 million — almost a third — of today’s uninsured sound like a drop in the bucket. People who have health insurance, and you sound like you do, don’t appreciate how catastrophic not having it can be. That’s why you can get all whirred about about BO’s dance and not care about that happens to those 15 million.
Leaving out 15 million to me is already an indicator of bad judgment. So, no agenda, no judgment = another hot air candidate.
Sam // March 2, 2008 at 12:29 am
Whoa, hold on a second, I never said anything about fifteen million. I only said that subsidies will provide healthcare to those who cannot afford private insurance. Fifteen million is a figure perpetuated by the Clinton camp. Eligibility to entitlement programs, like Medicaid, are to be expanded under Obama’s plan. So if you are to say that 15 million will not be covered, who are these people?
No agenda, no judgement, what are you talking about? I thought we were having a substantive discussion. I just outlined a healthcare agenda. And judgement… who had the foresight to vote no to the the Iraq War?
Did you miss the irony in my final statement or am I missing something?
Rake Morgan // March 2, 2008 at 10:57 am
So Hillary says it is 15 million. How many do you say it is? Obama must have that information? Is it OK if 5 million don’t have health care? 7? 10?
The fact is he does not offer universal health care and you totally trivialize the issue. Hillary is right that we would have the same problems with social security or medicare if we used Obama’s approach. Those programs would fall apart.
You also need to get your facts straight about Iraq. Obama was not in the senate when the first vote was taken. He was expressing an opinion at the time and there’s a big difference between having and not having the real responsiblity to vote.
At one point, he actually said, “There isn’t much difference between my position on Iraq and George Bush’s.” Only later when he saw the political upside to being against the way did he change his position. Another flip-flop,
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