Edwards’ Obama Endorsement Act of Betrayal
Edwards loses his bearing
John Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination is a huge boost for the Obama campaign come the general election, and an act of betrayal to Hillary Clinton during the primary.
While it has been fairly obvious that Elizabeth Edwards was in the tank for Clinton, the former senator has been publicly on the fence since his departure for the nomination race. By endorsing Obama, Edwards is helping seal the deal against the first woman president, who, ironically, has been touting a platform of changes closer to his own stances. Elizabeth Edwards backed Clinton’s Health Care plan in April.
Edwards’ previous endorsement holdout had help buoy the notion that perhaps this race really wasn’t over.
By not just choosing but fully endorsing Obama over Clinton, John Edwards is placing personality over policies. This stab in Clinton’s back also reconfirms the Achilles heel of the Democratic Party: Putting feelings over strategy.
It should be obvious by now that many Democratic superdelegates are not endorsing Clinton for fear of upsetting the African-American base, rather than publicly endorsing who they believe would be the strongest fighter against John McCain, and ultimately, the best president. I’m not sure which is worse: believing that African-Americans will riot in the streets and break the party if Obama isn’t nominated, or not speaking your conscience out of fear. Both display a weakness of mind.
Not too long ago Obama was seen as Edwards’ main opponent, and in the debates the battle between them was much more contentious than scuffles with Clinton. But now that that is under the bridge, Edwards’ endorsement could be a potential boost for Obama with southern Caucasians in the fall should Obama receive the nomination.
By using his affluent position to run a presidential campaign spearheading the issue of poverty, former Sen. John Edwards has donned his green tights, hoping to use the compassion and wealth of our country to help those most in need. We need more candidates talking about poverty, not less.
If Obama does win the nomination let’s hope poverty becomes a front and center issue of his general election campaign. If not, then Edwards’ endorsement will rank on the same disloyal scale of all the other Democrats who’ve chosen the new puppy over the loyal dog.
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