Edwards Clarifies Comment On Hillary: "I Fully Expect To Support" Dem Nominee

[DeepModem Mom]

TPM: Edwards Clarifies Comment On Hillary: "I Fully Expect To Support" Dem Nominee
By Greg Sargent - November 13, 2007

Today at a press availability John Edwards was asked by reporters about his refusal to say that he'd back Hillary for President if she wins the Democratic nomination. The Edwards camp has just emailed me his answer:

"I fully expect to support the Democratic nominee, and I fully expect to be the Democratic nominee."

"I fully expect" to support the nominee -- not quite "I will support." It's more than, "I'm not willing to talk about that at this point," which is what he'd said earlier. But it's still not a full commitment to backing the Dem nominee. Not sure what this is about.

Late Update: A number of commenters below say that this is a sufficient answer from Edwards. Fair enough -- I probably am guilty of overparsing here. But -- to all the commenters screaming "bias," please understand that the Edwards campaign sent us the above quote. They wanted us to post it.

Late Late Update: Ed Kilgore is uncomfortable with Edwards' statement:

For some of us old-timers, the Edwards formulation was evocative of the highly calculated mantra repeated endlessly by Ted Kennedy in 1980, before he decided to challenge Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination: "I expect President Carter to be renominated, and I intend to support him." Any way you look at it, Edwards has guaranteed he's going to get asked this question again until he specifically says he'll support the nominee no matter who it is, much as Obama has already done--and perhaps until he gets into the habit of saying that much as he dislikes HRC, she's far preferable to anyone the opposition can nominate.

Still Later Update: Here's some video of Edwards answering the question: http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/video_of_edwards_on_whether_hell_support_hillary_as_dem_nominee.php

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/edwards_clarifies_comment_on_hillary_i_fully_expect_to_support_dem_nominee.php

[onehandle]

1. "I'm not willing to talk about that at this point", obviously meant...

"I'm not willing to talk about losing."

Another bullshit "problem."

[Clark2008]

2. ROFLMAO!!!

I predicted yesterday that he would backtrack and apologize.

He does this all the time!

[SaveElmer]

3. And even here he didn't give a straight answer...nt

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Kicking this info.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. He caved! He needs to get a spine!

Just kidding. I'm glad to see that Mr. Edwards has 'clarified' his statement.