Why Kerry's endorsement of Obama may help Edwards?

[kentuck]

First of all, Kerry is not the most favorite politician of South Carolinians. In fact, they may think negative of him. Since SC is the birthplace of John Edwards, some voters may see this as a traitorous act by Kerry? It appears that Kerry has done this endorsement more to hurt Edwards than to help Obama but it could backfire? But, as we all well know, Kerry has never had the best political instincts.

Of course, all Senators can endorse whomever they wish and just because someone was their running mate the last time does not mean they have to endorse them? But why in John Edwards birth state? And why in a state where Kerry has such little political pull? I'm sure some of the geniuses here can figure it out. :-)

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Kerry's a TRAITOR!!!!!

:rofl:

[kentuck]

10. "some voters may see this as a traitorous act "

Especially, Edwards supporters.

[Clarkansas]

2. It helps Obama. I don't see it hurting him at all. eom

[Frances]

9. Why do you think Kerry's endorsement helps Obama in

South Carolina where Kerry is not at all popular with Dems, Repubs, or independents?

[Clarkansas]

13. It helps Obama overall.

I know on du that when someone we don't like says something nice about a dem, it makes us not like the dem. It doesn't work that way in the real world.
Edwards supporters are more likely to go to Obama, Edwards has no chance of winning anymore, and the Kerry endorsement may help inspire defectors. It isn't going to inspire anyone to abandon Obama.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

16. Do you realize how many crossover republicans and independents

do not like Kerry - or Gore - for that matter?

So many of these people say they are supporting Obama. They're ready for change. Heck, they actually support a lot of dem policies, they just have to make the leap across the divide. Obama is the man to get them to do it!

Kerry is bad news when we are talking about change.

[Frances]

18. Do you live in South Carolina?

One brother lives there now. The other brother lived there for many years until a few months ago.

Trust me when I say that Kerry is not popular in South Carolina.

One of my Repub brothers likes Obama. He had a very low opinion of Kerry, so Kerry's endorsement makes it less likely that he will vote for Obama in the general election.

I think that Repubs and independents who voted Repub in the past see Obama as an independent, not a partisan Dem. That way they can support him without having to admit that their past Repub votes were wrong.

Since I haven't made up my mind which Dem to vote for on Feb 5, I think I see these things pretty objectively.

[Clarkansas]

20. I have family in Greensboro

Anyone who switches their vote from Obama because of the Kerry endorsement never liked Obama to begin with.
It is funny how no one complained about the Nader endosement of Edwards, even though Nader is disliked by tons of people on the right and left.
Since I supported Edwards up until New Hampshire, I think I see things pretty objectively. Edwards and Hillary supporters are mad that Kerry endorsed Obama.

[Frances]

23. I can only speak for myself

but I want a Dem to win in November.

I think Obama will have a chance in the South Carolina general election IF Huckabee is not the Repub nominee. That's because Obama is seen as an independent.

In South Carolina, Kerry is seen as a liberal, traitorous (for speaking out against Vietnam), Yankee. I supported Kerry whole-heartedly in 2004, but I don't think he will do Obama any good in South Carolina.

If Kerry had endorsed Obama in New Hampshire or in California where I live, he would not have had a negative effect.

[Clark2008]

25. And, obviously, training several points behind HRC and Obama,

neither is Edwards popular in South Carolina.

Those are the breaks.

[Frances]

27. I agree that Edwards is not polling well in South Carolina

Do you mean that Edwards may take some votes from Obama as a result of Kerry's endorsement?

[midlife_mo_Jo]

3. Kerry's endorsement could backfire with independents and crossover repubs

Let's face it: Obama is getting the majority of those voters, imo. People sick and tired of what Bush has done to this country see Obama as the candidate of change. Those same people are not necessarily fond of Kerry and Gore, for that matter.

For the record, I'm an Edwards supporter, but would happily support Obama in the GE.

On second thought, I don't think a simple endorsement will hurt too much, but if he gets on the campaign trail for Obama, I think that could backfire. And why do I say this? Because I live in a very repub county, and I know several people who are supporting Obama. I also know they hated Kerry and Gore. This is a chance to win their votes, and get them in the party. So many of these people actually support dem issues, anyway. They just have to make the leap!

[Frances]

11. My brother who just moved from South Carolina

a few months ago told me that he usually votes Repub, but he says he likes Obama.

He voted for Bush over Kerry and, unfortunately, does not regret that vote at all.

[Dawgs]

12. I'm glad you added the second thought part.

I was just about to say that Obama wasn't picking Kerry as his running mate.

I agree about the campaign trail comment. If he wants to campaign in the northeast, then fine. I don't think he should use him in the South at all.

I do think Kerry's endorsement helps Obama with Dems that support the party establishment. That's always been an area that hurts Obama.

[Renew Deal]

4. I don't think it will have much affect in SC.

[Fovea]

5. I think Kerry should not have endorsed anyone

I think it was not in the best interests of the nation.
Now, had he fought the stolen election with any sort of vigor, he'd be the incumbent.

He didn't, so maybe he is not the best guardian of the Democratic party nomination.

[MadBadger]

21. Why isnt it in the best interests of the nation?

[Fovea]

28. It is pretty clear that Edwards and Kerry did not end the campaign

seeing eye to eye. Had they done it Edward's way, John Kerry would now be president, in all likelihood.

Instead we got another round of the deciderer and deadeye dick. We lost Habeas Corpus. We are neither free or safer. John Kerry could have fought that and won, had he listened to Edwards.

Now, if Barak wants that sort of endorsement, groovy.

Me, I think that maybe when he called, I would have demurred.

[Thrill]

6. It will not help Edwards in anyway

The guy who was his running mate, endorses someone else. That doesn't help at all. Makes him look bad

[Hieronymus]

8. Kerry was a lousy candidate .. oh for that young veteran who addressed

Congress those many years ago.
I'd think Kerry's endorsement would be the kiss of death.

[Thrill]

24. UH No.........It doesn't hurt Obama.......It only hurts Edwards

even the most optimistic Edwards fan can see that

[doc03]

7. If anything like you say it may help

Edwards. Kerry is nothing but a political opportunist he put his finger in the wind and it came up Obama, he probably thinks that is his best chance to get an appointment. Stand by if Obama goes down he will be supporting Hillary.

[kentuck]

14. And if Hillary beats Obama in SC...

Who do you think they will blame it on? Right!

[sandnsea]

15. John Kerry is just not that petty

It's a signal to Clinton supporters in SC. It lets them know that there are white people who disagree with the notion that a black man can't win the Presidency. I don't think it's intended as a jab at Edwards at all.

[fightindonkey]

17. Smells Like Bullshit!

[midlife_mo_Jo]

19. Yeah, fifty states, and he does this in SC. What a PETTY MAN.

John Kerry is a loser. He deserved to lose the election. Too bad it was to Bushit.

[fasttense]

22. Kerry supports Obama because they are very similar.

Kerry would not stand up to recount the stolen election and neither will Obama. Kerry's support is very telling. The big O is just another bipartisan Senator like we have in Congress today.

[Occam Bandage]

26. Why delicious-looking grapes may be sour?

[Fovea]

29. Maybe

but then again, they may not be grapes.