Politico Article on Why Edwards is Unlikely to Endorse.... (3/21/08)

[LiveLiberally]

Interesting article based on interviews with close advisers. Possible Bottom Line: Edwards' views on both Clinton, Obama and the race are complicated, and he can be of more help to the Party and his causes by remaining neutral.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9162.html

[smokey nj]

1. Good article, thanks for posting it.

Unlike all the other "Edwards To Endorse _____!" crap that's been floating around, this one cites actual sources other than the voices in the head of the person who wrote it.

[saracat]

2. Interesting find but my gut tells me it is simply that he doesn't like either one

but that if he does endorse, he will use it to some advantage. I am thinking he might endorse before NC but if he doesn't then, he won't till after the convention.

[asdjrocky]

3. Holding it close to the vest, just like always. nt

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. There's really no reason for him to endorse

From the article:

"Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, is coming to believe that “silence is the better part of valor,” another former top adviser said.

“He is genuinely torn between the two,” the adviser added. “On the big change, money and politics, he obviously agrees more with Barack. I think on the toughness and experience in life, making difficult decisions, I think he believes Hillary is more ready for the job. I also think that he thinks the way she has pursued his support has a level of seriousness he has not seen from the other guy.”

Honestly, I don't see why the advisor would say that Edwards is closer to Obama on "big change, money and politics". But in any case, I think that for Edwards and Al Gore, their silence is deafening. They aren't endorsing because Clinton and Obama are not campaigning on the issues, and they're striking out at each other instead of attacking the GOP.

[Andrea]

5. Their silence is deafening - so true

It makes me wonder if anyone in either campaign ever sits down and really thinks about what they are doing. Don't you think it would be a real red flag to them that they are going the wrong way when the two most respected and revered people in the party will not endorse them?

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. I don't think they care

Really, I don't. They both know that they are far, far away from where Gore and Edwards stand on issues, and frankly I think candidates get into a "I'm right and they're wrong" mindset. I don't necessarily disagree with being confident that your positions are the right ones, but being right and being persuasive are two very different things. The GOP won huge numbers of independent voters in the last two elections by convincing them that the country would be better off with Bush, rather than the Democratic candidate. Now they will do the same thing with McCain, AND THEY ARE VERY PERSUASIVE. They know how to frame their arguments. They know how to campaign with fear. If you don't have a candidate that people love, fear is the next most powerful emotion to use. No one loves McCain, so let the fearmongering begin!