Reply #32: The fact is that is where the next primary is [View All]

[karynnj]

To be effective, the endorsement had to happen in this time frame. HRC has Bill Clinton out there as a major surrogate making the claim that Obama does not have the experience. That is the message that will be heard from now until February 5. Kerry is one of the few people with the standing to counter that at all - the other is Gore. In a way, this is more similar to what Kennedy did for Kerry. Dean was claiming that he (alone presumably) represented the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. He also had Gore and Harkin. Kennedy contradicted the claim.

Kerry's endorsement says that he thinks only Obama can unite the country. Edwards is running a campaign that is divisive by nature in 2008. In 2004, Edwards, like Kerry, was running a positive campaign that wanted to bring the two Americas together. I don't think this is personal - as much as it is that Kerry is likely not impressed with the new aggressive Edwards. Could you picture Kerry saying of a Democratic opponent that "she has no conscience"? Edwards never said that of Bush. Once you say things like that how can you ever get the support of people who admire and like her? At this point, I'm not sure Edwards could get the undivided support of the Democrats, much less the Republicans.

Edwards was born in SC, but basically grew up and represented NC.