The Hill: The endorsements that would make huge waves

[Omaha Steve]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/the-endorsements-that-would-make-huge-waves-2007-12-06.html

By The Hill Staff
December 06, 2007

Throughout 2007, presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle have touted the lawmakers, celebrities and sports stars who are backing their campaigns.

However, there are plenty more big fish out there.

Endorsements do not sway many voters, but they do lead to free media time for White House hopefuls scrambling for attention.

Whether it’s the Speaker of the House, Tiger Woods or a lawmaker from a key primary state, the campaigns want to boast that they have caught lightning in a bottle.

The Hill reviewed the big names who have stayed on the sidelines, at least for now. Most of the people below will remain mum until the general election; others may stay silent throughout the entire 2008 presidential cycle. But a few are certain to make big waves down the stretch and attract boldface headlines.

FULL story at link.

[XemaSab]

1. Gore, Kennedy, and Kerry are the big fish.

Especially if Kerry endorsed someone other than Edwards. :P

[karynnj]

2. Kerry said this morning on Imus that he doesn't know if he will endorse

[XemaSab]

3. Even a non-endorsement is telling though

:shrug:

[emilyg]

4. It's just telling that they have good common sense.

[karynnj]

5. Why?

In Kerry's case, he has worked for years with Dodd and Biden - and he has often said positive things about them. With Obama Kerry chose him to give the keynote speech and has worked with him on the SFRC - many Kerry advisors supposedly went to Obama when he opted not to run. He has consistently ignored every opportunity given him to attack either HRC or Edwards.

[Generator]

6. I will lose a lot of respect for Kerry

if he doesn't endorse Edwards. Because heh-you thought he was good enough to fill in if you took a bullet. Or did he? Don't get started on the Edwards didn't want to concede and Kerry did, but damn, man! Edwards is carrying your torch! He's doing what you should have.

[Cameron27]

7. A lot happened during that campaign

and Edwards and Elizabeth haven't treated Kerry with much respect afterwards. Kerry and Teresa have been very gracious, and have kept silent, but I'll be very surprised if he endorses Edwards.

[jillan]

10. No way - Edwards totally dissed Kerry. Kerry would be a fool to endorse Edwards.

[durrrty libby]

11. Find reality ...jesus no fucking way will he endorse Edwards. Get a fucking grip

[karynnj]

12. Why

Kerry honored Edwards with the VP nomination.

As to conceding, Edwards has yet to make this claim prominently in the MSM. this is his blogosphere story. the fact is that though Edwards spoke of many things in 2005, he said NOT one word about voter suppression or election fraud. (Both John Kerry and THK did and were attacked for doing so.) Edwards is NOT carrying Kerry's torch - he didn't even do it that much as the VP nominee!

Edwards owed Kerry, not the other way around. Instead, Edwards has been rewriting history. Suddenly, he wanted to be a warrior - though he wasn't in the primary and was quoted in 2004 as being unwilling to do so. Yet in restarting their run, their was Elizabeth Edwards attacking Teresa. The classier Kerrys have not said a single negative word about either of the Edwards.

[jillan]

8. There was an amazing quote in my paper yesterday from Kerry describing Biden.

About how Kerry knows Biden will be able to get the country back together, and that Biden would accomplish alot as President.

I took that as an almost endorsement :P

I'm expecting Kennedy to endorse Dodd. Very close family ties.

And Gore? I'm done trying to figure him out! I would have bet anything that he would have run.

[Cameron27]

9. If Kerry endorses anyone, I think it will be Biden too,

although I don't know how close he is to Dodd. Gore will stay neutral IMO.

[karynnj]

13. Both Kerrys made a point at several book events

when asked about the election to bring up Dodd and Biden.

[jillan]

14. That's great to hear!

[Cameron27]

15. Ok thanks,

he respects them both. I do too.