Coup de grace?
May 14th, 2008 at 06:15pm Pat Cunningham
Former Democratic presidential aspirant John Edwards ENDORSED Barack Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., late this afternoon in a news event that was beautifully orchestrated from a standpoint of tactical politics.
The endorsement speech by Edwards came just as the Eastern and Central feeds of the network newscasts took to the air and had the effect of crowding and deflating the story of Hillary Clinton’s big victory in yesterday’s West Virginia primary.
Clinton did interviews, live and taped, with all the network anchors this afternoon, and her camp expected to get a lot of TV time for their rhetoric about her perserverance. But the Edwards endorsement stole much of the spotlight from Hillary and shifted the aura of momentum to Obama.
If a big bunch of super delegates follow Edwards’ lead and come out for Obama over the next few days, which seems possible, Clinton will be out the door for all practical purposes.
Entry Filed under: John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama
8 Comments Add your own
1. Leatherneck | May 14th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
John Edwards endorsement is meaningless. If he had that much clout, why did his own candidacy fizzle?
If Obama has so much momentum, why did Hillary beat him like a rented mule yesterday in West Virginia?? Oh yeah, and she has like a 20 point lead in Kentucky. Do ya think the folks in the Bluegrass state care about John Edwards’ endorsement?
With a string of losses in Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, probably Kentucky and Puerto Rico, maybe it’s time for Obama to withdraw so the party can get unified.
2. Pat Cunningham | May 14th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
The fact remains that Obama has won more states, more delegates and more votes than Hillary. She can’t catch him. Game over. Kentucky is meaningless at this point.
3. coldhotel | May 14th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Pat had it exactly right; the story here is more about Obama dominating the news cycle than the value of John Edwards endorsement. Face it, Obama has run a better campaign than Clinton. I had not expected that.
4. Mike Carroll | May 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Pat-I’m curious. You recently accused me of making a sexist comment concerning Nancy Pelosi and her curiously wrinkle free face at the age of 60+. However, you have been silent regarding the use of the term “Sweetie” by Senator Obama in reference to female reporters and it has happened twice, as recently as yesterday. I wonder what the response would have been had Senator McCain been the guilty party? You wouldn’t be applying a double standard would you?
5. Pat Cunningham | May 15th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Not at all, my suddenly sensitive friend. Your offense was to gratuitously besmirch Pelosi’s looks out of political disapproval. Obama’s use of the word “Sweetie” is condescending in a way he would not be with a man, and thus it’s sexist. But it’s not contemptuous. It’s meant, no doubt, to be friendly — but, of course, that doesn’t excuse it. Your remark, on the other hand, was mean-spirited. I’m not sure how I’d respond if McCain did the sweetie thing. I probably wouldn’t even notice, especially since my attention usually is diverted by McCain’s annoying overuse of the term “my friends.” But hey, he’s a sweetie, ain’t he?
6. Mike Carroll | May 15th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I’m a bit slow (and extremely sensitive as you surmise) so lets see if I have this right-Obama’s comment is wrong but its OK because he was just being friendly because its all about Hope and Change because he’s a Progressive and therefore its really just fine. Got it.
BTW-I happen to think Pelosi looks good, until she starts to speak.
7. Pat Cunningham | May 15th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Mike: I didn’t say Obama’s word was “OK” or “just fine.” I said just the opposite. I merely noted that it didn’t seem mean-spirited, which, I was quick to add, “doesn’t excuse it.” I’d like to give you credit for a good effort at catching me in a hypocrisy, but you were too far wide of the mark. Keep trying, though, Sweetie.
8. CR | May 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Ah yes, the superdelegate. Nothing like thwarting the will of the people just in case they don’t fall in line with The Party ™.
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