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Dodd: 'Not the Same John Edwards'

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November 13, 2007 11:14 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein and Raelyn Johnson Report: Sen. Chris Dodd is blasting former senator John Edwards for refusing to commit to supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton if she wins the Democratic nomination, as Dodd steps up an increasingly fierce critique of his Democratic rivals.

"I am surprised at just how angry John has become. This is not the same John Edwards I once knew," Dodd, D-Conn., said in a statement released by his campaign Tuesday. "Of course, we should all come together to support the nominee. I wonder which of the Republicans John prefers to Hillary?"

In an interview with The New York Times, Edwards, D-N.C., declined to say that he would definitely support Clinton if she wins the nominatino. "I'm not willing to talk about that at this point," he said.

On Tuesday, Edwards went a bit further, though he still stopped short of vowing to support Clinton if she wins the nomination. "I fully expect to support the Democratic nominee and I fully expect to be the nominee," he told ABC in Dartmouth, N.H.

But when asked whether he would support Clinton if she is the nominee, he said only that he stood by his previous answer.

Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer said Clinton will support whoever wins the Democratic nomination.

"Sen. Clinton has spent her entire adult life supporting Democrats running for office and isn't about to change that now," Singer said. "We fully expect that Sen. Clinton will be the nominee, but if she isn't she will of course support the Democratic nominee."

Dodd, trailing badly in state and national polls, has grown increasingly critical of the other Democratic candidates in recent days. On Monday, his campaign released a statement sharply criticizing Clinton, D-N.Y., for saying she wants a "timeout" on new trade deals but still supporting a free-trade agreement with Peru.

"On Saturday at the Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner, Senator Clinton said she stands now where she's always stood. Today she confirmed it: on both sides of every issue," campaign spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan said.

For more on both of those issues, check out today's Note.

November 13, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (25)

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That is exactly why I don't care for John Edwards! He's a big baby who is going to take his ball and go home if he doesn't win. (And he's not going to win). He doesn't support his party. I truely believe that Kerry hurt himself in 04 when he chose Edwards as his running mate.

Posted by: judy | Nov 13, 2007 11:40:32 AM

John Edwards has changed.


Posted by: Samantha Bumpers | Nov 13, 2007 12:01:24 PM

Why does he have to support Hillary? Just because she's a Democrat? I personally don't care for either Edwards or Clinton, but at least he isn't blindly supporting another lib.

Posted by: Jon King | Nov 13, 2007 12:07:30 PM

Please. He's one of the few people out there pointing out the obvious truth -- the establishment dems and repubs are just flip sides of the same coin. In both cases, the corporations and their money control the agenda. We need to upend this whole system to see real positive changes in this country. Edwards has changed for the better, he is much more passionate about issues that really matter to our people, and he's got nothing to lose. I just wish the media would give him half as much attention as they give to our "anointed" candidates.

Posted by: Finally Fed UP | Nov 13, 2007 12:12:11 PM

I thoroughly agree with Edwards here as well. The concept of 'support your party' goes against the decisions that people make with thought, blind support. Its not a question of taking his ball and going home, it is an issue of his belief for not supporting someone he may or may not believe supports his beliefs.

Posted by: WW | Nov 13, 2007 12:27:34 PM

I don't blame him for not supporting Hillary. I don't support Hillary.

Posted by: TexBork | Nov 13, 2007 12:49:14 PM

I disagree with the 2 comments above. If he wants to run as a 3rd party candidate, great. As it is, he is running as a democrat and ran in 04 as an establishment democrat with John Kerry.---This is not the same thing as the individual voter out there who doesn't vote democrat if they don't like the choice or republican if they don't like the choice.----He is supposed to be a democratic politician and should stand by his party. Otherwise, he simply looks like a whiney, little boy who is ticked off because the majority preferred somebody else.

Posted by: Judy | Nov 13, 2007 12:51:55 PM

Just ask yourself these two questions:

-Are you happy with the status quo in this country?

and:

-Do you think that Hillary really wants to change the status quo?

Edwards may have become more angry, but he is getting "the treatment" that any candidate gets who truly supports change. Just remember that the people who are paid analysts for the media profit under the current system. 'nuf said.

Posted by: Sam | Nov 13, 2007 1:05:18 PM

I don't know why you would expect Edwards at this point to say he would support Hillary. He is after all running against her right now. His concentration should be on trying to get the nomination.Seems moree like Sen Dodd trying to make a few cheap headlines and stroking his own ego before the inevitable crushing defeats he is about to receive.

Posted by: saintlymark | Nov 13, 2007 1:24:35 PM

Edwards is a rich pretty-boy populist-wannabe Buffoon!

Today he threatened that, if elected, he would take away healthcare benefits from members of Congress, unless they pass Universal Healthcare in 6 months.

Never mind that the President has Absolutely no power to take away Any benefits from members of Congress! He must assume we are all morons. It's all about cheap headlines.

Posted by: carl | Nov 13, 2007 2:35:23 PM

The only non-establishment democrats are John Edwards and Barak Obama. I don't blame Edwards for refusing to endorse part of the reigning good Ole boys. We need change, not the same old stuff that's been sold to us from both sides of the aisle. Go get "em" John, and Barak, follow his lead!

Posted by: AlAllbaugh | Nov 13, 2007 2:53:06 PM

I am a democrat and do not and will not support Hillary Clinton. I will not blindly vote for her in the general election simply because she is a democrat.Because "Honesty and Integrity" matters and I do not feel that she is honest and do beleive she lacks integrity. I care deeply for this country and voting for a "President" overrides party loyalty. I would encourage all to choose carefully and not forget the past 16 years. I hope John Edwards feel the same.

Posted by: murl41 | Nov 13, 2007 3:25:15 PM

Now is not the time to vow your support IF you're the loser. Edwards is in a race and he wants to win. It's ludicrous to condemn him for not supporting his opponent at this point in the race.

Is Chris Dodd looking to get the nomination for VP? hmmmmmmmm? Seems HE might have already conceded...

Posted by: RoadKingGirl | Nov 13, 2007 4:16:24 PM

John Edwards is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I liked him in 2004, too bad he went and got all negative. I'll support Hillary and call it a day.

Posted by: Rachel | Nov 13, 2007 4:27:41 PM

Look for Georgie Stepanofalalfalous to corner a democrat with his cutsie question..."who is your favorite philosopher"? again like he cornered Edwards last time out.

Posted by: daddy | Nov 13, 2007 4:35:34 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how short people's political memories are. I'm a dyed in the wool Democrat and loved much of what Bill Clinton stood for and accomplished, but who in their right minds could want to go back to the extremely bitter partisanship that the Clintons evoked? Contrary to the spin coming out of Hillary's campaign, the Clintons don't hold a monopoly the ability to move our country in a more progressive direction. Ironically, given the visceral level of hatred associated with the Clintons, she may be the only Democrat who couldn't move us in a more positive direction if she were elected.

Posted by: sps91158 | Nov 13, 2007 7:58:11 PM

Clinton does'nt need endorsing from Edwards. Edwards is having a tough enough time... He'll regret it though because,i'm sure Hillary will not be asking him to be V.P. anytime soon..greg

Posted by: gregory boone | Nov 13, 2007 9:05:42 PM

Sore Loser, that what he is!

Posted by: swissdiver | Nov 13, 2007 9:57:30 PM

If a candidate wants my vote then tell me what we can accomplish to make things better. Enough of the b.s about the parties!!!I don't care if you are republican or democrat.We need to have an old-fashioned Boston Tea Party and let all of them take a swim. None of the candidates can straighten out this mess in 4 years and all of them are wishy-washy.Do your job!!!This should be a wake up call for all of us.Stop re-electing the same ones and crying about their mess!!!!!

Posted by: drisko | Nov 14, 2007 12:23:31 AM

I stopped supporting John Edwards over two months ago. When he started going after Bill Clinton, that was it for me.
My son said John Edwards doesn't even seem like a Democrat anymore.

Posted by: Sean Benjamin, Iowa | Nov 14, 2007 1:37:58 AM

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