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Clinton Secretly Visits Edwards; Obama Next

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February 10, 2008 3:43 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper and Sunlen Miller Report:

ABC News has learned that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., met with former Sen. John Edwards secretly at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Thursday. Clinton's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Illionis Sen. Barack Obama will meet with Edwards on Monday, sources say. 

Clinton initially told reporters that she was not asking for Edwards' endorsement immediately after he got out of the race. Yesterday, speaking in Lewiston. Maine Clinton said "I'll ask John Edwards to help with anything I do in the White House."

This would be an important endorsement for Clinton to secure, and is essential enough to her that she made a stealth trip to North Carolina, despite her busy campaign schedule. Clinton was two hours late to her first event last Thursday in Virginia, presumably things in the Tar Hill state tied her up.

Sen. Obama would very much like Edwards' endorsement too. Pundits have speculated that Edwards' populist message is more closely aligned with Obama.

Before exiting the Democratic presidential contest, Edwards secured pledges from his rivals to make fighting poverty a priority.

The meetings were initiated by Clinton and Obama, according to sources. 

ABC News' Raleyn Johnson contributed reporting.

February 10, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (261)

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Hopefully, Edwards will remember the almost sneering dismissal of "John" in their last debate.

Posted by: Tom im MA | Feb 10, 2008 5:34:49 PM

I'm with Dale. With Clinton, we get drama for drama's sake. Really can't imagine four years of this - its fatiguing just to ponder the notion.

Posted by: Paul | Feb 10, 2008 5:37:31 PM

This is what Clinton need to do.I hope Edwards does support Clinton.
Clinton has the best national health plan, plus the best economic plan.

Obama plan for change is pocket change

Pocket Change Obama.

Posted by: warner | Feb 10, 2008 5:39:12 PM

Obama is a great motivational speaker, and gifted with a talent to inspire people to dream. Unfortunately that is about all he is. I can understand why people, after the past 8 years, are so desperate to believe in a better future, but people need to recognize that talk that is not backed up by real knowledge, experience and understanding of the world will get us nowhere. Seriously people need to take a good realistic look at the world around us and understand what it will take to turn it around. The Republicans and their status quo will not simply give up in the face of Obama's nice flowery language and idealistic intentions, nor will America's enemies abroad. It will take someone strong and pragmatic who has the experience that is invaluable in order to make real changes. That person without a doubt is Hillary. Not only does she have her heart and mind focused on change and a better future, but will also have the capability, judgement and strength to actually accomplish this.

Posted by: Johnny D. | Feb 10, 2008 5:43:34 PM

GO HILLARY GO! I don't care about th flavor-of-the-month candidates.

Hillary has been a fighter for over 30 years and they've thrown everything including the kitchen sink at her, but she is so resilient!

I hope to God that she makes history in 2008. It's time for a WOMAN!

Posted by: Brad | Feb 10, 2008 5:48:43 PM

For all those naive folks who thinks Obama doesn't take money from lobbyists, you should check your facts. He has taken more money from Big Pharma than any other candidate. It's a fact. Edwards even pointed that out during the Nevada debate. He has also taken more money from energy companies and their executives - and we're talking about companies that promote dirty coal and nuclear energy. Don't be fooled by rhetoric.

Posted by: MHHUNT | Feb 10, 2008 6:01:36 PM

As a middle-class women, juggling job and family, I strongly believe Hillary Clinton is the voice of the middle-class and the unfortunate in America. I for one hope, John Edwards will support Hillary Clinton. I also believe John Edwards would make an excellent Attorney General , for he knows how to fight for the little people.

Posted by: jp,michigan | Feb 10, 2008 6:04:17 PM

Wiseowl: I give you a BIG Amen. Obama is all smoke and mirrors. Would someone PLEASE tell me what his main platform is? If it gets down to Obama and McCain, I'm for McCain all the way. Anyone who spent 5 years of his life in a Vietnamese prison camp and survived, deserves to be president. Obama is way too risky. Hillary Clinton has more devotion to this country than anyone I know. Can you think of anyone who has spent almost 20 years researching Health Care Reform? Who will put that kind of time in? It takes a village to make sure Obama isn't running our country in a few months.

Posted by: Jen4Hil | Feb 10, 2008 6:05:19 PM

So the new line is the world is a dangerous place, and only Clinton has the judgment and experience we need.

Not buying it. She overstates her experience and I haven't seen any judgment I can recall as noteworthy.

I'll take Obama as president any day of the week. At least he seems to understand the job. With Clinton, you get the feeling she sees it as chief executive office of the nation. Obama understands the president is only chief executive of the executive branch of the federal government.

Posted by: Paul | Feb 10, 2008 6:06:58 PM


If Obama really cared about the US of America, He could have waited 4 yrs. before he ran. Hillary is the best one to be our president. He knew what would happen if they both ran. (divide the party). He is still a young chick and he could have done alot to help Hillary. Instead, he is greedy. If the Reps. win it will be his fault and the McCains will stay for another 8 years. At the last National Convention when they addressed him as a Rising Star, boy he ran with it. He is more of a good speaker I give him that but to intelligience I give it to Clinton. We cannot go wrong with her. What is Obama trying to proof anyway? Just watch, If Obama gets it, he will not beat McCain. The Replicans will rally and there goes our time.

Posted by: jane Garcia | Feb 10, 2008 6:10:11 PM

it's typical that She does things in secret and Obama makes it transparent to us all.

I'm so sick of the Clinton drama and secret dealings. Time to turn a new page for a different kind of politics.

Posted by: Ann B. | Feb 10, 2008 6:10:45 PM

Excuse me, I mean, Annie, not wiseowl. Messed up on the arrows there. :)

Posted by: jen4hil | Feb 10, 2008 6:11:13 PM

Yes, give Hillary another chance at taking all of the furniture in the Whitehouse. They need the money from the pardons. Four more years of their tedious melodrama - you have got to be kidding. The Hillary supporters are brainwashed.

Posted by: disambiguates | Feb 10, 2008 6:11:36 PM

Jen4Hill - can you really, honestly tell us you don't understand Obama's platform after nearly 12 months of this campaign?

Wow. That's an incredible statement about any candidate - I feel I knew the campaign positions of the last 10 candidates across both parties.

If you want detail on Obama, go read his website, or google to find independent, non-campaign sources. These blogs aren't a good place to gain information. In a way, these are like the Colbert Report - entertaining to us junkies, but it helps to have a good understanding of the news before you get there.

Posted by: Paul | Feb 10, 2008 6:12:15 PM

First you meet the ones you kiss goodbye.

Posted by: Mike | Feb 10, 2008 6:14:44 PM

Jane Garcia: "If Obama really cared about the US of America, He could have waited 4 yrs. before he ran."

Right... the way to serve the country best is by not offering its citizens too many choices.

Posted by: Paul | Feb 10, 2008 6:15:21 PM

When asked by pollsters leaving caucus locations last night to name one thing Obama had done-nobody could answer. How frightening is that. If I wanted to vote for charismatic big talk I'd vote for Brad Pitt.

Posted by: molly | Feb 10, 2008 6:19:23 PM

The problem with the Clinton campaign in the general election is two fold. One it will galvanize the Republicans and two it will fracture the Democrats. How can you win with that? Recent poles that matched Obama or Hillary proof this point.

Hillary is a politician while Barack Obama is a leader. Inherently, she tries to expand her support base by trying to divide the country into groups with “us” versus “them” mentality. Inherently as well, Obama tries to lead by brining everyone together by focusing on a common ground. Mind you, there is a distinction between working across the isle and brining people together. The former is limited in its scope, while the later has no limit in the possibility it brings.

We need a leader and not a politician in this election!

Posted by: Tom | Feb 10, 2008 6:19:27 PM

I'll be very dissapointed with Edwards if he endorses Hillary. That would make him a real hypocrite to me and million of others. Remember how strongly he was against Hillary's status quo? How can he then turn back and endorese her? Im even surprise he hasn't endorsed Obama up to this day because his policies were more in line with Obama's. What holding him back not to endorse him? If he really loves this country and wants to see the changes he desires, he should endorse Obama and not hillary.

Posted by: Louis | Feb 10, 2008 6:21:23 PM

If Edwards Supports Hillary, it will look like a white Southern conspiracy to defeat Obama (and he will look like a hypocrite). Not a good idea!

Posted by: garba maigoro | Feb 10, 2008 6:27:23 PM

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