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Obama on Edwards: 'I Want Him Involved and Partnering With Me"...but for VP?
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ShareFebruary 13, 2008 10:26 PM
ABC's Sunlen Miller and Raelyn Johnson Report: Barack Obama told a Racine, Wis., crowd that he would want John Edwards involved and partnering with him if he becomes president.
The response came when an audience member asked if they should anticipate an Obama-Edwards ticket anytime soon.
Obama said he tries to avoid being presumptuous because he has not locked in the nomination but added, "I will say this, I think John Edwards is somebody who lifted up the issues of poverty and the working families, in a powerful way. I think he's extraordinarily talented. He is going to be a major voice in the Democratic party for years to come and I want him involved and partnering with me in moving this country forward."
When he was a candidate, John Edwards consistently said that he would not consider another vice presidential slot on a Democratic ticket. Aides chalked up Edwards' strong feelings against second billing as "been there done that."
Even after a string of early losses, Edwards offered ABC News an unequivocal "no" when asked if he would consider a VP nod. However, since Edwards abandoned his presidential bid, one former aide explained that a VP position would offer Edwards another path to the presidency. Read more HERE.
But sources have said basically anything is possible since he dropped out of the race.
Obama has been actively courting Edwards' endorsement, and has indicated the two talk regularly on the phone. A face-to-face meeting between the former rivals for the Democratic nomination was scheduled for Monday night in North Carolina, but was abruptly canceled same day.
"It will be rescheduled. We're gonna make it happen," Obama said of the meeting on Monday.
Edwards has been very complimentary of Obama while out on the trail, and quickly came to his defense when he was criticized by Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton. During a campaign stop in South Carolina last month, when he was still in the race, Edwards joked about an Obama-Edwards ticket saying, "I'm running for the Democratic nomination. I think maybe he should be running for my VP."
Hillary Clinton met with John Edwards last Thursday, and has similarly said she would have Edwards involved in anything she does in the White House.
February 13, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (40)
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Obama/Edwards = Unstoppable
Posted by: Jubcha | Feb 13, 2008 10:38:26 PM
Certainly more palatable than Obama/Clinton, however, I would prefer Obama/Bloomberg
Posted by: GC | Feb 13, 2008 11:05:40 PM
no obama/wesley clark former general to balance the security toughness of sen mc cain and also the build a bridge with the hillary faction in the party
Posted by: thierry freeman | Feb 14, 2008 3:01:23 AM
Well, now, it could be O/E, or O/C ...
But what ever happened to OBAMA/KERRY??
How about O/E, YEAH !!
Parallel philosophies, and Edwards would not have to answer to BILL C...
Plus, Kerry is a bit too cynical for me.
Edwards would garner more support.
Posted by: LeeRoy | Feb 14, 2008 3:02:46 AM
Hillary'd make an excellent 2nd chair, given her previous closeness to the presidency, but I still think OBAMA can do better by bringing in more NEW BLOOD.
Edwards and he are closely aligned, and
also has a much more POSITIVE outlook...
Somebody please tell John that THIS TIME
he WILL be Vice President, as OBAMA IS the CONTEMPORARY JFK embodiment of HOPE.
Caroline Kennedy mentioned this of late.
HEY !!! How about Caroline for V.P.???
Or maybe she could handle a Cabinet ???
Just thinking out loud ...
Posted by: LeeRoy | Feb 14, 2008 3:14:30 AM
The best VP choice for Obama is Joe Biden. Strong foreign-policy/national security background, gravitas, but not too much of an "establishment" Democrat (as in loose ties to the Clintons).
Posted by: jac13 | Feb 14, 2008 7:15:19 AM
yeah definitely yes to O/E i think both will lead this country to a place where the world will start to envy us again.....I will say yes to that.
Posted by: omim i | Feb 14, 2008 9:29:11 AM
What about the woman gov. from the state of Kansas? Dont get me wrong, I like Edwards, but something doesnt sit well with me on the O/E ticket. For some reason I get a bad feeling about it. Lets face it, as like able as Edwards is he just can't seem to win over voters....
Posted by: Phil | Feb 14, 2008 9:44:16 AM
Edwards has made it clear that he is not interested in a VP spot, if he wants it, i would put him on HUD. Joe Biden would be an ideal VP for Obama.
Posted by: Louis | Feb 14, 2008 10:05:27 AM
Obama's economic speech yesterday was his suck-up to Edwards. Will it work? Or does Edwards recognize that Hillary's positions (on health care, economic help for the underclasses, and on and on) are very much closer to his own?
Posted by: K | Feb 14, 2008 10:45:45 AM
It's Clinton / Obama / Edwards AG - get used to it!
Posted by: bing! | Feb 14, 2008 11:07:58 AM
Edwards would be great as a DHHS head, and perhaps head of the DOJ. As per pairing a potential VP with Obama should he secure the nomination, HRC would probably be the preferred outcome of the DNC as long as the animus between the two does not get out of control in the next few months. Joe Biden is certainly an interesting possibility as he is eminently qualified and brings respected foreign policy experience to the table, but does he bring you votes? Given how badly Obama lost California in the primaries, he's going to want to strengthen his appeal in this state, the Southwest, and OH & PA. Outside of HRC, it's not clear than any other VP possibility would have such broad appeal. Perhaps Richardson insofar as CA as well as the Southwest (and he too brings foreign policy experience), but I'm not sure what his numbers looked like in OH & PA. Richardson might certainly blunt the appeal to Hispanic voters that McCain has had so far (this appeal might diminish after the GOP convention if McCain forcefully rescinds his previously more moderate views on immigration policy).
Posted by: V | Feb 14, 2008 11:19:20 AM
This Obama/Edwards dream ticket would be very strong and popular. I also suspect, however, that an Obama/Clark ticket would be stronger - especially since the GOP will attack Obama as naive, weak, untested, and slightly pacifist. Clark would provide some visual protection from those dangerous misperceptions during a time of war.
Posted by: Eric | Feb 14, 2008 11:22:07 AM
Since the Senate is so closely divided Edwards makes a better choice for VP than taking the losing Senator out of the Senate.
My personal preference is for Edwards for Supreme Court.
Posted by: Jane | Feb 14, 2008 11:38:09 AM
I guess we have hit running mate guessing-game time.
My money is on Obama-Warner.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 14, 2008 11:48:09 AM
Obama/Clark sounds awesome. The biggest problem would be that Clark wasn't a very dynamic campaigner. The second biggest problem would be that he's not "liberal" enough for the hard-core lefties.
Obama/Edwards would have different strengths and different weaknesses. Obama/Clark seems like the better choice to me because Obama/Edwards would seem too "young" and because Clark adds depth in the area of foreign policy.
I'd support either of those options with great enthusiasm!
Posted by: Fassa | Feb 14, 2008 11:58:01 AM
If we're looking for a retired general, I'd advise Obama to have a talk with retired Marine Gen Anthony Zinni.
Not sure he's a Democrat, but then who knew Clark was before he ran for president?
Posted by: Paul | Feb 14, 2008 12:02:31 PM
Mr. Edwards.. PLEASE before you endorse Obama, PLEASE look at his track record helping to reform the corrupt politics in IL...
Well actually, Mr. Edwards, you won't find any track record.. Obama consistently support the old boys over reform candidates... Why is that wondering minds inquire?
Posted by: MsComment | Feb 14, 2008 12:11:24 PM
What do you think about an Obama/Richardson ticket? Richardson has a very impressive resume as a former Congressman, Secretary of Energy, UN Ambassador, Governor and international negotiator. His Hispanic heritage would certainly help with this important population.
Posted by: Michelle Robertson | Feb 14, 2008 12:19:57 PM
Obama/Edwards sounds pretty unbeatable. Richardson would make a great Sect'y of State.
Posted by: M. Robertson | Feb 14, 2008 12:23:22 PM
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