Edwards: Not Interested in VP, Not Thinking About AG

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Edwards: Not Interested in VP, Not Thinking About AG

May 15, 2008 9:14 PM

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: One day after endorsing Sen. Barack Obama, the presumtive Democratic nominee, former Sen. John Edwards says he is not angling to become a vice presidential candidate.

"I have no interest in running for VP," said Edwards, arriving at an event in New York City Thursday evening.

For some, Obama and Edwards standing Wednesday on a Michigan stage with their arms raised looked like a possible Democratic convention scenario -- with the pair standing on stage as the Democratic ticket.

Edwards aides also said the former senator was not eyeing a vice presidential bid, and that no deal was cut for his heavily courted endorsement.

On the possibility of being picked as an attorney general nominee, Edwards told reporters, "I don't have any thoughts about any of that."

Edwards was in New York attending an event sponsored by Demos, a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization.

Edwards took the stage and quickly revived his stump speech, but paused to hold back tears when speaking about working-class Americans.

“Every time I see any of these people, I see my father,” said Edwards as he began to choke up.

He continued, “Who I watched, for a long time, 30-some-odd years, go in the mill every day so that I could be in this place.

“Every man and woman who works in these hotels, who works in our nursing homes, who work as security guards -- every one of them is worth as much as me and every person in this room.”

Edwards spoke very briefly about his recent endorsement of Obama.

“God bless, Barack Obama; I only endorsed him because he used to be a member of Demos,” said Edwards. “But God bless Barack and God bless Hillary and, begrudgingly, John McCain.”

In addressing the several hundred people, Edwards said he believed that a Democrat would be elected to the White House in 2008, but cautioned, “The idea that that president is going to solve all of our problems is a fantasy. All of us have to be there every step of the way, from the ground up. This is about organizing. It is about educating. This is what demos is about.”

Edwards was originally slated to attend the event with his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, who was absent from Wednesday's Obama endorsement. When asked where Elizabeth stood in the endorsement process, Edwards declined to speak for his wife.

He acknowledged that he is working with Obama, figuring out their schedules to see what type of support Edwards can lend to Obama’s campaign. Edwards is also encouraging his remaining pledged delegates to switch to Obama.

As for alerting Clinton to his endorsement, Edwards acknowledged, "I called her. We kept missing each other. I tried to speak with her.”

May 15, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (398)

User Comments

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No deal was cut? Yeah, I sure believe that.

And to think Edwards used to be my guy.

Where's Elizabeth when you need her? SHE should have run!

Posted by: Beth | May 15, 2008 9:20:44 PM

Seems that some people are holding a grudge against Obama for getting more votes than Hillary.

The audacity of the guy for getting the most votes. Imagine that.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 15, 2008 9:32:01 PM

Edwards is a traitor to the American working class that he teared up about. Political bull****.

He is a traitor to West Virginia who chose who they believe will better represent them and help them.

I cannot get over how out of touch these dems have become.

Hello Edwards - you just betrayed the memory of your father.

Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | May 15, 2008 9:40:51 PM

Edwards is a traitor to the American working class that he teared up about. Political bull****.

He is a traitor to West Virginia who chose who they believe will better represent them and help them.

I cannot get over how out of touch these dems have become.

Hello Edwards - you just betrayed the memory of your father.

Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | May 15, 2008 9:40:59 PM

Like i said he try the VP thing before,

look for 2 positions

Attorney General

Supreme Court justice

Posted by: daniel | May 15, 2008 9:44:50 PM

Breaking news: Bill Clinton has a heart!?! Wow a reference to Clinton, heart and A** in the same sentence... Wow, these Clinton supporters are in one word "classy"... (losers!)

Posted by: blog | May 15, 2008 9:47:26 PM

BS. maybe wants more $400 haircuts. is he gay?

Posted by: ron | May 15, 2008 9:50:32 PM

BS. maybe wants more $400 haircuts. is he gay?

Posted by: ron | May 15, 2008 9:50:32 PM

Hello Edwards - you just betrayed the memory of your father.

Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | May 15, 2008 9:40:51 PM

--------------------------------------

AHHH SHUT UP!!!

just because he refuse to be a racist like you and some of those CLOWNS.

Now run along and tie yourself to your

BURNING CROSS.

Posted by: cyberwrecker | May 15, 2008 9:51:26 PM

Seems as Hillary supporters are rather "bitter" of this endorsement.

Get Over it.

This race is over. I know it, Obama knows it, Both Clintons know it, the media knows it, McCain knows it, the GOP knows it and so does the DNC.

Do not fault Obama supporters b/c Obama ran an extraordinary campiagn.

He came for "least" likely of winning the nomination and now a candidate for president.

Obama08

Posted by: Vanessa | May 15, 2008 9:51:31 PM

bill was good enough when edwards needed him. he jumped on the bandwagon and that says alot about him. in new orleans, we hate him; a complete fake living in a mansion and he comes to ghetto here. stay away you backstabber.

Posted by: ron | May 15, 2008 9:53:18 PM

Posted by: ron | May 15, 2008 9:53:19 PM

He didnt endorse barack obama just for the sake of endorsing him. Like Bill richardson, edwards has an motive. Unfortunately for them, Barack Hussien Obama will never be president.

Posted by: andrea | May 15, 2008 9:56:05 PM

I have question for Obama supporters, if he is smart, intelligent, charming, why he need so many endorements, when ever he lost a primary he got an endorsement from a loser, that proves that he is weak,he can stand on his own, some one should hold his back.

Posted by: illindipendent | May 15, 2008 10:00:55 PM

Posted by: illindipendent | May 15, 2008 10:02:45 PM

Obama/Edwards would be great. I can also see Obama/Clark and Obama/Webb being a fantastic ticket also. I'm starting to feel sorry for mc-more-war, he doesn't stand a chance in November. Obama 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | May 15, 2008 10:05:40 PM

Politics of Change! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha
Politics of Change! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha
Politics of Change! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha
This is Obama's New Washington!
Kennedy - Loser
Kerry - Loser
Richardson - Loser
Dean - Loser
Edwards - Loser
Gore?

Posted by: rs | May 15, 2008 10:08:53 PM

What I've found that amazing is that the day after West Virginia....the state that is arguably the poorest in the nation, votes overwhelmingly for Clinton...the "Candidate for Change" comes out to support the "Candidate of the Elitist". John Edwards's endorsement of Barack better have sealed the deal on Edward's political future ( AG, VP, or otherwise). If not, he will be the kiss of death on any future political campaign ( after two humiliating losses....same with John (I own ketchup) Kerry.

Posted by: PGHPAVOTER | May 15, 2008 10:12:15 PM

bush - loser
cheney - loser
rumsfeld - loser
limbaugh - loser
this will continue in the senate and congress this fall.

Posted by: pt | May 15, 2008 10:12:50 PM

All you guys do you think because Billy helped these people they owe him????Same as Hilly she deserves this ....Like we need to hand it to her .She waited 8 years for this TS we owe her NOTHING,she is a liar,cheat dirty and many more things.I hope she is convicted of fraud.......I hope they both leave this with their heads between there legs.

Posted by: older white person | May 15, 2008 10:15:46 PM

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