What A Difference A Day Makes
a brief on the edwards' endorsement
2008-05-15
By Eric Easter

As little as 24 hours prior to this writing, the political world had all but written off John Edwards as inconsequential to the presidential race. And in fact, he was. By waiting so long after his exit from the race to make his candidate preference known, he seemed to have held his cards so closely that the game had long passed his ability to throw in his bet and have any impact. Certainly the speculation that he was trying to stay neutral in order to be in the best position for a future cabinet position did not help his image either.

But as Edwards proved, timing is everything. Despite the fact that Obama did not aggressively put West Virginia in play, the press was taking its cues from the Clinton spin and revving up an all out assault on Obama’s ability to win blue collar white voters – even as they assailed Clinton for suggesting it.

Edwards had always said he was waiting for the right time. And did just that, expertly. Right before the heat got too hot, just in time to clear a path for Kentucky and Oregon, just at the moment Hillary Clinton was meeting with the financiers of her protracted war.  It’s clear to see why he became a gazillionaire trial lawyer.

It would be great of the Obama people to spin this as an endorsement known to everyone but held both by Edwards and Obama until just the right strategic moment. That would give even further evidence of Obama’s superior campaign management skills.

But if reports are correct, this may have come just as much as a surprise to Obama as it was to the Clintons. The relationship between Obama and Edwards has not been qualified as very close by those who know both. But very close isn’t necessary – pragmatic and strategic will do fine. It was the right move for the party at a time when superdelegates are looking and Hillary was signaling that this was to be the never- ending journey.

Ladies and gentleman, say hello to Attorney General John Edwards.

Eric Easter writes on politics, culture and technology for ebonyjet.com