Democrats meet with John Edwards
The former Democratic candidate may have a chance to play kingmaker.
February 11, 2008
By Kelsey Hayes
Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke to former Sen. John Edwards on Sunday, and Sen. Barack Obama will speak to Edwards on Monday. Their motives? Edwards only racked up about 26 delegates (by the AP's count) before exiting the race, but he had large support from blue collar workers, white men and unions. His endorsement, therefore, would be a boon for either candidate. Clinton needs all the help she can get as she faces the electoral drought that is February, and Obama could use union support in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. The two states currently favor Clinton, but if Obama wins them in March and April, he could finally seal up the nomination.
What would Edwards want for his troubles? A vice presidential spot isn't out of the question, although Edwards has been down that road before. He might also angle for a cabinet position (he's a tailor-made attorney general) in the event that the DNC, to avoid a convention fiasco, forces Clinton and Obama onto the same ticket.
What are the possible ticket match-ups? If Clinton wins the nomination, assuming she doesn't choose (or is forced to choose) Obama, expect her to choose a defense-focused running mate (like Gen. Wesley Clark) or someone who is competent but low-key (like New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson). If Obama is victorious and Clinton is not forced onto his ticket, he might just pick Edwards if he has Edwards' endorsement. I could also see him choosing someone from a purple state, like Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, or even a woman, like Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius or Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Keep an eye on the news tomorrow in the event that Edwards makes his preference known. He supposedly wasn't going to endorse anyone until after Super Tuesday, which has come and gone. If he doesn't choose soon, he risks coming off as a fair weather friend.
On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain is almost certainly going to go for someone with solid socially conservative credentials. At this point, I'd be shocked if Gov. Mike Huckabee didn't wind up as McCain's running mate, especially if he continues to give McCain fits in the primaries.
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