Obama on Edwards

[sabra]

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/01/obama_on_edwards.html

Sen. Barack Obama has wasted little time paying tribute to his departing rival John Edwards (and maybe courting his supporters). He just issued this statement:

“John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn’t popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who’s up and who’s down, he made a nation focus again on who matters – the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this – that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.”

[skipos]

1. Great statement. eom

[tammywammy]

2. Nice statement

[Barack_America]

3. It's a very nice statement...

And I truly think he means it.

All indications are that Obama has tremendous respect for Edwards.

[stray cat]

4. Nice statement; Edwards did shape the populist agenda

now being spoken by both republicans and democrats.

[RiverStone]

5. Thanks Barack - good words for a great man!...n/t

[goodhue]

6. very nice statement

[BenDavid]

7. but obama could not say he meets the criteria set by Edwards,

because he couldn't, whereas on the other hand HRC has a life's work of meeting John Edwards criteria and that being words and deeds....anyone can give great speeches and that being words, but unless you have the deeds to follow it, then words mean nothing....

[yodermon]

9. Yay! No corporate lobbyists in an HRC whitehouse then!

cool.

[Windy]

12. Hillary is the polar opposite of edwards. n/t

[LowerManhattanite]

13. Goddamn, man...

...it's about the statement. Not about being a vulture and claiming anyone's mantle or supporters. But God—you just can't seem to help yourself here today, can you?

Go...cash a check or something.

[Apollo11]

8. I guess he said "that two Americas can become one"

I am glad that Obama is facing up to the fact that "one America" is a dream that has not yet been achieved.

Since 2004, a lot of Obama's rhetoric has played down the very real differences that exist.

I think Obama is just trying to find language that will connect with as many folks as possible.

I will be interested to see if Edwards takes the risk of endorsing Obama (or Hillary?)

[Egnever]

10. Well said as usual

Good Work Obama. John deserves respect.

[Yael]

11. What a wonderful sentiment. Thank you!

[rodeodance]

14. very gracious response.