Edwards Endorsement: What does it mean?
According to the Twitter stream just now, the major cable networks and the New York Times, John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at 7pm eastern. This is a great thing for Obama, particularly in light of the votes Edwards received in West Virginia yesterday.
It’s interesting to see the reaction, though. Some feel as though it’s too little, too late. Others think the timing is inexplicable.
I think something else. I think it’s completely strategic, and relates to the West Virginia vote yesterday. By withholding his endorsement until today, Edwards pulled votes away from Clinton yesterday in a state that may have been the most difficult in the entire 50 United States for Obama to gain any traction within.
Now that the West Virginia primary is over, Obama only needs 25 delegates to have a majority of the pledged delegates. Edwards has 19 delegates. By endorsing Obama, Edwards tips Obama over the within a hair’s breadth of the majority needed to win the nomination, and opens the door for superdelegates to seal the deal.
This is, of course, all speculation. But from a strategic point of view, this moment could indeed be the best moment for an Edwards endorsement.
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