Democrat John Edwards has given his long-awaited endorsement to Barack Obama.
It’s a major boost from a former presidential rival as Obama tries to shrug off Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is determined to press ahead.
Edwards was to appear with Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., as Obama campaigns in a critical general election battleground.
Update 5:49 PM ET: Take a look at the returns from the primary election in West Virginia last night. It’s in the sidebar at the top right side of the page. Edwards received seven percent of the votes yesterday. I’m not sure how the timing might be related, if at all. Something to reflect on.
There will be more spin coming out of the Hillary campaign today than ever before. Hillary trounced Obama in one state and she’ll now consider herself part of the Deity. It’s important to take Hillary’s win last night and put in perspective.
Hillary has won two states by 60 percent or more – West Virginia and her former home state of Arkansas. Barack Obama has won 15 states, D. C., and one territory by 60 percent or more.
State
Obama
Clinton
Spread
Alaska
75
25
50
Colorado
67
32
35
Georgia
66
31
35
Hawaii
76
24
52
Idaho
80
17
63
Illinois
65
33
32
Kansas
74
26
48
Maryland
61
36
25
Minnesota
66
32
34
Mississippi
61
37
24
Nebraska
68
32
36
North Dakota
61
37
24
Virgin Islands
90
8
82
Virginia
64
35
29
Washington
68
31
37
Washington D.C.
75
24
51
Wyoming
61
38
23
I’m sure the Clintons and Howard Wolfson will conveniently forget to mention Hillary’s 17 devastating loses as she touts her overwhelming single victory in West Virginia.
In his harangue with Chris Matthews tonight, Terry McAulliff said:
"Never before in the history of this great party, when it’s been this close, have we asked for a potential candidate, a potential nominee, to get out of the race."
You know, I bet Terry is right (except for the "close" lie). Candidates don’t normally have to be told when to get out. I don’t know if it’s unprecedented, but it’s rare in terms of modern history. Most candidates have enough intelligence and respect for their party, their Democratic opponents, and their country to know when it’s time to go.
