Edwards endorses Obama

Today Senator Obama received the endorsement of former Senator and former Democratic Presidential Nominee, John Edwards. The endorsement came at a great time for Obama as it will in all likelihood knock the story of his loss in West Virginia completely out of the headlines, or at the very least it will make them quieter. Senator Edwards criticized both Clinton and Obama but was harder on Clinton due to her ties to corporate America. A source close to the Clinton camp has told ABC News that:

“Clearly it’s upsetting. He brings the workers”

This could very likely be what Obama needs to convince uneducated whites that he’s not what his critics and slanderers say he is as before they were the Senator Clinton’s core constituency, they were Senator Edwards’ base and if anyone can make them see the truth(Obama is better than McCain for their interests), Senator Edwards can.

It’s worth noting however the Elizabeth Edwards didn’t fly out to Grand Rapids with her husband to endorse Senator Obama and has promoted Senator Clinton’s health-care plan so it may not be out of the question to see her endorse Senator Clinton now that her husband has publicly revealed his preference. Of course, Elizabeth’s endorsement in all likelihood won’t be considered quite as news worthy as John’s.

Hillary as Huckabee

The media has put a large spotlight on the fact that they believe Senator Clinton is staying in the race far beyond what reason allows. However, they treated a previously irrational candidate quite differently. Governor Huckabee stayed in the race for the Republican nomination even though it was blatantly clear he had no hope for the nomination, yet they simply observed and asked about it. However, now that Senator Clinton is the one who they believe has stayed in too long, the media is actively pushing the idea that she should drop out.

I do think the media is accurate when they say that she has no real hope of victory(as they were with Huckabee), but at the same time this contrast is interesting. There’s also a difference in reaction to Clinton’s insistence that she has a chance at winning to Huckabee’s. The former governor’s statement that:

“Folks, I didn’t major in math. I majored in miracles, and I still believe in those too.”

was treated as a funny statement from a candidate who was simply an underdog. However, with Clinton the media is harsher towards her instance that:

“I am even more determined than ever to carry on this campaign until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard,”

which is treated as significantly less legitimate, which doesn’t make sense. Hillary may not be able to win, but her rationale(to take her at her word) is based on her honest belief that she’s the most qualified nominee, would be the best President, and that she owes it to her supporters to go the distance, even if much like her hero Rocky Balboa, she is beaten in the end. All Huckabee had was the hope that God would step in and end John McCain’s campaign.

The question of why is an interesting one and my guess is that much of the difference in treatment is based on the difference between how Hillary and Huckabee treated the media. Huckabee charmed the media with his good ol’ boy speech and his media savvy(see: The Colbert Report and SNL) while Hillary has for the most part been less accessible with a few exceptions such as her brief appearances on SNL, The Colbert Report, and her interviews with people like O’Reilly.