Dodd 'surprised' at Edwards' anger

Posted: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:02 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Dodd, Edwards

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier today, we cited a New York Times piece noting that Edwards is refusing to say that he would endorse Clinton if she becomes the Democratic nominee. Well, in response, Dodd has released this statement obtained by First Read: “I am surprised at just how angry John has become. This is not the same John Edwards I once knew. Of course, we should all come together to support the nominee. I wonder which of the Republicans John prefers to Hillary?”

EMAIL THIS

Comments

dodd is a weasal who went from loving lieberman to hating him for political purposes

edwards simply represents the progressive view-- i'd have a very hard time supporting hillary too

dodd is a phony

Gary, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:12 AM)

In 2003, did the media ask candidates if they'd support Howard Dean if he were the nominee?
NO!
This is just more Queen Hillary inevitability promoted by the media.
I don't blame Edwards for not answering!

Margaret, NYC (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:15 AM)

edwards is making a mistake.... guess like obama he's showing he's not ready for prime time

Tofun,Disney (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:17 AM)

John Edwards has been moving up in polls, and the media is terrified and calling him "angry".
At the Iowa caucus dinner of 9,000 Democrats, Edwards received the greatest and loudest applause of the evening per his position on universal health care. Tucker Carlson aired his comments - but omitted the HUGE applause from the audience - then went on to bash Edwards. This is typical of pro-Hillary MSNBC.

Just sit back folks - the media is choosing the nominees. No need to vote in the primaries. ;>

Josie, SC (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:20 AM)

Please ask the candidates how they feel about the windfall provision of social security that was passed by the democratic in 1986 congress during Tip O'niel speakership.

a lot of federal , state and municipal employees ad paid into the system for a great number of years ending up 45 % lose of their benefits.

bob abbott (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:21 AM)

Agree completely with Dodd. Edwards is an increasingly desperate and bitter figure. So, to a lesser degree, is Obama. These self-righteous attacks on Hillary by fellow democrats are appalling and will not serve us well in our efforts to win back the White House.

csh, IL (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:21 AM)

SORRY MR. Dodd but a lot of us Dems will not support Hillary.

EDWARDS 08!

David, Chattanooga, Tn (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:21 AM)

I guess Mr. Dodd wants to keep his health insurance!

EDWARDS 08!

David, Chattanooga, Tn (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:22 AM)

Edwards is angry because he knows that Hillary Clinton represents the same kind of Washington that this country has dealt with for the last 7 years. He knows that she is not the right candidate to bring about positive change to this country. John Edwards is what this country needs. We should all be angry. This country needs to be strengthened from the inside before we worry about changing/molding the rest of the world. John Edward's ideas/plans for education would put us on the right track and I can't type fast enough nor do I have the time (I'm at work) to go into the rest of his plans. Just please listen to what each candidate has to say, do your research, and make informed decisions.

Leslie, Lawrenceburg, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:24 AM)

More plants by Hillary --
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/13/94817/086

How long has this been going on for Her Majesty?

Oh- and btw - plants grow into bushes.

Margaret, NYC (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:25 AM)

"I wonder which of the Republicans John prefers to Hillary?”

This is the same kind of tired, fallacious logic that perpetuates the status-quo that John and Barack are both working so hard to overturn. Blind loyalty to a party's nominee isn't the same as supporting what's good for America.

Perhaps instead of the question he asked, he might consider this, "Why should John support a candidate who seems more interested in perpetuating the status quo and supporting a dangerous, destabilizing, hawkish, Bush-Cheney foreign policy than in doing what's good for America?"

Justin, Gainesville FL (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:27 AM)

I am a long-time Democrat who has always worked for and financially supported the eventual Democratic nominee even if they were not my personal choice. If Mrs. Clinton is the Democratic nominee in this election, I will not do so. I will not vote for a Republican for President, but I will not support or vote for Clinton. Sometimes one just has to take a stand on matters of principle, and not support more corrupt politics regardless of the party. L know others here in Iowa who feel the same way that I do.

Fed up with politics as usual (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:27 AM)

Good for Chris Dodd.

It is time for Democrats to start acting like Democrats and talk about the issues. Edwards is spewing am radio hate talk and recycling BS lines of attacks from 1992 in his desperate bid to avoid becoming a political has been. Dodd called him on it.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:29 AM)

Yeah, i think that is crazy as well. They should ask her if she would support him or better yet, who do she think is a candidate deserving of the nomination? But they won't. I really do agree, this is the media trying to make headlines saying "Edwards will support her so she must be good!" Pure foolishness!!!

Crystal (Time for change) (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:32 AM)

Margaret,
I bet if it was Hillary who gave the same answer, you will be over the roof talking about her diviseness. No bad will intended.

John doe (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:33 AM)

Edwards on the left - Paul on the right - seems like we have a lot of people running this time who are in it for themselves and their own egos and not for their party's principles.

JF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:36 AM)

Has ANYONE ASKED HILLARY ?
Will she endorse Edwards, if HE'S the nominee ?
Will she endorse Obama, if HE'S the nominee ?

This is just the MSM trying to promote Hillary.
Edwards is right not saying if he'll endorse !

It's a hypothetical
It's a WORST CASE scenario !
It's a sign of the apocolyspe !

Chris Dodd, meet Mr. Richardson

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:36 AM)

What's wrong with Edwards not answering the question?? Shouldn't he still be thinking (since one vote has NOT been cast) that he's going to be the nominee??? Let's be honest----Do you any of you really think the Clintons are going to actively campaign for Edwards or Obama if the get the nomination???

Lewis, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:40 AM)

Actually Margaret, YES the "will you support Dean if he's the nominee" question WAS asked at the Democratic debates in 2003.
Even Dean himself was asked if he would support the eventual nominee. He said "yes" he would, as I recall.
I'm very disappointed with John Edwards these days, I once supoported him, and I thought I knew him better.
In fact I'm very disappointed with a few of the Democratic candidates to include Kucinich, and Obama who've been behaving like little children these last couple of weeks.
Ideologic unity seems to be last on their list, as does party unity and beating the republiCANTs. You can bet they won't act this way on the other side of the political aisle.....they want to win the election, not give it away with petty bickering.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:42 AM)

I hope that democrats who are bailing out this early in the process because they don't/won't get their pet candidate understand that the margin needed for a victory over a Guiliani-type will likely be compromised due to their lack participation in the process irrespective of the nominee. Republicans usaully line up behind the eventual nominee - Democrats like to have memorial services and woe-is-me parties for the has-beens.

JF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:45 AM)

Of course Edwards will support who ever is the nominee, but does he like or respect Hillary? I doubt it? Does he think Hillary can win as the nominee? I doubt it. Does he (or anyone else) care about what Dodd has to say? I doubt it.

Jane Urbandale IA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:45 AM)

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:45 AM)

Edward is not alone. I am definitely not voting for Hillary if he becomes the nominee. I am tired and angry at democrats acting like George Bush republican.

Bee (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:52 AM)

I actually think the Dems have gone to a free for all mentality. Answer is to sit there and look like an idiot and not open your mouth and prove it. Sounds like alot of these nominees need to learn this lesson I.E. John Edwards. Wheres Alfred E. Newman when we need him???????

RM Frisco, Tx (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:53 AM)

Gary and Jane,

So glad to see Iowa support for Edwards. It isn't well-covered in the media, although there were reports that his rallies were well attended last week. I see
Edwards as the progressive candidate with the most substantive and complete statements on issues. Is this the way he is seen in Iowa?

Any way we can help support efforts for Edwards?

Lane , Ann Arbor (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:55 AM)

Edwards anger has turned me off. I think he can be an effective leader, but his CLINTON IS THE EVIL ONE mantra has become annoying and one note.

I support Hillary.

Steve (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:01 PM)

Lane in Ann Arbor go to JohnEdwards.com

Leslie, Lawrenceburg, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:03 PM)

This is such spin. The media is so lazy that they won't cover policy issues they would rather manufacture BS charges. Edwards NEVER said he wouldn't endorse Clinton (so all you Clinton supporters don't need to get your panties in a wad). He merely declined to answer the question. He is running for president why would he answer a smart alec question like are you going to endorse your competitor before the 1st vote has even taken place?

If everyone will recall the media has been trying since yesterday to portray Edwards campaign as down and out (it isn't) and now they need for him to say he would support Clinton so they can then write that Edwards seeing the end of his campaign promises to support Clinton. Yada, yada, yada. It is such BS I can't beleive so many people believe this crap. Wake up people and stop believing all the BS that the media generates. I know the campaign has heated up but please have some sense before you go running off half cocked. Are you that easily manipulated?

pmorlan (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:06 PM)

Ouch!! I guess Clinton really wants to alienate young voters!!

The Anti-Hillary Facebook Group
November 13, 2007 9:31 AM

Senior Clinton campaign advisers Mandy Grunwald and Mark Penn were not impressed with the young Iowans who turned out for Barack Obama at Saturday night's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.

"Our people look like caucus-goers," Grunwald told Roger Simon of the Politico, "and his people look like they are 18. Penn said they look like Facebook."

Added Penn: "Only a few of their people look like they could vote in any state."

Kind of weird to dis 18-year-olds. But hey, certainly the Clinton campaign and its all-knowing ways must have a reason to insult young Democrats trying to engage in the political process.

Either way, umbrage has been taken. And now on Facebook -- the Official Petition Against Hillary Clinton "They Look Like Facebook" Insult.

"That's it: Hillary's entire strategy for winning the White House is to make sure young people on Facebook don't vote," the group's manifesto states. "Facebook voters aren't 18 year old slackers. We are engaged. And we vote. Let's get as many Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to join this group to send a message that stereotypes like this about the youth vote are unacceptable. Invite 200 friends to be listed as a co-founder on the officer list."

As of Tuesday morning, the group had a paltry 159 members -- nothing like the 563,319 members of Stop Hillary Clinton: (One Million Strong AGAINST Hillary).

Lost in this madness is the fact that Penn -- normally so adept at understanding the culture -- clearly has missed the boat on Facebook, 41% of whose visitors are 35 and older. (Mr. Penn -- check out this story in Business Week, "Fogeys Flock to Facebook." )

Matthew Rose at the Wall Street Journal has an amusing column about his Mid-Life Facebook Crisis experience HERE.

So write off Facebook, Clintonistas! Mock Facebook! At your peril.

Yolanda, Largo, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:09 PM)

I am waiting for the inevitable update with the corrected information.

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:12 PM)

David, from Chattanooga, is right -- a LOT of us Dems are not going to support Hillary. I will write in Edwards or Obama but never pull the lever for another Clinton. We do NOT need "those people" in the White House again

Rob, Granville, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:12 PM)

Justin, Gainesville...correct. I'm starting to think I'd rather risk another republican POTUS (McCain..Romney couldn't do too much harm) than have the Democratic brand tarnished by Clinton's political methods and prolonged partisanship.

CJ (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:15 PM)

Maybe the bi-line given by CNN for the upcoming Democratic debate: "taking the gloves off" - is indicative of the state-of-mind of Democrats today - why do Democrats let the media bait their anger so much - not helpful!

JF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:18 PM)

Merle would be disappointed with Hillary too.....
If he knew which side of the fences she was standing on.

John should just put his money in a bank account.....
let it grow some interest.......
And then play the game in 2012...........
Hillary will be gone............
he just might have it in him to win next time.......

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:19 PM)

Just because Dodd was doomed to defeat since day one of his campaign, it doesn't mean John Edwards has to buy into the media conclusion that Hillary is the nominee since Spring of 2007. Dodd should focus more on breaking that 3% mark and less on kissing up to his fellow insider hack, Hillary Clinton.

Ryan (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:22 PM)

obama what a name sounds like a terriost name . i think he is a terriost. he came from a terrisot family . his wife is a terriost they all know .

greg opelika alabama (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:22 PM)

Edwards SHOULD be angry, and so should the rest of us. Many of us are at least as angry as Edwards. Besides the mess Bush has made, both at home adn abroad, we're now getting ready to coronate a Republican-Lite, sure-fire loser as our party's nominee. I'm mad as hell about it, and I'm glad to see someone else is, too. Our country is broken, and no one seems very serious about fixing it.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:31 PM)

jerry.....HOW many people associated with Giuliani are under federal indictment?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:33 PM)

“I am surprised at just how angry John has become.'

I don't believe edwards is angry, compassionate would be a more accurate description, which is why the media keeps saying he is desperate or angry, he represents everything the corporate owned media despises, how dare him not sell out to the political machine that writes their checks, he represents positive change for the american people, not just the corporate and military machine who have purchased hillary to represent their interests, edwards thinks that it is time to rein in the lobbyists, give him that chance, vote for edwards.

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:33 PM)

Hey Dickie Flatts
Maybe Edwards could support Clinton IF she represented Democratic ideals. She doesn't!
She IS Bush lite. Once a Goldwater girl, always a....
Edwards is the only true "populist" running with the best chance of winning in the General, and they know it. Edwards is a clear threat to these "powers that be" DC creatures. This week is a perfect example, Edwards had an outstanding speech and crowd reaction at the dinner, not only is that not mentioned on any of the MSNBC pundit shows, but the talk is how he is noe desperate, angry, flagging campaign yet when I look at the polls they all love to tout he has gone up
It is very clear what the corporate owned media is doing. And the sad thing is the American people still seem to buy into it at their own peril. The best government money can buy... Hell no not in my America

Edwards 2008 The Peoples President the one the corporations fear the most, that very fact should tell you volumes....

Jeanne S (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:37 PM)

John Edwards is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party.

I agree with Senator Dodd. It's time for John Edwards to talk about himself and stop harping about Hillary. He looks more pathetic with each passing day.

Michael Durst - New York (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:39 PM)

Edward is making a mistake for the party. He is hurting himself and he is hurting the party.

Aidyn, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:40 PM)

Merle:

Two that I know of......

How many are under Hillary?........

One in custody (Hsu)
Her own campaign staff is in a lawsuit.....
One Bundler On her team (Celis)
She has a convicted felon on her staff (Berger)
and one impeached husband (even though he won that)

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:43 PM)

as a former resident of Conn., i would not support the democratic nominee or Hillary Clinton , as for Dodd .just drop out of the presidental bid .............................!!!

lou (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:46 PM)

who ever get the nominee clinton, obama , edwards & biden or who ever. you people said I will not vote because I am taking stand. I am sorry if you are true dem you won't let republican take the white house again. WHOEVER GET THE NOMINEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

john snow (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:48 PM)

as a former resident of Conn., i would not support the democratic nominee or Hillary Clinton , as for Dodd .just drop out of the presidental bid .............................!!!

lou (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:50 PM)

Margaret - Candidates are often asked if they would support the eventual nominee. Sometimes names are tossed out and sometimes they are not. I think, in this case, it has less to do with so-called inevitibility and more to do with how vocally anti-Hillary Edwards has been the past few weeks. As in - you have stated your disagreement with just about everything Hillary says and does, so could you support her as the Democratic nominee? That's a fair question.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:51 PM)

Why not ask Hillary if she would withdraw from the race, for the good of the Democratic Party ?

Will she withdraw if she CAN'T WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION ?

Then, ask her when she'll withdraw ?

NO ENTITLEMENTS TO THE NOMINATION !!
Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:45 AM)

Um in case it escaped you, Sierra, the point of having a general election is to select a president. It's far, far too early to say that anyone "can't" win the general election. We have zero clue what is going to happen in the next year. For all we know, Obama or Edwards could be the nominee and totally screw up the general election campaign the way that Kerry did and, to some extent, that Al Gore did. Nothing is certain a year removed from the actual election.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:56 PM)

Go John Go and endorse Obama before or right after the Iowa Caucuses. The future of this country depends on the kind of leadership Obama can offer.

By the way, Edwards speech at the JJ was second only to Obama's outstanding, history making performance.

MR, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:08 PM)

personally, if all edwards and obama have to offer is criticism of hillary and not of how they would govern different, then they may as well not bother (with some voters). if that is all theyve got, then no wonder they are lagging....

O. G. Deeds (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:17 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=464300