Edwards endorses Obama

Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:20 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Edwards, Obama, Lee Cowan

From NBC's Lee Cowan
NBC NEWS has confirmed that John Edwards will endorse Sen. Barack Obama. Obama's event in Grand Rapids, Mich., is scheduled to begin at 6:15pET, notes NBC's Mark Hudspeth. Obama is expected to introduce Edwards at the event. [UPDATE: "Realistically," Obama is likely taking the stage at 6:35 p.m.]

NBC’s Domenico Montanaro adds...
Edwards has 18 pledged delegates, according to the NBC NEWS count.

Even if all of those people voted for Obama, and there's no guarantee they would, it wouldn't quite give Obama a majority in pledged delegates, but it would get him close. Edwards' people are really loyal and might not vote for Obama or Hillary or whoever -- even if Edwards tells them to.

Here's the math...

- The total number for DNC is 4,051 (as number needed is 2,026).
- There are 797 superdelegates.
- So 3,254 total possible pledged delegates
- Therefore, 1,627 is the number needed for majority.
- Obama has 1,599 pledged delegates.
- So that would mean he needs 28 pledged delegates for a majority.
- Edwards' 18 -- even if they all voted for Obama -- would leave the Illinois senator 10 short.
- That's a number Obama would certainly pick up May 20th. Between the contests in Kentucky and Oregon there are a total of 103 delegates are at stake.

(NOTE: Edwards got 7% last night in West Virginia.)

*** UPDATE *** NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports that NBC NEWS has learned that Edwards called Clinton to give her advance notice of his impending endorsement.

One source close to Clinton pointed out "unlike Bill Richardson," reflecting the better relations she has always enjoyed with Edwards. [UPDATE: The source was actually referencing that Richardson didn't call BILL Clinton. Hillary and Richardson had a "tense" conversation. The Clinton camp will not forgive Richardson for not calling Bill Clinton to give him a heads up of his Obama endorsement -- after promising he wouldnt endorse.]

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Comments

Whoop Tee Doo!!!

Hillary will win the popular vote with Puerto Rico and will thus win the nomination in Denver.

The Truth Hurts (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:26 PM)

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!!!!!

OBAMA/EDWARDS, 2008!!!!!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:27 PM)

To: Bill & Hillary Clinton
From: Howard Dean
Re: It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World
Date: May 14, 2008

With respect to Florida and Michigan - as well as the popular vote, elected delegates, states won and superdelegates in your quest for the nomination, here’s the scoop:

We figured it seventeen different ways, and every time we figured it, it was no good, because no matter how we figured it somebody didn't like the way we figured it. So now there's only one way to figure it, and that is every man for himself.

Sincerely,
Howard Dean

PS - Ding 'Dingy' Bell (Mickey Rooney): So good luck, and may the best man win.

Hillary Clinton: Oh, Bill, I feel sick.
Bill Clinton: Now take it easy, honey. These things happen, ya know.
Mother-in-Law Ethel Merman: Now what kind of an attitude is that, 'these things happen?' They only happen because this whole country is just full of people who, when these things happen, they just say 'these things happen,' and that's why they happen! We gotta have control of what happens to us.

We're Winding This Baby Down (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:27 PM)

Clinton Republicans for McCain.

McCain 08

Obama supporters please stop the fear mongering about the Supreme court and rove vs wade being overturned.

It only makes you look Republican.

patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:27 PM)

Edwards just endorsed Obama!

Danndy Don is singing.

Turn out the lights, (HRC) the party is over.

Now the SD’s are really going to start endorsing Obama and by May 21st Obama will reach the magic number, 2026

Ismael, Weslaco TX (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:28 PM)

Great news - thanks, John Edwards!

ujw, ny (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:29 PM)

That is huge!! Thank you John Edwards!

Can't wait to see how long it takes Hillary to say those delegates don't count if they don't vote for her.

Michael, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:29 PM)

Finally!

We are no longer at the end of the beginning;

but rather

The beginning of the end!

Michael R, Anderson, IN (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:29 PM)

VERY interesting timing. What an effective way to blunt the WV victory celebration. Not to be overlooked -- the announcement is to take place in Michigan, a manufacturing state that figures to be somewhat in Edwards's favored demographic.

Steve S., Springfield, Ill. (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:29 PM)

Time for the lady in the pantsuit to sing!

Siegfried, Central Illinios (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:29 PM)

Wooo Hoooo!

Maybe HRC can run for Gov. of WVA?

Latte liberal, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:30 PM)

What a coward! Waiting until he was absolutely sure
Obama had it locked up. Why didn't he endorse back
when it took some political courage to endorse, and
could have helped.

Too little, too late. Doesn't matter a bit, at this
point.

What a coward!

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:30 PM)

As a resident of Wilmington North Carolina and a Obama supporter, it's about time Mr. Edwards....thank you.

Donna-Wilmington, NC (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:30 PM)

Wouldn't this have had more teeth 3 months ago??

Edwards has said all along he may not endorse anybody so this sudden shift after Hillary's WV win last night may have caused him to feel Obama is in trouble with the "new electoral map" as the voting is shown to be increasingly racially divisive. He might think that, as a southern politician, he would be able to shore up the southern vote expected to go to McCain. But he didn't shore it up as Kerry's running mate.

More likely he was waiting for the better cabinet position. I remember hearing something about a poverty czar in the Obama White House???

Margaret, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:30 PM)

And the fat lady has left the building.

DA, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:31 PM)

Thank you John Edwards!

Lynn - Alhambra, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:31 PM)

Way to go Edwards I new you would get off the fence soon...Well Now we need cuple of more big names to do the same....The time has come.........All Aboard!!!!!!

James Tn (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:31 PM)

Thanks John Edwards!!!! I knew it was in you!

Obama '08

L. Jackson Kansas (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:31 PM)

THE FAT LADY HAS SANG...AND THE CURTAIN FALLS...AN ERA OF SHAME IS FINALLY OVER...

GOOD BYE!

MR (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:32 PM)

Great! Edwards was my first choice, and even though I voted for Obama when AZ primary voted, I am glad to get his opinion. He remains one of America's best.

Kay P, Tempe AZ (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:32 PM)

A day late and a dollar short. Thanks for helping out when times were tough.

Ron, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:32 PM)

Thank you Mr. Edwards ... We will not hold the time you took to make this decision against you ;-)

"And the men who hold high places ... must be the ones to start ... to mold a new reality ... closer to the heart" (RUSH the band not the Limbaugh)

Ralph in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:33 PM)

Huuuuuge Endorsment !
Finally .. Some Good News Today.

Chuck ... your fellow analysts at MSNBC are really disappointing today ...
How do you base National points of view based on West Virginia ?
It's the Whitest of the White states !

You guys amaze me !
Again .. IT'S WEST VIRGINIA !

Steve B. NewYork NY (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:33 PM)

yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!! for get clinton lets put edwards on the obama/ edwards ticket and we cant lose. just watch mcbush turn to a pillar of salt and blow away

mike ca (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:33 PM)

WOOHOO!!!!!!

Obama chic (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:33 PM)

R.I.P. Hillary.

If you need a translation, ask your 'catholic' vote.
(Rest in peace)

John S (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:33 PM)

Amen! Thank you Mr. Edwards!

Lauri Smalls, Providence, RI (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

Edwards can certainly help in rural KY-----he could have certainly helped here in WV, but alas, to late. BUT better late than never.

Sherri Charleston WV (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

Edwards has 19 pledged delegates, not 18.

cph (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

HAHA - All right! I knew I liked Edwards...!

L - MI (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

What would really be sweet if after the dust settles and Obama is the nominee that Edwards would be on his list for running mates. I've met alot of people who are skittish about Obama, wary of Hillary, but have a great deal of respect for Edwards. Not sure that Edwards would say yes, but I think it would go a long way in reassuring some of the blue collar democrats that Obama is a candidate who is on their side.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

As a former Edwards supporter, I am SO happy that Sen Edwards has come on board. Welcome to the hope and change you also envisioned!

many many thanks!

sara, mesa, az (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

To all of you who don't think people care or support Obama in Michigan, I invite you to see the lines of people waiting to get in to see him tonight:

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=92192

MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

So?
Is he a super-delegate? Otherwise, what good is he?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

GO OBAMA GO!!!

& Edwards would make an excellent attorney general in an Obama administration.

tim, los angeles, ca (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:35 PM)

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!

KP, California (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:36 PM)

Thank you John. My your ideas become planks in the platform!

Yes We Can!

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:36 PM)

Your bit about Edwards' loyalists not voting for Obama is total fiction.

We all switched to Obama a long time ago. Our motto is "ABC" - anybody but Clinton.

As history has shown, even amongst Edwards' insiders, those who identify with Edwards also identify with Obama. The premise of this comment is baseless. You can do better. Please try.

Gunnar,Salem, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:36 PM)

with edwards on the ticket theres no way to lose

mike ca (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:36 PM)

IF IF IF obama gets his 141 - than he will be the nominee - he has NOT won - how Arrogant of him to claim victory!!!
IF he wants to be the nominee - than KNOCK HILLARY OUT! He just cannot seem to do this! WHY - Because MILLIONS of people keep VOTING for her - even when the obama group screams its over - guess NOT!
VOTES - REAL VOTES - Count - not like caucus - talk about fraud!
Abby (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:03 PM)

*********************************************

You, my dear, are a moron.

Obama said POINT BLANK that he had not won the nomination. Where do you get off saying that he did? Grow a brain and learn to read. And take Moron Molly with you.

Typical White Girl (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:37 PM)

That would be politically expedient, unlike his expensive haircut.

Jules (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:37 PM)

Fan Fricken tastic

Good News a day after somewhat bad news

Go Obama

Just voted here in Oregon, so has a lot of the state and that just doesn't happen we all usually wait til the last day to drop off ballots but everyone here is so excited about Obama and we are not waiting

Jeanie in Oregon (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:37 PM)

good for you john, i hope your wife does not mind, she seems to be a hillary girl. today a lot of women have been getting mad today. what stated as a great race between to great candidated has turned in to a fight that i hope will not divide the party.

jeff D evanston IL. (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:37 PM)

Hillary will ride this campaign out to nearly the convention, she will continue to ruin Obma's chances, McCain will be a one term president, then Hillary can run again in 4 years. To all of the dems who have backstabbed the clintons, watch your backs it's coming.... There will be hell to pay especially for richardson, and it will all be for naught, because Obama doesn't stand a chance against McCain.

The Truth Hurts (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:37 PM)

Would you like some more tissues Patty? How about a set of Hillary and McCain plush toys?

You can hug them while you watch the Clinton campign crumble around you!!

Get over yourself (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:38 PM)

WOOO HOOO!! May 20th sounds good to me ;)

feeling better in ne (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:38 PM)

Hillary must feel like the proverbial Dutch Boy. Oh wait! It's Bill that likes to put his finger....

Monica (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:38 PM)

So, is F-R all going to investigate those pledged candidates to see where to put them, or leave it to be a Denver surprise? I'm hoping for surprise, because I haven't had any since I learned that Santa (albeit real) decided to boycott me last year.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:38 PM)

Now this race really is over. With Edwards 18 Pledged Delegates added, Obama only needs to win 10 out of the 103 pledged delegates at stake in Oregon and Kentucky. Obama will not only have a majority of the pledged delegates by May 20th, he'll win by a significant margin. Bill and Hillary Clinton and their campaign to get back into the White House are now completely irrelevant. It's done. The Clintons are now going to be ushered off the political stage--perhaps kicking and screaming, perhaps with the assistance of security, but they are definitely finished.

Long Tall Texan (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:38 PM)

Finally, better late than never. I have no doubt that the timing of Sen. Edwards endorsement is very well thought out by Obama's campaign, coming as it does on the heels of last nights results in West Virginia. If there has ever been a more brilliant strategy for a campaign I would like to know who it was. Obama has vision, an obvious understanding of what it takes to build a coalition across this country and I have every confidence that he will be successful in November by bringing a whole new generation of voters into the process, as well as continuing to energize people to support his candidacy. I have always had respect for John Edwards, surely his endorsement of BO will help him with some of those reluctant voters in the South. Thank you Sen. Edwards!

Lisa, IA (Sent Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:39 PM)

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