Following Edwards, union backs Obama

Didn't John Edwards tell Larry King on Monday night that he was going to let the voters in the remaining states decide for themselves and not issue any endorsement? Then they do just that on Tuesday in West Virginia and Clinton blows out her rival by 41 points. In less than 24 hours, Edwards pops out like a jack-in-the-box in Grand Rapids and says, in endorsing Obama, that it's time to stop the "same old hateful politics." Well, it sort of looks like the same old hateful politics to me, carrying out an ambush like that before the evening news programs have even had a chance to report Clinton's big win. I wonder what Elizabeth thinks about all this? Especially given that it's Sen. Clinton's universal health care plan that matches her husband, not Obama's. And we now know Clinton's the "fighter" John Edwards said the White House needs to take on the special interests. She's the one who's harping on the oil companies day in and day out about their outrageous profits, not Obama, who calls her a panderer and talks about the need for more fuel-efficient cars. The hypocrisy in this election is really breathtaking.

The democratic party is doomed! There is still no way I will ever vote for Obama! I would rather vote for McCain than Obama! I have always been a democrat, but if they pick Obama forget it! Go Hillary!

Well, they used to describe Obama's supporters as a 'cult' of personality --- but it seems clear from the commens above by Hillary supporters that she is the one who has spawned a 'cult.' For any Democrat to say they would vote for McCain over Barack shows that they are Democrats in name only -- they don't really embrace the policies of redistributing wealth, providing for health care, keeping jobs in the U.S. and getting out of Iraq now! What a strange sort of Democrat, indeed, are these Hillary supporters!

"Jack-in-the-box...same old hateful politics...ambush...fighter...panderer?" Yes, I agree, your "hipocrisy is really breathtaking."

no offence intended but are both comments thus far from special interest groups?

Kathleen,

I do respect your options. But as a democrat, what's your platform regardless the nominee. I think you need to read the Democratic Party Program. For me, no matter who the nominee is I am a democratic party member. By being a member of the party, I believe on the values and principles of the party than the individual. I don't think it's a class competition rather a competition between values and principles.

I bet Kathleen Krech voted for Bush....

Kathleen - you need to pull your head out of the sand. You provide no reason for your position to support McCain over Obama. If you were truly interested in the Democratic Values that Hillary represents, then supporting Obama over McCain would be a given. Obama supporters do not carry the hate that you are instilling here. They would clearly support Hillary were the circumstances reversed. From your lack of reason, one can only assume you are a wolf in sheep's clothing....i.e. a Republican McCain supporter who is just trying to stir the pot and cause problems. Americans who value the Democratic positions to improving our country will see through this rhetoric and support Obama (if given the nomination).

I agree with rosie. Why would you vote for Hillary unless you agree with her on the issues. And if you do agree with her on the issues, then it makes no sense to vote for McCain over Obama. Kathleen, it sounds like you need to put more thought into your vote before submitting yourself to the Hillary "cult of personality." It is this unthinking voter bloc that could cost the Democratic Party the general election.

Any democrat that votes for McCain just because they don't like Obama is an idiot. If you vote for McCain and the republicans you are basically saying that the Republican party can do whatever it wants without any consequences. While I am an Obama supporter, I would vote for Hillary if she won the nomination. Oil prices, the economy, the war. We need change for the sake of change. You know it is bad in this country when welfare reform and education aren't even issues in the election.

Rosie said:

"they don't really embrace the policies of redistributing wealth, providing for health care, keeping jobs in the U.S. and getting out of Iraq now!"

A very large portion of this statement describes a Socialist form of ecconomic policy. Not surprising as many "ultra-liberals" are really socialists in democratic clothing. The good news for you Rosie is that you can move to Canada or several European countries if that's what you're looking for.

And by the way. I'm a moderate, uncommitted (as yet), voter who is a registered independant so pleae don't try to lable me as a Hillary supporter or Right-Wing Co-Conspiritor.

Dear Kathleen,
Are you kidding me? You will overlook the difference in policies between Obama and McCain and vote for McCain?? Maybe it is time for you to check your voter registration card, I think it may say "republican". Come on and get your head in straight. please!!

Kathleen why would you not vote for Obama? That statement makes no sense. You want more or the same from the conservatives?

Why are Americans so spell bound by a rookie presidential candidate,named Obama with a Muslim connection, a black supramist connection, Recko mafia like connection. The beauty of it all is that they want this chap to be their President 2008. Are the Dems and his voters crazy. Anyway, its their choice, he is McCain best Xmas present the Dem party can ever give. Cheers

What kind of a democrat would vote for McCain over Obama? Certainly not one who wants a meaningful change in this country. As for West Virginia, many voters there admitted the voted for for Clinton because of Obama's race, as well as false ideas about his religion, and rediculously, his middle name, which he cannot help. Boy, she should be pretty proud to get such people's votes.
Hillary Clinton has accepted more from corperate lobbyists than any one else is congress, the last time she pushed for universal health care, the insurance companies bought her out. She is a smart and capable woman, but how can anyone trust her after that? She doesn't deserve the hatred and disrespect she gets by the media, she wouldn't get it if she was a man, but the people across America have spoken, overwhelmingly for Obama.

It is so sad to see comments like this repeatedly against Senator Obama, he has been a perfect gentleman with Hillary, but you can not say that about her, she has tried to destroy him in her quest for power. What knocks me out even more is people saying they would vote for John Mccain if thier canidate does not win, think about what you are actually saying, you would really let your hate for Obama which is totally unfounded, he has done nothing to generate this hatred. Some folks are just racist and it's coming out with such fiece hatred. I don't know if that's your problem or not Kathleen, but if you would vote for McCain instead of Barrack just because you hate him and can't deal with the fact that he won, not by taking or changing the rules to suit him but by just actually winning, then you have not had enough of George Bush and his robber barrin possey. That's insane Kathleen! Just insane....

You're right, Rosie. As a Dem who'd contentedly vote for either, I'm mildly amazed at the level of "hate" in the first, second, and fourth posts. Edwards has the perogative to endorse who he wishes without being called pejorative names, particularly since "his" state resoundingly chose Obama. It is interesting to note that, since the previous primaries, Obama has picked up more super-delegates than the entire number of delegates W. Virginia brings to the table. Even without N. Carolina, Obama's delegate lead has grown.

As for the second post, given how close Clinton and Obama really are on the issues, particularly when compared to McCain, one can only attribute the invective to something non-political......

From time and time we have not pull together as promising Democrate party we should be. I have attended local Democrate meeting in my home town and I seen that we fight amond each other instead of fixing the problems. Its all over the states, It time for a change and I believe this is the only way out of the error that the United States is in. We have to look out for our future genaration. Obama and Clinton is the key to fixing our ending error. Clinton, should step down and become the vice president, this way we can focus on McCain.

I believe Obama's "Muslim connections" will do more to heal this country than anything else. Don't we need someone from a diverse background to reach across all divides?

Here goes another Limbaugh listener - Mike. Without actually knowing anything he keeps touting same thing over, and over, and over again. Rezco, "Secret" Muslim, Black supremacist... etc, None of these is true, but that is the only thing they have on Obama. Its pathetic.
You guys sound like children. How about McCain's family's multi million dollar Sudanese funds? Or McCains less than poor performance in Naval Academy? Or his notorious hot temper that is scary to be possessed by a leader of most powerful military in this Solar System ;). Or how about him calling Vietnamese gooks? Or how about his change on virtually every stance he have had before and after 2000 election. How about him becoming a lap dog to Bush, after BushCo have destroyed him in a very very less than noble election of 2000?

I respect and admire Hillary Clinton, especially for her willingness to see that all voters in states with primaries get to cast votes until a candidate has clinched the nomination. While it's clear that the nominee wiil be Barack Obama, the party will come together in just a few weeks to bring change to our country. The issues are too important and the need too great, for people not to realize what an opportunity they have to effect a meaningful reclaiming of the American Dream.

Mike,
I don't know why people keep saying the Dems are divided - perhaps now while there's still a competition going on. The republicans are divid and they already have a person who clinched the nomination.

Remember, conservatives don't like McCain. Neocons HATE McCain. Even when he clinched the nomination and gave his speech, people from his own party could be heard booing in the room off the main floor. Let's see if anyone boos Obama when he gets the nomination.

So far, I have yet to see any VALID arguments against Obama. Here or otherwise. It's mostly from people who are too scared to see a non-white male in the Oval Office, but have no other arguments against this passionate, intelligent, and remarkable leader in Obama.

Let's see, first we have "democrat" who would vote Republican because their "favorite" didn't get the nomination... would like to see your reasons why, not just "because I'm acting like this is a sporting event." Grow up, and support the policies you belive in, instead of turning your vote into an excercise in spitefulness.

Then we have the large group of right-wing extremists, who, play the "rhyme" game: "Obama, Osama", or "Oh my, "his middle name is Hussein - he must be evil", or the worst of all "a Muslim connection" is somehow a bad thing inherently. The blatant ignorance of these arguments saddens me about my fellow citizens. Blinded by Your hate towards those different than you, you characterize all the reasons WHY people in other countries look at us unfavorably. Not all Muslims are terrorist sympathizers or jihadists.

Fact is, no one can put up a serious argument against Obama, and they are terrified knowing that no one will defeat him this election season, both in the primaries and the general. He will be the next president, and all the arguments against him are laughable at best.

Let’s leave the emotion out of the election process. WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE gas is $4 dollars plus (how are people affording it?), the war is killing innocent people & killing America’s image around the world everyday. People need to start using there brainpower and elect someone who can bring the change necessary to solve our problems. Stop crying over the fact Hillary Clinton is about to lose the nomination because Obama has won more delegates & states, leading in popular vote and the most important raised hell of a lot more money. Consider Clinton out of the race.

Let’s get real, do the right thing, and vote for OBAMA.

Mohammed Hussain

Bush and Cheney have very close connections with MUSLIMS, in Daudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, etc, than Obama, so what some garbages that these people here are stating shows how naive and foolish they are....

I keep hearing this claim:

"I'm a Democrat and always have been, and I believe Hillary Clinton is the one who will rebuilt our nation's infrastructure, implement universal healthcare, get us out of Iraq, and take on special interests. BUT--if Barack Obama is the nominee, you'd prefer to vote for John McCain, who will let our infrastructure keep crumbling, give tax breaks to insurance companies, keep us in Iraq, and pander to special interests."

Why do I find it so tough to just accept this for what it is? Hmm. I wonder.

Katleen, what are your reasons for being so anti Obama that you could vote for McCain?

VALID arguments against Obama????? The better question is VALID reasons to vote for Obama. He has provided absolutely no substance about how he plans to handle the many, many issues facing this country.

It is obvious that you are too young to remember what happened when we elected Jimmy Carter. He also had zero experience around Washington and what we got was twelve years of Republicans. Obama has that same ignorance of how things have to work to get anything done in Washington.

By the way, if people had known about the true Obama, which was caused by the media giving him a pass, then he would probaly have dropped out a long time ago himself. Most likely, there are many, many pople that would want to vote again instead of for him.

By November, Democrats should vote for the Democratic Party. We should vote for our policies and our goals. It ceases to be about who is going to put those policies into action and becomes about getting those policies into play versus those who oppose them, namely the Republicans.

By November, it's not like a high school election built on popularity. It becomes about what we want America to become!

Kathleen, be a Democrat like you've always said you've been and vote for the Democrats in Nov. Not just an anyone-but-Obama voter!

Thank you to John Edwards from me in Oregon for this gift to our future and to Obama's administration. I loved your speech, it's great to see you again, and I hope to see you in the cabinet on your own terms. I'd love to see you campaigning together in the general election too. I think it will help Obama in Kentucky and I hope so. If Kentucky were voting by mail as we are, it might have been too late. Because half of us or more have already sent our ballots in here. Will be looking to see what do voters in Kentucky do. I just need some relief from the divisiveness of the primary. We ARE all ONE. We ARE one nation, one people. Let's give inclusion and sharing a try.

Unbelievable comments here! Kathleen! It is clear Hillary attracts the haters, the dividers and those with no logic or loyalty to their own party, if they cannot get their way even if the majority of the party has decided and spoken. Think about the country, consider the policies, the war, your kids, your home.... ...

Some like to attack Obama saying he is a Muslim (He is NOT!), but is being Muslim a crime in itself. Some had felt necessary to defend that. Is there freedom of religion in US?

Kathleen, I believe like you. It is better to live under a President that has somewhat of a record that we can see, than to live under a President who has a record that shows that he is a great speech maker. No facts to help us decide whether to vote for him or not! Just a bunch of HOT AIR!!! Anybody can say what he is saying. Do you think your boss at work would give you a big raise or promotion just because you tell him how good you are?Gosh,NO! So, we are expected to hand over our country to someone who says he can handle it! JUST BECAUSE HE SAYS SO!!!GET REAL

heh dems, do you know what "Employee Free Choice" means? Dems support it.
It means that any private employer (no city, state, or federal employee) can unionize without a secret ballot election, supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. And............. if there is not a contract in 60 days it goes to binding arbitration and they will have a 2 year contract. Good news? no strike for the first contract, Bad news..........a arbitrator makes the decision on how the company is run. If the contract is bad, the company goes elsewhere, hopefully in the US. States with lots of labor history (Michigan, etc )will never attract jobs with the union attitudes of workers. Dont believe it? Check it out "House Bill 800" Google it.
By the way unions represent about 7.5% of private industry (DOL website)

We dont need short term promises with hidden negatives, that chase the jobs that people are willing to do, elsewhere.

"Sen. John McCain championed legislation that will let an Arizona rancher trade remote grassland and ponderosa pine forest here for acres of valuable federally owned property that is ready for development, a land swap that now stands to directly benefit one of his top presidential campaign fundraisers."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/08/AR2008050803494.html?nav=rss_politics/congress

If the link doesn't work, google a search of McCain "land swap". If he learned anything from his influence peddling days as one of the Keating five, it is to praise his scam as a worthy cause.