The Moderate Liberal

We started the year as ardent supporters of John Edwards and his populist message of two Americas.  At the time, Edwards seemed to us to be the embodiment of the concern for the middle class.  When Edwards dropped out of the race, his supporters immediately surged to the Obama campaign, instantly tightening the race between Clinton and Obama.  Clearly, Edward’s supporters saw the similarities with Obama and they moved their support and dollars to Obama campaign.

At the time, I lamented but lauded Edwards dropping out of the race. But since then, I have been consistently disappointed by John Edward’s silence in this race.  Of course, I don’t have insight to what is taking place behind the scenes.  Perhaps promises have been made by either or both of the remaining candidates so that it is in Edwards’ “interests” to remain silent.

But as a candidate whose campaign was about not playing those sort of political games, his silence is an excruciating disappointment to his supporters.  When “Obama for America” called looking for money a month ago and dropped Edwards’ name, I was hopeful.  But since then, nothing but disappointment. 

There was no Edwards endorsement for Obama on the Jay Leno show.

There is no Edwards endorsement on the eve of the North Carolina primary.

Meanwhile, Edwards’ crucial 18 delegates remain in limbo, and the Democratic race continues to drag onwards and downwards.

Unless we hear from Edwards soon, I will have to write him off as just another disappointing opportunist politician.   I had such high hopes for Edwards, but each day he allows this campaign mess continue without taking a stand, my respect for him wanes.