by John McCormick and Mike Dorning
updated
John Edwards campaign manager and former House Democratic Whip David Bonior endorsed Barack Obama this morning, raising the possibility that the Edwards camp may be about to climb onto the Obama bandwagon.
While Bonior is not likely to have made an endorsement without consulting Edwards, he declined to offer any speculation on a possible endorsement from the former presidential candidate.
"I've talked to him last weekend. I want to keep that conversation private," Bonior said. "He'll make his decision when he's ready."
John Edwards appears on NBC's Today Show tomorrow, when he is sure to be pressed on an endorsement.
Bonior's support brings the Obama campaign not only a high-profile figure from the campaign of his former rival but also a well-liked and well-connected former member of the congressional leadership. Bonior, who as whip was the second-ranking member of the House Democratic leadership, has strong ties with labor unions and liberal interest groups.
"I was waiting for Senator Obama to show me the fight I wanted to see because it's going to be a difficult fight against Sen. (John) McCain (R-Ariz.)," Bonior said in a conference call with reporters.
He noted Obama successfully confronted tough political political challenges in recent weeks, which have featured controversies over incendiary comments from Obama's former pastor and Obama's remarks at a San Francisco fundraiser about "bitter" feelings among small-town Americans.
After losing big primaries in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, Obama rebounded with a decisive victory in North Carolina on Tuesday and held rival Hillary Clinton to a close race in Indiana the same night.
"He's shown great skill, great poise and great fighting spirit. And I was looking for that fighting spirit," Bonior said.
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Comments
Could John Edwards be next?
Posted by: KYJurisDoctor | May 8, 2008 11:17 AM
Please, please let it be an Obama/Edwards ticket in the fall!! Everyone I talk to thinks this is the absolute best combination. Hillary on the ticket would not be the change that Obama's campaign hopes for.
Obama O'Edwards O8 !!!
Posted by: Amelia | May 8, 2008 12:27 PM
That sounds like a great ticket, Obama/Edwards, and one that I would
work for and contribute! Another possible ticket would be Obama/Rockefeller. Senator Rockefeller has been an outstanding Democrat from West Virginia and is from a good American family!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 8, 2008 12:55 PM
As much as I would like to see a Obama/Edwards ticket, I believe he almost has to put Clinton on the ticket in an attempt to maintain the voters she carries. I would like to be wrong on this and he picks Edwards but I don't believe I am. If he picks Edwards, many of her voters may not come over to the Obama ticket. Ultimately, they may choose to not vote, vote Independent, or vote McCain; either way its a positive for Father Time McCain.
Posted by: Sean | May 8, 2008 1:00 PM
Obama/Edwards would be potent.
I don't see Obama/Clinton as viable. I think the Hillary would chafe against the role of second fiddle and end up hurting the "team". Part of Obama's core message is collaboration and team work. Hillary seems an ill fit to this paradigm.
Posted by: BobC | May 8, 2008 1:31 PM
"He's shown great skill, great poise and great fighting spirit. And I was looking for that fighting spirit," Bonior said
....So why did this guy support Edwards to begin with? Edwards is a huge pushover and he is forced to support Sen Obama because he decisively carried his home state. Sen Obama no longer even really cares about Edwards endorsement, he certaintly wont be on his ticket.
Sen Obama / Gen Wesley Clark 08' !
Posted by: Fuzzy Math in the Flatlands | May 8, 2008 4:34 PM
That sounds like a great ticket, Obama/Edwards, and one that I would
work for and contribute! Another possible ticket would be Obama/Rockefeller. Senator Rockefeller has been an outstanding Democrat from West Virginia and is from a good American family!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW. Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 8, 2008 12:55 PM
You say Rockefeller huh? If he can carry the south and is YOUNG, I say go for it. I am partial to someone who can carry FLORIDA.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | May 8, 2008 5:38 PM
It is good that David Bonior throws has support to Obama.
Bonior was one of the most reasonable, hard working members of the House. It is time for Hillary to end the campaign because she continues disssing Obama. After she gets walloped in Oregon it is time for the super delegates to throw their support to Obama and end this. There is no way Obama should take Hillary as his running mate. I think Jim Webb would be a perfect running mate to run against McCain. Also Richardson as Sec. of State and Hegel as Sec. of Defense would also be good possibilities.
Posted by: John A | May 8, 2008 5:51 PM