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February 18, 2008
Obama in secret meeting with Edwards
editorial
The AP says that Obama "sneaked down to North Carolina over the weekend" to visit with former candidate John Edwards. I suppose when you're a messiah and a "new kind of politician," being caught in a situation where you are acting very much like an old politician by sneaking around making back room deals with other politicians, you can be forgiven:
Officials at North Carolina television station WTVD said they have video taken from a helicopter of Obama leaving Edwards' home in Chapel Hill. A producer said the station was "tipped off" about the meeting, but said the source was confidential.
The Obama campaign confirmed the meeting. Although reporters normally travel everywhere with Obama, he left them behind to fly down in secret from his hometown.
"Senator Obama visited this morning with John and Elizabeth Edwards at their home in Chapel Hill to discuss the state of the campaign and the pressing issues facing American families," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. He wouldn't comment on the possibility of an endorsement.
People close to the Edwardses, speaking privately, say they have been torn about whom to support. The former North Carolina senator is concerned that Obama may not be ready for the presidency and that his health care plan is inferior. But Edwards was highly critical of Clinton — her policies, her ties to special interests and her character — during his campaign, making it more difficult to support her now. Rumor has it that Edwards would like to run for the Senate again. Since he lost his home state for the Democratic ticket in 2004 while running as Vice President, he may realize that trying to get back to the Senate will be tougher than most people think.
Would he sell out for a cabinet post? How does John Edwards, HHS Secretary grab you? Such deals are not uncommon and I would not put it above (or below) the "new kind of politician" to practice a little old fashioned horse trading.
But Edwards is playing it close to the vest. Evidently, he places a lot of stock in backing the winning candidate. No doubt he will wait until the picture is a little clearer before declaring his support.
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