John Edwards yesterday finally delivered his long sought endorsement to Barack Obama, appearing with him in Grand Rapids, Michigan to deliver a speech announcing his support. The announcement helped to mitigate the negative publicity surrounding Obama’s big loss in West Virginia. It also continues the Party unification around Obama as the presumptive nominee. Edwards called for Democratic unity against John McCain. From the Washington Post:
Edwards, who received a thunderous ovation when Obama introduced him to a crowd of several thousand, said, “brothers and sisters, we must come together as Democrats” to defeat Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate. “We are here tonight because the Democratic voters have made their choice, and so have I.”
Edwards praised Hillary Clinton, as the Obama campaign continues to act as if Hillary is gone.
Edwards also praised Clinton, saying “we are a stronger party” because of her involvement, and “we’re going to have a stronger nominee in the fall because of her work.”
He said Clinton is a “woman who is made of steel. She is a leader in this country not because of her husband but because of what she has done.”
The Clinton campaign pointed to West Virginia as they say the fight is not over.
Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said in a statement, “We respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed last night, this thing is far from over.”
Another nice piece of campaign work by Obama, whose political operation has not received the credit it is due for being nimble and smart.
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
An endorsement from this smarmy, socialist millionaire who garnered a whopping 4% from his own party in the primaries is important, why?
Jules
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Well I don’t necessarily agree with your characterization of John Edwards (although John Kerry might) but your reference to his political impotency does have merit. I think the Obama camp was successful in selling this as further proof of the party coalescing around Barack Obama. Edwards anti poverty bona fides still appeal to many, and I think that the political gain for Obama was worth the effort. Don’t forget that Obama managed to partially block out continuing media coverage of his poor showing in West Virginia.
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Your Honor,
You know I don’t label the politicians in a personal manner. In this case I believe it whole heartily.
I did not see his bona fides in the primaries.
I agree with you though, Democrats love to be pandered too. Part of the “what can my country do for me”…..thing)
Someday we will have to have a discussion of what the overriding Democratic principles are.
Jules.
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