Prediction: Edwards endorses Obama soon
I partially buy into the kingmaker argument. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards waiting until the democratic convention in August to support Clinton or Obama, and thus, determining the nomination.
But what I don’t buy into is that he’s going to wait until August. After an essential split of the Super Tuesday states, the upcoming contests favor Obama since they’re caucuses (cauci?) 6 days from now is Chesapeake Tuesday with Virginia, Maryland and D.C. up for grabs. I think the beltway goes for Obama. So where does that leave Clinton?
Wisconsin on Feb. 19. and then Ohio and Texas on Mar. 4th. Obama’s Chicago strength will be felt in Wisconsin and Hillary has been polling strongly in Ohio. Texas is a wild card but I would be willing to bet there would be a stronger anti-Hillary sentiment among state democrats in one of redder states in the union.
But Ohio, which has a lot of blue-collar workers, will be huge, HUGE for Clinton. But what better state can one of the most pro-union politicians in this country be a factor? I think Edwards endorses Obama before Ohio and blunts whatever victory Clinton has there.
I don’t think he CAN wait for the convention to be kingmaker, he’s got to make his move now.
Also, another senator likely to be a factor in the coming weeks is Wisconsin’s Russ Feingold. Obama has Wis. Gov. Jim Doyle backing him already. Feingold is a darling of the left, and he may be too far left to actually endorse Hillary Clinton. Add in strength in neighboring Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri and Obama’s chances look extremely good.
I said it earlier before Iowa and New Hampshire, I think Obama and McCain will be the nominees. McCain is going to come true. I think Clinton is in serious trouble and Edwards and possibly Feingold will put Obama over the top within the next few weeks.