by Vengrai Parthasarathy

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: May 31, 2011

John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama has been received by the news media with much fanfare. His was a notable endorsement and sought by both Obama and Hillary. He waited. And waited to make his announcement. Why?

I am not questioning John's motives in delaying his endorsement. He knew both candidates pretty well, having taken the podium with them in a few debates, before he withdrew. I would have expected that an endorsement is a commendation of the candidate's worthiness, qualities of leadership, and judgment and background. These were known to John and he says that he is endorsing Obama because the electors have plumped for him. It looks like this additional qualification is necessary viz., likelihood of nomination.

The manner in which he laid his compliments thick on Hillary shows that, in his opinion, she is as good as Obama. Unkind critics can and do interpret that his delayed decision may have something to do with "What is in it for me?" The post of Vice-President is up for grabs. Could it be that Edwards has an eye on it? Of course, he has said that he is not in the race for it. Well, one can always go back on such announcements by recourse to new considerations and pressure and good of the country and all that. We are living in a world of politics. And, people in general have learned to accept the kind of shenanigans that we are witnessing in the race for Democratic nominations. Endorsements are just sideshows.

I like John Edwards. He is personable. He is articulate. He has a number of ideas. He is a crowd puller. With all this there is a question mark over his head. His delayed announcement has set pundits thinking about the 'why now' of the endorsement.

One outcome of Edwards' endorsement is that it has taken the sheen out of Hillary's victory by a great margin-something to shout about. But it has got sort of neutralized by Edwards.

He is likely to draw some of the so called 'white-collar workers' towards Obama. And the 'ethnic issue' may (which means may not also) take a back seat.

Ultimately, no election is going one way or another, because of 'Endorsements'. It is the candidate's personal worthiness to lead the most powerful country in the world. He/she can raise it to great heights. Or, drive it into a ditch. As things stand America's standing in the world is in need of much repair. Let us hope that, whoever is elected will be the right person for the right job at the right time.

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