New York magazine looks at why, nearly two months after dropping out of the presidential race, John Edwards still hasn't endorsed either Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton.
"According to a Democratic strategist unaligned with any campaign but
with knowledge of the situation gleaned from all three camps, the
answer is simple: Obama blew it. Speaking to Edwards on the day he
exited the race, Obama came across as glib and aloof. His response to
Edwards's imprecations that he make poverty a central part of his
agenda was shallow, perfunctory, pat. Clinton, by contrast, engaged
Edwards in a lengthy policy discussion. Her affect was solicitous and
respectful. When Clinton met Edwards face-to-face in North Carolina ten
days later, her approach continued to impress; she even made headway
with Elizabeth. Whereas in his Edwards sit-down, Obama dug himself in
deeper, getting into a fight with Elizabeth about health care,
insisting that his plan is universal (a position she considers a
crock), high-handedly criticizing Clinton's plan (and by extension
Edwards's) for its insurance mandate."