John Edwards reveals he voted for Barack Obama last week. Or did he?

Former Sen. John Edwards has been out of the Democratic presidential race for what seems like one or two geological eras. But these guys don't like to be outside the spotlight too long. The attention is addictive.

So in recent days Edwards has reappeared all over television as if he was running still--or again. In fact, quick, go turn on your TV now; he's back on CBS' "Face the Nation" this morning.

But the other day he was on MSNBC, chatting with host David Schuster. Of course, the question these guys know they're going to get is the one the TV hosts know they're going to ask, trying to make a headline:

Who, goes the question, are you going to endorse for the party's nomination, Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?

Everybody knows they're not going to answer; the ex-candidate is gonna use some kind of dodge, as Edwards, of course, did. He said....

...he would "very likely" endorse the Democrat he'd voted for the previous Tuesday in North Carolina's primary, which Obama won handily.

But, Schuster pressed, who was that? That's when Edwards may have slipped.

"I just voted, I just voted for him on Tuesday," he said. Him? Edwards is going to endorse the freshman Illinois senator?

Ah, but we've all come to recognize Edwards' Southern accent lo these many months of debates and sound bites. It could have been: "I just voted for 'em on Tuesday."

Schuster, according to an interesting account buried in a New York Times story the next day, continued to press. "So it was a him or a her you voted for?"

Then, Edwards may have realized what he may have said. "No, no," he said, backpedaling quickly and laughing at the game.

So we don't really know. Or do we? What do you think?

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: CNN

Comments

[Amy]

And the Edwards hate continues.

[Matt T]

Of course he voted for Hillary. She's the only candidate who can win against McCain!

[Richard P. McDonough]

Well, better late to the party than not to arrive at all, I suppose.
But if Mr. Edwards could not tell the difference between what Obama stands for and what Hillary stands for...

[Malama Makena]

Him. Obama. No doubt.

[Journey]

While I do believe Edwards voted for a "him" (Obama), as a fellow Southerner, it sounds to me like he clearly said "'em."

And by the way, the tone of the first two paragraphs is unnecessary. I don't see anyone whining about how attention-needy Romney or Huckabee are when they do interviews.

[Arthur]

It doesn't matter. Edwards is phony trial lawyer who made millions by lying about CP. His endorsement is like the Mafia endorsing a candidate.

[gaypastor]

As a MAN who has been supporting her and is entirely appalled by the irrational sexism that has been occurring around her campaign, I'd like to offer a suggestion to all of my fellow Hillary supporters.

Are you fed up with the male/female and black/white issues of this race? Are you tired of the Obamanites telling you what to do, the press telling you what to think and the DNC offering no sympathy towards the feminist community as we see the chances of our first woman president slip by?

If your answer is yes consider the next "logical" move: YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! Vote for the African-American woman running for President and who is 1) opposed to the war; 2) all about peace; 3) wants universal health care; 4) wants significant strides for the African American communities; 5) cares about the environment; 6) fights for civil liberties; 7) is a strong woman: and much more!

FORGET THE "OLD WASHINGTON STYLE" POLITICS OF RIGHT/LEFT, BLACK/WHITE, MALE/FEMALE AND DEMOCRAT/REPUBLIC.

VOTE GREEN THIS YEAR!
VOTE FOR THE BLACK WOMAN!
VOTE FOR CYNTHIA MCKINNEY!
http://www.runcynthiarun.or...

[nazcalito]

Edwards said he voted for both of 'em, then laughed because he wasn't s'posed to vote more than oncet. He really let the polecat outta the bag, no reflection on Hillary, mind ye.

[Kuilor]

More hate, more refusal to see the obvious. And the usual misinterpretations. When we say we wont vote for Obama, you accuse us of being republicans, when we tell you we will write-in Hillary, you refuse to see the obvious.

WE ARE THE CENTRISTS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SWING VOTERS (For those of you too young to remember Regan, we are Regan Democrats, go look it up).

We will not vote for Obama because the Obama hate-filled supporters with their disgusting remarks like this one:
"all of you Clinton supporters will never accept that because either you are republicans in Democtratic skin or you are sheer racists."

And how many of you Obama supporters think this is a good idea? I do not want to be associated with you. A candidates supporters are a clear reflection of the candidates campaign.

I've been a Democrat my entire life, and I vote smart by looking at each race on the ballot and voting for independents instead of Republicans. You Obama supporters and yourr hate-filled retoric make me realize the party is being hijacked by the extreme left and I wont stand for it. I'll live with 4 more years of Republican control of the White House before I'll stand around and watch my party get turned into a group of neo-libs (that's the opposite of neo-cons for those of you that don't understand the word).

We already had 8 years of Mr. Extremist (GW Bush and his cronism). That's more than eenough for me. NO MORE EXTREMEISTS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

So, I'll see you in november when I write-in Hillary, or Vote McCain, or I may note vote on the presidential election, BUT I WILL VOTE! And that should send an extremely clear message to the DNC!

[Harriet Clark]

I would bet that if Obama & Kerry were to trade places and Obama would have been asked that question, he would have just answered who he voted for. That's the "change" we have all been waiting for and Kerry just does not get it. Stay home Kerry!

[Robert Bachorik]

The "em" was a "him" since "them" means more than one. And you can't vote for both. Edwards is a smart man, he voted for Obama.

[Michael]

I am from Paris and I have a question : How hilary can beat John Mcain when she can't win against a first term senator ?

[wolf]

All through the Dem nomination process we have heard two things from both sides: 1) What matters are the issues ( not gender or race ) and 2 ) Both Clinton and Obama have very similar ideas about the future of our country.

So, I find it rather ironic that a few Clinton supporters would prefer not to vote or to vote for McCain, when there is a candidate in their own party, who supports many of the Clinton views.

[wolf]

All through the Dem nomination process we have heard two things from both sides: 1) What matters are the issues ( not gender or race ) and 2 ) Both Clinton and Obama have very similar ideas about the future of our country.

So, I find it rather ironic that a few Clinton supporters would prefer not to vote or to vote for McCain, when there is a candidate in their own party, who supports many of the Clinton views.

[j]

I am really upset by the Hillary supporters comments on this board ... they are so upset that she is not winning the primary that they would be willing to vote for a republican - and not just any republican but one who changes his position every election. John McCain stands for nothing. The only position he has ever been consistant on is continuing this endless occupation in Iraq. I defy anyone to tell me where he stands on any other issue. Saying something doesn't make it so. He is a liar and is unchallenged by the main stream press. He made a pro environment speech the other day but has been rated a 0 by the league of conservation. This is just one the examples of his double talk. John McCain thinks the american public is so stupid that he can call himself a maverick and a straight talker and we'll all just believe him - even though his actions say the opposite.

Let me add to this by saying that I voted for Hilary in the Primary but had a hard time making that choice because her policies are nearly identical to Obamas. In fact he is more of a centrist than she is on many issues - which is why I voted for her. There is very little difference between HRC and Obama ... and even she has said that. Wake up - John McAIN is more of the same ... want four more years of Bush???

[obama/paul 08]

If pigs fly and Hillary somehow gets the nomination, I'll write in Ron Paul.

[Susan]

John Edwards will be the VP choice for Obama. A deal has been struck and thus the announcement that he indeed did vote for Barack. The Clintons are being booted out the door by the two upstart MEN that will say and do anything to get elected. One hates corporate America and intends to tax them more and increase taxes on all those that have worked so hard to get ahead in this country. It is called income redistribution and folks with both of these very rich men at the helm and their very rich supporters we are going to become a socialist country. The republicans simply have their heads in the sand and refuse to get their act together and come up with a party platform that makes sense and solves some of the big problems facing this country.

[Sally]

If Obama gets the nomination, I will not vote for either man. I think we should get someone who we can trust.
I also think the election will be fixed for whoever runs the whole thing.
We will be surprised again like always.

[Mary Pat DeGroodt RN]

Boy oh boy, John Edwards for Barack, pleeeaaase. Seems like the Democrats are determined to see McCain win in November. Barack cannot beat the GOP bucks! I was set to vote for John Edwards this fall. I am glad now I see this side of him. I am so disappointed. Sorta speaks for America in fact, whatever the 'fad' is so goes the followers. My guess he has been promised something.... VP? I am so disappointed in Edwards. In fact I am going to make a nice donation to Hillary, I usually join and donate to the Democratic National Committee hell with the Democratic Party. Have a family of 41 so we are seeing job losses, food list chopped and vehicles parked. A year ago I would have said no way in hell I would vote for Hillary Clinton, my mind has changed, I have gotten to know her in this campaign, and the more I see the better I like her.... but what do I know, I have only been supporting candidates since FDR, thats FDR, not JFK. Have voted both sides of the isle, and the race card does not play with me... I at one time want Colin Powell to run. (He sure let us down but was pleased to see him step down when he could not play the game any longer.) Oh well, as my Dad always said "tell me who your going with and I will tell you where you are going!"
Hillary could beat McCain, and the GOP knows it ,that is why they are in subtle, and not so subtle supporting Obama. Back to the National Geographic and Animal Planet channels. /;-)

[yael]

shame on edwards.

just goes to show his true colors. he is as ruthless and politically expedient as obama. hope he fares better than palmer, ayers, rezko, wright, etc...

[Pamela Wyatt]

I am so ashamed of John Edwards---I will never vote for a black man --period. I donot trust him period. Now I don't trust Edwards. Keep on until you let another Rep. back in the White House because I can't ever see a black running this country.

[Pat M]

He obviously voted for Obama because he revealed that he and Elizabeth voted for different candidates. There is no way Elizabeth voted for Obama.