The Edwards Primary

The Dem candidates aren't just competing in Wisconsin, Hawaii, Texas and Ohio, they're also competing in North Carolina at the palatial home of John Edwards. Hillary Clinton has already made her pilgrimage and Obama will do so soon. Each wants the endorsement of perpetual primary and caucus loser John Edwards.

So, what will Edwards do?

As he weighs a possible endorsement in the Democratic race, former Sen. John Edwards is as split as the party he once hoped to lead — and is seriously considering supporting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, despite the sharp criticism he leveled at her on the campaign trail, according to former aides and advisers.

In deciding between his one-time rivals, Edwards appears deeply divided. Several former advisers likened his thought process to a heart-versus-head split — with his heart favoring Sen. Barack Obama's strong message of change, and his head attracted to Clinton's tested nature and commitment to tough fights.

Though he sometimes aligned himself with Obama — and against Clinton — as a candidate, several Edwards campaign insiders say the former senator began to sour on Obama toward the end of his own campaign, and ultimately left the race questioning whether Obama had the toughness needed to prevail in a presidential race.

"He is much more torn than people realize," said one former aide who has stayed in contact with Edwards. "Honestly, he has serious reservations about both of them."
Several people close to the former North Carolina senator say he may ultimately stay neutral in the race, joining former Vice President Al Gore on the sidelines of the tightest Democratic race in decades.

That may become a stronger possibility if Obama continues to build momentum toward the nomination: Edwards does not want to back a losing candidate, and neither does he want to join a bandwagon, aides and associates say.

But former campaign aides who have stayed in contact with Edwards say he is eager to play a major role in the race, and is mindful that his backing would only carry weight if it comes relatively quickly — before the March 4 primaries in Texas and Ohio, which could effectively settle the nomination fight.

This is what's known as a "trial balloon". Edwards floats the idea that he's leaning toward Clinton to see what the reaction will be. If Hillary starts saying nice things about him, he'll know his message was received.

This was probably written before Obama cleaned house in the Potomac Primaries, so Edwards may be much more inclined to give Obama another look. He certainly doesn't want to back a loser, and right now Hillary looks like the loser. If he endorses Hillary he could make it easier for superdelegates to back her even if she comes up short on pledged delegates. If he endorses Obama he could help tip Texas and Ohio away from Clinton. He's in a position of some power and I can't see him remaining on the sidelines too much longer.