One-time rival Edwards endorses Obama

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards endorsed Sen. Barack Obama last night, telling voters in Michigan that his one-time rival can create the “One America” from his own campaign and predicting this fall’s general election is “going to be the fight of our lives.”

Mr. Edwards, the party’s 2004 vice presidential nominee, ended his bid in late January after failing to overcome Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mr. Obama in the first four contests for the Democratic nomination.

“The Democratic voters of America have made their choice, and so have I,” Mr. Edwards said.

The endorsement — which comes with just five contests remaining — does help the Illinois senator divert the political conversation away from his 41-point loss to New York’s Mrs. Clinton in West Virginia on Tuesday. Mr. Edwards, whose name remained on the ballot, garnered 7 percent of the vote as a noncandidate.

While both Democrats spent months courting him, Mr. Edwards avoided an endorsement as Mr. Obama struggled with the lower-income, white voters who were once part of the Edwards coalition. He earned fewer than 20 delegates and is likely to release them to vote for Mr. Obama at the convention this summer.

Last night, the former senator from North Carolina heaped praise on Mrs. Clinton, saying she is “made of steel” and that the party is stronger because of her fight, and “we’re going to have a stronger nominee in the fall because of her work.”

Mr. Obama’s inability to capture blue-collar voters has dragged him down even as he amassed enough delegates to get within striking distance of the nomination. Mrs. Clinton has highlighted Mr. Obama’s struggle, saying superdelegates, who will ultimately decide the nomination, should view her as more electable because she is winning that demographic.

“We respect John Edwards, but as the voters of West Virginia showed [Tuesday] night, this thing is far from over,” Clinton campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe said.

Earlier yesterday, Mrs. Clinton said she has the money and willpower to continue on through the next five contests.

“I don’t believe in quitting. You may not win in life, but you do the best you can,” Mrs. Clinton said on CNN’s “Situation Room.” “You go the distance. You don’t walk off the court before the buzzer sounds. You never know. You might get a three-point shot at the end.”

Former Edwards adviser Dave “Mudcat” Saunders said yesterday it was “laughable” that Mrs. Clinton was able to “redefine herself as pro-gun and anti-trade” to win in West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

“I find it hard to believe that Hillary Clinton is going to be joining the National Rifle Association,” he said.

Mr. Saunders, who specializes in rural strategy for Democrats, said Mr. Obama has been damaged by his comments in San Francisco about some rural voters becoming “bitter” and feeling the need to “cling” to guns and religion.

“Barack Obama needs a little spit-shine as far as getting through the culture, but he can do it,” Mr. Saunders said.

Mr. Obama is sweeping up endorsements from superdelegates — Democratic Party leaders and elected officials — and party establishment groups such as NARAL Pro-Choice America.

“Americans have been fortunate to have two fully pro-choice candidates in the race for the Democratic nomination. But only one can go forward to the general election,” NARAL President Nancy Keenan said yesterday. “We are confident that Barack Obama is the candidate of the future. Americans are tired of the divisive politics of the last eight years, and will unite behind Obama in the fall.”

The group also blasted presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona in a Web video, charging the Arizona senator has a “zero” voting record on pro-choice issues.

But EMILY’s List President Ellen R. Malcolm, a Clinton supporter, said the timing of the endorsement “is tremendously disrespectful” to the former first lady since there are just three weeks left of voting.

“It certainly must be disconcerting for elected leaders who stand up for reproductive rights and expect the choice community will stand with them,” she said.

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said he was “surprised” by the endorsement and 23 female Clinton supporters on Capitol Hill held a press conference in response to the endorsement to tout her record on pro-choice issues.

Mr. McAuliffe said yesterday his boss huddled with about 50 of her top donors and that the campaign raised “7 figures” overnight, but would not give any greater detail.

“We have the resources to go forward,” he said, adding he is “very comfortable” with the campaign’s ability to compete financially despite Mrs. Clinton’s nearly $20 million in debt.