From a chat on the Washington Post website:
In response to a question about a possible Edwards endorsement, Trippi responds:
John Edwards led on every single issue and pushed both Clinton and Obama on everything from the war in Iraq to Poverty. He has had an enormous impact on this election cycle and still will.
I am in complete agreement with him so far. But see below:
Trippi continues:
I would caution that he may play a key role in bringing the party together by not endorsing -- that may not help him personally but it may be exactly what the party and the country needs
I really don't understand that part. It is obvious to me and to all but the most deluded Clinton supporters that a) she can't win; and b) her tactics are tearing the party apart and hurting our chances in the general election. An endorsment from Edwards (and preferably Gore and Richardson) would give Hillary an excuse to bow out with what little dignity she retains at this point. How does not endorsing help bring the party together?
Is Trippi saying that he thinks Edwards will work behind the scenes to convince Clinton to step aside? That would be OK too, I suppose, but I thought JE was a little more straightforward than that. And how would that "not help him personally" as opposed to an outright endorsement?
I am, of course, assuming that any forthcoming endorsement would be for Obama. Maybe I'm wrong. I understand that the lack of a mandate in Obama's health care plan may be a big sticking point, but I find it hard to believe that he is even considering a Clinton endorsement, especially after the last couple of weeks.
Bottom line from Trippi after another question about endorsing:
I really do not expect John Edwards to endorse at this point. Or I should say I would be surprised if he does. But then again he could surprise me. How is that for a run around answer to your question?
Weaseling aside, it sounds like he is pretty sure JE will not be endorsing anytime soon.
Full disclosure: I was and am an Edwards supporter - Edwards/Obama would have been my dream ticket for sixteen years of enlightened leadership. I would have voted for JE in the primary if he hadn't already dropped out by then. I voted for Obama, not because he's black, not because I'm enraptured by his oratory, not because I'm sexist, but because I believe he is the sole remaining viable candidate who will be able to begin healing this country (and the world) of the wounds suffered over the last eight years.