Something just hit me like a bolt of lightning...

[Meldread]

We all know Dean and Edwards have been talking. We are expecting a possible endorsement from Dean. However, something just hit me.

Dean has publicly said that he prefers Edwards to be President over Kerry. I mean I don't think he would endorse Kerry until AFTER the convention and he gets the nomination. But who here is thinking about timing? Who here thinks that Dean is going to endorse Edwards (I believe he is), but the Edwards campaign is strategically timing it like just before Super Tuesday (the day before). Are they hoping to get some type of boost from the Dean endorsement?

It would seem logical and a good strategic move. If Edwards is going to get a boost might as well be RIGHT before Super Tuesday. Most people like Edwards and Kerry has been going out of his way to try and blur the differences between himself and Edwards. However, a lot of people at one time or another favored Dean. So what if Dean endorses Edwards some of his former supporters take a closer look at him and decide to vote for him instead of Kerry because 'there isn't all that much difference'.

Any thoughts?

[King of New Orleans]

1. the day before would be to close to have much impact

These things don't turn on a dime. Unless something truly wacky happened (like Kerry being struck by a bolt fo lightning). And a Dean endorsement isn't wacky enough.

[maddezmom]

2. JMO, but Dean should endorse earlier rather than later

and send a clear message to his supporters to vote for Edwards in the primaries, because the current message is to vote for Dean to gain delegates.

[JI7]

6. absentee voting also

needs to consider absentee voters also. so an early endorsement would probably be better to help edwards. also, they might want time to campaign together.

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Early voting is another factor. I've read that

we can vote early in Georgia and I'll vote this week if it's true.

Edit: Of course, I'll vote for Dennis Kucinich whenever I cast my primary vote, but some people might rethink their primary vote if Dean endorses Edwards.

[buckeye1]

3. Dean would be a drag.

Not a boost. Dean has embarassed the party enough.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. If Dean were going to endorse Edwards, he should have done it

before he lost his union endorsements. It would have been more heplful to Edwards.

[GreenArrow]

5. Dean endorsing Edwards

will be about as useful as Al Gore endorsing Dean.

IMO, if Dean endorses anyone at this point, it should be Dean. He's on the ballot, and can still get delegates.

[BootinUp]

7. Edwards wants Dean supporters money now not later

The question is what does Dean want.

[JI7]

9. what if ?

at the time of endorsement , edwards announced if he is nominated he would get dean to be his vp. that would be pretty huge and lots of media attention.

when clark endorsed kerry it wasn't that surprising since both had been friends long before the presidential race started.same with gephardt. but dean endorsing edwards would be a little different.

[BootinUp]

14. That would be an unusual approach

but I am sure it would bring him more support from the Dean side. The question is would he loose other support as a result.

[Merlin]

10. When did Dean publicly say he supports Edwards over Kerry?

Just wondering.

[Meldread]

12. On CNN I think.

It was on some show. I forget which. It's been widely talked about on the boards.

[littlejoe]

11. Endorsements don't carry as much weight as I once thought.

If Al Gore's endorsement of Dean fell flat, I doubt if Dean's endorsement of Edwards would do much for him. It would possibly be seen as a "thumb your nose" gesture toward Kerry.

[many a good man]

13. Wouldn't be smart

There's no guarantee Deans support would be decisive in changing the outcome. If Kerry gets the nod, Dean will have no pull whatsoever in the part.