Edwards keeps powder dry; holds off on endorsement

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Feb 1, 2008, 10:34 GMT

US Presidential candidate John Edwards speaks to a gathering at the Habitat For Humanity Musician\'s Village in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana 30 January 2008. Edward\'s wife, Elizabeth, is at the left. John Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, dropped out of the presidential race earlier in the day, leaving Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to battle it out in the Democratic contest. EPA/DAVID RAE MORRIS

(M&C) - Former Democratic presidential contender Sen. John Edwards has yet to back either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton since his withdrawal from the nomination race yesterday.

Both camps are seeking the much-sought-after endorsement of the popular senator whose championing of the voiceless was successful in putting poverty and inequality on the political agenda.

However he has so far rebuffed all approaches though analysts say his backers, powerful labour unions, may swing to Senator Obama.

Mr Obama made a point to praise Mr Edwards after his withdrawal from the Democratic nomination thanking him for: "spending a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling".

He added: "So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America."

Meanwhile the New York Times has reported the Transport Workers Union, which represents 140,000 workers, will announce it has become the first of the major unions backing Mr Edwards to switch their endorsement to Barack Obama.