Edwards' Campaign Manager Endorses Obama

May 08, 2008

by John McCormick and Mike Dorning

John Edwards campaign manager and former House Democratic Whip David Bonior endorsed Barack Obama this morning, raising the possibility that the Edwards camp may be about to climb onto the Obama bandwagon.

While Bonior is not likely to have made an endorsement without consulting Edwards, he declined to offer any speculation on a possible endorsement from the former presidential candidate.

"I've talked to him last weekend. I want to keep that conversation private," Bonior said. "He'll make his decision when he's ready."

John Edwards appears on NBC's Today Show tomorrow, when he is sure to be pressed on an endorsement.

Bonior's support brings the Obama campaign not only a high-profile figure from the campaign of his former rival but also a well-liked and well-connected former member of the congressional leadership. Bonior, who as whip was the second-ranking member of the House Democratic leadership, has strong ties with labor unions and liberal interest groups.

"I was waiting for Senator Obama to show me the fight I wanted to see because it's going to be a difficult fight against Sen. (John) McCain (R-Ariz.)," Bonior said in a conference call with reporters.

He noted Obama successfully confronted tough political political challenges in recent weeks, which have featured controversies over incendiary comments from Obama's former pastor and Obama's remarks at a San Francisco fundraiser about "bitter" feelings among small-town Americans.

After losing big primaries in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, Obama rebounded with a decisive victory in North Carolina on Tuesday and held rival Hillary Clinton to a close race in Indiana the same night.

"He's shown great skill, great poise and great fighting spirit. And I was looking for that fighting spirit," Bonior said.