Guide Note

On May 14, 2008, former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards endorsed Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential race.

The endorsement, considered a big boost for Obama's campaign, came at an Obama rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Clinton campaign was given a lifeline after her victory in West Virginia. The Edwards endorsement may be the coup de grâce for Clinton's faltering campaign.

Edwards spoke respectfully about Hillary Clinton and her conduct during the campaign and spoke about "bringing the Democratic Party" together before clearly expressing his support for Obama.

Edwards withdrew from the presidential race on January 30, 2008. Since then, the former North Carolina senator had remained quiet about any potential announcement of support for either Obama or his rival, Hillary Clinton.

Fast Facts

1. Rally: 6:20pm, EST, May 14, 2008
2. Both candidates have heavily courted Edwards
3. ABC News says Edwards has told the Clinton camp of plans
4. An Obama spokeswoman confirmed Edwards's endorsement shortly before the rally
5. Edwards spoke for twenty minutes

In an appearance on CBS's Face the Nation on May 11, 2008, Edwards said it appeared that Barack Obama would likely be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee. When asked about Hillary Clinton's chances, Edwards said while Clinton made "a pretty compelling case for her candidacy, you can no longer make a compelling case for the math."