Should Kerry have endorsed Obama?

I’ve already blogged over at NPCU on the technical shortcomings of John Kerry’s “support Obama” email yesterday. However, yesterday’s announcement also raised a political question in my head, about the ethics of John Kerry’s actions.

Let me be clear. Under normal circumstances, Kerry, as both a former Presidential candidate and senior Senator should be completely free to endorse who he wants. But, for one very particular reason, these aren’t normal circumstances – Kerry’s 2004 running mate, John Edwards, is still in the race.

We shouldn’t be naive about this. Everyone knows that VP nominations are archly-political, offering cover for a candidate’s weaknesses. For example, Edwards offered southern balance to the northern Kerry. However, there is also a deadly serious side to the role, as in the event of the President dying or, for whatever reason, being unable to fulfil their role, the VP will succeed them. Thus in 2004, by selecting Edwards as his running mate, Kerry was not only saying that Edwards has the capability to be President, but also that – from the extensive field of possible picks – he was the best man to assume office, potentially at a moment of grave national crisis and guide the nation through it. That is one hell of reference to give someone. Furthermore, to renege on it now by pointedly not endorsing Edwards makes Kerry look deeply hypocritical and politically opportunist in his original selection in 2004. It would have been far more dignified to have kept quiet until Edwards dropped out the race.

P.S. Sorry about the lack of blogging in the past few weeks. Far too hectic at the moment. I have posting moderately regularly on the NPCU blog, and will try to find time to copy and paste those entries over here.

[tags]john edwards, john kerry, 2008 presidential election[/tags]