Saturday, February 17, 2007
Leading Va. Democrat backs Edwards' run
John Edwards is "the fastest horse" in the field, party chairman Dick Cranwell said.
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roanoke.com/politics
RICHMOND -- The 2008 presidential race already is heating up in Virginia, with candidates clamoring for endorsements that can help them establish a foothold in the Old Dominion.
Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina picked up an endorsement Friday from state Democratic Party Chairman Richard Cranwell of Vinton. The announcement came on the eve of Gov. Tim Kaine's expected endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, one of several candidates competing with Edwards for the Democratic nomination.
Obama, who formally announced his candidacy one week ago, will deliver the keynote address tonight at the Virginia Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Richmond. Party officials expect about 4,000 to attend the event.
Obama and Kaine are scheduled to appear together for a late-afternoon press conference at the governor's mansion, where Kaine is expected to announce his support of Obama's candidacy. Kaine deflected questions about the endorsement earlier this week.
Obama made campaign appearances with Kaine in 2005 and with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb last year. Obama was elected to the Senate in 2004.
Cranwell called Edwards "the fastest horse" in a crowded field of 2008 White House hopefuls.
In a statement released by Edwards' campaign, Cranwell touted Edwards, the Democrats' 2004 vice presidential nominee, as the party's best hope of winning next year's general election.
"There is no second place in elections," said Cranwell, who served in the House of Delegates for 30 years, including a stint as majority leader. "We must support candidates who can win, if we want to secure the future."
Asked why he chose to endorse Edwards on the eve of Obama's visit, Cranwell said: "Because the senator asked me."
The timing was not an accident, said Dave "Mudcat" Saunders of Roanoke, a strategist working on Edwards' campaign.
"Barack Obama's not the only one pitching a tent in Virginia," Saunders said.
Edwards said Cranwell's "many talents and immense experience will be a huge asset to our campaign."
Two Republican presidential hopefuls have made trips to Virginia this week. U.S. Sen. John McCain addressed a private gathering of Republicans in Richmond on Monday, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani held a private fundraiser in Richmond on Friday.
