Ezra Klein has a post alleging that it was Obama's weak health care plan that convinced John Edwards not to endorse Obama.
Quoting John Heilemann:
Speaking to Edwards on the day he exited the race, Obama came across as glib and aloof. His response to Edwards’s imprecations that he make poverty a central part of his agenda was shallow, perfunctory, pat. Clinton, by contrast, engaged Edwards in a lengthy policy discussion. Her affect was solicitous and respectful. When Clinton met Edwards face-to-face in North Carolina ten days later, her approach continued to impress; she even made headway with Elizabeth. Whereas in his Edwards sit-down, Obama dug himself in deeper, getting into a fight with Elizabeth about health care, insisting that his plan is universal (a position she considers a crock), high-handedly criticizing Clinton’s plan (and by extension Edwards’s) for its insurance mandate.
It's because of his poor health care plan and some of his other actions, that make him sound more like a Republican than a Democrat, that I just can't get enthusiastic about Obama as a candidate.
OTOH, I was very impressed with his speech on racism. That's why my strong preference is still to see a Clinton/Obama ticket. Clinton is just far more impressive on an array of issues and is far better informed. And that's why Clinton should not drop out of the race, despite what a bunch of looney pundits are saying.
And Obama's endorsements from people like Bill Richardson and the junior senator from Pennsylvania actually reinforce my opinions.
