Edwards clarifies remarks on supporting nominee

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) on Tuesday clarified a remark that some had interpreted as meaning he would not support Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) should she become the Democratic presidential nominee.

“I fully expect to support the Democratic nominee, and I fully expect to be the Democratic nominee,” Edwards said Tuesday.

{mosads}According to a story in The New York Times on Monday, Edwards did not answer two questions about whether he would support Clinton. In recent weeks, the former senator has been increasingly aggressive toward the former first lady, who is leading the race for the Democratic nomination.

The item in the Times led Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), who is also competing for the nomination, to criticize Edwards.

“I am surprised at just how angry John has become,” Dodd stated. “This is not the same John Edwards I once knew. Of course, we should all come together to support the nominee. I wonder which of the Republicans John prefers to Hillary?”

It is rare for any candidate seeking the nomination of their party not to pledge to support the eventual nominee. This year, a couple of Republican candidates, Reps. Ron Paul (Texas) and Tom Tancredo (Colo.), have indicated that they might not back the GOP nominee.