Edwards steers clear of endorsement

John Edwards praised both Democratic presidential candidates during an appearance Thursday on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but he declined to endorse either one.

Edwards has not given any major interviews since withdrawing from the Democratic presidential race in January. So his appearance on Leno had the rumor mills working overtime.

The former North Carolina senator suggested he might be willing to accept a Cabinet post in a Democratic administration. "I want to serve my country in whatever way I can," Edwards said.

He also didn't rule out a third presidential bid.

"I'm not thinking about running again," Edwards said. "But never say never."

Edwards said he did not expect the Democratic presidential fight between Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama to last as long as it has.

He also disclosed that he played a pick-up basketball game with Obama when the Illinois senator visited his home outside Chapel Hill last month.

Leno: "Who won that game?" Leno asked.

Edwards: "I'm not saying.

Leno: "Did you go into that game trying to kick his ass?"

Edwards: "Of course! When I play, I plan to win."

When Obama was campaigning in North Carolina on Wednesday, he said he planned to try to talk to Edwards again while he was here. But it is not clear whether the two men ever talked.