Edwards keeps mum, endorsing no one

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards did not endorse another candidate for president before today's Super Tuesday primaries despite an avid courtship by his former rivals, especially Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton had sought the backing of Edwards and his supporters in an effort to get a last-minute lift before Democrats go to the polls in 22 states.

Neither Edwards, who pulled out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination last week, nor officials with his campaign could be reached for comment Monday. But Edwards has asked key financial backers to hold off on backing another candidate.

"I'm trying to show deference to John's wishes," said Fayetteville lawyer Wade Byrd, an Edwards fundraiser who has not yet endorsed but is inclined to back Obama.

"He doesn't want the public to get the impression that because key supporters are going a particular way, that would telegraph what he is going to do."

Edwards' key fundraisers are scheduled to have dinner at Edwards' Orange County home Saturday night to allow the former candidate to thank them for their support.

Some political observers had thought Edwards would have the most leverage by giving his endorsement before Super Tuesday.

But former state Sen. Tom Taft, who was a fundraiser for Edwards and Clinton, said it would have been a gamble for Edwards to endorse before Super Tuesday.

"If he picks the wrong horse, he loses entirely," said Taft, a Greenville lawyer. "If he goes to the convention without having placed a bet, he may have a huge impact on what the convention does for the good for the party, for the country and for him. I believe he is in the best position to be a broker in the convention of any Democratic political figure."