In Grand Rapids, introduced by Obama as "my friend," Edwards enters to "The Rising" by Springsteen.
First, on Hillary, to a very mixed crowd reaction:
"She believes with every fiber of her being that American can be a better place.... It is very very hard to fight and speak up when the odds turn against you. She has shown strength and determination...." She is "made of steel." She is a leader in this country "not because of her husband," but because of "standing up and speaking out."
"We are a stronger party because of Hillary Clinton."
On to Obama:
He riffs on "two Americas," special interests, people in poverty -- the ballast of his campaign: "Barack Obama stands with me."
"The reason I am here tonight is that the Democratic voters in America have made their choice and so have I....There is one who knows how to build the lasting change that you have to build from the ground up... and that man is Barack Obama."
So he casts himself as following the will of the voters....not so much leading it. After all, he really couldn't make up his mind.
"One America is not only possible but it will be achieved by President Barack Obama beginning in January, 2009."
Obama thanks him and thanks Elizabeth -- who is apparently not endorsing -- and promises to work for health care for everyone. Which, if reports are correct, has been her hangup -- she likes Hillary's plan more than Obama's.