Barack Obama went to visit Edwards in North Carolina today. Presumably, he’s asking for the former candidate’s endorsement, and the 20-some delegates that come along with it. In a race this tight, it’s not surprising that both Obama and Clinton are lobbying so hard for his endorsement.

Word last week was that Edwards was leaning toward Clinton. The rumor making its way around the internet at the time was that Obama didn’t offer him the Attorney General position that he wanted, and he went to see what Hillary had to offer. I don’t know how much stock you can put in that, but I suppose it’s plausible. I haven’t heard any rumors about Hillary offering cabinet positions, but all indications are that she’s wooing him pretty intensely. (She has also gone to North Carolina to visit Edwards.)

I’m not sure what to think. I’m inclined to say that if Edwards gives his endorsement to Clinton based only on what position he was able to secure for himself, I’ll lose all of the respect I have for the man. I’d like to think that he’d support the best person for the job, independent of what his role might be, but maybe that’s naïve. Maybe that’s too much to ask of a politician.

In my opinion, Gore’s got the right idea by staying above the fray, leaving the door open to a possible role as mediator come convention time. Maybe it’s unrealistic to think that Edwards, as he’s got these two dozen delegates in his pocket, could keep from making an endorsement, but I’d like to think that he’d sooner go that route than supporting Hillary, the most corporate of corporate Democrats. Then again, Obama hasn’t exactly taken up the populist slack in the wake of Edwards having left the campaign. The truth is, neither candidate is great. Edwards, however, has to choose. I just hope that he can do it with integrity.