Edwards Camp's VP Quid Pro Quo

Did John Edwards know his staffers seek quid pro quos from both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton near the end of his presidential campaign? Obama adviser David Plouffe isn't sure, but in his campaign memoir, The Audacity to Win, Plouffe says Edwards' team offered to endorse Obama before the critical South Carolina primary—if Obama promised to make Edwards his vice-presidential nominee. According to Plouffe, "Obama's answer was quick and firm: He could cut no deals." Edwards' unnamed staffer allegedly hinted that the candidate might offer an endorsement to Hillary instead, with the same terms. Apparently she didn't bite, either: Edwards eventually endorsed Obama.