Just last week I wrote a front-page post for MyDD called Ten arguments for sticking with John Edwards. I was getting ready to post the revised version on Daily Kos today or tomorrow, when I saw the news this morning that Edwards had decided to leave the race.
I was hoping Edwards would stay in to keep his message out there. I hope that he decided to quit for political reasons, or because he ran out of money, rather than because of a change in Elizabeth’s condition.
I feel lucky to have caucused for Edwards already. I have no idea how I would vote now. For most of the past year I strongly preferred Obama to Clinton, but in the past few months I’ve grown disenchanted with Obama’s campaign and skeptical about his ability to win. Maybe I would write in Edwards or Al Gore rather than vote for either of the candidates left in the race–I don’t know.
As for how this affects the race, I also have no idea. In some states, Clinton clearly benefits, while in others, Obama may benefit. My own siblings who supported Edwards are split, with my brothers breaking for Obama and my sister strongly leaning to Clinton.
Since most Bleeding Heartland readers seem to be Obama supporters, I recommend this diary by the wonderful JedReport called Some tips for Obama supporters, from an Edwards partisan.
UPDATE: Here is a link to the text and video of Edwards’ farewell address:
2 Comments
Edwards
accomplished a lot in his Presidential campaign. I hope he gets a spot in the administration of whoever wins the nomination. He is a great voice for a part of America that does not have much political influence in Washington and I think more people who adhere to his ideas are needed at all levels of politics. This is a sad day for the hope for change. Most Obama supporters that I know would have preferred an Edwards/Obama one on one for the nomination, and I am one of those people. This leaves only one change candidate left on the Democratic side: Barack Obama. I predict Edwards to endorse Obama over the weekend, if he is going to do it.
Also, I must say that the pundits and those who thought he would stay in until the Convention were wrong about Edwards. He is not that politically calculating and apparently does not care as much about political power, as say Hillary Clinton, who would no doubt stay in to be the kingmaker of the party. I never thought he would stay in until the convention because I thought he saw something in Obama that he liked and if staying in after a big loss in South Carolina took something away from Obama he would get out. Yes, I know he hasn’t endorsed anyone. I am almost certain that he will endorse Obama and it will probably come later so as to not take away the spotlight from the Kennedy endorsement.
Going to be one heck of an interesting debate Thursday!
drinksgreentea Wed 30 Jan 2:52 PM
Well . . . darn.
I got to stand up for Edwards at the caucuses, so I feel okay about that. I wish I could feel as positive about Obama or Clinton as I did about John.
I guess it doesn’t matter though. It’s up to the rest of the country now.
mwd Wed 30 Jan 3:40 PM