Edwards Drops

You beat me to it, Alex. It’s not just breaking news, to me, it’s heartbreaking news.

Just once–once–I would like to have my first choice still in the race by the time the primaries made it to my state.

The fact that one of the most progressive Democrats, and, according to previous polls, the Dem with the best shot in the general election versus any of the Republican frontrunners, has to bow out before any of the large states have voted, before any of the major urban areas have weighed in (I am not counting MI and FL since they were not sanctioned primaries), and before any state with a diversified economy could be heard from says that this system is really, really broken.

I say that with my heart. . . and my head.

I don’t think that JRE voters automatically go one way or the other. Different states show very different poll numbers. Demographics and local issues will play a large role–as will anything either candidate does to reach out to John’s supporters.

Jason Rosenbaum says  ::  January 30th, 2008 @ 7:08 am EST
I gotta say, I’m shocked too. I wonder what precipitated this decision? I can’t imagine he’s totally out of money, so much so that he couldn’t go for it on Super Tuesday. I guess we’ll see about a deal…
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Red Wind says  ::  January 30th, 2008 @ 7:22 am EST
I can’t yet figure it out–and I really don’t want to speculate. The Edwards campaign held a very upbeat briefing on Monday talking about the future of the campaign, the great fundraising month he’d had, and the strategy for victory.
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Jason Rosenbaum says  ::  January 30th, 2008 @ 7:33 am EST
Nobody I’ve talked to really seems to understand it either. I guess we’ll see what he has in mind…
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From the Department of Zero Class:

Hillary Clinton went on air in Seattle at just after 7am PST (10am EST) and spoke of how Edwards had called her to say that he was getting out of the race. Clinton then made a blatant play for Edwards voters. This was well before John Edwards’s scheduled 1pm EST event where he is to make an official announcement.

It’s another example of HRC’s ambition drowning out any sincere desire she might have to embrace any of JRE’s issues. Ick.

there had to be some thought to the timing of this. So, why now? Why not directly on the heels of the South Carolina loss? Why do it less than a week before super tuesday?
If someone cares to speculate on the strategy of the timing I’m all ears. I’ve got nothing.

Joey Kittens says  ::  January 30th, 2008 @ 12:12 pm EST
The bass are really hitting spinners right now and that just happens to be Mr. Edwards strong suit as an angler. Look for him to rejoin as the crappie bite turns on. I just don’t see him missing this bass season for anything be it a presidential race or not.I mean they’re really hitting.
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I worked in Iowa for Senator Obama, and generally got the feeling that Edwards was fragmenting the anti/non-Hillary vote, and so, with him out of the race, it helps Obama. Pundits underestimate, in my opinion, the sentiment against Senator Clinton in the Democratic Party.

There was that private meeting between Clinton and Edwards after the debates in South Carolina last week, but I believe this helps Obama more than Clinton. Edwards’ endorsement, however and whoever it goes to, makes him the current king maker in the Democratic Party since both Obama and Clinton appear to just need about 5% to beat one another in any states primary. This isn’t the last we’ve heard of Edwards, for if a Democrat does make it to the White House he’ll most certainly have some position, Attorney Genera perhaps, within it and for the future.