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by Jim Tankersley
John Edwards entered 2008 with a front-loaded plan to win the Democratic presidential nomination: score wins or strong finishes in the four early states, build momentum, and ride it through Super Tuesday on Feb. 5.
It didn't pan out like he'd hoped. Edwards followed a second-place finish in Iowa with three straight thirds behind Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, most recently in his native South Carolina. Strategy scuttled, Edwards faced two choices: drop out, or get a new plan.
He picked the new plan.
The Edwards campaign laid out the former North Carolina senator's "path to the nomination" in a memo released to reporters today. The strategy banks on ad campaigns in 10 Feb. 5 states – including several of the "red" states where Edwards has been pitching himself as the only Democrat with a shot to win in November – and grassroots pushes in the more than a dozen others that vote on Super Tuesday. It's bankrolled by internet donations the campaign says have rolled in over the last month (analysts say money, more than anything, will dictate how long Edwards can compete).
The strategy presumes that the Democratic nomination, with three viable candidates, will remain a dogfight for individual delegates for weeks to come. It also presumes Edwards will survive to face either Obama or Clinton "one on one" in the final weeks of the race, and that Democrats who haven't heard his message to this point will pick Edwards at the end of the game.
As the campaign writes in its memo: "The bottom line: John Edwards is the underdog against two celebrity candidates who have each raised over $100 million, yet he enjoys broad support – and is in position to win delegates -- across the country."
Read on for the full Edwards memo.
To: Interested Parties
From: Edwards for President Campaign
Date: January 28, 2008
Re: Path to the nomination
As we move into a campaign focused on the 22 February 5th states, our target demographics are:
ü Voters fed-up with the broken system in Washington
ü Voters who believe the middle class has been neglected by politicians in Washington
ü Voters who have had enough of the personal and destructive attacks between our two rivals
SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTNOTE
Numerous polls in the Palmetto state recently had Edwards roughly 30 points behind Clinton. But because of a strong debate performance and nonstop, personal and often bitter attacks between our rivals, Edwards proved this is a three way race. He dramatically narrowed the gap – and exceeded expectations. With two debates scheduled between now and February 5th, we expect John Edwards to continue to climb as he proudly represents the grown-up wing of the Democratic Party.
ONLINE FUNDRAISING BOOM
We enter the February 5th phase of the campaign on solid financial footing. The campaign has enjoyed an online fundraising boom – over $3.2 million raised online since the first of the year – most of which will be doubled by federal matching funds. This represents an 81% increase over December in total number of contributions: 44,007 contributions were made during this period, compared with 24,240 from December 1 to December 31. These 44,007 contributions came from 35,351 donors compared to 20,243 in December. This is a 74% increase in contributing donors from December to January. We have seen an increase of 104% over the number of first-time givers in December (10,049). The pool of our support is widening – we’ve seen a 155% increase in new additions to our list compared to growth in December.
Most importantly, we are seeing longtime online supporters make first-time contributions. We've also seen lower average contributions, by as much as $25 less than a typical daily average – but offset by higher volume. Our supporters are seeing this race everywhere now – and they're looking for ways to contribute.
THE NEXT PHASE
The Democratic nomination for President will not be decided until any one candidate has amassed 51 percent of the delegates – which is no easy task for any candidate when there are three strong, viable candidates in the race. Since delegates are awarded proportionately, John Edwards has already accumulated delegates and is in a strong position to accumulate many more delegates on February 5th.
Following the first four contests, the fight for delegates remains close between the three leading candidates – but the vast majority have not been awarded:
Delegates won in IA, NH, NV & SC:
Obama: 63
Clinton: 48
Edwards: 26
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Magic Number to Capture the Nomination: 2025
Total Number of Delegates: 4049
As the table above shows, this race is far from decided -- and will be a long process for each of the three leading candidates. While some political reporters might wince at the prospect of having to cover three candidates for an extended period of time, this is very good news for voters. Over the coming weeks and months, voters across the country will have their say. While no one can accurately predict the outcome, one thing is certain: the American people will decide the nomination, not the media.
Bill Clinton didn't win a primary or caucus until Georgia. He didn't clinch the nomination until he defeated Jerry Brown in New York in April. This race will go to the candidate that can compete widely and over the long haul. We will be broadly competitive, accumulating groups of delegates across the February 5th states. Ultimately, we expect the race to narrow to one of the two celebrity candidates and us -- and when that happens, we are confident that the remaining contests will break in our direction as voters are finally offered the choice the national media has ignored all year -- the most progressive, most electable candidate in the race, John Edwards.
Because this fight to the nomination is boiling down to the earning of delegates, the campaign has assembled a team of staff and advisors to manage delegate tracking through the convention.
FEBRUARY 5TH STATE APPEAL
Born to working class parents and raised in small, rural towns across the South, John Edwards will appeal to all hard-working families in the February 5th states because he understands the values and struggles these voters face. We believe he will be competitive in all 22 states holding primaries next Tuesday and have staff, advisors, and support from labor covering all 22 states. Experienced political, press, advance and field staff are already on the ground in February 5th states to grow and mobilize our support. We are waging aggressive campaigns building on the political foundation and support already established through the branches of One Corps (the grassroots organizing arm of the campaign), online mobilization, and earned media with in-state surrogates. This work has been underway for over a year.
In addition, in the next 48 hours, the campaign will launch aggressive media buys starting in 10 states and likely expanding in the days leading up to February 5th. These will be significant media buys that will have a real impact on the race, particularly because voters in these states have not yet had broad exposure to John Edwards’ message. As we saw in South Carolina, once people have a chance to hear directly from John Edwards, the numbers move.
We will be broadly competitive, earning delegates from across the February 5th states and onto the subsequent contests in Louisiana, Virginia, and Maryland. We expect that when voters in the these states are finally offered the choice the national media has ignored all year – the most progressive, most electable candidate in the race, John Edwards – we will prevail.
The bottom line: John Edwards is the underdog against two celebrity candidates who have each raised over $100 million, yet he enjoys broad support – and is in position to win delegates -- across the country.
Some examples:
*Alabama: Edwards has strong grassroots support in Alabama with more than 20 One Corps chapters across the state and the support of 35,000 union members from across the state.
*California: Edwards has been to California numerous times throughout the past few years, including an event in Los Angeles on January 17th where he was greeted by more than 1,000 supporters. Among his other visits to California, Edwards has stood with workers on the picket line and in their workplace, spoken to college students, spoken at the California Democratic Convention and held a grassroots fundraiser. Edwards also has the support of more than 760,000 union members across California, including the support of California’s single largest union, the California SEIU State Council.
*Idaho: The John Edwards Campaign has the support of a significant, statewide network of One Corps leaders as well as endorsements representing 2,500 union members across the state. Edwards has also been endorsed by former Idaho Democratic Party Chair Bill Mauk. Edwards’ leadership on the issue of revitalizing rural America, standing up for working families, and his record as the only candidate to have won an election in a solidly “red” state puts him in a strong position in the state.
*Georgia: Edwards has campaigned in Georgia many times throughout the past few years, including Atlanta on January 19th and Sunday in Dublin – where he called on voters to join him to take our country back from powerful entrenched interests. Edwards has the support of dozens of elected officials and party leaders from across the state, including former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and former Georgia Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, Georgia Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown, Georgia House Democratic Leader Dubose Porter former U.S. Rep. Ed Jenkins and former U.S. Rep. Ben "Cooter" Jones.
*Massachusetts: Edwards has strong support throughout the state, including nearly 100,000 union members, hundreds of One Corps Members throughout the state, as well as the endorsement of Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger. Due to the New Hampshire Primary, the Edwards campaign has already had an extensive presence in the Boston media market with both paid and free media.
*Minnesota: Edwards has the support of dozens of Democratic elected officials and party leaders from every region of the state including U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, State House Majority Leader Tony Sertich and Former MN State Senator Ted Mondale.
*Missouri: Edwards was the first candidate to campaign in Missouri this year – rallying over 1,000 supporters in St. Louis on January 19th for an event as part his Coast to Coast tour. Edwards has also campaigned for the successful ballot initiative to raise Missouri’s minimum wage in 2006, helping lift up thousands of working Americans. Edwards has won the support of dozens of Democratic elected officials and party leaders from every region of the state including former Missouri Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell, Missouri State Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Frank Barnitz, Missouri House Democratic Whip Connie Johnson, and Missouri State Senator Wes Shoemyer. Edwards was also recently endorsed by former Missouri House Speaker Jim Kreider and runs even with Obama in the most recent Missouri polling.
*New Mexico: Edwards has the endorsement of former New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid and a network of about 100 One Corps leaders from across the state. In addition, Edwards has the support of 4,000 union members from across New Mexico
*North Dakota: In the past two years, Edwards has visited North Dakota to meet with labor and rural community leaders, and campaign for local Democratic officials. Edwards has strong grassroots support in the state, including the support of more than 2,500 union members across North Dakota, which is an important bloc of support given that 10,500 people voted in the North Dakota’s Democratic Caucus in 2004. Edwards has also won the support of dozens of Democratic elected officials and party leaders from every region of the state including Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, State Senate Democratic Leader David O'Connell, and State House Democratic Leader Merle Boucher. Edwards also enjoys the support of a majority of Democrats in both the House and Senate in North Dakota.
*Oklahoma: In two polls conducted by different organizations, Edwards beats Obama in Oklahoma, with 47 delegates at stake. Edwards became the first Democratic presidential candidate to travel to Oklahoma this year when he visited Oklahoma City on January 15th and then again on January 18th to rally supporters and talk about his bold plans for change. Senator Edwards has won the endorsement of dozens of Oklahoma state legislators, including the highest-ranking Democrats in the Oklahoma State House and Senate - Oklahoma Senate President Pro-Tem Mike Morgan and Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan. He also enjoys the support of more than 13,000 union families in Oklahoma, including the endorsement of the largest labor union in state, the Transport Workers Union. Senator Edwards did well in 2004 in Oklahoma and we expect another strong showing on February 5th.
*Tennessee: John Edwards is holding events today in Chattanooga and Nashville. Among his many activities in Tennessee, Edwards announced his plan to revitalize rural America in Tennessee and met with Vanderbilt employees seeking to join the Laborers union. Edwards visited Memphis this summer during his “Road to One America” tour to draw attention to the issue of poverty in America. Senator Edwards has strong grassroots support in Tennessee with more than 40 One Corps chapters across the state and the support of 18,000 union members from across the state.
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Comments
Does the "new path" include hoarding the few delegates to play kingmaker whenever Obama or Hillary keep each other from winning the nomination by the convention? Then trading in those delegates for the VP slot? The only shot Edwards has at the White House is in the succession of either hillary or obama.
Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 3:14 PM
This just in: Vegas has 7 to 5 odds that Old Man Rip VanMcCain will fall asleep yet again during the State of the Union Address. He has history of stimulant use so he'll probably pop some pills just like his old flying days, but will it help? If I was his campaign manager I'd insist he snort a couple lines 15 minutes prior to entering the Capitol chamber. The last thing he needs at this point in the game is to fall asleep again like he did last year.
Posted by: jackson | January 28, 2008 3:50 PM
I think Edwards is the best choice for America.
The Media has selected the candidates for us.
Are we sheep to be led by advertisement?
Can we read, analyze, scrutinize for ourselves?
I urge everyone to do some research on the issues; to read and become informed. We have the Internet available. We don't need the pundits to tells us what anything or anybody means.
Posted by: Odessa | January 28, 2008 3:52 PM
Meet the new path. Same as the old path. PATHetic!
Go home John.
Posted by: Brainwashed Republican | January 28, 2008 4:28 PM
Thank God John Edwards is still in the race, and committed to staying in! I have voted in every general election since 1972, and have never seen sorrier coverage of a presidential nomination than what the MSM have given us. In their determination to make this a celebrity horserace between the first serious woman candidate and the first serious black candidate, they have ignored the BEST serious candidate, Sen. Edwards. Voters need to educate themselves on the candidates' stands on the issues, not on their celebrity status, who endorses them, or on their supposed "inevitability." If this covered and voted on on the basis of issues, John Edwards would be running away with it.
Posted by: Cookie In PA | January 28, 2008 4:49 PM
This fairytale is over, if you still like Edwards it's time to drop it and join the Obama team.
Posted by: Mission Accomplished | January 28, 2008 4:54 PM
Well said, Cookie, and not so fast, MA. If John Edwards steps out, I will support Obama. But not until then. I think Edwards does stand the best chance of beating whichever Republican robot gets the final nod.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | January 28, 2008 5:16 PM
I looked at the exit poll data carefully.
Edwards gets the majority of the white-vote, especially white males. He also did well with white females.
In case no one noticed, the blacks are only 12% of the population, and have a low voting percentage.
The democrats do not have a problem getting the votes of women and blacks: 90% of blacks vote democratic, and women constitute 60% of the democratic party.
The same reason John is having trouble, is the same reason he would be the most, and perhaps ONLY electable candidate: he is capable of getting the most white male-independents and Republicans to vote for him.
Obama will probably fall apart in states where there is no black populations to carry him, and Hillary has become hated.
If McCain becomes the clear nominee, it may become clear that Obama is not going to win the nomination, and Hillary can't win the general election.
Edwards and Obama can make a deal at the convention, or before.
The problem here is that we are trying to operate on the myth that we are "color-blind."
The fact is that race does matter, and that we have deep-seated prejudices and feelings.
The bigger problem is that we cannot acknowledge them as a society, which would be a start to dealing with them.
Posted by: Oscar | January 28, 2008 5:18 PM
Why is it that John Edwards is so marginalized? Why is it that John Edwards gets no real coverage by the mainstream media? Why is it that corporate America wants ANYONE but John Edwards to be in this election come November?
I'm still voting for John Edwards no matter what the Republicans pretending to be Democrats say.
Posted by: Edwards or Bust | January 28, 2008 5:19 PM
Maybe Edwards ought to sit this one out and run for Senator or Governor of North Carolina. Or maybe he can even go back to practicing law or founding an organization to take on those corporate, monster-windmills against which he's claims to be raring to do battle.
The problem is that, right now, he leaves one with the indelible impression he is long on words and short on action. After all, what exactly has he done since leaving the Senate to show that he really is in a fight to improve the lives of the little guys? The answer is: Other than getting “appointed” to direct the U.N.C. center for studying poverty and going on lucrative speaking tours - nothing of which I am aware. We don’t even know exactly what he did as director of the U.N.C. center. Had Edwards done an Al Gore, and spent some time noticeably championing some worthy cause during his three years out of office, his situation would be substantially different. More people might have actually believed his campaign isn’t about self-aggrandizement.
Posted by: John W. | January 28, 2008 5:34 PM
jackson, you read it wrong, those were the odds of Billy Clinton falling asleep during a civil rights speech.
Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 5:34 PM
He's got to be kidding he can't even win his own state.I.e. just like Gore could not win his state. Look what it did for hime.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | January 28, 2008 5:52 PM
According to Robert Novak, Edwards would be appointmented Attorney General under an Obama Administration.
Google News it.
Posted by: Nate | January 28, 2008 5:58 PM
If you listened closely during the debates, you would have heard Edwards speak clearly that the truth is that Washington is out of touch with what's happening here in the real world. Middle class America needs to ensure that Edwards is put into the Whitehouse.
Posted by: Carol Johns | January 28, 2008 6:06 PM
I like Edwards. He'll make a good VP for Obama if he's not serious about Vice President Winfrey.
Posted by: Tom O | January 28, 2008 6:20 PM
Edwards is seeking purpose to his life. The death of his son and his wife's cancer have lent to his determination to continue. Think about it, where can he go from here? Back to being a lawyer? Run again for Congress? These would both be steps backwards. Ambition with its promise of power is a strong aphrodisiac, even costing a person his family and wealth. It might just be Edwards' altruism comes second to his ambitious drive.
Posted by: the truth | January 28, 2008 6:25 PM
I don't like Obama's stand on health care because without universal mandates universal health care won't happen.
I dont like Clinton because if she serves even 1 term our country will have spent 24 years being run by someone named Clinton or Bush.
I like Edwards stand on helath care, Iraq etc. Also Edwards understands you can't trust republiCONS
Posted by: Chicago 1234 | January 28, 2008 6:53 PM
Thanks for the column on Edwards, Mr. Tankersley.
It's going to be a hard fight for Edwards because the majority of the media refuse to cover him. But if anyone can do it, Edwards can. I urge anyone that supports Edwards to donate to his campaign so he can keep going. This is our best shot at getting a president who is not beholding to the special interests or the Party insiders. We have a candidate that is willing to fight for us, let's see if we are as good as he is.
Posted by: pmorlan | January 28, 2008 6:55 PM
Why is it Edwards is not mentioned and the media plays as though it's a two person race? It's not Edwards is a very viable candidate. Edwards will beat out Hillary and it will be Edwards and Obama!!
Posted by: Mo | January 28, 2008 8:10 PM
Edwards only path to the White House is a dead end one, fortunately.
Posted by: John D | January 28, 2008 8:25 PM
I have been watching the news closely as well as most all of the debates and it has become blindingly obvious that the mainstream news organizations are deliberately fixing the campaign. On the republican side the only honest candidate is hardly ever heard of and the same on the Democratic side. John Edwards is a "honest" hard working human being that really cares. He's not fake or plastic. If anyone ever gets a chance to hear him speak just compare the way he carries himself and his passionate way of addressing those who listen. He is not cold and calculating like Hillary and He,s ceartainly not a phoney like Barak. John has put in his time fighting for just causes and voting for the right thing. Take a serious look at what Barak has realy been up to. He has no real national government experience. He's ducked out on several crucial senatorial vote's(which were controversial) so as not to create any waves. It is obvious that Barak came to the U.S. Senate for one thing and one thing only and that was as a launch platform to the White House. He didn't come to D.C. to help anyone but Barak! He has lobby money and big business money all lined up after the election expecting their slice of the power pie. If Barak wins, don't expect anything to improve for the middle class. He's a right wing republican in democratics clothing. Vote John Edwards. He.s REAL
Posted by: Don | January 28, 2008 8:32 PM
Don, he sure is real! Check out his house!
http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=3848
I guess NOTHING'S too good for a friend of the little man!
Posted by: Lorenzo Sunshine | January 28, 2008 8:49 PM
Republicans want Clinton or Obama to win in the primaries. Both candidates would be easy to beat in all red states in a general election. If Bush won his reelection when everyone knew he was a total failure and that the war in Irag should stop, how can we expect Clinton or Obama to win against McCain in conservative states?
John Feeherty, a REPUBLICAN strategist made the following statement on MSNBC last December:
“I think we would be delighted with either Hillary or Obama. EDWARDS is the one who scares me the most because he’s a Southern democrat. Southern democrats are the ones that usually win!”
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir5Ee2CE-8Q
Posted by: Angelina | January 28, 2008 9:08 PM
Big coorp want to keep making money from the war so they have to keep rigging elections. America is being hyjacked by the elite. If the Dems select candidates who have less chance of getting a very big margin of victory then they can fix it again without been too noticed. The elite are taking over, end of story.
Posted by: aunt sally | January 28, 2008 9:41 PM
The results from EVERY debate has been starkly clear... EDWARDS HAS WON EACH ONE!
But then, the media remains silent and asks "Well, between Hillary and Obama--who do you think won?"
WHAT?! They just told you EDWARDS won...REPORT THAT!
The Corporate Media has failed it's country.
FairMediaNow.com
Posted by: Go John Go! | January 28, 2008 10:10 PM
I like Edwards. I like his message a lot. But 3 or 4 million is chump change. That's one week on TV in CA.
Unless Edwards can start writing checks of Romney-like proportions out of his own account, which I doubt, he's running for something other than President.
Posted by: Ward | January 28, 2008 10:14 PM
I’m relieved that John Edwards plans to continue his campaign. Edwards represents the voice of average Americans who has been silenced for far too long. He has put the needs of working Americans at the ‘front and center’ of his campaign from the very beginning.
Further, Edwards has presented detailed policy proposals for health care, job security, worker-centered trade policies, and environmental solutions that involve creating jobs. Undoubtedly, that is why Clinton and Obama have attempted to duplicate his plans. But only Edwards has created specific strategies to restore the America that so many of us remember—a country that still offers hope to all of us while regaining our global stature.
John Edwards inspires confidence in our country’s future and arouses genuine hope for the lives of all Americans. Don’t’ accept the media’s talking points. We each need to read and personally learn about the positions of the candidates. Go to Edwards’s website and learn what he stands for.
Don’t be fooled; if you want a president who will put average Americans at the top of his agenda, Edwards is your man.
Posted by: tessablue | January 28, 2008 10:28 PM
I have a lot of respect for Edwards. He's running on his message, unlike Romney, who's running on his money.
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 29, 2008 12:31 AM
John Edwards is holding out to be a kingmaker. I don't thing any person regardless of the reason believes he has a shot at being president in 1/09. But he may be able to broker some type of deal with Clinton or Obama. Which would be exactly against his platform of govt deal making.
Posted by: VOR | January 29, 2008 10:23 AM
I, as an 18 year old future college student, feel that John Edwards is the best for the job. When I think of Clinton I feel like we could have some prosperity, but will she really solve the problems that face this country. We have Senator Obama, who does appeal to the young vote with his talks of change. Really though, has Barack Obama done anything in the Senate that makes him a viable candidate for change. John Edwards has stolen me form the clebrities. I see in the debates he is obviously the best speaker, the only candidate that could win a presidential debate. It is exciting that we have these two candidates, one of whom is an African American, the other a female, but neither will beat a Republican in November, I hope America sees things the way I do.
Posted by: M. Surber | January 29, 2008 10:38 AM
John Edwards lacks hootzpa. He needs to get his act together
Posted by: Robert A Brown Jr | January 29, 2008 10:40 AM
Mission accomplished,
I wouldn't mimialize the comments here. This is what I think about Obama right now.....
I think that Obama's smug looks on his face and being ungracious at the State of the Union address towards Clinton screams of who he must really be. Furthermore, his GRAND entrance into the hall was very inappropriate and disrespectful!! Not, remotely presidential by any stretch.
Posted by: lisa | January 29, 2008 12:14 PM
Edwards all the way!!!!
Posted by: martha washington | January 29, 2008 12:40 PM
Edwards should drop out. At this point, he seems in it only to position himself as a VP choice. The thing he appears to be most notable for during this campaign is those ludicrously expensive haircuts.
Posted by: Evan | January 29, 2008 1:30 PM
I totally agree with pmorian's comment re Edwards.
"This is our best shot at getting a president who is not beholding to the special interests or the Party insiders."
Posted by: Anonymous | January 29, 2008 1:36 PM
isnt john edwards john kerry with better hair?
Posted by: mel d | January 29, 2008 2:32 PM
What a great article. I support John Edwards in his run for the nomination. Although I am a middle class man making less than $40k a year, I have continually reached into my wallet to contribute whatever I can to his campaign. Sometimes $10, sometimes $25. If you like John Edwards, please consider donating to his campaign. Even if you have never done it before. John Edwsrds is the one person I believe is speaking for me. Why does the media not seem to cover Edwards more? It will take smarter people than me to understand. But, as for me, I search my own news online. This is how I know John Edwards is the candidate for America and for me.
Posted by: Trace | January 29, 2008 4:16 PM
Edwards has a very good quality - "empathy". However, he is seen as too anti-business to win support of the well-off. He would make a great VP. His heart is in the right place. McCain will probably win the Republican nomination - but a bad economy and his track record on Iraq will work against McCain.
Posted by: roy meddock | January 29, 2008 10:39 PM
Now that McCain appears ready to become the Republican nominee, Democrats better get serious if they want to win in November. An Obama or Hillary nomination would be another electoral college nightmare, sacrificing the south and leaving the dems with the same battleground state strategy that hasn't worked in the past. As someone from the mother of all battlegounds, I can tell you that Edwards is the only democrat who can beat McCain in Ohio. (The Dayton Daily News poll reported this a few weeks ago.) More than 50% of Ohioans say they would never vote for Hillary, and Obama is not popular, especially in the southeastern "swing" part of the state. Even Republicans in Ohio like John Edwards. His economic message will resonate in the Rust Belt and carry him into the White House, if democrats get smart and make him the nominee.
Posted by: OhioMom | January 29, 2008 10:52 PM
Edwards should not drop out until at least a majority of states have voted in primaries that produce delegates. Why should four states be able to decide so much of the election? Richardson should not have dropped out, either. When they pick a beauty contest winner, they get to choose from fifty-one contestants. Does it make it any sense that the vast majority of Democrats in this country should only be allowed to pick from two people for something a lot more important?
Posted by: Michael A. Shea | January 29, 2008 10:53 PM
First, if John Edwards is fake, what in the world are Clinton and Obama? Neither of them strike me as more sincere than Edwards.
Second, they are all millionaires, so their wealth should not be an issue. For example, FDR was filthy wealthy and he stood against poverty in this country. George Bush is filthy wealthy and I don't believe he gives a tinker's damn for the poor.
The fact is that poverty and declining jobs and wages are a big problem for us right now, definitely feeding the economic downturn. However, Edwards is the only person seriously, concretely discussing these issues. And at least he has had the courage to come out with a detailed plan, which people can tear down if they wish to try, but I hear NOTHING of substance from either of the other Democratic candidates.
My sense is that the comments which are most personally directed against Edwards are posted by Clinton and Obama supporters who have nothing else to argue with.
Edwards is right on the issues, and he is the most electable candidate.
Lastly, why is it so wrong for Edwards to stay in the race for as long as he can? This is not the general election; he is not a third-party candidate. He happens to believe he is the best qualified and so is fighting a good battle against the corporate media who want this nomination, like too many others in the past, to fit into their soundbyte boxes. I say the longer Edwards stays in the better it is for the strength of our republic, whether you like him or not.
Posted by: Earthmom227 | January 29, 2008 11:07 PM
You people BETTER GET SMART - AND QUICK - otherwise, you are going to end up wishing you had "done" the "right thing." Why do you want to do what you have done for the last EIGHT YEARS? Knock it off; Edwards IS OUR MAN. My gosh, as mentioned in a previous post, look what the man - a human just like all of you, and myself, has been through. I do not have to spell it out for you. He IS the MOST electable candidate against any of the right-wing party, and anyone with ANY COMMON SENSE knows this - and if they do not - they will do their homework and figure it out.
YES! EDWARDS ALL THE WAY!!!
"It's a groovy, green revolution. Take care of our beautiful earth!"
Posted by: Jenny | January 30, 2008 1:13 AM