by Frank James
The Associated Press is reporting that John Edwards is dropping his White House bid.
It's hard to know what the impact will be. Some of Edwards's support might have been anti-Clinton but a lot of it was probably pro-Edwards, too, voters who were captured by his populist message.
Many of Edwards's supporters were hard-core Democrats, and Sen. Hillary Clinton has consistently done better with them than Sen. Barack Obama. So she in the end, could wind up benefitting more from Edwards's departure than Obama.
That portion of his support that was decidedly anti-Clinton could go to Obama, however. Again, at this stage it's just difficult ot know what the impact of his departure will be.
Here's the AP story.
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
DENVER (AP) — Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voter's sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.
The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two of his advisers. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning — Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one adviser, who spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement.
Edwards waged a spirited top-tier campaign against the two better-funded rivals, even as he dealt with the stunning blow of his wife's recurring cancer diagnosis. In a dramatic news conference last March, the couple announced that the breast cancer that she thought she had beaten had returned, but they would continue the campaign.
Their decision sparked a debate about family duty and public service. But Elizabeth Edwards remained a forceful advocate for her husband, and she was often surrounded at campaign events by well-wishers and emotional survivors cheering her on.
Edwards planned to announce his campaign was ending with his wife and three children at his side. Then he planned to work with Habitat for Humanity at the volunteer-fueled rebuilding project Musicians' Village, the adviser said.
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Comments
What happened to the "new path?" Did it go through the wrong America?
Posted by: Jeff | January 30, 2008 9:18 AM
We are in big trouble now.
Posted by: William Walley | January 30, 2008 9:35 AM
Well, now there is only one canidate left who runs a honest campaign (Obama). I am still disgusted with what Hillary did last night by claiming victory in Florida! Further proove the Clintons have not a care what is right and what is wrong. They will divide this country even more! I hope the media rip her apart for this.
Posted by: Doug | January 30, 2008 9:45 AM
I can't believe he's dropping out. I guess I'll just pull a green party ballot, there's no way I can vote for Clinton or Obama.
Posted by: Pat | January 30, 2008 9:48 AM
Hmmmm. This smells like he cut a deal with someone.Time will tell..
Posted by: shane | January 30, 2008 9:49 AM
Doug says: ""Well, now there is only one canidate left who runs a honest campaign (Obama).""
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LOL Sure, Doug. Obama's honestly shines though in so many ways. Just a few top of mind examples:
Obama repeatedly said he was going to finish his senate term and not run for president in 2008.
Obama consistently denied that he had done any favors for Rezko. Until the media unearthed two letters Obama wrote to state officials urging them to grant extra funds for Rezko's project.
Obama says he is a "uniter" and his campaign had nothing to do with attacking Bill Clinton over use of "fairy tale" as supposedly being racist. That is, until a four-page memo outlining Obama's racial strategy was leaked by his campaign and held up by Tim Russert during the SC debate.
Obama promised us "change" also, but has done precious little since becoming our U.S. senator but posture and campaign for the presidency and cut deals to enrich himself and his wife.
Sorry, Doug. Obama is a con man -- nothing more.
Posted by: Brad Neilson | January 30, 2008 10:01 AM
Hmmmm. This smells like he wasn't getting enough votes and was running out of money and realized he had no shot...
Posted by: kb | January 30, 2008 10:03 AM
I admired Edwards in the manner he kept his campaign focused on issues. He elevated his stature-to me- when he intervened in debates to put issues back in the spotlight when bickering took the forefront.
Posted by: McP | January 30, 2008 10:07 AM
I agree with Doug about Hillary's tasteless "win" in Florida. With Edwards gone, I'm going with Obama.
Posted by: Chris | January 30, 2008 10:09 AM
Hey Doug,Hillary Clinton beat Obama by 17 points with almost 2 million Democrats voting. That is a victory, hell that's a rout. Yet you say that you "were disgusted because Hillary claimed victory in Florida?" Florida is a very cosmopolitan state and Senator Clinton beat Obama like a drum down there. So dispite your "disgust" when you rout an opponent by 17% you have every right to claim victory.
Posted by: jmariotti | January 30, 2008 10:11 AM
Clinton probably promised him the Atty General appointment in exchange for his support. I hope I'm wrong.
I'm voting for Obama.
Posted by: John | January 30, 2008 10:11 AM
He got some kind of deal.
This certainly helps Hillary.
Posted by: jake | January 30, 2008 10:14 AM
It is a darn shame, the best candidate just keep being pushed aside, first by Kerry now by the dynamic duo, ugh!!!!
He and Huckabee should get together on a third party ticket. They are the best ones running.
Posted by: David Lucas | January 30, 2008 10:20 AM
Now all remaining Democratic candidates are in the Top 10 Most-Corrupt in Washington list...
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007
Posted by: David Hillman | January 30, 2008 10:21 AM
Well, now he can go back to his mansion in the hills and shake down some more doctors.
Posted by: Betty | January 30, 2008 10:26 AM
This is a country for the people by the people. If you're willing to stand by and let money speak in front of you, then this it what happens. This is a massive failure of a scale that will only be realized in the 4 years to come.
Posted by: Robert Conarroe | January 30, 2008 10:34 AM
It is so nice to see the true feelings of my fellow countrymen. It literally took the 2 remaining Democratic candidates to run for President, for us to show how we truly feel. I'm sure each of us likes to preach that America is a huge melting pot and a land of opportunity for ALL. I think alot of us are starting to realize how far from reality we really are.
Posted by: LBlunt | January 30, 2008 10:34 AM
HOW ABOUT THIS GUY?
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=HQs.Home
Posted by: Pete | January 30, 2008 10:41 AM
Billary won FL. Big deal - no delegates although she is pushing for that now after the fact. I wouldn't place much importance on FL any way. Bunch of old people down there tottering about, can't figure out the ballots, going to bed right after their "early-bird geezers dinner specials". Most can't find their butts with both hands - when their not driving their land ships into illegals @ the bus stops. Best hope for FL is that the next hurricane takes out the whole state.
Posted by: kathy michael | January 30, 2008 10:41 AM
Hmmm, speaking of "deals," what job is waiting for Jesse the mouth?
Posted by: Old Sarge | January 30, 2008 10:44 AM
So the ambulance chasing shyster has finally realized that there is no way this country will ever elect a hypocritical personal injury attorney to be President. He decries the plight of the poor while driving up the price for everything they buy from his frivolous lawsuits. Glad he's out!
Posted by: Dave | January 30, 2008 10:44 AM
Edwards is a fraud! The money he made as a trial lawyer was proven to be made on incorrect information that the jury swallowed. The facts of the operations were found to be incorrect later but Edwards had received his money and so did the clients. "Two Americas" means one for trial lawyers and one for honorable people.
Posted by: Jim Poulsen | January 30, 2008 10:46 AM
I loved to see someone standing up against poverty and against the lobbyists who destroy our democracy
Posted by: ECampforts | January 30, 2008 10:47 AM
Hey Doug,Hillary Clinton beat Obama by 17 points with almost 2 million Democrats voting. That is a victory, hell that's a rout. Yet you say that you "were disgusted because Hillary claimed victory in Florida?" Florida is a very cosmopolitan state and Senator Clinton beat Obama like a drum down there. So dispite your "disgust" when you rout an opponent by 17% you have every right to claim victory.
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jmariotti, I think the "disgust" relates to the fact that victory was claimed, rout or not, in a state where the delegates have been taken away this year. So, she essentially won nothing. And I'm guessing that voter turnout was impacted by the fact that people knew their vote was, literally, not going to count.
Posted by: john | January 30, 2008 10:58 AM
(In response to ECompforts)
Standing up against the lobbyists who destroy our democracy? It is the trial lawyers who are the biggest and most well funded lobby that is destroying our country and believe me, Edwards was their man. A lot crying in shyster lawyers offices going on right now. Glad he's out.
Posted by: Dave | January 30, 2008 11:00 AM
He has the facade of a gifted American; might be too good/delicate for the dirty fight ahead (shaping up this democracy). Thanks for the effort.
Posted by: Jack Horton | January 30, 2008 11:02 AM
It is inappropriate for the media to keep emphasizing that there is an "Anti-Clinton" voter group above all other groups. There are also an "Anti-Obama" group as well as "Anti-McCain", and "Anti-Romney" voter groups. Unless the media starts to discuss all of these categories with equal sensitivity, this type of news reporting is deeply biased. My point isn't merely to defend Senator Clinton; the point is larger - the point is to recognize that this type of reporting manipulates through biased rhetoric. Some of Edwards' supporters might be "anti-Clinton" and some might well be "anti-Obama". Lets all start to think a little bit more critically about these rude, biased assumptions in the media.
Posted by: jack jackson | January 30, 2008 11:03 AM
Jim Paulson and Dave stand up and scream that average people injured or damaged by incompetent doctors don't deserve any compensation. I love it. Hope your loved ones undertand you will not fight for them if they are maimed by a horrible surgeon or doctor. Have you told them yet? Especially you Jim Paulson since you seem to value "honorable" people so much. There is nothing more honorable than the truth.
Posted by: john | January 30, 2008 11:06 AM
What happened to the "new path?" Did it go through the wrong America?
Posted by: Jeff | January 30, 2008 9:18 AM
Leave it to jerkoff Jeffy/Bill to make snide remarks and kick a classy family man who gave it his all.
And you wonder why politics are the way they are?
Posted by: Raving Loon | January 30, 2008 1:00 PM
In the end, Edwards couldn't pull off the sale. He couldn't sell that he was against the Iraq War, the Patriot Act & No Child Left Behind after voting for all of them in the Senate. He couldn't sell being a champion for the poor while living in a mansion and profiting from sub-prime lending, foreclosure-happy hedge fund managers like Fortress Investment Group. Even more than incompetents, Americans hate phonies. Edwards seems like a nice enough guy, but in the end, Americans just didn't buy what he was selling.
Posted by: Herbie H. | January 30, 2008 6:04 PM