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Edwards Out. (Joe)

Ezra summarizes, and has a links round-up.

"It’s time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path."  It will be interesting to see who it blazes for.

Obama, I’m still waiting to be convinced.

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2 responses to “Edwards Out. (Joe)”

  1. Ruchira

    I heard Edwards’ speech. He said:
    Today, I am suspending my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
    Note he said “suspend” not “end.” I don’t know exactly what that might mean. Is he leaving the door ajar and not slamming it?
    I also don’t think that an Edwards endorsement will blaze the trail much for either Clinton or Obama. His supporters will break along the lines of their own convictions. I suspect that younger supporters will probably flock to Obama and older white voters to Hillary. And those who can brook neither the idea of a woman nor an African American as president, will vote Republican.
    There is another fact that we are not hearing about much in the media. I learnt that in yesterday’s faux Democratic primary in Florida which Clinton won, Obama actually came very close to her numbers in live, real time voting. Clinton’s margin of win was expanded by absentee votes – votes which were cast some time ago when Clinton was a clear front runner. The same advantage will affect the tally in California and other states next Tuesday. So Clinton has a built in advantage unless live voter turnout is very large. (It was quite large in Florida).
    I still feel that Hillary will win the Democratic nomination. Obama’s surge is a bit late in the day. High profile endorsements (including that of John Edwards if it comes his way), will help him some but not that much.

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  2. Joe

    I think that either he just didn’t want to use a word tied directly to quitting or being defeated, or he has in mind a future run (say, in four or eight years).
    I don’t know if an Edwards endorsement could have a substantial effect (although I think that the Kennedys might), but I really hope he doesn’t. That’s how I interpret his dropping out now, before February 5th — it’s clear that he can’t win, so he wants his 15-20% to vote their own minds for a candidate who’s still a real choice. (Otherwise, why not keep collecting delegates and broker them away later?)

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