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Edwards Done.

by: Jay Lassiter

Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 09:18:13 AM EST



UPDATE (SJBrian): Check out the AP story here.

(As per AP and NPR)--
It's now a two horse race: Clinton v/s Obama.

What say you Edwards fans?

Can anyone confirm the news that John Edwards is out of the race?

WHYY in Philly just made the call.

Jay Lassiter :: Edwards Done.
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Edwards Done. | 50 comments
Really? (0.00 / 0)
The AP hasn't moved that story yet. Also strange is that you posted your last report at 9:18, yet it's only 9:12 here. Are you slightly in the future, Jay?

You are correct, sir! (0.00 / 0)
I still think Cherry Hill is in some kind of time slip ...

http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin...


Well, I say: Thank you John Edwards (4.00 / 3)
With a fraction of the funds, and only a glance of the major media, John Edwards managed to put poverty back in the national discussion, and the crushing weight some big corporations put on American small businesses, and the impact of all that on an enduring and proud middle class.

I'm so proud to have supported him.

My friends in the Obama campaign know where to find me.



It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  


JRE: A class act (4.00 / 2)
I'm really proud to have supported John Edwards.  He stood up for poverty and economic justice in this race.  He also pointed out the glaring problem we have of corporate power controlling our government and our media.  I could tell the funds were drying up, i couldnt get any signs and no more than a couple of buttons, and no real campaign literature (although the flyers were well done)   I really do hope he gets a position within a future administration.  
Chip Robinson

Attorney General ? (4.00 / 2)


Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

[ Parent ]
Me too (4.00 / 1)
I find myself in great company commenting on this post. And in regretting that Edwards is dropping out, though of course he was extremely unlikely to win the nomination. He did bring some important progressive policy proposals to the discussion, and led by example.

the longer he stayed.... (4.00 / 4)
....the longer his opponents were forced to take on Edwards-like positions on these progressive cornerstones.



activist for hire.Follow jay_lass on Twitter


[ Parent ]
Edwards supporter switches (4.00 / 1)
I have been a staunch Edwards supporter but I joined the Obama campaign last night and I am committed to work hard to help Obama win NJ. I consider myself a progressive and I am the co-chair of a peace coalition in Hunterdon County. Most of the Edwards people I know are throwing their support behind Obama. I wish the best for the Edwards family. I hope he gets a position in the new administration. Maybe Atty General?

THE MESSAGE LIVES (4.00 / 3)
In everyone that posted here - in everyone that believes in what Edwards was saying AND in my campaign regardless of the top of the ticket.  Edwards drove the debate and don't doubt you have that same power... the same influence.  You can't afford to think otherwise.

Disappointed (4.00 / 1)
Obviously.
But he fought the good fight and made poverty and the disparity between rich and poor in this country a topic the others had to deal with.

With that, it's Obama for me.


Leverage (0.00 / 0)
I'm mostly disappointed because, without JRE in the race to stay above the fray by  sticking to issues, we lose his ability to help define the debate and to prevent either HRC or BHO from surging into the presumptive candidate slot too soon. I think he had a lot to add to the debate, regardless of his actual viability as a candidate. I was still inclined to vote for John Feb. 5. Barack is now the only person standing between Hillary and the nomination, and I have never been confident in Hillary as a winning Democratic candidate. Barack will get my vote. (Or maybe Reed G.'s uncommitted slate ... )

I Understand Exactly How You Feel... (0.00 / 0)
.....but what we don't know is what Edwards really got in exchange for dropping out now in the way he did.  I don't believe it was an "unconditional" action.   Clearly it was more than the vague commitment that Barak and Hillary would both vow to "end poverty".  Maybe a commitment from both to nominate him as AG?  

In any event, this is not a time to remain disappointed for too long; we need to all do whatever we can to promote the agenda that was ours long before John Edward's adopted it.

And, frankly, at this point...whether HRC or BHO win the presidency....I take it as a given that they will only adopt a progressive agenda to the extent that they are led to by the people.....that's us.  

For me; it's off to the Obama rally tonight.


[ Parent ]
We don't know (0.00 / 0)
that he was offered ANYTHING by ANYONE to drop out. Much less the AG slot. I think to assume his decision was based on some back-room offer is kinda cynical, frankly.

I'm a believer in the principle of scientific parsimony. I see no evidence to support the theory that John Edwards got bought off by Hillary, Barack or both - I do think what happened was,  John and his campaign managers did the math, concluded they didn't have the money to continue to pursue an increasingly quixotic campaign, and John factored in his wife's health. Until someone presents more than conjecture on that point, I will continue to believe the most simple explanation.


[ Parent ]
No, it wasn't the money, and it wasnt his wife (4.00 / 1)
McCain looks to have the repub nomination all but wrapped up. We DEMS need to find our nominee and move on. THis will a bit easier because Edwards has dropped out.

Edwards had a surge of recent donations, and his wife had returned to the campaign trail after 2 weeks off.

I was in the middle of organizing a fundraising dinner for Edwards, and I got no inkling from the folks in the Financial dept that John was dropping out. In fact the Edwards campaign was quite eager to have me host an event in NJ after Feb 5th.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.


[ Parent ]
Edwards Cut A Deal (0.00 / 0)
 He's a hardened trial attorney and would never have just dropped out arbitrarily/on a whim.

He took a totally committed stance as a way to build up negotiating leverage.  It sucks for loyal supporters who invest emotionally and then feel somewhat upset.  

Neither Clinton nor Obama wanted him in tonight's debates.....or taking delegates and causing a possibly brokered convention.   They each believe that they can get a majority with Edwards out.

I believe that Edwards extracted, from each of them a far more solid "something" than the vague promise to fight poverty he gave in his "suspension" speech.    Perhaps a guarantee of an AG appointment from both of them?  If it was anything less than that....I think he cashed in his chips at too low an exchange rate.  

The low key manner of his withdrawal and his evenhanded lack of an endorsement also makes the case that my theory is correct.  He can't speak of the deal now for obvious reasons.

Let's hope I'm right and we have a real ass kicking AG in DC next year!!!


[ Parent ]
With friends like this, Edwards doesn't need enemies (0.00 / 0)
The only guy who has gotten even a "wink, wink" promise about anything is Joe Lieberman for endorsing McCain early.  I sincerely believe McCain would love to do a McCain-Lieberman ticket to show again how "bipartisan" he is.

All this speculation about Edwards accomplishes is to cheapen the value of whatever endorsement Edwards might decide to make.  It is one thing if that comes from sour grapes, but it is crazy coming from a supposed "friend."


[ Parent ]
I Disagree With You (0.00 / 0)
I think my theory about a deal is correct.

You think I'm dead wrong.  Why does that not surprise me?

History will, perhaps, tell which one of us is objectively correct.   Until that happens, we'll have to agree to disagree.

This is a political site and we're having a political discussion in re the events surrounding the primary.    This is a good thing.

Your personal/negative characterization's using words like "crazy" and "supposed friend" are typical  of your MO.    I won't bother to rebut those as I have no wish to "feed" your (fill in the blank).

I am actually flattered that you think my words carry so much clout that they might actually affect the value of an Edwards endorsement!  LOL

Thanks!


[ Parent ]
I''l agree on the part about (0.00 / 0)
Edwards didn't drop on a whim.

McCain is broke, if we Dems have an heir apparent after Feb 5th, our Nominee will have McCain at a major disadvantage Money wise.

A 3 way DEM race to the convention spends our money while McCain gets time to recover and fundraise.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.


[ Parent ]
I agree, there was no back room deal (0.00 / 0)
As I said elsewhere, its about McCain.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

[ Parent ]
He changed the debate. (4.00 / 2)
I join Rosi, Chip and the others in saying that I'm proud to have supported John Edwards as an organizer, fund-raiser and surrogate over the past few months.  I think MSNBC has it right, and reminds us why we were proud to support Edwards, when it writes:

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....

Edwards' campaign will end the way it began 13 months ago - with the candidate pitching in to rebuild lives in a city still ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Edwards embraced New Orleans as a glaring symbol of what he described as a Washington that didn't hear the cries of the downtrodden.

Edwards burst out of the starting gate with a flurry of progressive policy ideas - he was the first to offer a plan for universal health care, the first to call on Congress to pull funding for the war, and he led the charge that lobbyists have too much power in Washington and need to be reigned in.

I never went in for that whole "I-could-never-support-your-candidate" shtick, and anyone who knows me knows that I'll be working hard to make sure we put a Democrat in the White House in November.


Amen, amen! (4.00 / 2)
John Edwards has done the nation and the Democratic Party a great service and I am proud to have supported him.  He is still on the ballot in NJ and I intend to vote for him next week even though he's withdrawn.  I don't normally do "message politics" but I will make an exception in this case and hope others do too.  The issues have always been the most important element of the Edwards campaign--he succeeded in moving the other candidates and the entire discussion in our direction, and we need to keep those issues up front.  No matter who wins the nomination, we all have to fight like hell to win in November!  

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."  (Teddy Roosevelt)

[ Parent ]
:( (0.00 / 0)


One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

Edwards for AG! (4.00 / 1)
or a possible run against Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina?

Regardless of his next move I hope he stays involved in Democratic politics.  


Great Idea! AG or Senator Replacing Dole!!! Yesssss!!!! n/t (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
Question(s) (0.00 / 0)
for people who know more about the electoral process than I - and that would be just about everyone...

So far, Edwards has not endorsed either Hillary or Obama.

Folks here, who have supported Edwards, have discussed the candidate whom they would now support.

So -

Edwards remains on the ballot.  True?

People can still vote for him.  True?

Absentee ballots already submitted for Edwards must be counted.  True?

Edwards still retains delegates, and, unless he endorses someone else, his delegates go to the convention as Edwards delegates.  I haven't a clue.

Please, if anyone has the time/inclination to respond:

I suppose my questions require a semester of politics 101, but a short answer would suffice.

If any of the above is true, I don't need to hear that a vote for Edwards is a vote for/against Hillary or Obama.  The MSM pundits will do that quite well.  

And I surely don't need to hear snarky Nader/spoiler comments.

Just askin'



Re: (0.00 / 0)
If Edwards was on the ballot initially, he is still on the ballot. You can still vote for him. If he gets enough votes, he wins delegates.

[ Parent ]
Does he need (0.00 / 0)
to get over 15% to send delegates to Denver?  That is what Donna Brazile was talking about.  In that case - a vote for Edwards is not a "wasted vote" on Super Tuesday.  So, vote your conscience, folks.  

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

[ Parent ]
wasted vote (0.00 / 0)
Yes, John Edwards would have to get at least 15% in a delegate district to earn at least one delegate in that district, which was something that was never going to happen in any district even if he was still running.

There are still two serious Presidential candidates remaining, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  If you and other Edwards supporters don't think that there is a difference between them, which is a fair argument from an ideological point of view, then you can join Dottie in flushing your vote down the toilet.

But if you recognize that there are more important things than ideology and that people like the Clintons who will say and do anything to win no matter how damaging and divisive that it might be in the long run are not the kinds of leaders that our country needs during the next extremely critical four to eight years, then you know how valuable your vote is and how important it is for you to cast it for Barack Obama.

I honestly do not know how good or bad a President Barack Obama will be if he is elected, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is a more honest and sincere person than Hillary Clinton or John McCain, and I do believe that he has a unique vision for our country.  Whether that vision can be realized or not is anybody's guess, but I think that there is no harm in being optimistic and giving him the chance to try.


[ Parent ]
Re (0.00 / 0)
Are you so blinded by your "wasted vote" rhetoric that you confuse carolh and DottieG?

I know, I know, G and h are close together in the alphabet.


[ Parent ]
read the paragraph again (0.00 / 0)
There are still two serious Presidential candidates remaining, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  If you and other Edwards supporters don't think that there is a difference between them, which is a fair argument from an ideological point of view, then you can join Dottie in flushing your vote down the toilet.

It should be very clear that when I use the pronoun, "you", it is referring to Carol both times.  Having traveled with Carol to NH and VT in 2004 to campaign for Howard Dean and met Dottie numerous times at numerous events, it would be impossible for me to confuse them.

Are you so blinded by your commitment to John Edwards, the Mitt Romney of the Democratic Party, that you purposefully misread my comment?


[ Parent ]
Ya know (4.00 / 1)
Bert, I gotta say I'm sorry to you.  You really are too smart to make such a dumb mistake.

And no, I am not blinded by any commitment to John Edwards to have purposefully misread your comment.

I am, however, numbed by your unwarranted and incessant vitriol.

Both of us want what is best for our country.  But by what means, and how we get there is a different matter.

No reply necessary.  You made your point.  


[ Parent ]
Edwards Dropped Out; Let it Go (4.00 / 3)
How many votes he "would" have got is not relevant now......and your insulting him by equating him to Romney (at this point in the game) is also insulting to me and others who believe he was/is sincere

Last night I filled out an Obama volunteer form ....and will vote for him on Tuesday; but please chill out.   If not out of courtesy; then consider that your attitude just might drive someone (not me lol) to vote for Edwards just to spite YOU!

 


[ Parent ]
WOW ! DId I miss something (0.00 / 0)
I guess so. LOL.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

[ Parent ]
that would be a shame (0.00 / 0)
If someone's political perspective is so myopic that they would cast a worthless vote solely out of spite for someone who writes something on a blog, it really makes me wonder what kind of future our democracy has going forward.

If someone can't see the inherent value of an Obama Presidency, compared to that of Clinton or McCain, or chooses not to see it because they don't like it that I think that John Edwards was and still is a complete and total phony, then the right to vote and what it represents is completely lost on them.


[ Parent ]
Thank you for volunteering! (0.00 / 0)
Obviously, we had (and have) our disagreements [grin], but I am glad to say "welcome aboard!"

There is plenty to do!


[ Parent ]
I'm <100% certain about this (0.00 / 0)
but I believe that delegates are absolutely committed only to the first ballot; if there is a second, they can vote how they want. So if Edwards does not release his delegates -  though he most likely will release them - they are kinda stuck voting for him in the first go-round. Not that that matters, of course, since he won't have enough delegates to keep going after that. Yes, he will win a few more delegates from absentee ballots and in primary states where his name is on the ballot. But he is most likely to release them prior to the convention, there isn't any reason for him not to. Whether he endorses another candidate remains to be seen. I think he will, but not until close to the convention.

[ Parent ]
If someone isn't nominated, (4.00 / 1)
then there is no first ballot obligation.  Obviously, Edwards is not going to be nominated in Denver.

[ Parent ]
Thanks (0.00 / 0)
Creed, dennis and Juan for your replies.

As an Edwards supporter, I was saddened by his announcement - as many people here so elequently indicated they were as well.

I was just wondering if I could tilt at windmills for a while longer.

Guess not.

Like many, I wondered why he made his decision and how he came to it.  I suppose we will eventually find out.

I read a little remarked upon article in the NYT a few days ago about HRC and BHO operatives trolling (not the blogging kind) for $$$ from high powered trial lawyers who met in Puerto Rico.

For the life of me, I can't find a link.

I'm not complaining about it, other than, "money makes the world go 'round."

Just wondering if that factored into his decision.


[ Parent ]
Money (0.00 / 0)
was most likely the key reason John Edwards dropped out. Political people are quite adept at translating money on hand into likely votes. Up to a point, if you can afford the media buys, you can buy an election - and if you can't 'message' as strongly as your opponents can, you're toast.  (This of course depends on whether the candidate has any real appeal - just ask Steve Forbes).

The Edwards campaign (I believe) did the math and concluded they didn't have the money and weren't going to get the money to make a credible stand on MegaTuesday; I would go out on a limb and say they looked into the crystal money ball and saw that they would be in significant debt if they hung in much longer. Losing South Carolina was a bullet to the heart of Edward's campaign - if he couldn't win in the South, or even place second, it was over. Big donors don't back likely losers. And Edward's wife is seriously, perhaps fatally, ill.

All this added up to a surprising (to me) early departure - I thought he could run a low-key low-cost campaign through the convention, but the Edwards campaign knows how much money they have on hand, the burn rate, and what's likely to come in, and I don't.


[ Parent ]
Donna Brazile (0.00 / 0)
had an interesting comment today after the announcement.  In stating that he had "suspended" his run, he was actually enabling his delegates to go to the convention to carry his message with them.  And so, it may be interesting what happens from here.  We may yet go to Denver and still have an influence on what happens next.  

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

[ Parent ]
If there is no first ballot candidate (4.00 / 1)
it is going to be a hell of a convention.

I can't imagine HRC ever giving an inch to BHO. I can imagine BHO caving to HRC, but I think it's exceedingly unlikely.

A brokered convention? A compromise candidate? There is a greater than 0 probability of it happening. And John Edwards (or even Al Gore) may not be as dead as the proverbial doornail yet.

 


[ Parent ]
From Your Lips To God's Ears! :-) n/t (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
I'm very sad today (4.00 / 1)
As an Edwards supporter this is a sad day.  I am fearful that the level of "debate" will be lowered.

I work in an agency which serves homeless families and people in poverty.  I believe that John Edwards was the only one speaking for them and now that voice will be missing from the campaign.  Who will speak for them now.  

I don't feel that Obama has presented  substative policies.  Instead he speaks of "hope,change inspiration"  which is great oration but I say show me the policy.  

Sherman Yellen wrote on the Huffington Post the other day that "as a candidate Obama makes a good folk singer."  I agree.,

Thank you John Edwards.  


show me the policy (4.00 / 1)
I found the elusive Obama policy positions. They were well hidden under the "issues" section of his website. I'm including the secret links below.

Seriously though, if you don't agree with his positions, that's okay. Support whoever is closest to you. But can we end this meme about him not having any substance? Just because someone speaks well doesn't mean they can't also have substantive ideas.

  • Civil rights
  • Disabilities
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Energy & Environment
  • Ethics
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Fiscal
  • Foreign Policy
  • Healthcare
  • Homeland Security
  • Immigration
  • Iraq
  • Poverty
  • Rural
  • Service
  • Social Security
  • Technology
  • Veterans

  • [ Parent ]
    It's so wonderful to hear from all.... (0.00 / 0)
    .....the inspired deeply committed progressives here today..........the agenda that folks like John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich and John Dean and even Ralph Nader isn't going anywhere; so long as we continue to organize and agitate and struggle.

    It "wasn't in the cards" this time out and we must respect his decision and hope he got a good deal for leaving this early.

    Meanwhile, let's stick with the fight against those  who continue to promote the morally and ethically corrupt pay to play status quo!!!


    [ Parent ]
    John shoulda rolled the dice (0.00 / 0)
    on Feb 5. He  quit based in  part on the results of    one  election the DNC says doesn't  count, & another in a state Dems won't carry in Nov.  anyway.    But I  opened my sample  ballot  today & he  doesn't even have a full slate of  delegates in this district. Was pleased  to  see Neil Cohen had split  with the machine & is  listed with Obama.  I don't  have a second  horse in this race. Ironic, media treats John's exit as a bigger  deal than his candidacy.  

    Here is one potential downside (4.00 / 1)
    To Edwards suspending his campaign.

    The Dynamic of a 3 person race is not the same as a 2 person race. I had wondered if Obama and Edwards would peel more votes from Hillary in the 3 person race, than Obama would in the 2 person race.

    Never the less, it is what it is, a 2 person race.

    >sigh<

    Photobucket

    Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.


    The Answer To Your Sigh is.... (0.00 / 0)
    ...right there in your comment!

    That manual needs to become a text that is promulgated popularized studied and acted on.   John Edwards isn't running for president anymore; but the ideas can't be killed!!!


    [ Parent ]
    Nick... Did ya ever feel like Blutarsky... (4.00 / 1)
    ...  giving the "was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor" speech?

    I know sometimes I do  ;-)

    It may take a while to shake these folks back up but I'll "Otter" your "Bluto" ...

    "Nothing is over!"

    http://www.imdb.com/character/...


    Hooray for Me! (0.00 / 0)
    Well, probably not.  

    Hey! I'm a smart person - I'm a trial lawyer, fer chrissakes.  But clearly not in the Edwards category.

    And clearly not in the ranks of people here who know more about the nuts and bolts of politics, both in NJ and across the country.

    So, having been on other battlefields for so long, I asked questions here about voting my conscience.  For me, its  whether or not a vote for Edwards, despite the fact that he dropped out, would make a statement.

    People have weighed in.  I'd like to think that my simple questions provoked a response.  Probably not.  Blue Jersey would have done it anyway.  That's what I like about you all.

    PS - I've read Creed's deconstruction of delegate numbers - over and over again and I still  don't understand it.  Creed, this is not a criticism (sp?) of you.  It's just to say that, if I struggle over it, what does the average voter think?  Is this a democracy?


    Edwards Done. | 50 comments
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