Probably deserving of its own thread.

"Democrat John Edwards will end his bid for the White House during a speech in New Orleans Wednesday," according to CNN.

Dammit. This is not good. I can see his votes going to Hilary more than to Obama. He was supposed to stay in just to keep her from getting enough delegates.

Yeah, it's still a tough call. I guess it just depends on how much support he actually had in other states. In the more rural states, yeah, I can see his votes going to Clinton (just as white South Carolinians handily voted for him). I don't know, though. I guess it could possibly be accurate to say they'd evenly split, in which case... this really doesn't mean anything.

I'm sad to see him drop out, though. I always liked the guy. Thought he was genuine. And loved his wife.

I am not shocked and it is too bad that he could ever get more support. I am not sure how this will effect the race. His vote could split between the two but it will depend on the state. In some states he courts voters who believes in his change message and those will flock more towards Obama the same with the anti-Hillary people. There are rural voters who support him too, I suppose those might go for Hillary. I think it also depends on if Edwards backs anyone. He could wait or back one of the two before Super Tuesday.

I think more importantly, what will he do with his 62 delegates.

I'm sure he will hold onto them, and if by some miracle Obama is able to keep this race tight, maybe they will be enough to swing the race.

I really liked John Edwards. This is bad news for Obama, I think, but then again many of Edwards' people don't like Hillary...

He doesn't have a wingman during "debates" any more. Or perhaps we will have a real debate this time. Call me a snob, but I have yet to see one.

This is a sad day for American politics.

Well maybe Edwards will do better in the private sector. He is joining Habitat for Humanity from what I have read which is a really good cause. Still anybody think he could be part of a future democratic administration? Maybe he could be Attorney General or something. I don't think he would ever accept VP again.

I think he is the likely AG choice for Obama, but I think he sits out a Clinton Administration. Then again, with his wife's health, he may not be a AG choice, even for Obama.

And as for those saying it's bad news for Obama, I've seen polls suggesting his voters will break 55/40 for Obama, with 5 undecided / still Edwards.

I think it depends on how poorly his wife's health is. If it is a factor in why he is dropping out now then I say yeah he probably wouldn't. She does seem in good health from what I have read and heard. I think he dropped out mostly because he knew he didn't have much chance and he was running out of money. I am curious to see who he might back, I think he is waiting to see which campaign talks about his interests more right now. Although, I think his beliefs fits Obama much better than Hillary.

I think he is much more in favor of Obama, but that doesn't mean he will endorse him.

Yeah I have to admit that is true. I am not too sure what Edwards will do right now. He could endorse somebody before Super Tuesday or sit and wait till the dust settles.

Good. And I also think Edwards would be a great Attorney General.

I feel like an Edwards endorsement for Obama would actually be a big deal. It's been reported that Obama and Clinton have also been courting Bill Richardson, whom, if he does eventually endorse, I see going Obama's way (though maybe not).

Either way, with at least two former-candidate endorsements, I feel like it'd really give the sense that the Democratic establishment was behind Obama.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archiv ... 008_01.php

I saw one poll that stated Edwards supporters would go to Clinton 60-40, but I can't find it.

John Edwards may be bigger nationally, but a Bill Richardson endorsement could really help Obama, if theres one group out side of the senior women Clinton' s been carrying its Latinos.

I hated John Edwards, but this is bad news for the Democrats.

Hillary can't win (the polls put her below 50% in likeability), and Obama won't beat McCain. The Democrats really needed someone likeable and semi-centrist to step it up, and Edwards' union-focused, elitist 'tude didn't work for anyone.

I will campaign with all my heart for Obama, but we should just fast-forward to January '09, where McCain gives his first (of eight) State of the Union address.

Is there any scenario in which Edwards would end up endorsing Clinton? With his post-Iowa comments like "this was a vote against the status quo," my guess is that he'd sooner remain neutral than go for Hillary.

Is it only a matter of time before an Obama endorsement? If that's the plan, I'd strongly suggest he do it before Super Tues.

Presidents don't give State of the Union addresses right away. Bush only gave 7 in his term.

While this is true, his pro-labor message is down with Hillary. Obama is, unfortunately, distancing himself from the persona of someone pro-labor, even though he is.

If the trend of presidents from Carter on proves anything, personality is important. No one likes the stiff lawyer type. If Obama assumes a more outgoing, down-to-earth persona, this election will be his.

That was necessary to say, wasn't it?

If you're going to use some "horrific" imagery, try to keep it accurate.

Ack.

I like McCain personally and all, but I will quite literally cry if a Republican wins again.