Not happy:
John Edwards to quit presidential race.
I am really surprised, shocked actually. I thought Edwards would stay in to the end. I can only hope that he made a deal with Obama and/or endorses him, because I can't see why he would end his campaign unless he had a real reason to do so (his online donations in January went up significantly). And yes, part of me hopes that the reason is not due to health concerns.
Thank you John and Elizabeth Edwards for working hard to put real issues on the table. Now I have to consider who I should vote for next Tuesday. Probably will still pull the lever for Edwards. And, of course, I will reregister as an unaffiliated voter the very next day, because I can't be a member of a party where Dennis Kucinich's and John Edwards' messages are considered too far to the left.
Oh, and that douchebag Giuliani is out too, and he's going to endorse McCain.
I'm totally bummed. I had really wanted to vote for him next Tuesday, if only on principle.
Posted by: dguzman | January 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Shit.
Posted by: JDM | January 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I am so unhappy about this. I really wanted to vote for him on the 5th.
Posted by: DCup | January 30, 2008 at 01:03 PM
While I did not support Edwards, I appreciated his views and found him making points to the electorate in general that both Clinton and Obama began to adopt. I too wish that he stayed around a bit longer. This does stink.
Posted by: Michael Smith | January 30, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I don't know that I would have considered Edwards's positions too far to the left. The thing that got me about his positions was how militant, or almost fanatical he was about them.
I too am sorry to see him go. I wish he had stayed in the whole way.
Posted by: John J. | January 30, 2008 at 02:59 PM
dgusman: You still can. There's no loss in having Edwards control a chuck of delegates. I am leaning to pulling the lever for him. Hell, I voted for Dean in 2004 after he pulled out.
DCup: See above. We have to think strategically. Votes for Edwards tells Hill and Obama that his message resonates. Then again, if, like me, you don't want Hill to be the candidate, you'll have to consider whether voting for Obama is something you can live with.
Michael: I hope there is a good reason for this sudden pull out. My gut tells me that they got bad news from the doctors. I hope not.
John J.: I agree. Edwards' positions probably mirror those of most Americans, but since this administration is so far to the right, the congressional democratic leadership refuses to fight and Hill, in particular, thinks "centrism" is the key to winning, by comparison Edwards looked like a radical lefty. And again, I hope that he dropped out for a good reason. We shall see. GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 30, 2008 at 07:48 PM
lesser of two evils ---- ABHRC -- anyone but HRC....except a GOP
this system sucks
Posted by: distributorcap | January 31, 2008 at 05:16 AM
DCap: I agree. So do you suggest that I pull the lever for Obama? The way I see it, Hill isn't getting my vote either way and I would like Edwards to get some delegates, but it may be more important to add numbers to Obama's column. Any thoughts? GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 31, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Agreed GMB. A tragic loss for the nation. Obama is now my choice.
Posted by: Morse | January 31, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Same here, Morse. I wanted to pull the lever for Edwards on Tuesday, but I am going to vote strategically and pull it for Obama. I've read that there is the possibility that Hill will win NY, but lose NYC to Obama. That is probably the best we can hope for. And hope for it I will. GMB
Posted by: gmb | January 31, 2008 at 09:18 PM
i am pulling for Obama -- i was gonna vote edwards anyway, but i just want to try and stop the Hillary train........
Posted by: distributorcap | February 02, 2008 at 04:47 AM
DCap: Me too. My initial thought was to still pull the lever for Edwards (I voted for Dean in 2004 even though he was out) to show that his message was heard, but now I have decided to vote strategically. Hill is going to get NY (but it may not be a rout...heard Obama could take NYC) and, say, Oklahoma, but California could be in play, and Georgia, etc. I don't want Hillary as the candidate. Period. Enough with the dynasties, enough with corporatists, enough with Borgian tactics. And while Obama is an unknown in many ways, I'd rather go with a message of hope for the future than with the certainty of the maintaining the status quo. GMB
Posted by: gmb | February 02, 2008 at 09:02 AM