For those of you that think Edwards should "drop out" and not be a spoiler, I say

[saracat]

I don't see a nickels worth of difference between the two others and I want John in the race through the convention and I don't give a rats patoot which of the others it "hurts!". I am not vested in either one and could care less about their nomination chances. I support John and his message, not the paltry political ambitions of a media created celebrity candidate.I just wanted to make my point! Thanks for listening! Congratulations to the winners, but this ain't over by a long shot!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I agree.

I hope Edwards stays in as long as he possibly can. And there's nothing wrong with being a "spoiler" if he can influence the other candidates to take on some of his important issues.

[roguevalley]

13. me too. if they are all good as so many say here, anyone of them

winning is for the good. May the last one standing be the winner.

[Hutzpa]

195. Me too, me three, me 4, me brainless shit n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

213. Glad you have had an awakening.

[surfermaw]

110. John Edwards needs to stay in the race,

I am still think the republican party is messing in our party, take notice the republicans are smilling like never before, I wonder how much money they are putting in the race... Hillary Clinton is still running ahead in national polls.... The rece in S.C. should tell you that Obama can't win with most all the white men voting for Edwards, Hispanic voting for Hillary, with that block in the G.E the republicans will say their money was well spent, it is time some of us wake up. We must keep Edwards in so he will have enough to go into the Convention...Reading my Charlotte Observer this morning, several people say they were for Edwards but didn't think he could win...All because the message got out he didn't have enough money to campaign, however you haven't heard the national news say one word about Huckabee not having enough in funds to go on..


We MUST KEEP EDWARDS IN THE RACE

[chimpymustgo]

127. Surfermaw, I was making calls for Edwards yesterday and two different voters told me that.

The corporate media really served its masters well. But we'll take that fight too.

[rabies1]

193. I think so too.

Some things - you just figure will be a sure win.

The last election I thought Bush would surely lose.
We all knew he was a liar and got us into the Iraq farce.

The last I heard, Lieberman was surely going to lose in
Conn. Remember he lost badly as a republican so he ran again
as an independent? We all saw through him - so I thought.

If you think about it - given their history, all the people killed
in Iraq, the missing money, broken laws etc. - they're bound to
have something up their sleeve.

[Beaverhausen]

2. Here, here

John needs to stay in and give a voice to those who are left out.

[beachmom]

3. Edwards is not a spoiler. He should stay in as long as he

thinks is right, even 'til the end.

Anyone arguing that is quite foolish, as nobody can predict with certainty how his staying in or leaving will affect the race.

[neutron]

47. He's PATHETIC

The guy has done nothing in the last 5 years except hang around Iowa.
He must have scared those people half to death.
Edwards should see a shrink and take a pottery course or something.

You lost, dude! Get over it!

[SydneyBristow]

66. And when you want him to deliver his votes to your canidate..

...he won't be so "pathetic" then. And when hes chosen as the VP nom again, you'll be singing his praises and how much experience he has by spending time around "those people".

God, I am so freaking sick of the attacks...Go call a radio show, and rant to someone whose paid to make you think they care.

Syd

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

76. Edwards spent only 2 more days in Iowa than Obama.

[surfermaw]

112. Obama spent 9 million dollars in Iowa

Wolf Blitzer alone gave him another 9 million or more in air time...What the heck you can't understand about that....Wolf Blitzer was the monkey on Gore back remember the Intenet thing with Gore, He should be taken off that station, I am going back to CBS at least Katie , isn't all republican all the time.

[Andrea]

154. I think you would be happier with MSNBC

Keith Olbermann is a true journalist. Also, Dan Abrams gives plenty of air time to the Bush administration's desecration of the constitution. I would certainly never watch CNN, for the reasons you give and more. They are clearly bought and paid for.

[SaveAmerica]

204. I second that emotion!

[bluecrush]

77. JRE was busy working on issues in the 4 years

leading up to the campaign (when he wasn't attending to his wife's health matters). He also made a number of foreign visits. He still has my vote.

[Kajsa]

89. Did you bother to watch the last debate

with all three candidates?

Who stuck to the issues?
Who didn't?

I thought not-----

[Andrea]

155. Obviously he didn't

Anyone who did watch it would see that the only one discussing issues is Edwards. The other two are busy splitting the party.

[Kajsa]

181. Yep, that they did, Andrea.

John brought it home and nailed the message
loud and clear.

We need to work to change the direction our country
has been headed.

That was a great moment for him.

:pals:

[SlowDownFast]

99. Mark Penn! What are you doing here? n/t

[yellerpup]

107. Actually, John Edwards has spent a lot of time in NOLA

Doing what he believes is right. How does that make him a loser?

[Midlodemocrat]

108. Nah, that's you.

[Name removed]

118. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Spiffarino]

148. And while he's at it

Contribute to DU if you're going to post so much. What Skinner and crew are doing doesn't come cheap.

[helderheid]

130. Speaking of needing to see a shrink...

:eyes:

[bobbolink]

151. checked a mirror lately?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Name removed]

152. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mojambo]

196. Organizing labor drives, walking picket lines all over the country

and starting a think tank to combat poverty.

Yep. He's just been sitting around Iowa for 5 years...

:eyes:

[LSK]

212. unless you are a CEO, JOHN EDWARDS IS YOUR VOICE

Kill the messenger all you want but he speaks the best for your interests.

[jannyk]

4. I don't care which of the other two win either - it's Edwards or

Tweedledum and Tweedledee as far as I am concerned.

John stays in the game and I stay in with him until the bitter end.

[Jackpine Radical]

92. I'm supporting Tweedledee, myself.

I don't think Tweedledum has a chance.


They'll have to rip my Edwards button off my cold, dead coat.

[stravu9]

5. as I've said already, Tha Party is DAMAGED

I believe Edwards is the only one who could pull us back together because he has not bought in to all this race baiting crap.

I believe the reason the Corporate World Anointed these 2 is to cripple the Party's base and piss some people off so much they will refuse to vote at all and guarantee the Party survives in name only.

Edwards would easily beat all Republican comers and effect real CHANGE , as in rebuilding the infrastructure beginning within 30 days of inauguration!

The Powers that be do not want real change anymore than they want true Democracy. They want CONTROL which is why our candidates with the exception of Edwards are hand-picked for us.

Without John Edwards kiss the Democrats good bye. They are all but doomed.

[bluecrush]

78. I have an uneasy sense that we are painting ourselves into a corner

with the two candidates who have enjoyed success, so far, in the primaries.

[Andrea]

156. Total agreement here.

Very well put.

[Mz Pip]

6. His voice is important

He should continue to speak out.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[foxer]

31. He's setting the agenda

[Change has come]

51. Welcome to DU

:hi:

:thumbsup:

[foxer]

199. Glad to be here

[tnlefty]

7. I don't want him to drop out!

I've already voted for him (voted early in the TN primary). He needs to stay in to be another voice.

[Silver Gaia]

8. K& R I hear ya! And couldn't possibly agree MORE.

I'm with John Edwards all the way to the convention - and beyond.

[butterfly77]

9. He is saying nothing any different than the others..

he is losing he is there only to cause confusion

[AndyA]

16. You aren't paying attention if you really believe that.

Edwards stands out from the others.

I think a lot of people are in love with making history. Voting for the first woman or the first black President. And that's it.

And that's not the reason to vote for someone.

[Kajsa]

90. You nailed it, Andy.

This isn't about the first woman or African-American president of the US.

It's about who can best lead our country.

John speaks for millions of Americans who need a voice.

I am one of them.

[sleepyhead]

95. "In love with making history"

You are exactly right. I've been saying that for weeks. A lot of people need to wake up and start informing themselves, or we will end up with a "centrist" nominee who will bend over backward in order not to make waves with the other side. And who needs that?

[judaspriestess]

133. Spot on AndyA

I agree.

[ChiciB1]

27. Butter Fly... They Stole HIS Message!! But Too Many Can't See Because

the GLARE of the LIGHTS cast upon the other two are BLINDING THEM!!

Last time out it was "the guy you'd like to have a beer with!" Same Song, Different Day!

Thanks Sara, I'm STILL here and WILL BE ALWAYS!!

[fooj]

44. What about constructing a timeline...

that will clearly show who the authentic leader is in this race? Edwards has paved the way.

I'm sending him another donation. John speaks for me.

[foxer]

29. He's saying it first and with a lot more passion

If he copyrighted his material they would both fall flat on their faces

[liberalla]

42. foxer, you hit a homerun with that one!

Nice visual! Welcome to DU!

[SammyWinstonJack]

64. No kidding!

:applause:

[unapatriciated]

86. If it's confusing to brings the focus back to the issues

instead of who did what to whom or those he said she said marathons, than confuse away John all the way to Denver.

[patrice]

10. I'm with you saracat! Edwards or Un-Committed ALL of the Way!!! nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. Bravo! I agree! I'm with John to the end!

If either of the other candidates wish to promote equality for the poor and disenfranchised, I will listen tho.

[ACapsizingBoat]

50. Do you really think Obama doesn't care about the poor?

[iamjoy]

88. I'm Sure Obama Does, BUT...

But, he hasn't really been talking about it this primary. Instead, he's been talking about unity, about change and falling into race baiting traps.

So, I wonder, if it isn't a key issue in his campaign, will it be a key issue in his presidency?

[AllyCat]

111. He doeesn't talk about it. So how can we know what he thinks?

Helping the poor has not been a topic of conversation for him (or HRC for that matter). I would love to know what his plans are, but since he hasn't, I'm now supporting Edwards since Kucinich is out.

[UndergroundEcoHound]

123. Check out his issue papers...

BTW, he has spoken about it...it just depends on which speeches you hear.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/poverty/

[ACapsizingBoat]

176. He does talk about poverty.

But more importantly, look at what he's done with his life.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, he went to work as a community organizer, making shit pay. The people who do these sorts of things generally actually care about the poor, and what's more, are extremely liberal people.

It really seems odd to me that people can really think Edwards is more liberal than Obama. Obama would be by far the most liberal president we've ever had. He's essentially viable version of Kucinich--with a better academic background.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

116. I have no idea! I haven't heard him talk about the two Americas. Did he? nt

[LiberalHeart]

12. Absolutely. Thanks for saying it so well.

[Maximus Invictus]

14. I say...

Get a life!

Go Johnny! Go!


From Europe with love...

[pamela]

15. You know what I say to them?

[ChiciB1]

28. Great! And There's Much More To Say To THEM Too!!! n/t

[asdjrocky]

36. Look at my thumb-

[OneGrassRoot]

203. OMG, I love that! LOL...

I'm jumping in here without reading all the posts, 'cause I love your pic and it says what I feel rather succinctly. :)

It seems the vast majority of we Edwards supporters are passionate yet respectful, hopeful AND realistic about the state of our country and party, and - most importantly - determined and uncompromising.

Yay us!!!! :bounce:

Yay, JRE!!!! :bounce:

K&R!

[Andy823]

17. Yep

Let the other two keep fighting, and John can get his message out. Anything can happen.

[loveangelc]

18. he should stay in.

[Beregond2]

19. Edwards...

After tonight's speech by Obama, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be the nominee. But I agree that Edwards should stay in the race. His message is being heard and incorporated into the dialogue, and he is having a very positive influence.

[SammyWinstonJack]

65. The other two are co-opting Edwards' message. But you know that already, don't you?

[zalinda]

20. I'm with you

the others are bought and paid for. Nothing will change if either Obama or Clinton get in the White House, nothing. Dems still don't have a back bone, and I'm starting to believe they never will.

zalinda

[Politicub]

21. I think John should stay in the race

I like his POV, and never tire of hearing it. Though I'm supporting Hillary in the primaries, it would be easy for me to switch to John should he be our nominee.

[LizW]

22. Well said. Recommended and applauded.

Sara, dance with me!

We are In. This. Thing.

Go, John!

[Egnever]

23. Sadly its over for John

Everyone see's it except himself and his supporters. He cant compete with the two he is running against. He doesnt have the money he doesnt have the message and he doesnt have the start factor. He is bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Sure he can hang on till the end but thats about all he cant really compete. He hasnt yet and nothing will change going forward it will only get worse for him.

He is a good candidate with a good message but he is eclipsed by one of the most popular presidents of our time and a black man that has shown indications that he can bring this country together like no one in a long time.

He is up against impossible odds. He can hold on to play king maker perhaps in the end but I am willing to bet this will be his last showing above 10%

The deck is stacked heavily against him. You and he certainly have every right to stick it out till the end but, pretending the end will be any different than today well ... I'll leave that bit of delusion to you to come to grips with.

[foxer]

48. Its only just begun, not even to the first corner yet

Seems to me to be the only viable candidate, the other two with their bickering have fractured the party along racial and gender lines. The only one we can now rally around is JRE. You say he has no money, he just raised more since the beginning of the year that he did in the third quarter of last year. I support him and I'm not out of money. You say he has no message,how untrue, you have not bothered to find his message, but you do hear it a week or so later from the others. He's the one framing the issues, he's dragging the others along. He is up against impossible odds, the deck is stacked. It's Politics as usual. Your candidates claim to be for change, but it's Politics as usual. As for bringing a knife to a gunfight, he brings Truth,Vision,and Passion, and when he leaves he'll still have Integrity. You say he should dropout, if he was a dropout he'd still be at the mill.....

[SammyWinstonJack]

67. ...

:thumbsup:

[Andrea]

161. Bravo!!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[unapatriciated]

91. If by everyone you mean the media black out....

That has been changing over the last week. where have you been?

In regards to bringing a knife to a gunfight... I guess you don't know too many special forces, it's called the element of surprise.

He is competing so well that Obama and Clinton are starting to include his ideas in their speeches. Again I ask where have you been he is picking up more votes and getting more attention with each primary.

This is not high school, so we prefer to vote for the most qualified not the most popular.

Since you believe that he might be in the position of King maker, may I suggest you stop insulting Edwards and his supporters by calling us delusional.

[beezlebum]

94. oh rly

"He doesnt have the money"
hillary and obama have it b/c they are the top two corporate/lobbyist candidates, which is WHY i won't vote for either- their interests are not with the american people but with the agendas of war pigs and other corporate suckoffs.

"he doesnt have the message"
obama and hillary are ripping off his message, which you don't hear b/c the corporate media has sought to eliminate JRE to push their sell-out corporatist celebidates.

"He is a good candidate with a good message"
thought he didn't have a message? ;) :D

"I'll leave that bit of delusion to you"
if you're supporting either of the other two, and if you REEEALY think either of the two are going to keep any of the promises in jre's message, perhaps it is you who is deluded.

[JDPriestly]

167. Amen oh rly

You are so right.

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

131. He does have the message

What he doesn't have is the media coverage. He has been shut out from the beginning while the other two have been shoved down our throats. This is wrong in so many ways. I talk to many people who support him as their first choice but think he cannot beat Clinton or Obama. It is only because that is what the media has decided and tells us.

So not only has his message and candidacy not been reported on but the media have treated him as if he is not a serious contender when he is setting the agenda for the party. Disgraceful and infuriating.

I will stick with him to the end and encourage everyone I talk with who says they like him best to vote for him on Tues (alas in Fl where our delegates are not being recognized by the party). I will not allow the media to co opt this election without a fight.

The only thing that will bring substantive change in this country is taking away the influence of special interests and corporate influence. John Edwards is the ONLY candidate who will do this.

[Andrea]

160. How sweetly condescending of you!

He doesn't have as much money, that is true. BUT his contributions are WAY up. He raised more in the first 25 days of this quarter than in the entire last quarter.

Then you say, "He doesn't have the message". That's so obviously wrong, that I'm tempted not to respond, but I will. He is the only one with a message. He has real plans to deal with real issues. He does not come prepared with eloquent platitudes backed by nothing. Instead he presents real, substantive plans which are typically later co-opted by either or both of the other candidates.

You say, "He is being eclipsed by one of the most popular presidents of our time and a black man that has shown indications that he can bring this country together like no one in a long time." Yes, Bill Clinton is extremely popular. Or he was until a few weeks ago. He is damaging his own standing at every turn as he assists Hillary in damaging her own standing. Many of us have been against her from the beginning because she is too right-wing and too corporatist. Now, many more are turning against her because she is showing herself to be a very ruthless politician employing dirty tactics. Barack has shown indications he can bring this country together, but he would be bringing us together behind nothing. It takes more than invoking change to actually bring it about. I have followed this campaign closely. I watch all the debates, I've read his latest book, I've visited his website, but I don't see the substance. It sounds like unity at the expense of real much-needed change. Of course, we would all love for the country to be brought together, but not brought together behind more of the same right-wing nonsense we have been suffering through. John is the candidate who can really bring this country together, as evidenced by his performance in head to head polls against all the Republican candidates. He is the one Dem who always wins. This is because his populist platform will benefit all of the poor and middle class voters in this country who have been struggling and losing ground for the last seven years, including those who supported GWB and now regret it.

Impossible odds? I think not. As people become more informed and see more of all the candidates, his support will continue to rise as it has done this past week. They will see we have three candidates: Two who are so concerned with their own success that they are bickering and attacking each other with no regard for the people. And one who stands for the people, works for the people, listens to the people, and fights for the people. And people will begin to realize that this campaign is supposed to be about the people. About them.

[lonestarnot]

194. K & R

[Lugnut]

24. K&R n/t

[SaveAmerica]

25. I agree, but what does this have to do with Ratattouille? NGU JE!!

[frogmarch]

26. Right you are, sara It ain't over. Go, JE!

[pauldg0]

30. I agree with you wholeheartedly.....

......both Hillary and Obama do not have a nickle of anything of substance in their speeches.
They ar great speakers who awe their audience but do not give any indication what or how they are going to do what they say......I just can't figure this race out.

Obama and Clinton folks..I challenge you to vear out of your shell and listen to the other candidates sometime. You will be very surprised the difference in there rhetoric between Edwards and the other two "say nothing's".

[saracat]

32. I disagree.Neither are "great " speakers. Hillary is obvious but Obama is a myth. I teach speech

and he isn't that good. He is a copy revivalist preacher wanna be.He is attempting to mimic Jesse Jackson and Jesse is a much better example of this kind of speech.Obama is a monotone compensating for a stutter, interspersed with heightened volume, which is use to indicate passion.He does not impress me.Flame away, but that is how I see it.

[Tennessee Gal]

59. Sara, thanks for that.

Obama says a lot, but there is little depth behind it.

[foxer]

179. Talks the talk,doesn't walk the walk

Reminds me of George W(hatever you do don't count those votes) Bush. Great speech-writer, but all BS. If the two game show contestants are so for "Change",what's stopping them? Certainly not John. I seem to recall that they're both sitting Senators. Maybe they should actually show up in Washington tomorrow and change the retroactive immunity for telecoms. Or won't their backers let them?

[donkeyotay]

184. The sitting Senator's record versus the rhetoric of change and hope

Bush ran on changing politics - bringing dignity and honor back to the office and being a uniter not a divider.

Bill Clinton ran on hope and change, a new generation. Before than Bush I and Reagan ran on new beginnings as well. There's nothing new about new. Unless, there's something in his record to back it up, we shouldn't expect actions after the speeches. As far as I know, he's been a very cautious Senator, grooming himself and building his contacts, but there seems to be little to base expectations of change and hope on.

Warren Buffett was asked on CNBC why he financially supported both Hillary and Obama. He said that neither one would "kill the golden goose," and then went on to give investment advice including the gem that he doesn't recommend investing in an American company with too large a labor component... not competitive you know.

No one was ever answered the question, "How can Americans "compete" with Chinese who live in company barracks?" They don't have mortgages or rent, heat or cars let alone payroll taxes. How can we compete until our standard of living and wages are on par?

But I digress, my point is that Obama has already satisfied Mr. Wonderful Insurance Man that he won't rock his golden goose. So, after the speeches and the election, he'll work with both sides of the isle to make sure insurance continues to be an obscenely profitable racket. Health care for us, well that's going to take a very long time and lots of hard work, etc. Not in our lifetimes. Keep up the hope, though.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

178. A myth?

Hmmm... All those hundreds of thousands of people, hundreds of top level endorsements about his inspirational speech giving, must be my imagination then.

You'd be more credible simply saying that he doesn't move you, and you look for different things. But don't deny the man's obvious charisma. That's silly.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[donkeyotay]

187. Actually, I found the "charisma" and the adulation to be unsettling.

He sounded more like a messiah and the second coming than a politician. I know politicians need to make promises and whip up enthusiasm, but the Obama reaction is frightening in its... what's the word I'm looking for? It's as if people have thrown their brains away and are being swept up, giving themselves over to something larger than themselves. Very frightening for politics.

Shelby Steele has a book out talking about how Obama is offering absolution to white America. Steele doesn't think he can get elected. I am concerned that Obama will be torn apart by the Republicans in the general election, but after that acceptance speech, I DO think he can get elected. I'm just afraid that after he's elected he will be, at best, what Clinton was. A democrat who makes speeches for us but runs the country for the corporations. Real change? I doubt it. I hope I'm wrong.

[pauldg0]

214. All of you are moved...........

....but I guess you supporters don't listen..the endorsers are only following who may be nominated and as of now Obama looks that he could take it..............we'll find out soon.....maybe....cause John Edwards is going to take em to the end he says.

[pauldg0]

215. All of you are moved...........

....but I guess you supporters don't listen..the endorsers are only following who may be nominated and as of now Obama looks that he could take it..............we'll find out soon.....maybe....cause John Edwards is going to take em to the end he says.

[saltpoint]

33. K & R for the mother who struggles to pay for her child's needed health

care emergency while having to deny herself needed treatment because there isn't enough money.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

34. Agreed

K&R

[asdjrocky]

35. My take on this-

I'll vote for D in the GE, it's what I've always done. That's the easy part. But I've said here all along, the only person that can end my support of John Edwards for President, is John Edwards. There is nothing fair weather about a guy that grew up a Cubs fan, and loved the Niners, not just in the hay days of the 80s through the mid 90's. No, I was a fan in the 60's and 70's too, and trust me, it was brutal. That guy is me. Hell, I've never gotten to vote my favorite candidate in the GE, and I'm not about to give up on that chance and the hope of casting a vote in the GE for John Edwards. Like Sara says, it ain't over, not by a long shot.

As I said, I'll give any Dem my vote, no way I'll cop out on that, but will I give my activism? Will I volunteer? That is left to be decided. I may try it like this, every time I see someone posting more chicken shit about John Edwards dropping out of the race, I"ll take a day off. If I went retro-active on this, hell, Barack or Hillary would be in a hole for my volunteer days.

One other thing, we're all grown ups here, I hope, and I'm going to ask other Edwards supporters to check in now, and say you'll check D when the time comes. Enough crazy talk here at Democratic Underground about not supporting the Democratic Candidate. We gotta do it, sorry guys. Now, when you check in here, and make that pledge, know that you're also making a pledge to work twice as hard now for Edwards. I'm not tiring in my support, and if you want to stop, then we don't need you on the bus.

I think it's no secret that I can't stand Hillary and Obama at this point, and if anyone has a problem with that, I guess that will have to be their problem. I think they are over hyped, overdone, and we are overloaded on their shit. But will I vote for either one of them? You bet. At the end of the game, you shake hands, it's that simple people.

Now I'm asking nice, please quit posting crap, about my boy. Let's do this like grown ups here.

[JDPriestly]

170. I will not support a corporate candidate.

I will not support a candidate who credits Reagan with anything other than fooling people. That leaves John Edwards, and that's whose name I will write in on my November ballot if need be.

[here_is_to_hope]

37. K n R'd for the common sense!

Seriously!
I just dont get the appeal of those two rascals...:crazy:

[avaistheone1]

38. John's got the only real progressive voice out there. I've got his back.

[mopinko]

39. john edwards was a deer in the headlights.

i felt sorry for him.

[SammyWinstonJack]

68. ...

:eyes:

[unapatriciated]

98. Didn't look like Bambi to me..

When Wolfie interrupted Obama's camp last night to give Edwards air time. No that was sweet.

[Andrea]

162. Huh?

That makes no sense.

[balantz]

40. K&R!

[angie_love]

41. I like Edwards

I want Edwards to stay in. I like the guy and even though I support Obama, he keeps the both of them on their feet. Hope he stays in.

[liberalla]

43. That's exactly what he's doing.

His candidacy is so valuable just for that reason. He's directing the issues and driving the debate, and we'll all benefit from that.

Thanks for your post.

[lame54]

53. K&R

[lyonn]

45. Apparently Hillary thinks he has dropped out

In her speech this evening in Tennessee she said that the "2" of them will continute on to the Feb. 5th primaries. Surely she doesn't think Obama dropped out.

Also, she is passing out bumber stickers that says "African Americans for Hillary". That should go over big. The event was in a black church.

Edwards needs to stay in and keep his msg. going. Maybe the others will pick it up.

[Monty__]

46. Couldn't agree more

well said

[Thrill]

49. Edwards should stay in and continue to pound the Status Quo

which is Hillary

[CorpGovActivist]

52. KICK (alread Rec'd) n/t

[Two Americas]

54. not over

This won't be over when it is over, regardless of the outcome. We are taking the first steps, and they may be small but they are certain and true.

Should Edwards win, the real fight has just begun. Should Edwards lose, the fight goes on.

The opposition isn't quitting, rest assured of that. The crisis won't magically disappear. No other candidate can fight back the opposition, or even seems to know the nature of the opposition or what the battle is about. Hint - the powerful people behind the right wing don't care about abortion, they are just using that and all of the other "cultural war" issues to dupe people into supporting them, and to lure us off into phony fights far away from the true battle lines. Hint - this is not about who is most competent at governing, nor about who is our personal favorite as a candidate, nor about who has the greatest support among the Democratic party aristocracy.

The fight is not going to go away even if we want it to. There is no "quit."

We cannot know what changes are happening, what effect this candidacy is having, and we can't see exactly how it will all play out. But never doubt that this campaign is sending powerful ripples through the political world such as we have not seen in decades.

We are winning over approximately 20% of the toughest crowd we will ever face, despite all of the obstacles and disadvantages. There is a long way to go, but tonight we should be celebrating the tremendous progress we have made thus far.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

55. Agree. Krauthammer's filthy spew against JRE made me SICK

I hate that neocon bastard, and I suspect that this jerk's writings alone, along with JRE's respectable performance, will encourage him to stay in.

[FlyingSquirrel]

56. Yopp!

[zulchzulu]

57. Let democracy run its course

The Big Day, February 5th, will show what the campaigns are made of.

I'd advise all Edwards supporters to work their ass off for their candidate. My foot is on the pedal on the metal for Obama at this point.

Let the voters decide.

[mnhtnbb]

58. Edwards is the only one who can win in Nov. I hate seeing Dems

rushing headlong into nominating another loser--just because the media has pushed a celebrity 'woman' or 'black man' all the way. When one or the other loses, they'll say, 'gee, America hasn't come as far as we thought' and they'll laugh all the way to the bank where they'll be keeping all the money they've made
from the millions contributed to these celeb candidates and spent on advertising.

WAKE the fuck up, Dems!

[Tennessee Gal]

60. "rushing headlong into nominating another loser"

That is my greatest fear.

[mnhtnbb]

61. Mine, too. Sure hope I'm wrong.

[bowens43]

73. That's nonsense.

Nice of you to try to make it about or gender though.

Truly sad.

[mnhtnbb]

82. Time will tell, won't it? It's not about gender or race. It's about facing reality.

[Yael]

137. Very well stated. My greatest fear as well...

[donkeyotay]

188. I'd watch the teevee coverage, and they'd hold the microphone up and ask

black women if they were supporting the black candidate or the female one. Can you imagine asking a white man if they were supporting the white male candidate? They make it sound like "Survivor" or "American Idol." I like to hear them ask, "Who do you think would make the best president?" And when they answer ask a follow-up question as to WHY.

But no.

[deacon]

62. kick and highly recommend! n/t

[tritsofme]

63. After Super Tuesday he will be as much of a sideshow and distraction as Kucinich was

the entire first part of the campaign.

[MagickMuffin]

74. And the other Two will provide the Freak Show ;=P

:rofl:

It's already become a circus. I'll stick WITH...................JOHN

[Guaranteed]

69. There's nothing wrong with Obama.

The trash I've been seeing talked about him is pretty much just throwaway, made up stuff. He's not any more insincere than Sen. Clinton- certainly not her- or EDWARDS, for that matter.

Oh, and he's been courting black evangelicals. Well...yeah, he felt he had to do that.

There's really nothing else to complain about with Obama, though- maybe he's just slightly less liberal in his rhetoric than Edwards, but that's all.

[Gloria]

84. Obama has made a point of saying that he is not INVESTED in the

struggles of the 60s-70s...which we are still fighting by the way...that is what's wrong with Obama. He doesn't remember, he has not interest in history. This is a real flaw, a very real flaw.

[peacock]

70. Here, here!

I´m with Edwards all the way.

[bowens43]

72. I agree completely. Support your candidate.

That's what the primaries are all about.

[BeyondGeography]

75. Edwards isn't my candidate but he has been good for the party in this race

he keeps things focused on unfairness and forces the other candidates to be more specific about how they will help people economically. As an Obama supporter, I see him drawing support away from both candidates so the impact of his departure would probably be neutral; hurting Hillary in some states, Obama in others.

He can and should stay in as long as he wants. And you should grow up and start showing some respect to Obama, who has spent his entire adult life working for progressive causes, mostly when the media wasn't watching. You're only able to move people if your passion comes from someplace authentic. Funny how that is apparently lost on you.

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

79. Obama is indistinguishable from Hillary. Edwards has pushed them both to the left and he should keep

it up all the way through the convention.

[B Calm]

80. Maybe he should drop out, and run as an independent.. ... What do you

think Hillary and Obama supporters?

[Gloria]

81. "It's not about rich versus poor, " opines Obama...but it IS about

corporatism stealing from working Americans!

Therefore, I remain an Edwards supporter, for the principle of it!

On MLK's birthday, I heard one of the older guard of black activists in a discussion (not on network, lordy no!) talking about how issues changed..that it wasn't about race per se now, but more about economic justice and class. He reminded the viewer that by the time of MLK's death, he was being vilified because of his anti-war stance and message about economic justice. He had moved beyond "I have a dream"....

Obama nor Hillary are on that page, but John is. Looks like a lot of people are shooting themselves in the foot at this point. They're going for image and stolen words which mask people who have been leading in the garnering of corporate money. Bought and sold.

[Greyhound]

163. Ever notice that it's always a rich person talking about how it isn't about rich and poor?

:shrug:

[donkeyotay]

189. I'm with you. Obama's exceptionalism is offensive.

He throws the liberal agenda under the bus while courting Republicans in the freakin Democratic primary! He should be running as an Independent, not a Democrat. If he's this far to the right now, I can't bear to watch what the Democratic candidate in the general election is going to sound like. We'll have a pissing match between who can do the most for the corporations. I can see McCain and Obama duking it out over who's going to be the most hawkish, etc.

[Greylyn58]

83. Well said Sara and thanks for saying it

John's message has been passionate and consistent. It was also first. The other two just use watered down versions of his message. Which I find very troubling.

I've never liked the fact that the media has pushed the other two down our throats, 24/7, calling them political Superstars or Rock stars. I hate that. I don't want a Superstar or a Rock star. I want a candidate who is passionate, committed, and truly wants to take this country in a different direction. Someone who wants to repair the incredible damage that has been done to us over the last 7 years.

I'm sticking with Edwards till the end. Whether that end is at the Democratic Convention or his election as President. No amount of nasty threads, or calls for him to drop out will change my conviction.

[NoFederales]

85. Agreed. I'm looking forward to seeing him again Monday evening. nt

NoFederales

[beezlebum]

87. well said

and same here! :applause:

Edwards 08 or uncommitted

[Kajsa]

93. I'm with him all the way.

John speaks for me.

[catrose]

96. Amen, Kick, & Rec

[Horse with no Name]

97. Totally agreed

A candidate that NEEDS my candidate to bow out so he can win is NOT a viable candidate. He is a marginal candidate, at best.
Besides, the smart money says that candidate should be trying to take votes from his major competitor...winning THEM over.
Failing to do that, we have another candidate who fails to have a mandate...and this time, from his OWN party.

[rsmartin]

100. I support JRE all the way to the convention

I supported him in 2004 and I am doing it again. He should stay in the race all the way. Even if he is trailing in delegates; he has raised issues that the other two have had to follow. He is steering the tone of the issues and can have a great effect on the Democratic Platform and the tone of the election. If it were not for John we would be having none of these discussions.

[tdiggins]

101. My day with Hillary Clinton

Well, I didn't get to drive an armored vehicle. I didn't drive
Hillary, and, in fact, I never got any closer to her than 30
feet or so.

Although I am firmly behind John Edwards, I volunteered to
drive in the motorcade out of loyalty to my friend Shawn
Bagley. Shawn is the local Clinton chair - among many other
Democratic Party credentials - and has been a Hillary backer
for years. He was more excited than a kid at Christmas.

The entire event came together in 24 hours. The Clinton
campaign had called Shawn on the holiday Monday morning, to
say that Hillary was coming to Salinas to receive the
endorsement of the United Farm Workers. Shawn leaped into
action, and set the rally for the Hartnell College gym.

It was raining, sometimes heavily, on Tuesday morning, January
22. I arrived at the Monterey Airport shortly before 11 AM,
called on the intercom, and walked through the gates to the
private Monterey Jet Center.  There I met my "boss",
James, the advance man in charge of motorcades; my friend and
fellow driver ( and fellow Edwards supporter) Cesar Lara; and
Mark, from the Secret Service.

We were briefed on motorcade protocol - when the lead car
rolls, we roll, whether any one is in our car or not, and stay
directly behind the car in front. The Secret Service issued us
clip on pins, authorizing us to be within the security
perimeter.

For the next 45 minutes, we waited in the VIP lounge, eating
cookies and drinking coffee. We met  other Secret Service
guys, and chatted with a CHP officer who had worked for
several California governors.

A little before noon, Enterprise delivered our two Chrysler
Town & Country minivans. James put signs in the windows;
James assigned Cesar to Staff 1 and I got Staff 2. We spent a
few minutes adjusting seats and mirrors, etc.





A new team of Secret Service drove in behind the wheels of
hunter green Suburbans with Maryland plates and bullet proof
glass. We got the hand waving in a circle "head 'em
up" signal from Mark and headed to the vehicles. We drove
from the Jet Center VIP lounge on to the tarmac. I was near
the end, with the press bus and a CHP car behind me. In front,
four CHP motorcycles, a CHP car, the two Suburbans,  a Secret
Service Buick sedan loaded with weapons, and Cesar in Staff 1.

We opened the hood, all the doors and the rear hatch as our
CHP buddy and his K-9 conducted the "sweep",
sniffing all vehicles, including all corners of the press bus,
for explosives. Doggie got a little excited at the Buick.

. Fortunately, the weather had cleared a bit while we waited
on the tarmac for the sweep and for "wheels down".
Even when the sun came from behind the clouds, it was chilly,
with temperatures in the low 50’s. We walked back to the Jet
Center to urinate, and I ate the sandwich I had thought to
bring with me.

Wheels down came at 1:55, and as the chartered ATA 737 taxied
towards us, we rolled up to where the stairs were waiting. The
rear hatch opened, and the press began to get themselves and
their equipment on the bus. Young men in suits typing on
Blackberries headed for Cesar and me.

The front hatch opened and the Secret Service when in and out
a few times. Secret Service agents were on the tarmac,
constantly scanning the surrounding buildings. Finally,
Senator Clinton deplaned, shook hands with a small welcoming
committee and the ground crew, and headed for the lead
Suburban. With just one passenger, I rolled.

Out the gates and along the access roads, we headed for
Salinas, 15 miles away. The four motorcycles behaved like
sheep dogs, chasing up and down the motorcade, first ahead to
block cross traffic, then coming up from behind. We watched
cautiously for them in the mirrors, since they sometimes
passed on the left, then on the right.

When we reached Highway 68, I was excited and a bit nervous. I
thought our high-speed motorcade would soon hit speeds of 70
mph or more on the narrow, hilly, two-lane, 55 MPH highway to
Salinas, driving fast, nose - to - tail,  but I was ready.

What is this? We're stopping for a red light? Ok, now we'll
get going. What's this, another red light? What's that,
traffic in front of us?

What a disappointment! We did not push any traffic out of our
way, and I don't think that we ever went faster than 55, even
when we reached the four lane part on the highway. The lead
CHP car didn't even have his lights flashing! Very often, when
the motorcycles got behind us, that meant cars were turning on
to the road in front of us. 



After about twenty minutes, we arrived at Hartnell College.
The motorcade turned into a parking lot over a specially made
ramp, down a service road, then on to a sidewalk. We pulled
right up to the main entrance and everyone got out and went
inside. The bus reversed into a special parking space and the
entire motorcade laboriously u-turned, and pulled up to the
entrance facing the other direction.

James had warned us to stay with our vehicles, in the event of
a crash departure of some kind, but Cesar and I were able to
enter a secured portion of the foyer and see some of the rally
from near the doorway.

The place was packed! More than 3000 supporters had crowded
the gym, and another thousand or more were in an overflow
auditorium next store watching on TV. Clinton was on a stage
on the floor, with a huge American flag backdrop (borrowed
from the Navy, Shawn told me later) and the bleachers behind
her were full of UFW members in red shirts waving Hillary
signs. The bleachers across the floor were jammed with more
supporters, and folding chairs were on the floor for local
dignitaries. Many others stood wherever they could find a
space big enough.

From the ten minutes or so that I heard, Hillary gave a good
speech. She thanked the UFW and spoke about jobs, immigration,
education, the middle class, and so on and so on. Cesar and I
eased out and once again hung out with the guys with guns,
shaking hands with other Democrats and some bodies in the
secure foyer. Shawn was aglow; he really did a fantastic job
pulling this off. As the speech ended, Hillary headed for a
meet and greet with the locals, and Cesar and I headed to our
posts.

We ended up waiting an hour. It had started to rain again, on
and off, so we were in and out of our vans, watching the cops
around the perimeter get soaked and the Secret Service agents
ducking in and out of the gym, and James searching for
umbrellas.

My passenger never left the van. Moe, a 22 year old from
Chicago, was the "equipment manager". His job was to
get campaign and press luggage and equipment to and from the
airport and the sites and hotels, coordinated the
"sweep" before "wheels up", During the
rain,  he kept pushing buttons on the van’s radio, schooling
me on Akon, Fitty, Tupac and other crap. Another staffer came
over and called him the "baggage bitch"; all the
staffers I met were sharp, friendly twenty-somethings. Poor
Moe – this was his first visit to “Cali” and he saw nothing.
He was disappointed not to see some young California girls –
“talent”, as he called it.

Finally we got the signal from Mark, Clinton came down the
steps, and we were off again on another slow speed motorcade,
back to the tarmac and the steps to the plane. Press and staff
rushed aboard, Hillary shook a few more hands, and the hatches
closed. We had to wait for "wheels up" - in case
something happened, I guess - and back to the Jet Center.



The Secret Service thanked us, Cesar and I positioned the vans
for Enterprise to pick up, James collected his signage, and we
received discharge papers. It was a little after 5 PM, and
getting dark. The day did not go quite the way I had expected,
not  all that exciting, but it was an adventure, and I will
gladly volunteer to drive Hillary again on her next visit -
campaigning for John Edwards for President.

[Andrea]

166. Thanks for posting this

This was a very interesting behind the scenes look at what goes on in these campaign stops. Thanks.

[Meshuga]

102. I am not a John Edwards supporter but I think he should stay in

He is not a spoiler. Who is he spoiling this contest for? He adds to the debate and he should stay to the end. Who knows what it could happen from here until the convention?

[ecdab]

103. I think it's great

that you have found a candidate that you wish to support and desire to stick with. Edwards is a fine man and would make a great President. I just wish people could manage to articulate their support without tearing into other candidates - "paltry political ambitions of a media created celebrity candidate", that's both untrue and uncalled for. I spent a number of years teaching at UC when Obama was there and working to benefit the Hyde park community at the same time he was. Listening to people speculate about what his ambitions are or what created him as a candidate with no real knowledge of him - and doing so in an effort to tear down - is shameful at best.

John Edwards has a great message. I wish people wouldn't pollute it with falsehoods and petty statements geared toward diminishing the appeal of other candidates.

I understand that all the candidates have supporters at DU that are doing just that (including Obama), so don't take this as picking on you saracat - your piece just got some additional attention at a time when I choose to start posting on DU again after a long time away. And I must say - I am exceptionally disappointed with what I'm finding here currently.

[blondie58]

104. Thank you, saracat

I am with you- he is my candidate. I just don't understand why he isn't doing better. Are people really that misinformed?

[Blue Fire]

124. He's anti-corporate.

Big corp doesn't like that. And Big corp has their paws all over the MSM and, too a good extent, the message American voters receive.

[southerncrone]

105. Only crybabies see him as a "spoiler". HE IS A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE!

If MSM would give him the coverage he deserves, he might be in the lead now.
The have Kuciniched him since Iowa.

Hang in there, John, we need your voice at the convention!

[rhett o rick]

106. This spoiler stuff is ridiculous. If Clinton or Obama have over 50% of the delegates

when they get to the convention then it's all over whether Edwards is in or not.

[smokey nj]

109. Kick!!!

[midnight]

113. I just had this conversation with someone. I too do not see

any difference between the two on issues. They both are funding this war, the both keep insurance co. in the decision making position with our health care, they both work well with corporations.

[Duncan]

114. I'm with you. nt

[Triana]

115. EXACTLY...

....the other two candidates represent only symbolic change - they LOOK different - and that's about all. But they're not going to change anything in Washington. They're taking TONS of money from the same corprats who have been meddling in the processes of the current regime up there - and previous administrations as well. They'll be beholden to and controlled by those corporate special interests as much as any previous administration.

ONE man - won't.

JRE isn't TAKING their damned money, he WON'T be controlled by them, and his platform of reducing the corporate stranglehold on our gov't, REAL social and economic justice - IS different. I want SUBSTANTIAL change, not just symbolic change. I'd like to have BOTH -- but it looks like people will have to choose.

And American voters, being as easily distracted as they are, are going for the symbolic change candidates while the real change one gets ignored.

I will NOT change my support as long as JRE is in it. And, I can't see supporting either of the other two either. I won't help their campaign, send them money ( WTF - they don't need it - the corprats already gave them tons of it - they're BOUGHT already) and they MIGHT GET MY VOTE - if I can manage to hold my nose, keep from barfing up the day's meals, and then LIVE WITH MYSELF after having voted for a corprat shill who is part of the biggest issue we have in our gov't (and the one that prevents real progress on all the rest).

Then again, they might not get my vote either. I'm just not sure I can do it. Because even thinking about voting for the two big "novelty" McCandidates makes me feel cheap and dirty.

Beside, I figure if Hillary gets the nom we'll end up with a Republican anyway. And Obama - Reagan Lite.

[foxer]

142. They're "under the influence".

[Triana]

146. YES! I like that term...

....saw it on johnedwards.com...it's true.

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2008/1/27/13259/0919

[7horses]

117. Edwards is a class act.

He will stay in until the convention and he can win, if we stick with him and give other people a chance to hear his message. February 5 will tell us more... but hang in there supporters of Edwards.
Go John go!!!

[debbierlus]

119. I know. I guess I would vote for Hillary because she is a shade less right

In the general...

Then, Obama.

But, really, what the hell is the difference?

This is what we waited eight years for....our big change...gender or color, but not policy? I wouldn't care if our nominee looked like bozo the clown, if they had the right policy & positions

It is a sad state of affairs when our political campaign;s depth is equal to those of a beauty pageant.

[donkeyotay]

191. Thank you so much. I'm still trying to find the words to express the dismay I feel

watching this election and you nailed it: "This is what we waited eight years for....our big change...gender or color, but not policy?"

All these years, the anguish of 2004. Not only should we not expect any change in corporate rule, but we belong in the past. The young people should hate us and blame us for what the Republicans have done.

[DirtyDawg]

120. It's terribly disconcerting...

...to be faced with the realization that you are among a minority of no more than 20% of the voters that actually 'get it'. Neither Obama or Clinton stand a chance against the Repug candidate and even if one of them were to be elected, their administration will be a huge disappointment to those of us that truly understand that among all the candidates only Edwards can save our country's soul...if we ever had one.

[IsItJustMe]

121. Damn the torpedoes, and full speed ahead. JE speaks for me. PERIOD. He has a message, and only

by staying in can he have a chance to influence the debate, and very possibly the other two Dems. Keep on keeping on John.

[JAbuchan08]

122. Even if he is a spoiler

we may need one.

[mother earth]

125. I agree with you 100%, Saracat!!!!!!!!!

[jgraz]

126. K&R - thanks s-cat

:hi:

[helderheid]

128. 100th REC!

:woohoo:

[aquart]

129. Drop out? Hell, no.

[JDPriestly]

132. I'm with you, saracat. We go to the convention.

I'm not letting the media moguls hijack my country. If the Hiillaryites and the Obamamites want to be led around by the nose and vote their prejudices instead of their common sense, that's their problem.

I know how it feels to vote for a corporate monster and then rejected. I was one of the millions who voted for LBJ back in the day. He did a lot of good things, but he was a Halliburtonbot and America paid for it dearly. Never again will I vote what corporate America tells me I should vote. I learned my lesson.

[Thickasabrick]

134. Great Post, K&R

[existentialist]

135. I want Edwards in the race, not necessarily

because I want him to win, because have not made such a decision.

Rather, because like Kucinich, he keeps the debates on a higher plane.

I can't tell whether he is helping Obama or Clinton, but I definitely believe that he is helping the Democratic party.

There is also the possibility that he might be our vice-Presidential candidate again.
We could do worse.

There is also the rumor floating around that if Obama becomes President that Edwards would become Attorney General. Again, we could do much, much worse.

Finally, Edwards remaining in the race raises the distant possibility that those among us who will be among the last to have our primaries may still have some say.

All in all, although I am not committing to support Mr. Edwards, he is most welcome as a candidate from my perspective.

Thank you Mr. Edwards.

[Sonicmedusa]

136. The Novelty Candidates have no substance.

I'm with John to the end.

[Cleita]

138. Thanks saracat. I agree.

We need a choice between the DLC and the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. Hillary and Barack running against each other are too alike to have anything substantial to debate so instead they have to have a food fight and attack each other on a personal level rather than issues, which they basically agree on. John on the other hand has a populist message and his past record pretty much backs it up. His positions are far more left of center than Clinton's or Obama's.

People need a choice or many of them might vote third party in the general election instead and that would be a real spoiler.

[Dollface]

139. I'm with him because he is the only supporter of and from the working class who is angry enough

at what has been going since the Ray-gun revolution that ushered in the beginning of our nation's decline.

[Glenda]

140. I want all candidates to stay in as long as possible...

and I want them to stay close, percentage-wise.

First, they each add different focuses to the debates on different topics. And I want all aspects of the issues to get heard.

And second, it's better for the republicans not to know who they will be up against in the GE.

[Yael]

141. I am in this thing until Senator Edwards decides differently

I don't care if I am the only person in my state to vote for him in April -- that vote is secured, locked and clocked.

If at any point the Senator decides to drop, I will wait it out and make a decision in November. Sorry Rocky -- I can't pledge support for the DLC based on the (D). That just enables them to keep on keeping on and damnit, I am sick of the old school games and scorched earth win-at-any-cost, its-about-tha-candidate-not-the-people BS they keep force feeding us.

As noted above, I would also be thrilled to see JRE as Attorney General. If this is in his sights in any shape, it means it is because it is a place where he believes he can make a difference -- and that is why I am supporting him. Because I believe in his message and because I believe he wants to make a difference no matter how or where he has to roll up his sleeves to do it.

[smoogatz]

143. I think it's pretty nearly impossible to guess

which candidate is hurt or helped by Edwards' presence in the race. It probably varies from state to state. Edwards should stay in as long as he wants to, or until people stop giving him money. His unabashedly progressive-populist message is good for the process, I think; at the moment, he's helping to keep the front-runners honest.

[Laurab]

144. I support Obama, but I like Edwards, as well

I DO see a difference between Obama and Clinton - a huge one, but I also want JE to stay in the race as long as he possibly can. I've donated to him, and I keep hoping to see him surge, because, really there's only one candidate that I don't want to win, and it's not him. His message needs to be heard by the American people, and you are quite right - it ISN'T over.

[Milo_Bloom]

145. Edwards has no real message...

Except that he will say ANYTHING to try and get people to vote for him, no matter how silly, outlandish, against his own record, or contrary to his own current plans.


His poverty "message" is destroyed by his own tax plan which continued to give a better rate to capital gains (money making money) over income tax (workinig for money) and of course his vote for the bankrupcy bill.

His anti-corporate message is destroyed by his health care plan which, no matter how you slice, is a big giant gift to insurance companies and does absolutely nothing about the quality of care in America and his vote for the bankrupcy bill as well as vote for limiting liability for nuclear power plants.


John's message... vote for me because I worked in a mill.

[Spiffarino]

147. I want Edwards out so badly that I...

...contributed another $25 and joined his phone bank yesterday.

Take that!

[MaryRN]

153. I LIKE how you think! K&R btw!

[il_lilac]

149. amen

we all need to hear what he is saying.

[bobbolink]

150. neither of the other two care about me, and that includes their supporters,

so I fail to see why I should give a rip about "hurting" them.

Silly me, I thought this was a democracy! :hi:

:hug: saracat!

[caseycoon]

157. I absolutely agree...

with every word!
Thanks saracat!
:toast:

[Faryn Balyncd]

158. It is time for CLINTON to withdraw . . . . . . . . . .

If there is one message from the primaries and the polls it is that one particular candidate has been rejected. . . . and it's time for her to withdraw her candidacy.

[desertflamingo]

159. right on, sister!!

:toast:

[Phred42]

164. .If we want it back - WE HAVE TO TAKE IT.

I want to Vote FOR Edwards Super Tuesday I can do that.

FOLLOW the Money - there is no difference between the other two.

I don't need to be inspired. Candidates that have taken as much money as the other two, from the very organizations that are killing Democracy and our economy, gives me NO HOPE at all.

I don't want an impartation I want someone with a track record of Kicking ASS! We cannot ask nicely for, or negotiate the return of OUR Democracy. They will not play nice - If we want it back - WE HAVE TO TAKE IT.

There is literally NO other way to do it.

[Andrea]

169. You are right!

We have to fight. We won't win by dropping out. I wonder why so few people get that this is about the survival of our country and our constitution.

[Phred42]

177. Exactly correct

[Mad_Dem_X]

165. Yes!

"I support John and his message, not the paltry political ambitions of a media created celebrity candidate."

That is how I feel also!

[Ellen Forradalom]

168. John Edwards is in a position to wield considerable influence

Even if he doesn't capture the nomination. He's got a worthwhile message and is in a better position than anyone else to make sure it gets heard.

[Myrina]

171. laptop hiccup, please delete

:hide:

[Myrina]

172. laptop hiccup #2, please delete

:hide: :blush:

[Myrina]

173. I'm wit' ya Saracat!

:patriot:

[ToughLuck]

174. Edwards stays in race..Praying for a miracle here in NY

Why is John the only one of the three calling the neocons by name?..although he is behind,I feel strongly that his presence and issues make it harder for the other two to avoid..like corporate welfare.
Funny how Hillary could not answer John's question about leaving lobbyists out of her administration...she said something like..I don't know..I will have honest people in my administration..lol...yea right.

[leftcoastie]

175. I am glad

John Edwards is staying in the race. He was absolutely correct when he acknowledged he may not make it to the White House, but he'll drive the debate. I must say both Hillary and Obama have stolen John's ideas (or just agreed with them by using them as their own). I say it's flattery and John WILL make a difference as he already has.

He still has my vote and I hope he gets to be king maker at the convention as well as get into the new administration.

Edwards 08

[foxer]

182. Not only is he driving the debate

But if those two in the backseat don't stop fighting,we're not stopping for ice cream

[autorank]

180. The whole process is spoiled - front ended to advantage "The Money Party"

We should not be anywhere near talk of people dropping out. The candidates are not fully vetted
and there's been no discussion of the issues. Sorry "hope" doesn't cut it, nor does "experience",
nor does "populist." They're all full of b.s. on their key points. I'm experienced as what, a spouse,
who has vicarious leadership experiene; a vicionary of "hope" who said to quote, that we'd leave the
world "a little safer and a little cleaner" (which means we're all dead from pollution and climate
change), and a populist who never had a record as a populist, sponsored the Iraq War Resolution,
voted with money interests but had a "conversion experience."

This is not what we deserve - Massive Multi Player Political Role Playing.

How about a discussion of the issues, in particular, not in theory or by inference?

This primary system is total bull shit. Recognize it for what it is - designed for those
who can raise the money and, in effect, if not by intent, presenting us false spectrum of
deliberately vague candid.


The Money Party Party Parts 1, 2, & 3
The essence of our political troubles

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00549.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00107.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00308.htm

[DianaForRussFeingold]

183. K&R "media created celebrity candidate" Like that American Idol!

:applause: Thank you so much for keeping John Edward's message out there... It may be an inconvenient truth for the GOP brainwashed,however it is the truth! All of a sudden, Obama and Hillary supporters believe the corporate owned, dis-empowering, talking heads? What is up with that!
I HOPE people wake up. We've done without checks and balances too long!
FDR pulled this country together when we were in total economic collapse.
With his 'New deal' he put America back to work building our infrastructure,
pulled us out of the Great depression and made us proud for all we accomplished,
thanks to his leadership..
If Edwards is the next President of the United States.
He will take on out of control Corporations,
as did FDR.
Why did Obama say he would have Republicans in his administration?
How in the world will he change anything? Get real!
"in response to a newspaper investigation, he said he was unaware that his broker had bought $50,000 worth of stock in two speculative companies whose leading investors included some of his biggest political donors."
He has also apologized for his "boneheaded error" in striking a property deal with Tony Rezko, a Chicago Democrat operative facing a federal indictment." 'it's perception'--
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/13/wobama13.xml
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_opinion_letters/2006/10/hospital_positi.html

"Edwards is the most labor-friendly Presidential candidate of the top-tier candidates.
With Edwards, we have a candidate who both walks the walk and talks the talk. Edwards is
strongly opposed to outsourcing American jobs and is committed to ending unfair
international trade deals or tax policies that encourage corporations to move jobs
out of the nation."
:patriot:
John Edwards working hard for change:
(Upper 9th ward New Orleans)
We the people, need a president :kick:
who will be an advocate for us.
That's the CHANGE America NEEDS!
-- " Martin Luther King III to John Edwards: I challenge all candidates to follow your lead"
'…I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election."

[Andrea]

192. thank you for making these important points

:applause:

[sfam]

185. Edwards should stay in as long as he wants. It's his right

I have no problem with Edwards staying in as long as he wants. He and his wife are obviously extremely passionate about this, and they clearly have had an affect on the talking points of the other candidates. As an Obama supporter, I don't know if his staying helps or hurts, but clearly its his right.

[GreenTea]

186. Absolutely! There is no difference between the two moderates.....Just like there's no difference

between any of the republicans....they are all clones....Corporate clones, republicans, libertarians & moderates!

Anyone who wants John Edwards to quit doesn't know jack-shit about politics and the political system....they are stupid, they are newbies, television watchers, where they get most of their news and ideas and they want to yell what they heard....again, stupid fucks!

It's January the election is in November.

Like the woman said...."I didn't know who I was going to vote for until the very last second when I was voting and then I picked Obama, because I wanted to vote for the winner." Now tell me this television watcher knew what the issues and stances of each candidate were....Which is what most voters for the two moderates are, they don't have a clue the difference between a progressive and a fucking moderate is....they think it should be a media circus for their pleasure, they think its like a football game/contest....Great.... But who owns, edits and presents the news, the same shit they gobble up each day and get the ideas they think they thought of? The Republicans!

Yet still, the moderate Hillaryites & Obamans robots will continue to pontificate....constantly repeating what was told to them....They are going with whom the media told them who to be the winner will be....If they were the least bit progressive and knew the issues and understood exactly what the candidates ideology is... they certainly wouldn't be voting for who the moderates whom the media pounds into them day after day after day....

John Edwards is a fighter he's certainly doesn't quit and Edwards will go ALL the way to the Democratic convention with a shitload of delegates.

[OwnedByFerrets]

190. Right On SaraCat!!

[AllyCat]

197. Why on earth is ANY candidate in the race after 4 puny little states a spoiler?

I'm frustrated that all eight of them aren't still in it!!! I'd like to hear what they all have to say.

This primary/caucus system blows. I like one idea I read where there are four big primary days in the country. The first one is the 12 or 13 least populous states in March, followed by the next most populous in April...run until June with the largest populated states in the last election. This gives someone a chance without the media deciding the whole damn thing after one or 2 states (heck, the media...lots of posters on DU do the same thing!!!). The problem with having one national primary day is it favors the one with the most money. This way, allows every state to have a voice.

It will all be decided when I vote here in WI on the 19th of Feb.

[pleah]

198. Edwards is the only Democrat in the race. That's why the MSM keep trying to

ignore him. He is getting delegates, so he should keep going.

[kaygore]

200. Ditto--It is still too close to call and the spoiler is Hillary as far as I am concerned

She needs to get out she is not electable and neither is Obama. I disagree with those who say that they can not vote for a Black man as president, but the bias is there and it is the elephant in the living room. In addition, Obama is not going to use the bully pulpit to reinstate the Constitution or get back a middle class. Neither will Hillary, but Edwards WILL fight for us and call out those who would subvert his efforts.

[femrap]

201. K and R

I want the candidate that can beat the repugnant candidate and that is JOHN EDWARDS. And just for icing on the cake, he's the most progressive and isn't taking the Corporate $$$$$!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

202. Edwards should stay, at worst he helps Obama and hurts Mama

No reason for Obama supporters to want Edwards to drop out.
Edwards hurts Billary and helps Obama.

Its not the woman thing either, its the dynasty thing.

[lyonspotter]

205. John should keep at it...

...it isn't quite over yet (although it looks dark)

[Penndems]

206. Bravo, Saracat!

John Edwards will be my candidate - my only candidate for President.

I don't want the DNC or the media picking my Presidential candidate for me. JE is, quite simply, the best candidate to lead this country.

[casus belli]

207. Edwards isn't "my guy", but I like him alot

I think Edwards should stay in the race until he's ready to leave it, and no sooner. I actually considered him the stronger of the two when he ran with Kerry, and I like what he brings to the debate table. I think trying to declare it a two-person race this early on does a disservice to the process. This is the point where we all bring our ideas to the table and we decide, collectively, who will be the face of our party and champion our ideals. We shouldn't be discounting any valid viewpoints at such an early stage in the election to make things more convenient or tidy for another candidate. When or whether Edwards should leave is an intimate decision between him and his supporters. I think those that don't have a stake in his future should just butt out and let the process unfold.

[troubleinwinter]

208. My vote is for John Edwards!!

[frog92969]

209. Actually...

It's obvious that he's been pushed out of the race and has little chance.
That aside, his place right now should be with his dying wife, that's where I would be.

Flame if you will, that's my honest opinion.

[krkaufman]

210. Gotta agree. If you don't see any difference between the other remaining candidates...

... that inarguably the right call.

nuff said.

[mondo joe]

211. John should stay in as long as he can.

!