Fate of Edwards' supporters could be key

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_po/the_edwardians

WASHINGTON - Democrat John Edwards placed second in Iowa, third in New Hampshire and faces even longer odds of pulling off a win in upcoming states.

But he still attracts the support of as many as 20 percent of Democratic voters in national polls. And where those Edwardians turn next if their first choice for president exits the race could well be the determining factor in who claims the Democratic nomination.

"Every time somebody drops out of a race when it's close, where they go is important," says Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who is not working for any candidate. And Edwards' supporters, she says, "are even more priceless than your average jewel."

That's because this year's race is so competitive, and Edwards' supporters are viewed as loyal and dependable voters who will actually turn out on Election Day.

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Well they got that part right, we are loyal and dependable - and barring John himself saying he's out (and making an agreement to be VP candidate for whomever he throws his support behind) we are not leaving his side! He will make a GREAT president for the people, and there's no reason for him to leave, he has more than adequate support and money to go on for a month or two at least. I continue to hope for a 5 point surge for him that will put him right back in the hunt for every state!

No surrender, no brokering - my vote can't be bought. And, if the attitudes of the other candidates supporters are any indication .... well, no thanks.

:hug:

:hug: and a :hi:

for me - I have never even considered the others, there is no resonance there for me. When I heard his Two Americas speech in 2003, I was in his camp - Finally, someone was speaking for me!

and was an Edwards supporter ever after.

I can at least bring my sensibilities that led me to support John Edwards to bear upon whoever beats him for the candidacy. But I am not giving up yet, fellas! Don't get your hopes up!

I am not discounting Kucinich. he should also stay in, in my opinion. As a matter of fact, Edwards/Kucinich would rock!

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And damn proud of it TOO.
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:hi:

is my candidate until he says it's over.

you want for president even on the electronic machines, if they're not listed.

BUT JOHN WILL BE LISTED !!!

the real stuff when we see it. That's why we will stay with John all the way through.

I'm not wishy-washy. I was waiting for Al Gore so I was a little late in making my choice based on who was running and what they were doing and saying. No other candidate is speaking for me so I have no alternative to John.

candidates!

I REFUSE to be pushed again into voting for someone I don't believe in 100%. Enough is enough! It stops HERE! NOW!

I will make a stand with J.E. Any other vote is fruitless!

until we elect someone who will turn their world upside-down!

Edwards is a good Democrat. He would never be a third party splitter, ever. If I thought he would, I would not support him.

I also know that neither Hillary nor Obama can win against the repukes.

I will be voting for the first time in 2008 and i will vote for John Edwards even if i have to wrie his name in.

then it might as a well be a blank slate.

If all the delegates stick to their guns, it will go through a couple of rounds of voting; wheeling and dealing will ensue, and the nominee could end up being none of the above.


Edwards HAS to stay in, and the other two have to keep seesawing.

I know what it's like to have a candidate, and have him ignored, while everyone is acting as though every day is his last day in the race...I see the same thing happening to Kuchinic, and now Edwards..Kuchinic, delegate wise, may NOT stand a chance, but Edwards, for some reason, is being talked about, as though he has already dropped out, and he isn't that far behind..."They" did the same thing to Clark....It is obvious, that it IS deliberate...What the hell..."The fate of Edwards supporters could be the key"...hey, what "key" are they talking about?...in my book, they support Edwards and are going nowhere to become the key to anything, right?...This thing has just gotten started...there are 48 states to go..."they" are trying to convince everyone that we are down to TWO candidates..TWO that "they" (the media)picked for us...it's only January for crying out loud...The convention doesn't even take place until what, July/August?...there's a long way to go in this process...and anything is still possible....

I recall that nothing Clark did, was good enough, period....even considering the $20+ million he raised in the one quarter..which compared with the top candidates, and considering his late entrance to the race, he did do well in several of the primaries, and even won Oklahoma...seems Edwards is in that spot this time around...I wish there was a way to change things, to keep this sort of thing from taking place...

I hope all of Edward's supporters hang on...do whatever you can to help him...donate, show up when he's speaking...get involved in his campaign..force the powers that be, to stop ignoring him....IF they keep shoving only the two candidates down our throats that they want, and we allow it, then "they" WILL have chosen for us once again...I don't know how all of you feel, but watching this happen again this time, disgusts me and I know how it feels.....don't let them force Edwards out, if you can do anything at all to prevent it....wb

I want it to stay open and keep discussion active. The sooner it is decided, the sooner progressive issues take a back burner and it becomes all about fighting for the middle-to-right voters regardless of WHO the nominee is.

on DU, many of them posting petulantly on this thread about how they'll write his name in before voting for the dem candidate. I don't like JE. I don't like his voting record. I don't like his 3 years of support for the war. I don't buy his conversion, but if he was the nominee, I'd vote for him in a fucking heartbeat. This country can't afford one of the repuke candidates. You folks? Mindless partisans. Idiots.

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This is not about continuing the machinations of the status quo. This is about true change for the sake of USA.

Just because the 'power players' of the Democratic Party are interchangeable with the "PP"'s of the GOP, it does not mean this is acceptable. Until the Democratic Party earns the people's trust, do not be surprised to witness people's support for John Edwards.
.

I'm shocked......
Contempt for everyone but yourself might be your defining characteristic.

And the fact is that Edwards has ALWAYS been the economic populist he is now. That's firmly established.

I'll continue supporting Edwards until it's no longer possible. Then I'll move to Hillary. And I'll proudly vote for whoever we end up with in the end.