No REALLY... Why did Edwards withdraw?

I'm worried that this is truly a personal decision and not a politically motivated one.

That is all.

He dropped out because he isn't winning.

I have no idea if that's true or not.

I don't know, I expected him to stay till the end.

I don't remember a candidate saying "why" they were dropping out in a speech. It's usually not something you want to talk about, "I'm dropping out because I'm getting hammered".

They want to end on a positive note.

He was ADAMANT about staying through the convention regardless.

to all his supporters to explain why he decided NOT to go all the way to the convention,
whatever the reason may be.

That was a big let-down, I must say.

That John and Elizabeth made this decision for personal reasons. I am really concerned for them.

I hope we get some answers too. I think the world of John Edwards, but I do think we need some answers.

Sometimes that is easier to say than to do.

I'm sure everyone feels they are never going to drop out, it's hard to continue on with a defeatist attitude.

Look, if his internal polls were showing bad numbers, it would be a good idea to get out now.

If he chooses to endorse someone now, before Tuesday, it gives him a lot of power, short term.

Well, he's still on the ballot, isn't he? He could still end up with delegates, couldn't he? Haven't a lot of people pre-voted in some of the Super Tuesday states? Could that be a factor?

allows him to continue to pay those who are working for him until they find other employment.

And as he said he did not want to stand in way of history

to spend the hard earned money of his supporters on a losing cause, he withdrew. He knew that more and more the race is between Hillary and Barack and he wants the Democratics to win the GE and make history. I think he made a deal to drop out if he got the promise of both candidates to further the cause of wiping out poverty.

...in addition to an acknowledgment that he wasn't going to win.

After losing in South Carolina, Edwards knew that he was done.

He also knows that by dropping out, he can use his endorsement to force
Obama and Hillary to make Edwards issues central to their campaign. He
also knows that as both candidate court (and probably have been
courting) Edwards, he has leverage to attain a high-level cabinet position
or be the vp.

Going into Super Tuesday with Edwards endorsement, would be a coup for
one of the candidates.

Edwards has the power to decide who are nominee is, and he knows that.

Edwards is a decent and passionate man. He cares deeply about the
issues of poverty and economic inequity. He will endorse the candidate
who will allow Edwards to continue the fight--most likely as part of
an administration in a powerful position.

The Edwards endorsement will be major. It will be a calling to his
supporters, to continue the fight with a candidate that Edwards believes
will carry on his agenda.

I imagine he'll do this before Super Tuesday.

and no doubt Edwards knows that too.

...and there is no doubt that Edwards will not throw away the power he
has now.

He's not going to get a promise...or some kind of "wink and nod" rhetoric.

Edwards will endorse someone when he is absolutely reassured that they
will make him a critical part of their administration.

I imagine that the Edwards endorsement will be more than him standing alone
saying he likes one of the candidates better. It will be more like the Kennedy
endorsement. He will endorse someone, with that candidate standing by his side,
and with specific, very-public assurances from the candidate that John will
play a pivotal role in that person's administration.

You're right. Edwards is no fool.

had been able to build over the past 6 years of running for president by going out with low poll numbers nationwide.

That's my guess, anyway. I feel like it's the only thing other than Elizabeth's health that explains such a rapid pullout with no endorsement.

but Stephanie Miller had some kind of comment from the campaign that it had absolutely nothing to do with Elizabeth's health.

This is a fucking real head twister.

Edwards' message wasn't getting in the media.

This link has the info about what his aides said: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/30/edwards/index.html

The public have been consistantly told about Clinton and Obama again and again, but hardly a mention of Edwards. Many DUers argue this is not the case, but there are also many of us who have been watching this happen for months now.

Who owns the media? Who was John going to fight?

I put my heart and soul into this guy, and he promised to fight all the way to the convention, and then he does this? Now?

I just don't understand. And I want to. But he's not giving us anything.