What effect does Edwards staying in the race have on Hillary and Obama?

[Herman Munster]

[Occam Bandage]

1. In SC, it hurt Hillary. Elsewhere, it will hurt Obama.

[Egnever]

12. I think your right.

My feeling is it depends on what state they are in.

[Radical Activist]

19. ditto

There's a good reason Clinton did robo-calls attacking Edwards instead of Obama. She wanted to solidify the block of people who won't vote for a black candidate.

[Xipe Totec]

2. I didn't realize he was doing it for them

I thought he was staying in the race to win.

[Herman Munster]

4. he has lost all 4 of the first contests and cannot compete financially against the top 2

There is no historical precedent for him to win at this point.

[Xipe Totec]

6. Oh, I guess he's doing it to spite Barack and Hillary

That makes sense.

:eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

7. I'd say he's doing it to increase his bargaining ability at the DNC,

whether it would be in writing the party platform, or in a deal by which he throws his delegates to another candidate in exchange for a VP/AG slot.

[melody]

15. This race is superseding all historical precedents n/t

[jackson_dem]

18. Precedent: Bill Clinton losing the first five primaries in 1992

;)

And on the rethug side Reagan lost primary after primary until North Carolina in 1976. He then caught fire and took a sitting president all the way to the convention.

[jackson_dem]

17. He can't compete financially? When did McCain and Huckabee drop out since Romney has so much dough?

[Tweed]

3. D: I don't have a clue

Have there been any good polls on who Edwards supporters would vote for if Edwards wasn't in the race? Even then, those polls have no meaning because the events are changing daily.

I see things in Edwards that can be found in Clinton or Obama so you really have to break down those numbers before you can decide.

[arewenotdemo]

8. neither do I

[jackson_dem]

20. A LATimes polls found they prefer Hillary

Of course tonight we know he helped Obama by splitting the white vote.

[BringEmOn]

5. Keeps both from running to the far right.

[Change has come]

13. Like an anchor

:thumbsup:

[NastyRiffraff]

9. Y'know what, I don't care who it affects

I care about John Edwards. What it does to Clinton and Obama has no effect on my support for him.

[Egnever]

11. Easy killer

its just a question.

[zalinda]

14. You know what, tought shit

He's staying the race and I could care less who it upsets. I wouldn't vote for either of your candidates after they way you people have acted.

zalinda

[Egnever]

22. LOL

feel better now?

[zalinda]

24. Actually, no

You Obama people are like vultures. You swoop in and hope to pick the bones of Edwards supporters. And to tell you the truth, I am hating Obama and his supporters more everyday. I hope Clinton wipes the floor with your guy, and I'm not fond of her either.

zalinda

[Egnever]

27. Keep spewing

sometimes we just need to vent.

If you base your vote on what people say on this board, you got bigger issues to deal with than who to vote for.

[zalinda]

31. Sorry, don't like him, thought he was a gas bag

from the start. His supporters have not made me change my mind. And, you can judge a candidate by what kind of people he/she attracts. Obama's supporters not that great. First you fight with Clinton supporters, then you come around and try to pick off Edwards supporters. We are not a commodity, but you sure treat us like one.

Some fine people who are all about "reaching across the table" and "bringing this country together". If you can't do it on this board, how in the hell will you do it in the real world.

zalinda

[Egnever]

34. Cause I am Obama!

:eyes:

[Egnever]

10. This is the question both camps are asking right now

I am not sure, I think it depends on the state.

[cooolandrew]

16. Depends on finances, he has some very loyal followers...

...I'd never argue on him no longer running being democratic is first and foremost. All the best to him.

[jackson_dem]

21. His finances are doing very well. He raised $3 million online alone in the first 25 days of the year

And with matching funds that will become something like $5 million.

[Tatiana]

23. If this thing goes to the convention, Edwards will affect both Clinton and Obama.

He will force them to move to the left in terms of economic policy if they want his delegates. That's why I'm fine with him staying the race until the convention.

[Political Heretic]

25. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING

[Egnever]

26. You sure about that?

Maybe he will trhow them to whoever gives him the VP slot and damn what their policy is.

Either way its going to piss off a lot of people on the losing end of that gamble and its a fracture we dont need come the GE.

[FrenchieCat]

28. I don't think he can bargain for the Veep space again.....

He already did that, and it wasn't all that successful.

[Tennessee Gal]

29. Edwards does not want the VP space.

He has already said that.

[Tatiana]

30. If he's a man of principles he will hold out for a concession on economic policy.

It's been the cornerstone of his candidacy. I can't see him selling out for a VP slot; it would make him a hypocrite and would be a HUGE disappointment to all his supporters.

Part of politics is deal-making and if we make it to the convention with no clear-cut winner, Edwards will be holding the cards. Either Clinton or Obama would have to give him something. I think a concession on policy would be a likely compromise, but I can't rule out a potential VP slot entirely.

And no, we really don't need that split or fracture. It would be nice if we went into the general election united, but such is politics.

[Egnever]

33. Hes already a hypocrite

Why you would hold out for him to be anything else is beyond me. John is in this for John. The bankruptcy vote puts the lie to his whole feel it in my gut thing.

[Yukari Yakumo]

32. minimal impact, at best

Now we're on to SuperTuesday. They're no longer fighting one state at a time but instead multiple states in a week. This puts JRE at a major disadvantage as he lacks the funds and resources to put up an effective campaign across so many states simultaneously.

After the 5th, the only ones talking about JRE will be us.