I hope Edwards stays in.

[smoogatz]

Full disclosure: I'm most likely to vote for Obama in our mid-February primary. Even fuller disclosure: I have no idea (and neither does anyone else, really) which of the front-runners is helped or hurt by Edwards' continued participation in the nomination process. I don't think Edwards has a realistic chance of winning a single state, and unless Obama or Hillary pick him as their running mate, I think this campaign probably marks the end of his national political life, for all intents and purposes. BUT, I think his continued presence in the race serves both the voters and the process, as long as the two front-runners are forced to respond to Edwards' progressive-populist rhetoric. As long as he's there, he moves the debate somewhat to the left, and helps to frame the discussion in progressive terms. That seems like an extraordinarily good thing to me.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I agree with your analysis

although I am an Edwards supporter. I do feel his ideas have framed the debate and we wouldn't be hearing nearly as much "progressive" talk from the other two if he wasn't in. If he goes into the convention with a respectable number of delegates I think his influence will be felt.

[OzarkDem]

2. If you like Edwards vote for him

This primary race is much different from recent ones. Its really more the way presidential primaries used to work. We've forgotten what its like to have a real primary race, so I welcome the challenge. I think it makes people pay more attention to the candidates and issues and could end up yielding a better candidate.

Embrace the long primary! Embrace a full fledged convention!

[patrice]

3. When it's all over, "we" will be on our own again. What happens then will be up to "us"; that's

when we will see what the REAL alignments are. I hope you can trust whoever you end up with locally, after this CRAZY game of musical chairs is over.

Edwards or Un-Committed ALL OF THE WAY!

[Ninga]

4. 6% of SC voters voted for the most electable. Only 6% thought electability was important.n

I spent almost 6 days working on the ground for the Edwards campaign in South Carolina...

I talked to as many Independents and Republicans as I did Democrats.

Data we gathered, showed OVERWHELMINGLY that Edwards beats ANY Repulican in head to head match ups.

This is not news. This same results can be found in many other states.


I do not for one minute believe Edwards is in this for any other reason but to win. Period.