Did John Edwards make a horrible mistake? (I guess maybe he was forced?)

[Divine Discontent]

Just wondering if some very in-the-know peeps will help me out.

If John had stayed in on Super Tuesday, and got, say 150 delegates to go with his 26, wouldn't he have been the kingmaker if that wonderful Senator from NY insists on bloodying up Obama and forcing this to convention? I understand that it might not have made a difference, and I'm looking for opinion or fact here. I'm wondering if anyone has heard a full calculation, or thought one out, that figures out if he would have made an impact with a few hundred delegates...

because, imho, it would seem this could end up being very close if MI & FL get to do re-overs (that sounds so dumb to allow, they didn't follow the rules, simple), and maybe John's delegates would have made all the difference in the world.

Of course, if it's within 26 I guess they would, but that's like winning both showcases on the TPIR! Well, pre-Carey TPIR.
Please give your opinions or thoughts on the first matter!

[babylonsister]

1. Did Edwards have any money left to continue?

Maybe he was just tired, disgusted, and wasn't thinking this far ahead.

[Gato Moteado]

2. who's to say edwards wouldn't give his delegates to hilly?

what's TPIR?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. The game show, The Price Is Right. n/t

[Jersey Devil]

15. I don't know that the delegates are his to "give"

He doesn't personally control the delegates. I believe that since he dropped out they are free to vote their conscience even on the first ballot and think that in all likelihood there has been a lot going on behind the scenes to get their votes because now they are analogous to superdelegates.

[JDPriestly]

19. He did not "drop out." That's the point. He suspended his campaign.

They are his delegates. He has not released them to my knowledge.

[Jersey Devil]

26. All that would mean is they have to vote for him on the first ballot I believe

and then only if he is nominated. Otherwise I think I am correct that they are free to do as they please, just like superdelegates. I do not think a candidate who either drops out or "suspends" his campaign can order them to do anything. They probably would honor his requests I would think, since chances are they are very loyal to him, but they are not bound to.

[LSparkle]

3. His endorsement -- especially now -- could make a big difference

My feeling is that he wants to endorse Obama but, especially
since he urged a more aggressive stance toward Hillary earlier
in the primary season, he's waiting to see if Obama will
step up to the plate and fight back. Maybe once he sees
that Obama WILL fight, Edwards will get off the fence.

[Birthmark]

4. I think he made a drastic mistake

[JDPriestly]

20. I think Democrats have made a tragic mistake.

Edwards was and still is the best candidate we have. He is the only one who consistently lead McCain in the polls. He is the best compromise candidate we have.

Either Hillary and Obama agree to share the ticket or we should draft Edwards, possibly with Gore or Wesley Clark on the ticket. Biden would be a good person to run with Edwards.

[Birthmark]

25. I would be delighted with any and all of the people

...you list as alternatives. We can quibble about the top spot, but that's a damn fine list.

I also agree that the two contenders are the worst for the Democrats --in several ways. I'm not sure that either of them can win in November.

[caledesi]

5. He's got 26.....that haven't been given to HC or BO.

Rumor is that Obama will pick him as VP (supposedly. that is why Edwards dropped out; they made deal). This is my DREAM ticket!

[redqueen]

6. I think he was strong-armed. (nt)

[AnneD]

17. ITA

He could have won MI, Ohio, for sure. When the shit hits the fan, we will wish we had Edwards in charge-kinda like we feel about Gore now.

[redqueen]

18. And probably OK, as well.

Alas...

[stellanoir]

7. My heart goes out to him really.

He is a fantastic advocate for the poor.

And in any other prior climate, he would have been an absolutely stellar candidate.

I'm concerned that his dear wife's condition unquestionably played a role in his decision to withdraw.

I still think he'll be a player.

[Vincardog]

8. Some people say the Edwards was FORCED out of the race. TPTB are engineering the

election of HRC so she can cover for the cabal's crimes just as Bill did last time.

[dajoki]

9. I agree with you...

I think he could have had a say in who the nominee is going to be. But to me, more importantly, he could have used the power he would have accumulated to make sure that his agenda became part of the Dem platform.

[Kokonoe]

11. John Edwards lost the race not because he wanted to,

He made his choice based on the best reasons for America.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

12. I believe

he "suspended" his campaign to wait and see if "something" happened. I think as soon as that "something" is known or passes, he will either be in the press with some huge news or be pledging his support to Obama. And, no, I do not have inside information, 'cept for my tin foil hat... those things do come in handy at times :)

[Divine Discontent]

14. such great answers from all of you, thank you EOM

:tinfoilhat:

[andym]

13. Edwards was in it to win

Edwards was in it to win, not to be a king- or queen- maker.
He dropped out when he believed he couldn't secure the nomination.

[JDPriestly]

22. Again, he did not drop out.

[tekisui]

16. Further, had he stayed in through Super Tuesday, Hillary would most

likely have the lead right now.

[K Gardner]

21. I miss John Edwards in this campaign, never moreso than the past couple of days. I

wish he were still in this thing, and yet again - seeing how nasty is has become - I don't wish that at all for him. Clinton would have done the same to him, were he in Obama's position, or still the 3rd person in the race. On the other hand, I see a matchup between Obama and Edwards as having been decent and honorable, issues driven. Good for America, good for the party. I just wish it were any of the candidates but Hillary. If it were, we wouldn't be facing this divisive destruction within the party. Never let it be said that woman is not the most divisive democrat in the party today.

Biden, Edwards, Richardson, Dodd.. Kucinich.. all of them would have been a true ASSET to the race this year.

But not Hillary.

I miss John and I miss Joe.

[LaurenG]

23. My heart hurts reading this. I only wish...nt

[Divine Discontent]

27. I know, I'm sorry

I wish he was still in it. Perhaps he has something up his sleeve to make it all go down a lot better. It's a bitter pill to swallow seeing him on the sidelines. Hillary is destroying this party with her propping up of...... MCCAIN in interview after interview. What a horrible thing to do.

Let's hope Obama wins, as should most likely occur and he picks John as VP. Nothing else (other than a surprise Nominee) will make this easier on a lot of us.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

24. maybe he'll run again if there's a do'over

considering all of this talk about "fairness".

[book_worm]

28. My guess is had Edwards stayed in Obama would have won Ohio