Something isn't adding up

[Divine Discontent]

There was a campaign (not grassroots like the one we were a part of) push to raise hundreds of thousands specifically today, Jan. 30th. Some have already donated, I was going to within hours. Of course, this announcement, if true, helps prevent many people from donating instead of telling them on Thursday he was leaving the race.

Possibilities - The most obvious is possibly Liz's health (but that has been quickly discounted by the MSNBC moderators according to word from the Edwards campaign), then the political implications - that he has made a deal with the two that by dropping out they guarantee him the position he'd like in their administration AG/VP/SOS?, and finally, the least likely, something that was quick to come about that he did not want to go forward finding out, knowing. etc.


But his dropping out today doesn't add up to me. Maybe I'm just heartbroken, and in shock, because of the fact the other two do not remotely come to meeting the needs of the poor and working class. You can say I am, but I sure hope he explains fully the reason behind this after promising to stay in to the end.

His leaving the race is a bad day for Democracy - horrible - but our cause remains - and we must hammer the celeb candidates to stand up for the principles that John spoke of, many times FIRST in this campaign.

I believe in John Edwards' goodness, and I hope he has made the best deal (and it's not medical related) to secure a position that will do more good for the people of this country than people could imagine.

[dkf]

1. I don't get it either.

Why today? I'm shocked.

[Divine Discontent]

5. you feel exactly like me

I'm in shock...................... why today.

[calmblueocean]

2. I agree -- something is really strange here.

He's been saying all along that he was in it for the long haul, that he was the guy who would "stand by you" when times were tough. He's said that this was the fight of his life, that the cause went to the "core of his being".

These do not sound like the words of someone who planned to drop out.

I don't buy the job argument -- I don't really buy any argument at this point.

I don't know why he's leaving, and I'll have to wait and hear it from his own mouth.

[Flabbergasted]

35. Perhaps he made a deal and will endorse one of the two for a job in their cabinet? nt

He could throw the election for either one.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I'm shocked, too.

Just last night I was at a rally where he spoke, and there was NO clue he was considering dropping out. Just the opposite. He drew a huge crowd on a night where people had to go out in subzero cold, he talked about next Tuesday and how he wanted everybody to go to their caucus, all the stuff you'd expect from somebody who was committed to continue. Maybe the campaign was running really low on money, but I just can't figure this out.

[Divine Discontent]

10. OK, Your comment tells me this is bizarre....

usually if a candidate is going to drop out the next night, and there's no voting the next day, they wouldn't hold the rallies the previous night - meaning, I could see him dropping out during the day today, but canceling the rally because there's no voting today, so why bring people out. Somethings amiss.

[LiberalHeart]

24. Yes, and he did call off some appearances, but said they'd be rescheduled.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. That interesting...

I was at a rally where he spoke, and there was NO clue he was considering dropping out

because CNN reported that he called Hillary and Obama YESTERDAY to alert them that he was dropping out. They all knew last night.

[KoKo]

28. Could CNN be lying? Who would tell them that? Wouldn't be first time some op

dissed Edwards. :shrug:

[Divine Discontent]

32. sadly no

it's real. AP writer Nedra Pickler is the print report writer for it. Her writing has always been the most favorable about John, and this story was very well written announcing he was leaving.

[NightWatcher]

4. very weird, indeed. I saw emails about the donation drive today too

I wonder if this thing really is a fix from some dark, smoke filled room

[Divine Discontent]

11. it sure has the feeling of that

as I just said, something odd about the man going ahead with rallies last NIGHT despite dropping out in the morning. He would have known last night wouldn't he? hmmm... I sure want an answer. I pray for their safety, but this seems fishy.

[NightWatcher]

20. the only reason he would have done this is if there was a plan to throw support, but

it doesnt look like he is in talks with anyone to do that. (kinda like the rudy- mccain handoff set for California)

I hope all is well

[KoKo]

27. He insisted to Blitzer on CNN last Sunday that he was in it to stay...repeated it.

I had just donated to the last Friday Drive...and was ready to donate today. It seems very odd, if it isn't Elizabeth's health. And, some folks are suggesting he made some "deal" with one of the candidates but the timing doesn't add up for that. He could have stayed in through Super Tuesday..and announced afterwards. That would have made more sense. You don't just drop out the day you've asked for a big push from your supporters to donate. :shrug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. So close to Super Tuesday!! Why now?

Why at all?

[Missy M]

I agree with you....

I think he was strong armed by some high ups. I believed he would stay in it to the end, like he said many times. Strange he dropped out now.

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. I think he was too. Just like Gore was before '04. Remember?

[Missy M]

34. Yes, I do remember.

[ursi]

7. I donated in the last run and was ready for today ...but this timing is weird ...

[robbedvoter]

8. Not her health

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4286983

[Divine Discontent]

19. OK, good

it appears that he MIGHT have felt he would fall short of the delegates needed to make moves at the convention. Thanks for that info. Well, I'm not at all pleased with who's left - it feels like we're going to get a landslide crushing win by McCain over Clinton - I hope I'm wrong, but he will beat her.

And when he does - I'm leaving this country. I am not spending a large portion of my adult life under Republiscum rule - they are hateful, warmongering bastards. Unless something big happens in this country in the meantime, of course.

[GardeningGal]

9. I agree - something's fishy.

A week before super Tuesday? Doesn't make sense to me.

[cooolandrew]

14. Let's look at the track record who has manipulated the race so far...nt

[cooolandrew]

12. Just to note Hillarys healthplan is the same as Obama's but hers is forced (mandatory).

So yeah both really can do with improving their policy but mandatory seems a bit pushy to me.

[Yossariant]

21. Mr. Obama’s health plan is weaker than those of his Democratic rivals

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/opinion/07krugman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[redqueen]

15. "Who's afraid of John Edwards?" ... and the huge ad buy... did they already do it?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4285825

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4286520


Why drop now?

You're right... it just doesn't add up. Not at all.

[Zensea]

16. might have something to do with the Florida results

Other than that, I'm going to wait and see what Edwards says himself.

[Divine Discontent]

26. he got 1 of 6 voters in FL

with no mention of him on tv/radio here, all on word of mouth.

I hope his speech today in New Orleans hammers the HELL out of Bush for being the biggest screw up in American history and calling on the DEM candidates to promise the American people that the focus will be back on the people - this is my only wish. I really don't feel like voting unless they take up John's message of helping the broken, poor, the mistreated, the neglected, the struggling workers, and homeless in the manner that John has taken throughout his campaign...


:cry:

[iris5426]

17. Something is definitely strange if there were all out rallies last night....

It just doesn't make sense...

[LibraLiz1973]

18. I don't get it at all. I am completely stunned

Why is this happening?

[Divine Discontent]

22. I don't know

and I am saddened like you. It doesn't make sense with their being all-out rallies last night that a DUer attended. If you're going to drop out a few hours later, you're not going to hold a rally are you? Especially since there's no voting the next day, you would just cancel? So confused. So sad. So heartbroken.

I want my party back - it's like Republican-lite right now, and John was the heart and soul of the true Democratic party fighting for the poor, and actually TALKING about fixing it, and he stood up for unions, getting GLBT people civil unions, restoring our troops back into the US and ending that horrible 'war' quickly, and helping our injured veterans.

I don't see that same drive from the celeb candidates.

[dkf]

23. Maybe he realized that it wasn't fair to ask people in these hard times

for their hard earned money when he felt he couldn't get where he needed to be for it to work.

Must have been tough for him.

I'm for Obama, but I'm really feeling ill about this. I didn't realize I would feel this way.

[Divine Discontent]

25. it must have been very tough for him...

and I have been telling my friends, that John's dropping out is a very bad thing for the Obama campaign. Hillary will win all the midwest states with 20% or better wins, and I cannot see O getting more than 4 or 5 states on Super Tuesday.

Here's to Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton I guess...

[BenDavid]

29. The only thing I can offer is my respect for you in supporting

John Edwards. From your words you had as much zeal in supporting him as I supporting HRC. But now you and other supporters of John Edwards must decide whether to support anyone and I hope you do.

May I respond to your comment "the other two do not remotely come to meeting the needs of the poor and working class." I will just say if you decide to support one of the two, take a careful look at one's life work and see if one of the two half way meet the criteria you set by John Edwards example, and I would say remove all the negatives thrown out against HRC and see if her life's work is based upon what John Edwards cause is based upon and that is "words and deeds". Anyone can have words, but not only do you have to have words but to fullfil those words you have to have deeds....

I thank you

[Divine Discontent]

31. I have

HRC was my backup, begrudgingly, to John leaving. I don't like Barack's anti-gay sucking up, and his failure to speak without a script every time I see him. He may be ready for president in 4-8 years, but even if John backs him, I see it a rather tough road for Barack to walk to get to the White House... This is going to be interesting playing out. I respect whatever he will say, because I trust him, but I really am heartbroken, but if I have to vote for one of the two, it would be with less disgust, honestly, by voting for HRC. I appreciate your words. Take care.

[readmoreoften]

33. Thank you for your measured and supportive post.

I really appreciate your acknowledgment that it is a choice as to whether or not to support the Democratic nominee not some sort of social requirement. I wish you and your candidate luck in the general. I'm not sure if I'm going to stay with the party, but if I do I would vote for Clinton--if not simply to vote against Barack Obama because of his gay-baiting strategy in South Carolina.

I will vote for other local Democrats, however.

Thanks again.