Clinton supporters calling for Edwards to quit should

[PDittie]

be able to better demonstrate that Clintonian knack for triangulation.

If Edwards were to stand down -- be that immediately after February 5, or sooner, or later -- a vast majority of his support moves to Obama, not to Mrs. Clinton. It could be enough support for her opponent so as to deny her the nomination -- from any moment well before, to shortly after, the roll call of the first ballot in Denver this summer.

Edwards is staying in, hopefully exactly as he says: all the way to the convention. And everybody ought to be glad about that. Especially Hillary.

(Original thought credit goes to desmoinesdem.)

[Fresh_Start]

1. strangely enough I've seen more Obama supporters

say Edwards should quit

Edwards should stay in. He's the most different from Clinton/Obama.
He's the only real different choice

[PDittie]

4. Well, they obviously expect

to pick up that support. And they feel like they need it NOW. (I thought that was apparent, though.)

But Edwards can release his delegates as late as the convention in November after the first ballot (depending on their quantity, naturally).

[Fresh_Start]

9. I thought Edwards in the race was good for Obama

the polls say he pulls more support from Clinton.

[mrdemocrat78]

I only have one problem with Edwards

he voted for the war.

If obama had voted for the war too, i'd be for edwards.

[Fresh_Start]

19. and without a time machine, we don't know what obama would have done

he's funded the war
and he's not antiwar.

At least Edwards is fighting for the middle class.

[BigDDem]

2. Go John Go!

Stay in, we need you fighting corporate greed!

[Cameron27]

3. I don't know which Clinton supporters you're

referring to, but it benefits Clinton for John to stay in the primaries as long as possible. I think you're confusing supporters.

[PDittie]

6. Yep. That's my point.

There were plenty of them around yesterday wondering how long Edwards would remain. They do seem strangely quiet this morning, as a matter of fact.

[Cameron27]

7. You lost me.

Why would Clinton supporters want John to drop out, if it benefits her if he stays in?

[PDittie]

13. I'm sorry but I don't know the answer to that

I'm not a Clinton supporter (obviously).

I can only speculate as to their logic: that until the returns starting coming in last night, they were hoping that Edwards supporters would be an Obama block. I'm really sorry I didn't book mark any of the threads or comments now, since that strategy appears to have been re-thought.

[goldcanyonaz]

8. Most Obama supporters here assume that Edwards supporters would move towards him.

It might be the case on this forum, but it's not like that our in the "real" world.

[Cameron27]

12. That might be true,

but it's too hard to predict, I just don't see how it hurts Clinton for Edwards to stay viable. FWIW, I haven't seen any Clinton supporters suggesting John drop out, but there have been several Obama supporters who have, so I'm not sure why the OP stated it that way.

[goldcanyonaz]

15. I think everyone should stay in if they have the money to do so. It's a win, win, for all of us.

[MADem]

5. Who ARE these mysterious Clinton supporters?

Right now, she benefits from Edwards staying in. Obama is "perceived" as way more to the left than he actually is, and some of Edwards' progressive voters would gravitate to Obama believing that Obama was closer to Edwards' viewpoints.

I'm not hearing anyone who supports Clinton and knows what they're talking about seriously suggesting that.

Edwards IS on the ropes, though--he's gonna have to register a win pretty soon to stay viable.

[PDittie]

10. Uh, yes. We agree. All around.

Except for the Clinton folks you didn't take note of (who appeared in great number yesterday but seem to have hushed up today).

[MADem]

11. I wasn't here yesterday, which, I suppose, is just as well, eh? NT

[Cameron27]

14. Honestly PDittie,

I just saw Obama supporters running with that line, maybe I missed the Clinton supporter's who did, but it just doesn't make any sense.

[PDittie]

16. Of course you're correct

thus my OP.

But without the evidence to make my case, I guess it's all conjecture today. My bad there.

[Cameron27]

20. Thanks,

I guess I missed the posts you're talking about, but whoever said it, hasn't given it much thought. I agree with your OP then :-)

[thevoiceofreason]

17. I'm an Obama backer

But I am excited about the prospect of a viable 3 person race up to the convention for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it might slow down states from conducting their 2012 primaries on New Years Day. Imagine -- a March, April or May primary that meant something!

[PDittie]

18. I just like the idea of a

brokered convention, too.

[William769]

21. Please show a link where a Clinton supporter said Edwards should drop out.

Because if you do as a Hillary supporter I will go in their and make my own comets on why that is wrong. Deal?

[juajen]

22. I certainly do not want Edwards to step down.

He is a good candidate and should stay in until he surges or is ready to stop. He and Elizabeth have sacrificed a lot for this campaign and deserve all of our good thoughts and thanks for their love of this struggling country.