After His Loss in Nevada, Edwards Keeps Marching

[ursi]

Source: New York Times

ATLANTA — It looked like sweet relief for John Edwards that more than 1,700 miles separated him from the Nevada caucuses on Saturday.

He had left Las Vegas the day before, bouncing from Oklahoma to Missouri to Georgia, when he was hit with the news of his dismal third-place showing, in which he captured only 4 percent of the vote.

A smile set grimly on his face, Mr. Edwards climbed back on his plane headed to South Carolina, walked to the back and whirled around.

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” he declared, then burst into laughter.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/us/politics/21edwards.html?hp

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I love this man!

[Sweet Pea]

1. That's the funniest.....

headline I've seen all day! Thanks!

[Inspired]

2. That was a great way to respond to his loss.

I love this man, too! He has a great sense of humor. He was stunned but he wasn't going to sit back and cry about it. There are worse things in life and he has already faced them. He is a fighter!

[blondie58]

3. I don't understand

why isn't Edwards receiving more votes? To me, when our caucus comes up on February 5, I am going to vote for him. I would really like Dennis, but I think that John has more of a chance.

[bdamomma]

4. that Caucas vote in Nevada was probably messed up

he should have got more than 4% the whole voting system is messed up. But I will still support John, he is the best choice.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. Edwards really needs to hang on

until February 5. The first few caucuses/primaries are unfortunate for Edwards in that they're all pretty much conservative states. I'm hoping he'll fare much better in the less conservative, larger states.

[cali]

6. NH is not a conservative state. They just elected two progressives

to represent them in the House in 2006. They have a dem governor. JK won NH. NH dems tend to be quite liberal. And JK put all his eggs in the Iowa basket. I certainly agree that the caucus system if fucked up and he likely had more support than was reflected there. It's not impossible that he'll break 15% in quite a few 2/5 states.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. But NH went for Clinton of all people!

That's pretty damned conservative. Having said that, I do understand that the State Party Machines are all backing her (including my great state of California -- thank you, Art Torres, you POS) so all of this was front loaded as early as 2004. But your other points are well taken. I stand corrected.

[Dogfur]

8. He took 18% of the votes at my NV caucus

with no TV ad support, which in the big picture is quite encouraging. Obama was 43%, Hillary was 36%. Obviously this was only for a single precinct, and in a traditional conservative place more than 2X the Dems showed up for caucus than Repubs. As I explained my Edwards support to Kucinich supporters in hopes of swaying them a pragmatic voice politely but firmly entered the conversation. He said "I've watched this game for 60 years now - this is fantasy land!" as he pointed to the the Clinton and Obama camps. "A great many of your neighbors and friends will not vote for a woman or a black man. It is worse in other more rural states, and that is why the Republicans need this." In my gut, I realized he was right.

I suspect a strong amount of rural bigotry as well as lack of shall we say 'sophistication' amongst Nevadans to know about candidates who aren't on their TV
screen brought Mrs. Clinton the majority of votes in this state (as well as a stronger Ron Paul performance). All personal local accounts in Reno were reflecting
strength for both Edwards and Obama that wasn't part of the final result. I am not optimistic that Nevada can shake it's Red status no matter who the nominee is,
there is a very entrenched party loyalty pattern that I have seen rear its' ugly head many times. The GOPers will come out in droves to stop a woman or black man, and that is matter-of-factly the strength of the Republican machine. Despite the record Dem turnout, the new registrations, the dissatisfaction with Bush they will show up - and vote - when it counts. That is why John Edwards was the best choice, and that is why he must not be heard.