BREAKING NEWS EDWARDS DROPPING OUT

[adabfree]

ON MSNBC NOW

[Tellurian]

1. Just heard it.. John Edwards Drops Out of Race

DENVER — Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voter’s sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two of his advisers. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning — Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one adviser, who spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement.

Edwards waged a spirited top-tier campaign against the two better-funded rivals, even as he dealt with the stunning blow of his wife’s recurring cancer diagnosis. In a dramatic news conference last March, the couple announced that the breast cancer that she thought Their decision sparked a debate about family duty and public service. But Elizabeth Edwards remained a forceful advocate for her husband, and she was often surrounded at campaign events by well-wishers and emotional survivors cheering her on.

Edwards planned to announce his campaign was ending with his wife and three children at his side. Then he planned to work with Habitat for Humanity at the volunteer-fueled rebuilding project Musicians’ Village, the adviser said.

http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/30/edwards-to-drop-out-of-white-house-race/

[neutron]

109. There should be a place for him within the party

He was a great speaker.

[indie_voter]

2. OH NO!!! n/t

[xchrom]

3. shit.

[NightWatcher]

4. I am shocked that he is doing anything before Super Tuesday

the talking heads are saying that he'll throw support behind Obama

[Tom Joad]

60. I heard that many of his supporters will go to Hillary, but maybe if

Obama gets his endorsement many will go to Obama.

[Marrah_G]

80. I don't think he will endorse either.

[Tom Joad]

121. In that case, i think his supporters will go to both about equally. Maybe a little more to Hillary.

[ChiciB1]

132. Not THIS ONE... And None In MY Family... We Stick With Edwards!! nt

[Tom Joad]

133. Hell, I will stick with George McGovern then.

[ChiciB1]

135. That's Fine... He's For Clinton... Don't Stop.... GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! n/t

[Tom Joad]

136. Obviously, i was being tongue in cheek

responding to the person who said they will stick with someone who is not currently running.

I'm thinking of going with Fredrick Douglass, even if he is a republican.

[hogwyld]

5. R U serious? Well, I guess it's all over now

I'm sure Obama isn't far behind...

[Yossariant]

6. Surprised and sorry to hear it.

[Systematic Chaos]

7. OH FUCK ME

That does it... I don't fucking care about this shit any more.

May the best corporatist win.

I'm literally going to go throw up now.

[my3boyz]

20. I'm literally tearing up right now

This decision makes me incredibly sad. I have always loved John Edwards. He is a good man and would make a wonderful president. I don't understand why so many others could not see that. He was absolutely my second choice. I never wished for him to do bad or anything. He is such a wonderful man. His wife is such a wonderful and supportive woman. I just wanted to say how sad I feel about this. ((((HUGS)))) to the Edwards supporters.

[bdamomma]

47. welcome to DU my3boyz!

not good news at all. I am very upset and sad, why couldn't he just wait.:hi:

[Jeanette in FL]

36. Oh I hear you loud and clear

I am so over all of this crap. It is all just an illusion and every so often we get drawn in again and think that we can make a difference.

Republicans and Democrats are two sides of the same coin.

Cheers, may the best corporatist win. I agree.

[dchill]

111. "two sides of the same coin..."

I'd love to tell you how wrong you are, but I can't. As long as the DLC types are calling the shots, there's just not enough difference to get worked up about.

sigh.

[The Witch]

8. k & r, bravo edwards for running a hell of a campaign!

much love to him & his family.

[Deep13]

9. .

:(

[calmblueocean]

10. OMG, why now?

I'm not the biggest Edwards supporter, but he's come so far already, why now, before Super Tuesday?

[kedrys]

11. $&#*@^#*$!

That tears it, I'm leaving the country. :mad: :scared:

[adabfree]

15. Edwards doing it for Obama

that's what being said

[dmallind]

53. Dammit - but may backfire

I was sanguine about Edwards chances, but hopeful he'd soldier on. Now he's forcing me to choose between two candidates with differing but equal weight strengths and weaknesses to me, and I will find that very difficult (not that my vote itself means squat since I live in NY and Clinton will win easily).

However even if his intent really is to stop Clinton it may backfire. The conventional wisdom that Edwards' supporters will go to Obama has NOT been borne out by polls done. Polls of course are limited, but the inference available from the ones I've seen show a bit more help to HRC rather than hurt. Could that change if he makes an impassioned plea for Obama? Dunno. I don;t know how much people will follow the opinion even of their preferred candidate. I know I will make my own mind up, but it's possible some number will go the way he suggests automatically.

We'll have to wait and see. But damn. I'm two for two on drop outs now. Maybe HRC and BO fans could bid for me to support the other one so they drop out next ;)

[Adelante]

104. I agree with you, but would add

Should Edwards endorse Obama rather than Clinton, his faithful supporters will give the matter of where their votes will go, with him or not with him, some serious thought. But average voters will simply vote for who they want to vote for, which could easily be Clinton. Edwards and Clinton have been bucking each other for the working class vote. Since she's the one who takes it, even with Edwards in the race, chances are better those voters move to Clinton the way things stand. There is an anti-Clinton element, it's also true, but I've always thought of that scheme as a netroots creation, not real life.

Condolences to all Edwards supporters on DU - I know how it hurts.

[Adelante]

75. Being said where?

[bigtree]

12. crap

[nutsnberries]

13. crap.

x(

[Alter Ego]

14. Shit, shit shit...

Why didn't you wait, John?

[Roxy66]

16. He will be back in Jan 09'...if not sooner

Attorney General; Secretary of Labor...you name it

[Roxy66]

21. We love you John Edwards...your a Great Man

[rox63]

28. He's also be great as Secretary of HHS

That angency controls many of the services for the poor, and we know that's a cause near and dear to his heart. To all the Edwards supporters here on DU: Please accept my sincere condolences. :grouphug:

[sunonmars]

17. Christ the debate tomorrow will be Clinton and Obama

Good god, that'll be fun

[Roxy66]

24. It should be good....

[Marie26]

27. Sounds like a deal was made,

doesn't it?

[Tellurian]

59. It sure does..

In an interview yesterday, when Obama was speaking about Edwards delegates. He mentioned they've approached Edwards for his electoral votes..and nothing more.

[bullwinkle428]

18. SONOFABITCH!!!!!! I WAS having a good morning....

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[bdamomma]

54. me too, I was happy about Rudy dropping out, but John why now?

he could have built up more momentum.

[Marie26]

19. Oh no.

:( I was hoping he'd hang in there at least until Super Tuesday.

[goodhue]

22. I predict he will be endorsing Obama by the weekend

I have huge respect for John Edwards and am glad he is going to do the classy thing and support change

[adabfree]

29. Im a Obama supporter...

but I like Edwards too...always have...he was my second choice

[indie_voter]

35. I already voted for Obama, but Edwards was my second choice. I really like him. n/t

[bdamomma]

74. maybe he won't endorse anyone, Richardson didn't endorse anyone

when he dropped out.

[sunonmars]

82. thats my opinion, he'll wait until Super Tuesday i think if he's fair

[Atman]

23. I dropped off my absentee ballot for Edwards just yesterday.

At least I got to vote for who I really wanted to win.

That said, I won't have a problem switching my support to the Obama camp.

Good going, John. You didn't wallow in the mud. The media was never going to let you in, anyway.

Now we can really focus the fight on stopping the Clinton machine.

.

[sunonmars]

25. makes no sense, why now, well its a full on fight for Tuesday

[goodhue]

31. In order to stop Hillary

eom

[sunonmars]

38. maybe not, i dont think he has love for Obama either

[Tellurian]

69. How could he, Obama and Kerry threw him under the bus..

with friends like that, who needs...

[kennetha]

26. Refutes the Media Spin on Insignificance of Florida

So what changed between South Carolina and now? Oh, I got it a million and a half democrats voted in a "meaningless" beauty contest and Edwards came in a distant third in a state that's extremely representative of the democratic electorate. That helped Edwards see the writing on the wall.

Oh, but I forgot, those 1.5 million voting democrats don't really count for anything whatsoever.

[rox63]

32. Perhaps his campaign is low on $$?

:shrug:

[muriel_volestrangler]

97. Most meedia stories seem to say Edwards was doing well in recent contributions

but there was this story that someone found about the Federal matching funds being delayed, affecting Edwards and McCain:

And though each requested additional payments this month, they have yet to receive any money — even from the first authorizations — because of a shortfall in the program.
...
But the Federal Election Commission, which runs the program, predicts payments won’t start flowing until sometime next month.

The delay could hurt Edwards.

His campaign didn’t respond to requests for comment, but it is struggling to keep pace with the fundraising clip set by his party’s field leaders and has used the promise of the $8.8 million to secure a loan.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=C27F8F03-3048-5C12-000FD0AABB709CB4

[sunonmars]

34. Maybe the deal is with Clinton

[MH1]

30. My condolences to Edwards supporters

You all know I support another candidate but I have been impressed how most of you have coherently, reasonably, and yet passionately supported your candidate. I have a massive ignore list - with very few Edwards supporters on it. That says something.

I know it will be hard for many of you to get behind another candidate. That's okay, as long as you continue to fight for progress on the issues you care about - as I am sure your standard bearer would want you to.

:hug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

33. ok then. Fine. I'm done.

the candidates get whittled down to the two worst, while the media and DU go nuts over squabbling and imagined stories, while ignoring all the issues.
Now Edwards drops out after promising not to.

What's the fucking point anymore?

[SammyWinstonJack]

48. Done too.

[bdamomma]

64. I will be saying "Shit" all day, and I feel like I have been kicked

in the gut. Geez, why now?

[SammyWinstonJack]

I don't know, I guess he will tell us.

:shrug: Anyway, it doesn't matter too me. I'm done now. No way I am supporting the status quo or the media creation. I'm not falling for that.

[bdamomma]

108. I feel as though all those neo cons are just rubbing their hands together

saying, we got them again.

oh terrible news.

[LynzM]

73. Same feeling here. What the fuck.

So much for promises to go all the way to the convention, eh? I'm pissed, is what I am.

[Justice Is Comin]

129. That's our best two

Al and now John.

We have a way of constantly driving into the ditch.

[newportdadde]

37. Fantastic we are now left with two 'change' candidates who will change nothing.

You can wrap the DLC status quo in a new shiny wrapper of race or gender but at the end of they day both are still pro-corporate and there will be no real change.

+1 status quo.

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. Yep!

x(

[bdamomma]

85. so unfortunate, I was for Biden then Edwards now who?

seems like a set up to me by the neo cons. or do I have this on :tinfoilhat:

[angie_love]

39. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OMG That is really sad. I really like John. I'm actually alittle upset over this.

[bdamomma]

40. this is true??? why is he dropping out?

can't he wait until Tuesday to see what the results are. Oh my why????? He was the best choice, from Biden to Edwards now to who???? oh, this just rots.:cry:

[angie_love]

46. ...

It was being reported that hes dropping out b/c he doesn't want to be a spoiler for Obama. Something to that effect. Even so, I really wanted him to stay in it. He was a good person, stand up guy. I'm saddened by this.

[Tellurian]

81. see post #1..

as a matter of fact.. It was Hillary that stood to lose if Edwards stayed in..

Obama is all on his own now.

Now Hillary and Obama go head to head..!

[angie_love]

105. We'll see what happens

We'll see what happens, but right now its a time to mourn Edwards. I'm not talking of Obama or Hillary in this thread anymore.

[Lebam in LA]

41. Why Now??

He should at least stay until Super Tuesday. He is a great candidate and I am very sorry to see him leave.

[denem]

42. His passionate promise to stay in all the way to the convention.

He is not out of money. I guess it's like all his other passions and promises. Not impressed at all.! But you keep telling me the man is not a phony. He's a straight dealer. Yeah. :sarcasm:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

66. hey, thanks for rubbing salt in our wounds!

so kind of you.

[denem]

126. Sorry - I just feel pessimistic, not about John

but it's a dark day today. I don't understand the timing. I feel like someone's been shot. My head is full of conspiracy theories. Very sorry. Didn't mean by be snarky.

[Heidi]

79. Are you planning to take a squat in EVERY thread on this topic?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3161808&mesg_id=3161853

[SammyWinstonJack]

92. I'm not impressed either...with you or your post.

[mac56]

43. The depths of my sadness aren't known yet.

Damn.

[GalleryGod]

44. Saddle-Up, John !

NOW..the GAME is ON !

[HughMoran]

45. Holy shit!

Thanks, watching it now...

[kennetha]

49. Refutes the Media Spin on Insignificance of Florida

So what changed between South Carolina and now? Oh, I got it a million and a half democrats voted in a "meaningless" beauty contest and Edwards came in a distant third in a state that's extremely representative of the democratic electorate. That helped Edwards see the writing on the wall.

Oh, but I forgot, those 1.5 million voting democrats don't really count for anything whatsoever.

Except now we'll hear from the media how good Florida turned out to be for Obama, since they will spin that the Edwards vote will all go to Obama -- although I think there's no evidence for that, especially since Edwards voters are more downscale than Obama's core voters and Clinton has been doing better with more downscale voters.

[sunonmars]

If anything, it may just throw Clinton over the top

If she takes a healthy chunk of edwards supporters, Obama's done for.

[angie_love]

55. Sunonmars shuTUP

Can you please keep the nastiness out of this thread sunonmars? Geez, its sad day for edwards supporters and you have to shit all over it.

[sunonmars]

65. oh grow up, they are saying he or may not, so shut it yourself.

[SammyWinstonJack]

96. She won't getting my support nor will Obama.

[557188]

50. Ugh

Ohio votes so late that I won't get a chance to vote for him.

Guess I'm a Hillary supporter now.

[Reader Rabbit]

51. So much for "your voice will be heard" and

"I'm not going anywhere."

This is why most Americans don't bother with politics. The little guy always ends up getting screwed.

Fuck this shit. Right now, I don't feel like ever voting again.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

58. sister, we should skip work and go get drunk...

:hug: :cry:

[Reader Rabbit]

63. I can't skip work, but I'm totally willing to drink with ya afterwards!

Just tell me where, and I'm there.

Seriously, I'm trying to hard not to cry right now it's not even funny!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

78. me too

and unfortunately I have to go to work too. :(

Probably safer not to drink in our state of mind anyway... we'd only bust the place up and get arrested.

[Reader Rabbit]

84. Saturday, then?

Maybe we'll have reached the next step on the stages of grief by then. Right now, I don't think I'm getting past ANGER any time soon.

[SammyWinstonJack]

62. I hear ya! Think I'll just throw my voter registration form in the trash.

I won't be needing it, now.

[Triana]

56. Just heard on NPR

Shit.

Oh well.

We're stuck with a Republican and/or corporate-controlled government for ANOTHER 8 fucking years.

To make things WORSE - McCain looks to be the frontrunner on the R side and EDWARDS was, according to polls, the ONLY Dem who could beat him

WE'RE SCREWED either way, folks.

[SammyWinstonJack]

106. President McCain. Just shoot me now!

[Alizaryn]

57. Why now?

The day after Florida?

[Tom Joad]

70. because he came in distant third? Again. and he takes a lot of money to run

a campaign. It often doesn't go to the people who place third consistently.

[Pacifist Patriot]

61. I really hoped he would see it through Super Tuesday. There is absolutely...

no reason for me to follow any more presidential campaigning. I ranked all of the democratic candidates in late December and the two who fell at the bottom of my list have come out on top. I will not be reading articles, watching debates or working for any campaigns. I'll vote for the Democrat in November because the alternative is worse, but I will do so with no enthusiasm.

I will focus my attention on the House race. The one bright spot in all of this is that my Hon. Rep. Pinhead is retiring and the Democrats have a real shot at recapturing the FL-15.

I cannot recall ever feeling this deflated about a Democratic candidate in my life. Kerry I could muster some feeling for. This time? Nada. And I tried. I really tried.

[tedoll78]

67. Thank you, Senator.

Thank you for speaking for us in New Orleans, for showing that we haven't been forgotten. :cry:

Keep fighting - and best wishes to you and Elizabeth. :loveya:

[underpants]

68. Who's afraid of John Edwards?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4285825&mesg_id=4285825

[workinclasszero]

71. Good luck To John and family

He ran an honorable race.:applause:

:cough:More than some others:cough:

[Guava Jelly]

72. fuck..

He would have been a great President.
Thank you for trying John.

[Marrah_G]

76. Dammit- I really wish he had stayed in.

:cry:

Well I guess I will be casting my vote for Hillary now. My daughter will be very happy.

[Hepburn]

77. Fuck this shit....now corporate America wins.......

......:cry:

[SammyWinstonJack]

86. Yes and everything is going according to plan.

x(

[greguganus]

83. Oh No!! That means he will come back to North Carolina! n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

88. What the hell does that mean?

:wtf:

[bdamomma]

113. I know some people can so rude with their comments.

terrible timing for jokes. Thanks Blue State Native

[SammyWinstonJack]

116. ...

:grouphug:

[protect our future]

87. I'm an Obama supporter, and I am SO, SO SORRY about the heartache Edwards supporters

must be feeling. I know the feeling, it is awful. I know he dropped out because he felt it was for the good of the country.

I was a devoted Kerry supporter and activist last time, and many of us activists suffered from practically suicidal depression when JK lost. So yes, I do know what Edwards supporters are experiencing now.

But what about Edwards as AG in an Obama administration? Would that be so horrible? I think it would be the WORST thing that could happen to the Republican party and that makes my heart sing! Besides that, I think Edwards is a great man and he deserves only the best.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

89. hopefully there will be VP?

[bdamomma]

90. I will really miss him.

another good choice biting the dust. Thank you John for caring so much for the American people. I will miss you.:cry:

[mrgorth]

91. Thanks John and supporters

His message was needed.

[Froward69]

93. So much for going till the end eh???

[mistertrickster]

94. At least ONE Edwards supporter is realistic about his chances: Edwards himself. nt.

[SammyWinstonJack]

118. Feel better now?

:eyes:

[mistertrickster]

127. Yes. Maybe now we can concentrate on winning in November instead of

wishing for a miracle.

[caseycoon]

95. Nothng left to hope for now

I'll go back to occasional lurker status.
THIS SUCKS BIGTIME!

[SammyWinstonJack]

100. It does suck and you're right, nothing left to hope for now.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

98. Well, that sucks!

I was just at a rally for him in St. Pal last night, was gonna put on my bumper sticker today. He sure talked like he was staying in, and he would have done well here. Shit. I was all fired up last night, and now I'm... not so much. I guess it's Obama for me, it sure ain't Hillary.

[bigwillq]

99. Oh shit

That stinks. :mad: I thought he would stay in longer. To bad.

[LWolf]

101. Talk about disenfranchised.

How many states out of 50 have had a chance to weigh in before the field was narrowed to the two most unacceptable candidates? The rest didn't even make it until "Super Tuesday."

I no longer have a voice in the selection of my own party's candidate.

There's no body left I can even hold my nose for and consider "the lesser of two evils."

While I will still vote for progressive candidates, and support progressive causes and issues, I think the Democratic Party and I have just declared "irreconcilable differences."

[kentuck]

102. I think he is choosing his family over politics..

I think Elizabeth's health may have taken a turn for the worse? I hope not.

[Fabio]

103. He's not fighting for us through the convention?

He's no better than Kerry!!!!

[Libby2]

107. Damnit! That breaks my heart.

[Stop Cornyn]

110. Am I the only one preparing for a McCain-Huckabee administration this morning?

[Hepburn]

119. Nope.......

....I am having the same frightening thoughts!

:scared:

[1776Forever]

112. Edwards going to be on TV at 1:00 pm est from New Orleans

Here's to a great man and his wife!!!!!!!!:yourock:

Hope he goes for Obama!!

[truebrit71]

115. Me too...

..

[bdamomma]

117. I am so curious to what he is going to say.

and maybe he will not endorse anyone yet.

[cboy4]

114. I'm shocked

:(

[RL3AO]

120. I'm shocked.

Even as an Obama supporter I am totally shocked.

[cgrindley]

122. Told you so (nt)

[progressoid]

123. Is it too early to start drinking?

[LynzM]

124. If I were not at work, I'd join you.

/sigh

[MelissaB]

125. Awww shit!

:cry:

[redqueen]

128. "Who's afraid of John Edwards?"

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

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

[writes3000]

130. Geuninely sorry, Edwards' supporters. Please read...

Just wanted the Edwards' supporters to know how impressed I have been with THEM. Your passion, your belief-system, your dedication - all exceptional.

Your guy is great but you have stood out even more to me. I'm sure today is incredibly disappointing. For what it's worth, your support and posts here on DU continue to impress me and make me think. Thanks and take care.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

134. Thank you...

That was a very kind post, especially needed by this Edwards supporter. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

131. Well, then I'm not voting February 5th.

Fuck me. Hillary and Obama have done nothing to court my vote, and I'm done. That's it.

[OneBlueSky]

137. and I now no longer give a flying fuck about this election . . . fuck 'em all . . . n/t

.