why Edwards dropped out of the race

[robinlynne]

A friend of mine, from the Edwards campaign said the following:
(in my words)
According to an Edwards inside campaign person, Edwards explained his leaving the race to his people thus:

There was no money problem at all, quite the opposite he had saved his. Nor does it have anything to do with Elizbeth.

It is supposedly because after the Florida primary it became clear to Edwards that the Republicans will define their nominee (McCain) by Super Tuesday, and begin fundrasing and advertising for the general election. If Edwards stayed in the race, we democrats would not have defined our candidate this week. And the fight between our democrats would be used by the Republicans. by leaving the race, his hope is that one of the two candidates wins clearly on super tuesday, so that we the Dems, have the time and money left over to put a Dem in the whitehouse.

He also said that Edwards does NOT want us voting for him, in order to get more delegates for him. That he has LEFT the race, in order for the Democrats to take the whitehouse. period.

the conversation was much longer than that, but I have been looking for clarity and reading different ways of thinking since Edwards dropped out, and I believe this source, and it makes sense.

So, because of this information, I am going to vote Obama.

I hope that Edwards' top people will blog about this and clarify for the rest of us. I don't think Edwards wants us to vote for him on Tuesday, as much as, of course he deserves it.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

1. Thank you

for sharing this information. that's a very wise and unselfish move on Edwards' part.

[kelligesq]

64. The OP is posting absolute BS-Edwards wants every vote & delegate he can get

and wants us to stand firm

Operators are being offered money if they can get Edwards supporters to come to their campaign.

Dont fall for this bullshit. This girl, if it is a girl, should be ashamed of
herself.

Shaded of Lee Atwater. and dirty tricks

[kelligesq]

68. AP- Feb 2 -Edwards asks North Dakota to keep his name on ballot, Feb 1 asks Rhode Island, Sure

sounds like his campaign is ended. :sarcasm:

http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D8UICIB80

[kelligesq]

71. U get paid by the person or the group you get to vote your guy? & how much?Edwards conferenc said

phone conference of Jan 30 said the exact opposite of what you are saying.


"Take a breather and don't make any support decision yet. "I'm counseling you all to keep your powder dry... to take time, take a deep breath, don't be in a hurry (in choosing who to support)..."

"It's impossible to know what tomorrow holds..."


and then on Feb 1 he asks Rhode Island to keep his name on the ballott

on Feb 2 according to AP - he asks North Dakota to keep his name on the ballot.

does that sound like someone who doesnt want anymore votes or delegates?

does it sound like somebody who's telling his supporters to vote for Obama, as
you so sweetly suggest "well I'm going to vote for Obama then"

So tell me, really.

Do you get paid by the individual Edwards supporter you turn onto voting for Obama or does it have to be a group ?

And how much do they pay you?

Inquiring people want to know. :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. Fine. I'll be voting for Hillary. Not because I want to, I don't.

It will be a vote against Obama, not a vote for Hillary.

[Eric J in MN]

5. Why are you voting against Obama? NT

NT

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. Well it isn't because he's black. So don't go there.

I don't like the he lied about not running in '08. He said he wouldn't. He couldn't keep that promise, so why should I believe he will keep any future promises he makes. I also think that if he hadn't jumped in the race, Edwards would have had more of a chance. Obama is in this for himself, imo. He just wants to "make history". So I will vote for Hillary against him. But only if Edwards is not on my state's primary ballot. If he is I will vote for him.

[Eric J in MN]

14. Isn't it possible that Obama wasn't planning to run for president...

...so soon after getting to Washington, but changed his mind?

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. I don't believe that, not for one minute. But you can if you wish.

[catnhatnh]

25. Sorry for jumping in....

But if your promise expires before your first term you have ethical problems...

[SammyWinstonJack]

26. ...

:thumbsup:

[gulliver]

63. He said "I will not". You can't "change your mind" and free yourself...

...from you word.

Suppose someone asked Obama, "Will you increase troop levels?" If he said, "I will not," then that means he won't. That also means he can't without breaking his word. "I will not" is the exact phrase Obama used when he said to Russert that he would not run.

"I will not."

And those words were probably acted upon by people giving money, setting strategies, etc. So the cost was not nothing to others.

[foxer]

75. Amazing how he was so well organized, takes planning

[Pale Blue Dot]

67. I'm sorry, but I'm alarmed that the FIRST thing out of your mouth was

"Well it isn't because he's black. So don't go there."

You'd have a hard time convincing me that race ISN'T the first thing on your mind.

And please note: I am NOT an Obama supporter.

[Pacifist Patriot]

81. I'm going to guess conditioning because of demonstrated behavior...

here at DU. I can totally understand why someone would start with that comment since it seems to inevitably come up whenever anyone criticizes Obama. I'm not inclined to read into it any more than that.

[surfermaw]

28. I would rather vote John R.Edwards but Hillary is the girl with the most exp. she gets my vote

[kelligesq]

66. THE OP IS A LIAR - EDWARDS IS SUSPENDED NOT ENDED

[ChiciB1]

79. It's The Primary... If John Wanted To Endorse He Would Have... His

name is still on ballots and not pulled. His website is STILL UP and nothing has been taken down! Let his voice be heard at the Convention, otherwise all that he worked so hard for will be lost and thrown away like yesterday's garbage. Please think about it!

[polichick]

3. Thanks - very interesting...

He shouldn't keep his supporters hanging ~ easy enough to send out a statement.

[foxer]

20. We're a patient bunch, with nowhere else to go........

[polichick]

29. Well, I'm an Edwards supporter who can think for myself...

I can't imagine waiting for an ex-candidate to tell me what to do ~ but, since some are waiting, it seems he could get a statement out. imo he's thinking more about his own political future than his supporters.

[foxer]

43. Not waiting for him,waiting for them

[Yael]

45. I'm not waiting on anything. I don't care if/when/who he endorses

because I can think for myself.

I am voting for Edwards in my Primary. Not for John himself, but my voice will be heard in the statistics to my party.

You do whatever you want.

[polichick]

49. I've already done what I want...

Can't imagine all these folks waiting for John to cue them.

[Yael]

54. I don't see Edwards supporters as being that swayed by endorsements

The unions and all were nice, but once you land in the underdog seat, it changes your outlook.

It seems to me a lot of 'fanboys' of C/O are viewing this as a "win/lose" thing -- like a football game on a college campus somewhere as opposed to an election.

Just my impression though!

Only ONE of them will come out on top, and the hatred they are projecting toward each other is getting deep. I can't wait to see how many of them will support the nominee if it isn't their choice.

You aren't seeing that from the Edwards people as I think we are more pragmatic than to be swept up in the emotions of the game.

Make sense?

[LoveForPeace]

4. I'll be voting Edwards

I'm gonna believe some DUer....RIGHT...lol

[Cleita]

6. Well, I'm sorry but a second hand report from a friend of

yours who might be talking to Edwards isn't good enough for me. If he wants us to vote for someone else then he should state it publicly and even make an endorsement. Too late anyway, I already voted for him before he dropped out and a lot of us have.

[robinlynne]

9. sorry. if I had more infrmation than that, I'd give it up.

I do think John or one of his top guys should say something to us, because it is confusing. I'm guessing they will before Tuesday.

[gateley]

16. Biden asked his supporters NOT to vote for him, but to vote

for the remaining candidate of their choice. I think most candidates who leave the race would prefer that's what their supporters do. THEY want a Dem as Prez just like we do...

[Yael]

46. Edwards didn't. What he said was:

Take a breather and don't make any support decision yet. "I'm counseling you all to keep your powder dry... to take time, take a deep breath, don't be in a hurry (in choosing who to support)..."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4296341&mesg_id=4296341

[gateley]

50. Wow - Now I'm thinking along with those people thinking he might

give an indication of support. What do you think?

[Yael]

51. I am not following the question

BTW :hi: gateley!!

[gateley]

59. In recommending that his supporters take a moment to breathe,

I was thinking he MIGHT be saying -- don't do anything rash. That he may be coming out with an endorsement or a statement as to his wishes so just hang tight for a few days... :shrug:

Man, I just can't take any statement at face value anymore. I've gone off the deep end.

How ya doin', Yael? :hi:

[Yael]

60. Oh gotcha!

Yes, that is how I read it. To not jump because of whatever the M$M says.

Did you know that I am an uneducated and therefore now bound to Hillary?

:rofl:

On the other note -- doing great. This week was a bit of a rollercoaster, but doing better now.

:hi:

[ClericJohnPreston]

7. I'm still voting for Edwards

Also, the explanation you provided does not explain Edwards demeanor giving his speech. It was distant, slightly angry.

Also, I see no reason for not just stating those reasons, IF they WERE the reasons. No need for secrecy there.

Finally, his top strategists seem to be the last to know.

Still not buying....

[Prefer]

8. WOW - I guess Lawrence O'Donnell was right!

That article must have hit home with John. Lawrence shamed him into dropping out.

[robinlynne]

10. shamed him? Don't be ridiculous.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[robinlynne]

82. You again? if you only knew how backwards you have it.

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. LOL! What horseshit!

[golddigger]

15. But, but,but...

A freind of a friend of the uncle of the sister confirmed this.:evilgrin:

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. LOL!

:evilgrin:

[foxer]

24. Lawrence O'Donnell, there's a joke that isn't funny

That you Dennis Miller?

[golddigger]

13. Sorry, doesn't work for me. Nice try though.

I will still cast my vote for John Edwards.

[flyarm]

18. well i spoke directly to one of his top Attorney's today and i didn't hear any of this crap..in fact

she was sending emails out the Attorney groups telling them to vote for Edwards Tuesday to gain more delegates..sorry but i heard nothing of what you stated here.

Fly

edit to add..i am now sitting here laughing..i don't want to say someone lied to you..buttttttttttt....that is not at all what i am hearing from someone who was high up working with his campaign.

In fact not much is coming from John period..but the lawyers in the super Tues states are going to organize to vote for him!

[robinlynne]

34. not in california. nothing of the sort has been said to the people here.

That doesn't make sense. If that is the plan, why NO notice to Edwards' LA group?

[flyarm]

39. i was saying if top people don't know a thing..how would the lower rung of people know anything?

they don't!

fly

[Aptastik]

19. I was going to vote for Edwards but

At this point, I'd just rather see Hillary not win, so I'll hold my nose and vote for Obama hoping he can close within 20 points here in NY

[ChiciB1]

78. See My Post #77! Please! n/t

[Sarah Ibarruri]

21. It's clear that Edwards wants a DEM in the White House, regardless of which DEM it is.....

I agree with him. I wish he'd make a public statement to this effect tho.

[troubleinwinter]

22. I don't know you, and don't care about third, fourth-hand information from an annonymous " friend".

My vote is for Edwards.

[Little Star]

27. kick

[Window]

30. Thank you for sharing this.

Peace:thumbsup:

[More Than A Feeling]

31. K+R

Thanks for an inside scoop.

[CorpGovActivist]

32. This was reported in this thread on the day of the announcement.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4296341&mesg_id=4296341">In this thread.

Best,

- Dave

[robinlynne]

37. Yes, thanks Dave. that is the exact same conference call that was described to me today.

Edwards made two calls that day, this one to his main political staff, and one to his financial staff.

confirms what I just heard this afternoon.
I think his people are going to get it out on the blogs.
Don't believe I was naive enough to share the information here myself...
But I find the conversation important. I have never before been undecided about how to cast my vote.

[Yael]

47. You are saying that he said two opposite things in two back to back calls?

That makes no sense to me.

[robinlynne]

52. nope. same thing. same call. nothing different.

[Yael]

55. I say "keep your powder dry" and you say "he doesn't want your vote any more"

and you are telling me that is the same thing?

One is reactive and the other proactive.

Edwards knows that this is more about who ends up with the crown. He knows that party positions are formed when the people are heard.

Here is another take on it that I would like to share -- AnneD posted yesterday that she was at a Dem fundraiser where Dean was speaking. They had disected and trisected statistics out of the last election in ways no one even knew were being tracked.

While the M$M has their election night parties, we check off who won/lost and go to bed.

Not the DNC. They work FULL TIME dissecting this information and deciding where they, as party leaders, need to influence and shape policy.

It is to these full time, year in and out, true politicos that I am raising my voice to in voting for Edwards in my primary. Not the M$M and not John himself.

He has said nothing to dissuade this because he KNOWS this.

[robinlynne]

56. a valid point. That would be my reason for voting edwards.

I was looking for the "why he dropped out". It just didn't make sense to me. Everyone said "he was pushed out", and he is more of a fighter than that. This was the first answer that made any sense at all.

[Yael]

58. I am not following the pushed. I believe what he is saying about McCain

Someone from his campaign pulled his name off of the Rhode Island ballot, and he asked them to put it back. If he was sending out a message that said 'don't vote for me' (or my message as in my case), he would have left it off and not proactively readded it. They don't vote until March 4th.

This isn't about collecting delegates to me -- I believe it is about holding C & O's collective feet to the fire on their promise to not just pay lip service to poverty and to send a message to the party not to sweep it under the collective rug.

We gave Pelosi and Reid mandates in 2006 and you see where that got us. Other than the fact that we are out of Iraq now.

Oh wait....

It is our voice that will give the attention to this, as well as our activism.

I am putting out feelers to Habitat for Humanity for upcoming projects and will be using my pledged volunteer time to the campaign on that.

On my primary day, I will have my voice recorded into the books so that Dean and company have that notation to consider when they are driving policy and more important -- priority.

Thats MY hope anyway!!

:hug:

[izzie]

33. Sounds like Edwards is looking to wards the best for the Party.

Pretty good guy.

[NastyRiffraff]

35. It's not that I don't believe you, but I don't KNOW you.

If this is true, John ought to make a public statement, or at the very least, email his supporters.

In any case, I'll make my own decision.

[redbaum21]

36. OBAMA

All the way! 2008!

[madokie]

38. yes a true patriot all the way to the end

I just hope who ever our candidate is will find a place for Sen Edwards.

[Jane Austin]

40. Thank you John Edwards!

That's great to hear.

[2rth2pwr]

41. What about all the promises and commitments to stay in it through

the convention? Breaking promises before your even nominated is quite a feat.

[AP]

42. I got an email (along with thousands of other supporters) that said exactly that.

This isn't a secret (regardless of the fact that NPR won't report it).

[FlyingSquirrel]

44. There will not be a clear winner on Super Tuesday.

So apparently if that was the intention then it will be a failed attempt. Furthermore, the longer it takes to get a clear winner, the longer the RW slime machine has to hold off. Also, there is such a thing as "peaking too soon."

[robinlynne]

53. I'm not so sure there will be a clear winner on tuesday either. It looks very close to

me.

[smalll]

48. puh-LEEZE -

because after the Florida primary it became clear to Edwards that the Republicans will define their nominee (McCain) by Super Tuesday ... by leaving the race, his hope is that one of the two candidates wins clearly on super tuesday, so that we the Dems, have the time and money left over to put a Dem in the whitehouse.

:eyes:

One last serving of dubiously self-serving clap-trap from the Phony.

[SammyWinstonJack]

57. Obama? I agree he is a phony.

[saracat]

61. Right , In that same conference call Edwards asked we "keep our powder dry and endorse NO one"

he told us to take our time, take it slow..in other words,"wait". Make of it what you will.

[kelligesq]

62. THIS IS AN OUTRIGHT LIE - THE OP HAS BEEN ON OUR SITE

pumping for info

EDWARDS IS SUSPENDED NOT ENDED


FURTHERMORE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY PEOPLE IN THE KNOW THAT CERTAIN CAMPAIGNS

HAVE OFFERED MONEY TO THEIR SUPPORTERS WHO CAN GET EDWARDS PEOPLE TO CHANGE

TO THEIR CANDIDATE....

WHICH LEADS ME TO WONDER IF THE OP IS ONE OF THOSE WHO HAS BEEN OFFERED MONEY

TO GET YOU TO SWITCH

[kelligesq]

65. SHAME ON OP - SHADES OF LEE ATWATER & DIRTY TRICKS

:MAD:

[cascadiance]

70. You know if this is true, I think he would want to make VERY clear to Obama...

... what you just said here by talking to him personally and THEN say the following to Obama (or Hillary, but I think Obama he might find more receptive):

"Now you know why I'm motivated to leave the race, and it is in the true interest of the party. However, my followers aren't going to believe that is the reason. They see too much out there of what is corrupting our country with corporate influences to totally dismiss any of that influence affecting my leaving. Therefore it is up to YOU to help with this! My supporters WILL believe that this is a genuine pullout with my interest in the party at stake if you would also come out and say something to the effect:

"John talked to me, and indicated that he was pulling out to ensure we have unity which has been breaking down of late, to prevent the Republicans from having the unity that we're lacking at this point. He shared with me a lot of his concerns that he's been campaigning on, and his frustration to be heard by our media, etc. on these issues.

I told him that if he's pulling out, that I would try and help getting the gist of what we can both agree on is a problem in these areas out and put them at a high priority, as I do believe also that things like corporate lobbyist influence over our government and even in this election itself is a very big problem and needs us to be more united on fighting it. He's also going to talk to Hillary on this, and it is something that I think we as a party want to have unity on."

Something like that would I think do a LOT to assuage us from thinking that the system is corrupted to the point of working against us and conspiring to have John leave the race.

I still see too many signs that the system is doing this, but if a gesture like this could happen, I think it would get a lot of us to vote for himself or Hillary, if we can be made to believe that there are genuine words of support from Obama or Hillary on this, and that the dynamic is such that these two potential new leader are ready to lead and damn the corporations, and not the perception that our government's figures are all corporate stooges like I and many here feel right now.

He doesn't have much time to do this (a day or two), but I think that would really help things far more than what Edwards himself could do now.

[golddigger]

72. A friend of mine, from the...

Edwards campaign said the following:

(IN MY WORDS)? as compared to (IN MY DREAMS)? Sorry, nice try though. I will still cast my vote for Edwards in the primary, and I hope my fellow Edwards supporters will still do the same.

[liberalla]

73. I'm not swayed by your OP re: Edwards, but I have a

different observation. I'd heard the deal about McCain wrapping up the nomination, but I don't think there'll be a lot of unity in their party. McCain is so hated by a loud, vocal portion of conservatives, that I question the quality of their unity.

Hmmm... I'm just not convinced...

[RestoreGore]

74. Sorry, he is still on all the ballots and therefore I will vote my conscience

Especially since those words did not come from him publicly. If he had stood up in NO and stated to his supporters that they are not to vote for him on Suprer Tuesday, that is one thing. But he hasn't nor has he requested his name be taken off the ballots. So I don't give a damn what the party elitists want. This isn't about them and their MONEY, it's about THIS COUNTRY. If it comes to it then I won't vote at all come Tuesday. And if that reason is true it is then obvious this is all nothing but a dog and pony show and has NOTHING to do with the people.

[TexasObserver]

76. John Edwards is an exceptionally gifted man and politician

I believe he wants us to choose for ourselves between Hillary and Barack. If he wanted to tell us how he feels, he would. If he wanted to endorse one of them and impact the election by doing so, he would. He is choosing to not endorse because he doesn't want the wonks blabbing nonstop about his endorsement, what it means, how it will impact, or how it does impact, the election.

He's probably really turned off by the some of the MSM spin about his "white" voters, which evidence a complete lack of understanding of John's supporters.

John will be a factor in the general election, and he might be on the ticket yet. Probably not, but he might be.

By this time next year, I hope he's the next in line for the US Supreme Court.

[ChiciB1]

77. IF & WHEN I Hear John Edwards Make THIS Kind Of Statement Then

I will cease trying to get him delegate votes!! I DON'T believe this POST, as I've seen "other insiders" say something just the opposite!

Please don't let this message fool, JOHN EDWARDS wants delegates if only so that "some" of his policies will be followed through at the CONVENTION and become part of WHAT DEMOCRATS believe in. I DON'T trust the other two to fulfill their promise to include his platform. It's just "lip service!"

If he's on your ballot in the Primaries, and it's my understanding he's on ALL for Super Tuesday, please don't abandon his message. Vote for him so he still has a voice! If you want to switch after YOUR primary, it's up to you.

I'm only an Edwards person and won't vote for any other! I have TWO very important reasons for doing so. ONE: I live in Florida and no longer have ANY faith in the voting system here; and TWO: I've been a Democratic activist for a very long time and am SICK of having nominees "chosen" for me and I'm SICK of having to go along to get along!

Unless something spectacular happens, this is my last campaign as an activist! I'm a Boomer and am finally FED UP with what has happened to this country. Let the younger generation take over. I had wanted to stay to leave something better for my kids and theirs, but I'm tired of beating my head against an IRON wall!

Stay with Edwards through the Primary, at least! It will be a tribute to him, and beneficial to the Democratic Platform if you REALLY do believe his message was the BEST! Forget the "personality" contest going on now!

And the reasons given above make no sense! If he dropped out because of this now, why hasn't this ALWAYS been the case in the past?? BEFORE SUPER TUESDAY?? Doesn't sound plausible to me. What it says is that IF YOU haven't established yourself BEFORE Super Tuesday... then WHY even have them?? Just say F--K you to all the rest of the states who might have wanted to vote for the candidate of their choice!

I'm not buying what the OP has said, IT makes no sense! Think about it... those of you who still are voting "IN A PRIMARY" are you just willing to abandon what you BELIEVED IN?? Is THIS WHAT WE'VE become??

[jgraz]

80. PURE BULLSHIT. Edwards has said the EXACT OPPOSITE of this

I don't know who's payroll you're on, but they certainly did not get their money's worth with this transparent piece of hucksterism.

It may surprise you to know this, but Edwards voters tend to be a bit more informed than your average Obama follower. Most of us will see through your BS in a heartbeat.