What Should John Edwards Do Now?

[kentuck]

Many think he should drop out. I don't think so. His message is too important for him to drop out. Obviously, the results in NH were disappointing. Unfortunately, you can only vote for one person at a time and Obama and Hillary were very popular in that state.

So what should he do now? In my opinion, he needs to sharpen his message and no more triangulating. He doesn't need to play Obama against Hillary or vice versa. He needs to distinguish himself from both of them.

First of all, he should be very complimentary to both of them for their victories in Iowa and NH. Then he should explain to the voters that he is the "only" candidate of change. Obama and Hillary are great people and great candidates but they are candidates of the status quo. If the people truly want the change we need, the radical change, then they need to take their vote very seriously. The choice is up to the voters.

I think that is the best way for Edwards to continue.

[readmoreoften]

1. If the Democratic party pushes Edwards out of the race, I go too.

Whether he wins or loses, he's the one I want to cast my vote for.

[alfredo]

6. What if he is pulling votes from Obama, helping Hillary to win?

[kentuck]

11. Neither Obama or Hillary will have a majority of delegates .....

...at the Convention. Both of them will need the Edwards delegates to have a majority, if Edwards stays in.

[alfredo]

19. But success breeds success. If Hillary takes more primaries leading up

to Super Tuesday, it could snowball. momentum means money. The delegate leverage only works if Hillary doesn't gain sufficient delegates to win it all. I do want Edwards to have a say at the convention. I want him to have power to shape the platform.

[kentuck]

22. That is very true...

But the way it looks now, Hillary and Obama are going to be very close in delegates at convention time - about 40% each - not enough to win the nomination. One of them will need to get another 10% somewhere?

[alfredo]

34. That's where the momentum comes in. People back a winner.

and that could make a difference as time goes on.

[Der Blaue Engel]

24. What if Hillary is pulling votes from Edwards, helping Obama to win?

Edwards is the new Nader?

Please. News flash to supporters of other candidates: we aren't voting based on how it affects your candidate.

[alfredo]

35. I was referring to the split in votes between change and experience.

[NNN0LHI]

8. If the majority of your fellow Dem voters choose someone besides your pic you are leaving the party?

:crazy:

Don

[readmoreoften]

25. If he is PUSHED out, I'm obviously not welcome. If he drops out, that's fine.

:crazy: yourself

This party earns my vote. I'll vote for the nominee, but if it starts treating labor as poorly as it treats gays I have few interests left.

[Clarkansas]

9. No one is going to push him out, in fact I think HRC probably wants him in.

If he leaves, it will be his own decision, on his own terms.

[nightrider767]

2. Learn,,,,

He must learn, adjust and keep on trucking!

[havocmom]

3. The Corporatins will never allow him in the WH, but I am sending a check

Want him to keep pounding the message home that we HAVE to fight those for whom greed is god.

[NoPasaran]

4. I would like to see him stay in as long as possible

Anything that divides the anti-Clinton vote is A-OK with me!

[bdamomma]

5. keep on going.

[AndyA]

7. Edwards did congratulate both Hillary and Barack last night in his speech.

John's message is not getting out because the media is largely ignoring him. There are various suspicions as to why this is, but it's a fact. It's hard to overcome the 24/7 "Hillary and Barack Show" that's airing on all the major networks.

But I do believe, one person at a time, support for Edwards will grow. The longer he stays in the race, the better his chances of getting his message out there.

People just need to look at this election with an open mind and consider why certain things are happening. Why are the polls so wrong? Why is the media ignoring John Edwards? Where is the money coming from, and who is getting the majority of it? Who is getting the most opportunity to spread the word on the networks?

A bit of research is time well spent, and I've found it to be very revealing. That's why I support John Edwards. He may not be the most popular candidate right now, but I do believe he is the best candidate for President.

Can we afford another 4-8 years of error?

[LynzM]

12. I agree, Andy

Were you the one who had the excellent graphs showing how often Edwards was mentioned on the major media outlets, post-Iowa-caucuses? Someone had some great graphics, and now I can't find them.

[AndyA]

20. No, I wasn't but I'd like to see them.

If you find them, please send me a private message and let me know where they are, they would be great information to have. Thanks! :)

[2hip]

40. Here's a link to the graphs

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2603591



Edwards '08 tees!

[Marrah_G]

10. Continue on of course- it's less then 1% of the country

[OHdem10]

13. When before the cameras, show some warmth and positive

side but do not totally give up fighting spirit.

HRC is picking up his message. This is a good thing. He is
influencing the entire campaign.

Continuosly get message out He is staying in the race. This encourages
people to stay with him.

Stay in the race. His message is to important.

[RestoreGore]

14. He needs to run his race and focus on his message...

Give people truth, speak from the heart, stay away from the soundbites, and tell the American people how we are going to get to where we need this country to go because his way of helping us get there is the best way. And also, to PLEASE keep the climate crisis as a focus. More people are concerned about this now than ever before. He needs to capitalize on that now.

[Beelzebud]

15. Keep on going because it isn't over.

[fasttense]

16. There is an assumption here that if Edwards drops out

Edward voters will go to the big O. I hate to tell you but I would vote for the next person I see as a fighter. For me that would be Hillary not the big O.

Maybe if the big O would start using some fighting words I would support him. But so far he appears as just another one of those Democratic Congressmen who go along with the republicons.

[Rambis]

17. Did you notice?

Hillary and Obama talk about corp greed and the middle class in their speeches last night? I have seen all the candidates (early on not so much lately) in person and the only one talking about this from day one... Edwards. The others have had to come around to addressing the issues he raises because he resonates with people. He has to stay!

[kentuck]

18. They both talk about it but...

are they serious? That is the question Edwards needs to pose.

[Rambis]

23. No

they are not IMHO- Hillary is corp and Obama is to busy talking about tables and chairs. I have news for you BO they own the building it doesn't matter where the table and chairs are!

[Habibi]

21. Who thinks he should drop out?

[robcon]

26. He should drop out.

He has no chance of winning the nomination at all, and almost no chance of winning ANY STATE at all.

Although his dropping out will help Obama more than my candidate, Clinton, (most observers think more Edwards supporters will side with Obama than Clinton) it will make an exciting two-person campaign for the nomination.

[Sweet Pea]

27. Drop Out

Go back to his 28,000 square foot home. Do the front porch elder-statesman rocking chair thing, if he wants to. He can afford it.

[youthere]

28. Edwards should stay in until the last primary vote is cast and counted. They all should.

[kestrel91316]

29. STAY IN THE FIGHT, Johnny!!!! Keep getting that progressive Dem

message out there, and if nothing else, KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE FRONTRUNNERS to lean left rather than right.

[Peregrine Took]

30. My advice: stop sounding like a personal injury lawyer - the story about the

little girl and the transplant. It seem exploitative as those poor parents are so obviously hurting.

Go back to the "Two America's" speech, the war and the torture issue.

Drop the "middle class" war cry and just refer to fighting for the "little guy", the powerless, poor people. Also, talk about all the shitty jobs out there and how can a family afford to live on that plus the terrible worry about not having health care.

[kentuck]

32. I think there is some merit to that advice...

He needs to change that tune but keep the same lyrics.

[AndyTiedye]

31. STAY IN!

He is the best of the top 3, and also the most electable.

[Hoof Hearted]

33. sharpen his message and no more triangulating - good advice.

I would also caution against the reflex reaction of assuming that those who choose not to vote as you would like are not "taking their vote seriously". The choice is indeed up to the voters and we would be wise not to accuse them of being idiots, or frivolous, or lazy - and accusing them of not taking their vote seriously does at least imply that. I didn't assume the people of Iowa were dumb when they gave Edwards his 2nd place finish 07.83 points behind Obama and 00.28 points over Clinton. I assumed they made a choice and vote accordingly.

Let's all leave insulting the electorate up to the Freeps when Freddy Fishlips pulls out and in November, when we win by a landslide with Clinton, Obama or Edwards. I would be proud to call any of them my President.

[Fading Captain]

36. Run as Independent!

His message is too important to ignore.

[AzDar]

37. Gandhi: "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you,

then YOU WIN." (slight paraphrasing)

I'm sticking with Edwards and Mahatma.

[kentuck]

38. When life gives you lemons....

You best learn how to make lemonade. Are you listening John? :-)

[Seabiscuit]

39. To the convention and beyond ...

John is not quitter and until he we have a nominee he is still in this race. Go John! :dem: