Edwards "Suspends" Campaign - What Does It All Mean?

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, John Edwards has ended his bid for the White House in 2008. His campaign's farewell speech was the same fiery and profoundly charismatic speech we've all come to expect from the former senator. Watch it here

So the question looms for the Democratic primary. . .now what?

First - This is seemingly good news for the Barack Obama campaign as far as numbers go, even though he lost a powerful voice in the debates and on the stump against the Clinton campaign. According to most estimates, Obama will pick up over half of Edwards supporters, amounting to probably between 3 and 5 percentage points nationally. We'll see how that translates on Tuesday when the smoke clears on what will be a completely stressful and insane day.

Second - Where does Edwards go from here? If he endorses a candidate and soon it could change the entire scope of the primary. Most believe that candidate would be Obama (I'm keeping my fingers crossed personally) but don't rule out the deal making ability of Hillary Clinton. If he doesn't endorse a candidate we may be seeing him in either a cabinet position or (a stretch) a VP slot. I know he has said in the past that he has no desire to run as VP again, but that was before the primary season really kicked off and it became apparent that he was frequently no more than a second choice to the front runners. I doubt Edwards stays out of the primary news for long.

Third - A huge "Thank You" to Edwards for running the kind of campaign that was needed to bring some "sweep under the rug" issues right into people's faces. Let's hope that his message and his agenda remains an important part of this primary and the national campaign. Too many people are forgotten in our system - it is on the shoulders of our two candidates to keep on fighting that fight or face disenfranchising an enormous group of people again.

I echo the sentiment of Todd from a previous post - Go out and vote if your state holds a primary on the 5th. Vote your conscience and vote for a new direction. No matter who you think will be the one to change this country. . .go vote. This is our country, let's take it back.

Comments

[Matthias]

I second you in everything you write!
so...
people we are on the finishing-line!!!

[Adam J]

Vote 4 Hillary on Feb. 5TH 2008