This is not very surprising. Former Sen. John Edwards indicates he will drop out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Edwards has campaigned on a progressive, populist platform, and, his strong positions on poverty, health, labor and LGBT made him the early favorite of the e-telligentsia.
According to the AP, the announcement will happen in the city where the campaign began in December 2006: "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 aides."
Edwards' issue-based campaign lost the early four nominating states and failed to gain traction with voters—not surprising because of the massive early momentum behind Hillary Clinton and the post-Iowa juggernaut of Barack Obama.
Edwards has amassed 26 delegates in the race for the Democratic nomination. (Some reports say 56, these may include DNC super delegates.) 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 condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement."
Although this means the Democratic primary is finally a two-person, battle of the giants, it is not necessarily a cause for celebration. John Edwards is an honorable, principled man, and, his and Elizabeth Edwards' dramatic personal story captivated the hearts and minds of the voters. In more ways than one, his campaign was the conscience of the party: Edwards was first to present a detailed plan on universal health care, and, moved the other candidates toward more progressive LGBT positions and tougher stands on HIV/AIDS. On a personal note, the Edwards campaign was a good friend to the blogosphere and staffers were quick to return calls and emails.
We're looking forward to seeing him as the (hopeful) attorney general in the Clinton or Obama administration.
Edwards Quitting Presidential Race [CNN]
John Edwards to Quit [AP/Raw]
More JOHN EDWARDS
More POLITICS
Some Background ...
Edwards Unveils $50 Billion Plan to Fight HIV/AIDS [R20]
Edwards: Universal Coverage [R20]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama: Your Republican Talking Points Are Calling! [Huff Po]
Clinton, Edwards Oppose Surgeon General Nominee [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
Elizabeth Edwards on Gays and Ann Coulter [R20]
News: Hillary Clinton Leads, Ann Coulter [R20]
SCOTUS Rejects School Diversity [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
Edwards Campaign Launches 12-City Poverty Tour [R20]
John Edwards "Unaware of Wife's Position [R20]
Elizabeth Edwards: "Comfortable with Gay Marriage" [R20]
News: New Mexico, Mary J Blige, Edwards [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
SCOTUS Rejects School Diversity [R20]
I do believe he was sincere in his commitment to the poor, and standing up to corporate interests. I'm kind of ashamed I didn't support him because his message resonated with me more than Obama's or Clinton's, but they overshadowed him--and the media didn't do right by him. Often the media acted as though he wasn't even there.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 30 January 2008 at 10:26
Agreed, Rod. Edwards' message, positions, and progressivist passion were a welcome part of the race and a sad departure. It's too bad he didn't get his chance for the top spot in 04 instead of the inept-but-well-meaning Kerry. I have nothing but respect for the man and his sincerity, and hope to see him in the next administration as AG or even VP.
Posted by: Andy Niable, Obamamerican | 30 January 2008 at 10:30
Dream ticket:
Obama/Edwards.
Posted by: Banjiboi | 30 January 2008 at 13:27
Dream ticket:
Obama/Edwards.
Posted by: Banjiboi | 30 January 2008 at 13:28
Super Tuesday has just gotten more interesting...
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 30 January 2008 at 18:33
“…the Democratic primary is finally a two-person, battle of the giants…”
Actually, I think “battle of the midgets” is more accurate.
If Cynthia McKinney runs this November as a Green, I will surely vote for her. Clinton and Obama are of no use to anyone I know.
Posted by: Jim | 31 January 2008 at 00:59