An informal consensus.

MOMocrat Stefania asked the MOMocrats in an off-line dialogue what we thought about John Edwards' chances going forward, after Iowa and New Hampshire, and what we'll do if Edwards ends up not being the nominee. Here's our *uncensored* discussion:

Stefania:

Do we go broad and support both Hillary and Obama?

Glennia:

I'm not ready to count JE out until Super Tuesday...though I don't think he has a chance in Nevada, but could take S. Carolina (native son and all that).

That said, I've given this some thought. I think the way to go is to press hard for JE's plans, no matter who the candidate is. His environmental plan was first out of the box, and Obama and Clinton essentially copied it. Obama did not make any specific proposals about global warming until October. Before that, he was pro-coal (ugh) and is still pro-nuke (or at least has not retracted on that). His cap-and-trade plan is identical to Edwards, only about 9 months later...

Hillary did the same on Healthcare, though she claims she got there first in 1994. The thing is, I'm not sure how she plans to deliver now what she could not deliver then...The same Republicans gunning for her then are gunning for her now.

My point is, if we believe strongly in JEs platform, the candidates should be held to that standard. As an independent blog, we can challenge them on things, just as we challenged JE on gay marriage.

That's just my 2 cents. I think if Hillary or Barack want my vote in November, they need to earn it. JE already did.

OK, is anyone else as annoyed as I am about this "comeback kid" spin on Hillary's campaign? Geez, she's had a 20% lead in NH for-freaking-ever, some idiot poll says people like Barack after Iowa, NH goes to the polls and votes the way they said they would all along, and everyone is surprised by that?? I'm no weatherman, but I can tell which way the wind blows.

If John bows out, I want to ask Elizabeth to write for us. She would certainly hold Hill's feet to the fire :)

Debbie:

I'm just so angry *and* sad, because this whole current state of affairs is so classic.

It's been a long time since the Republicans had such a weak series of candidates, coupled with such a dismal chance at election, thanks to Bush's gig. But no one, NO one will drag those loyal Republican voters to the booth with fingers gripping nose in order to vote for whichever lame candidate they end up with more than SHE, just to avoid the sheer horror of a Hillary presidency (which is funny given her voting record in the Senate, which mostly lines right up with the current administration's queue of "i heart you, Senator" sticker-awardees).

Meanwhile, Thom Hartmann, just this morning, said it: if Obama were Edwards' VP, he would have the opportunity to season, and in eight years, become president. We, as a country, would have sixteen years' worth of administrations that would be busily repairing the damage so heavily wrought, in so many quasi-unbelievable areas (*cough* Geneva Convention *cough*) in the recent-er past, and would be strong and healthy (not to mention still alive, for obvious reasons) to boot.

Instead, Edwards may have to concede (though I'm fairly certain I'm wrong about that). Obama won't quit in order to partner with Edwards as his VP, because he's so far ahead of the game (for now), and even if he asks Edwards to run with him come time, we all know Edwards is in it to win it, and will refuse the offer.

As of this moment, they're kind of splitting each other's vote in the primaries; I've heard way too many people say, "Oh, [Insert either Obama or Edwards' name here] is my second choice" to think otherwise. Hillary effectively wins (the primaries) by default, and must then go against any old Republican at all. I've seen this movie. I know how it ends. *shivers*

See? Angry *and* sad.

Joanne:

I LOVE the idea of holding Hillary and Obama's feet to the fire on JE's positions. I think, also, that we should stick with him until at least Super Tuesday, since I think he'll be in at least until then -- be interesting to see if he DOES actually stay in until the convention, as he says now.

I still don't know as between Hillary and Obama -- what do we do if we don't reach a concensus? We ARE all committed to whoever is the nominee -- maybe we need to wait until there is a clear one.

Stefania:

I hope Edwards has enough $ to make it through Super Tuesday--that is my biggest worry. I worry that people are slowly going to move away from supporting him financially if he's not "a winner." I just upped my monthly donation...

I was just at lunch and overheard the table next to me lamenting that Edwards isn't getting the attention he deserves...so I pulled out my phone and showed them pics of him when we spoke here in the Bay Area. I could have sat there and commiserated for hours, but Wallie was MORE than ready to leave...

I really believe that people just need to know that REAL PEOPLE like us are for Edwards and then they will come around. I converted 3 Obama-supporting friends just by finally bringing up the "who you gonna vote for?" conversation. I think people are 1) swallowing the media-created two-party race hook, line, and sinker, and are 2) so caught up with the celebrity of both candidates that they just cannot move past that.

Glennia:

Hey, it sort of sounds like we're all just sitting around at the MOMocrats boardroom sipping tea and speculating...That would be like a dream come true to hang out with all of you gals :)

Anyway, I don't want to seem like we're throwing in the towel just yet.

Jen:

Sorry - a bit late to the party but I agree with the thought that we are definitely not throwing in the towel. 2 different winners of each primary (for each party) so far doesn't tell me anything beyond fuel for media speculation (which they were wrong in their speculating last night) and we've still got a long road.

If anything, the last two primaries has made me more sure than ever that Edwards IS the candidate - and we need to keep making our voices heard.

Now back to my tea.

Stephanie:

Well, I'm a little late to the party! Sorry, ladies. I can't give up on Edwards yet either. I agree with Jen that Iowa & NH aren't the end of it. But if Super Tuesday does decide Edwards' fate, I'm all for holding HRC and Obama to a higher standard. Edwards brings more than just himself as a candidate to the primaries, he brings his ideas to the discussion. He's already been successful in moving Obama and HRC. They've both become much more populist after seeing how people really identified with Edwards. It's important for the Edwards voice and the Edwards supporters to be heard, no matter what the outcome of the primaries. Now I'm off to go fantasize about sitting around the MOMocrats board room with all of you...