Not Good-bye. Just Until We Meet Again

John Edwards' campaign website says that he is scheduled to give a "major policy address on poverty" this afternoon in New Orleans.

CNN, MSNBC and other major news outlets are reporting that this scheduled speech is now going to be his farewell address to the Edwards' troops.

While I knew there was a good chance this day would come, I was heartened by Edwards' statements recently that he would stay in the race until the convention.

I knew that was probably not the most realistic scenario, but when you've committed to a candidate -- as with any relationship -- it's hard to see it end.

If, indeed, his next speech is one to bow out of this race, I hope that he will keep working on the one big issue that drew me to his campaign in the first place -- his commitment to find ways to end poverty in America. To make sure that children don't have to go to bed hungry anymore.  To ensure that families have places to live and decent schools for their kids.

I don't envision either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama taking on that fight.  After all, the poor don't have money to give to campaigns and vote in fewer numbers than those in the middle and upper classes.

While he may not be fighting for the White House after today, if fighting poverty and hunger is the cause of his life, I hope he will continue to fight for those causes.  An article online today at Time Magazine says:

Edwards' challenge from the beginning of his presidential quest was to stay relevant.

For me, fighting poverty is relevant.  John, we haven't had a good gadfly for a while -- what do you think?

Joanne writes regularly about all things political at her blog, PunditMom.