Undecided

John Edwards dropped out of the race today. So sad.

For the first time since I voted for Nader in the primary all those years back, my head and my heart were aligned when I chose my candidate. (I've already voted for Edwards via absentee ballot.)

I now fall into the very undecided camp and I know that whomever I vote for it will be a trade-off. In the end I will vote the party line, but Hillary and Barack, if you are reading this: you are going to have to work hard for my vote. All the pundits this morning are speculating as to whom Edwards' voters are going to support and I can honestly say Hillary and Barack, you probably won't know (because I won't know) until I cast my vote in November. I dare say I am not alone.

Here in California it seems like every other TV commercial is for either Clinton or Obama. I have never been one to warm to the idea of political commercials and while I was frustrated that Edwards didn't have the money to make these expensive media buys, in a way, I was happy he didn't. He could never compete financially with the two celebrity candidates, and that for me was one of the things that drew me to him. Funny thing though, both Hillary and Obama's ads have adopted softer tones. They speak slowly, in hushed voices, and instead of spewing their campaign messages, both are now espousing Edwards messages of "standing up for people," that there are two Americas, and health care for all.

Today is a sad and frustrating day for me, but one thing's for sure: I will always be proud that John Edwards was my candidate for president of the United States. He would have been a great one. I hope he gets his chance again. I hope America will be America again. Come November, we'll see.

Comments

[Christine]

A sad day, indeed. I too am not one to quickly move to the Obama and Clinton camps. They are a poor substitute for the intellect, courage and fighting spirit that JRE has.

[Erika]

Well said. I feel very "what now?"

[Vicky]

I am already sick of hearing how "classy" his campaign was and how he brought up the important issues and got the campaign back on track. Ha. [Insert bitter laugh here] The other two are just copying him now. Sickening.

I feel like I'm in mourning.

[Linda]

I agree with the "mourning" comment; I have been in a numb daze ever since I heard, as if someone close to me had died. I have wanted the chance to vote for Edwards since '04 and was waiting for April 22 when my state votes.

Maybe (trying to cheer myself up) a cabinet post is in JRE's future.

[Florinda]

I completed my California absentee ballot last night and dropped it in the mailbox first thing this morning - and not two hours later, it was rendered inconsequential (other than to decrease someone else's margin of victory).

I'm not clear about which direction I'll go now. I guess I have some studying to do.

[Sarah Granger]

I really like John Edwards, but I've felt all along that as great as he is and as good as his ideas are, he didn't have the experience or name recognition to pull off winning the nomination. I didn't think it was impossible, just unlikely. I'm sad to see him out of the race because I enjoyed his voice in the discussion, but there's still much he can do.

I know how you feel right now about wanting him to have his chance again, but when you stop feeling raw from this election (I've been there, I know where you are now), you'll see there is a lot more he can achieve outside of running for president. I hope John Edwards doesn't run again though because I don't want to see him becoming like Biden, essentially glossed over because he's run so many times. I think John Edwards can be to poverty like Al Gore is to the environment (Alliance for Climate Protection) or Gary Hart is to national security (American Security Project). These men, all former senators, are part of a powerful network of people who know how to get things done in our country and it's still possible for him to affect great change.

[Stefania/CityMama]

Sarah: Not enough experience or name recognition...hmmmm. I have to say I completely disagree. The same could be said about Barack Obama. Four years ago when John Edwards was running for pres/the VP candidate, no one knew who Barack Obama was until he gave his memorable speech at the convention.

I think Edwards running again will have to depend on what happens in Nov. Will he have a cabinet position? Will he use his power for good or evil? I don't want him to turn into a Biden either, but arguably, Edwards is a much more viable candidate. If he isn't a part of the next presidential administration, I think he has no option but to try and be the "Al Gore of Poverty." He says it's the cause of his life and time will tell if that's true. The potential is there. Who thought that Gore would come back with such vengeance? I thought he's just go quietly into the good night as a university professor.

As one commentator said yesterday, the timing for Edwards was impossible. He had no chance against against a political dynasty and a media-created superstar.

[Sarah Granger]

Actually I agree with you. I very much think Edwards has the experience to lead - I just looked at statistics from precious democratic primary races and gauged from that he wouldn't be able to get the nomination over Clinton & Obama (who surprises me how much support he has). I think Edwards would make a great president. And he does have options like a cabinet post or to re-run for Senate. His best shot would be if he were to be a governor for a while if his ultimate goal is to be president.