John Edwards to Drop Out today [Archive]

msnicolea

01-30-2008, 08:27 AM

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/edwards-is-dropping-out/

I think this is the right thing to do--he is so clearly the 3rd-pace guy, and it's such an irresponsible use of $ when they stay in too long. I wonder if he'll be Obama's running mate, should things continue to go as they have been. Of course, that doesn't really give Obama the foreign policy "heft" some people think he needs--maybe Biden?

camberne

01-30-2008, 08:36 AM

My mother would be horrified, but I might actually be able to get onboard with an Obama/Edwards ticket... Republican that I am.

msnicolea

01-30-2008, 08:38 AM

I've always said you were a RINO, Alice!

ellidew

01-30-2008, 08:43 AM

I'd really like to see obama and edwards run together!

cynder

01-30-2008, 08:44 AM

Edwards is setting himself up to be kingmaker. Smart, but the question is which way does he go?

msnicolea

01-30-2008, 08:47 AM

I think you are exactly right Cynder--my hunch is he'll wait until the picture is clearer. However, I suspect he genuinely likes Obama--whereas Hill, notsomuch.

yby1

01-30-2008, 08:47 AM

Obama and Edwards...I'd kind of like to see that. :)

Delta

01-30-2008, 08:47 AM

My mother would be horrified, but I might actually be able to get onboard with an Obama/Edwards ticket... Republican that I am.Seriously? I'd consider Obama but if he puts Edwards on the ticket it would be a dealbreaker for me. Rumor has it they've already worked it out that Edwards would be AG.

Kimberland30

01-30-2008, 08:48 AM

My mother would be horrified, but I might actually be able to get onboard with an Obama/Edwards ticket... Republican that I am.

I hear ya. Republican that I am (mostly), I'd probably go with O/E as well.

msnicolea

01-30-2008, 09:58 AM

LOVE Edwards as AG--PERFECT!!!!!

jennylou

01-30-2008, 10:03 AM

Personally, I'd love to see Richardson as VP - he's got the foreign policy experience. Plus, I'm sad that I don't get to vote for him in the primary, since our primary basically doesn't count, since it's not until March. :rolleyes:

Phen

01-30-2008, 10:05 AM

Why would it be a dealbreaker for you, delta? just curious.

cynder

01-30-2008, 10:06 AM

There is serious talk about Edwards as AG. I think he would be better suited for a cabinet position and hope he goes that way rather than VP.

Besides, he kind of looks like Robert Kennedy :)

ginadc

01-30-2008, 10:24 AM

He was so insistent in his SC speech that they were staying in it through Super Tuesday...I wonder what changed his mind? I was thinking that he'd endorse today in order to have maximum effect before ST, but from what I've heard it doesn't sound like that's going to happen. I'll be interested to see how he maximizes his influence here. My guess is that he's fonder of Obama than Hillary and will ultimately try to steer his supporters her way.

I'd love to see an Obama/Richardson ticket with Edwards as AG. Maybe Biden for Sec. State? Damn, that's a lot of men, though.

LaughAtlantis

01-30-2008, 10:44 AM

Personally, I'd like an Obama/Biden ticket. Biden has loads of experience and he has the personality that Richardson sort of lacks. (No offense to Richardson... frankly, Richardson was probably the best qualified of any of the Democratic presidential candidates, but charisma counts!)

IrishEyes

01-30-2008, 12:44 PM

I'm surprised that Edwards (and Giuliani) aren't sticking it out until Super Tuesday. Although with Giuliani, there could be money issues.

Perhaps it's health concerns with Elizabeth?

jajacobsen

01-30-2008, 12:48 PM

I'd happily go Obama/Edwards.

wine_o_girlie

01-30-2008, 01:26 PM

I'm sad he's dropping out but I think it's probably the right thing to do. I am hopeful he will end up as either VP or AG. I really think he's going to go places in the Democratic party and I like his message.

Childish Sidenote, how pissed must Guiliani be that Edwards picked today to drop out too??? ;) Edwards dropping out of the race is getting all of the pub today...I have been snickering about that all day. Poor Rudy can't even get his props on the day he drops out...

ThreeYell

01-30-2008, 01:41 PM

So sad to see Edwards go but he will make an awesome AG.

Jim Webb for veep. He and Obama would make a great ticket.

Phen

01-30-2008, 02:40 PM

Reports I've heard are insistent it is not due to Elizabeth's health or request--I believe it. She wanted him to be president very badly and I feel strongly that she would not have asked him to end his campaign.

One thing I read that makes sense was that the timing happened now because Super Tuesday media purchases are about to happen/are happening, and why commit to spending that $ only to drop out next week?

myshel

01-30-2008, 04:33 PM

Re: Richardson as VP... I thought I read somewhere (possibly here?) that there were rumors that Richardson might like women a bit too much, if you catch what I'm saying. I *thought* the person mentioned it, because it didn't come out during the early primaries/caucuses because Richardson was never a viable candidate, but that it would become an issue if he were to become a running mate. Anyone know anything about that?

Personally, I'd love an Obama/Edwards ticket, but I'd definitely be on board with an Obama/Richardson (or Biden) ticket. Edwards would make a great AG, but I had secret hopes that perhaps there'd be a cabinet position for Tom Vilsack.

bug

01-30-2008, 04:36 PM

I can't see Edwards as willing to run for the VP again. I'm all about him being either in the cabinet or the AG. I will miss him in the debates.

jennylou

01-30-2008, 04:40 PM

cynder

01-30-2008, 08:50 PM

He's been known to be "touchy" with women. Here is one article that talks about the Richardson allegations.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3054.html

msnicolea

01-31-2008, 07:37 AM

I think Richardson is a light weight and I would be very disappointed if he is the VP nom. Like him--seems like an ok guy--just not presidential material, IMO.

cynder

01-31-2008, 08:34 AM

I agree with misnicolea - Overall I think Richardson is a good guy with good experience but not enough of the weight that I would expect out of a president or VP. Not entirely fair, I know.

Plus in our house, we call him Uncle Horatio because he totally reminds me of Horatio Sanz from SNL. Especially with his one liners in the last debate, I can't help think that.

Ok so my current speculation is that Edwards should make an endorsement either today or tomorrow so that the PR effect will be greatest over the weekend and on Monday before the primaries. Poor man was bombarded for an answer last night here at the airport parking garage. I felt bad for him.

LaughAtlantis

01-31-2008, 08:38 AM

Has anyone noticed that technically, Mike Gravel hasn't dropped out of the race yet?

I find that funny.

nylons73

01-31-2008, 08:50 AM

No way is Edwards going to be anyone's VP. He was carefully selected by Kerry's peeps last time (over Kerry's objections) and he delivered exactly nothing. He didn't even win his own home state! He's a great person and I truly believe that he is very sincere in his efforts to combat poverty. I really hope that he get the AG spot!

Richardson would be a great VP if the women issues don't keep him out of that spot. He was really the only one running whom had sat down with the likes of North Korea and actually negotiated successfully with world leaders. Barack could really use someone with his international experience. Plus, Richardson might be able to deliver the Hispanic vote. If McCain wins the Rep. nom (as it really seems he might) McCain's not too tough stance on immigration (he doesn't want to deport everyone like Romney) might make him attractive to the Latino vote. Richardson might be able to garner some of that support back to the ticket.

I firmly believe that a VP selection has got to bring something with him. Biden is from the North East and Kennedy already does that for Obama. Jim Webb would be an EXCELLENT selection. I believe both he and Richardson could bring in votes from out West and the Midwest. Both potential trouble spots for Obama.

(notice I am not acknowledging that Clinton is still in this. No matter whom she picks she will lose to McCain embarassingly.)

LittleFredPunkinHead

01-31-2008, 08:53 AM

I'm thinking Richardson for Veep too. His foreign policy experience would be a good add.

wine_o_girlie

01-31-2008, 08:54 AM

Delta

01-31-2008, 09:01 AM

Jim Webb for veep. He and Obama would make a great ticket.Of course! I've totally forgotten about Webb. Would he do it? My only concern about him is he seems quite high-strung. Totally opposite of Richardson.
Why would it be a dealbreaker for you, delta? just curious.I find him extremely disingenuous. His two Americas stuff sounds completely ridiculous when you look at his own lifestyle. I'm not saying he should live in a shack and I don't begrudge him a nice home, but come on - a 20,000 square foot house, the biggest in his county? As Bush said the other night - if you want to pay more in taxes, the IRS accepts checks and money orders. I can't stand his outrageous demagoguery and class warfare. (You asked, OK? ;) )

nylons73

01-31-2008, 09:03 AM

Speaking of Jim Webb, anyone think Barack could (or would) try to talk Mark Warner out of "retirement" to run for VP? Mark Warner makes me swoon. Jim Webb would be another great choice as a counterpoint for Barack but I don't love him like I love Mark Warner.

I think Barack needs to pick someone with more experience. Not that Mark Warner isn't dreamy ;) but I think Barak needs a tested veteran rather than another younger person on the ticket. Think JFK/LBJ. :) At any rate, Warner is running for Senate I believe. Webb has a lot of life experience and brings that forceful personality with him, which is why I think he'd be great, despite not having the same long record in politics that Richardson has.

msnicolea

01-31-2008, 09:17 AM

I actually agree with you a little bit re: Edwards, Delta--something just doesn't sit right with me. He has earned his $ honestly, sure--and should be able to have nice things--but it's just too much, IMO--especially if you want to portray yourself as a "man of the people." He's too flashy and slick for me--although I do like his politics for the most part.

Niobe

01-31-2008, 09:34 AM

I have to agree with that assessment of Edwards as well, and I wasn't entirely on line with his policies either. He has always struck me as incredibly inexperienced (yes, even in comparison to Obama - at least Obama spent a few years in state senate) and pretty naive/overly optimistic. And a little too groomed.

I do think he'd make a wonderful AG though. Really more fitting for his background than VP.

For VP - I really like Richardson's resume. He's a governor, not a senator (I don't like two-senator tickets - not with Congress' approval ratings). He's got a ton of foreign policy experience, and environmental. Sure, "woman issues" but come on. Like that's so unusual in U.S. politics. ;)

cynder

01-31-2008, 11:59 AM

I was going to post this in the other thread but then decided not to but Edwards lifestyle combined with the little that he did as a Senator for my state never sat well with me. There was never a concrete thing I could put my finger on to point to. The man is definitely entitled to his wealth but when you have the biggest house in an extremely wealthy county, we're talking biiiiiigggg property.

The whole cure poverty kick only started in 2005ish so the argument that Obama has been fighting longer does hold some truth. I think he's doing good things now and invented himself well after the election. Count me as another person who hopes he doesn't go for VP and goes for AG. Damn, he would be a bulldog in that position.

Phen

01-31-2008, 12:24 PM

Yeah, not sure what that house is about. Then again, if he called it a ranch would it be okay? ;)

He was carefully selected by Kerry's peeps last time (over Kerry's objections) and he delivered exactly nothing. He didn't even win his own home state!

He has been a rising star in the party for a while. He has been a serious VP candidate a number of times (was a close runner-up to Lieberman in 2000) and Kerry didn't exactly make being a running mate pleasant for the Edwards camp. Granted, I have major Kerry Dislike dating back to the late 1970s in Massachusetts, but Kerry was a less than ideal running mate himself in 2004, so I'm not ready to blame Edwards for not delivering his state.

phoenics

01-31-2008, 02:37 PM

Yeah, not sure what that house is about. Then again, if he called it a ranch would it be okay? ;)

LMBO! Good one.

ThreeYell

01-31-2008, 08:50 PM

Of course! I've totally forgotten about Webb. Would he do it? My only concern about him is he seems quite high-strung. Totally opposite of Richardson.

I don't know. He's only one year into his first term so I could see how Virginians would not take kindly to such a speedy departure. Unless they could just elect Mark Warner to fill both its Senate seats. He would be such an asset to Obama, though, especially on national security. I think he'd also be a good bad cop, leaving Obama to keep up with his uniting rhetoric.

isobel

02-01-2008, 03:00 PM

Of course! I've totally forgotten about Webb. Would he do it? My only concern about him is he seems quite high-strung. Totally opposite of Richardson.
I find him extremely disingenuous. His two Americas stuff sounds completely ridiculous when you look at his own lifestyle. I'm not saying he should live in a shack and I don't begrudge him a nice home, but come on - a 20,000 square foot house, the biggest in his county? As Bush said the other night - if you want to pay more in taxes, the IRS accepts checks and money orders. I can't stand his outrageous demagoguery and class warfare. (You asked, OK? ;) )

My friend Claire calls him the used car salesman. :) As lavish as his lifestyle is now, at least he came from the other economy. Rommney's talk of the "real economy" is so hilarious to me. Yeah Mitt, talk to me about coming from a real point of view when your net worth drops below 10 million (actually when you count in his kids' trust, that number should actually be 100 million).

isobel

02-01-2008, 03:01 PM

He has been a rising star in the party for a while. He has been a serious VP candidate a number of times (was a close runner-up to Lieberman in 2000) and Kerry didn't exactly make being a running mate pleasant for the Edwards camp. Granted, I have major Kerry Dislike dating back to the late 1970s in Massachusetts, but Kerry was a less than ideal running mate himself in 2004, so I'm not ready to blame Edwards for not delivering his state.

If Gore had picked him instead of Lieberman I believe Bush would just be messing up baseball, not the country.