Hi Candy,
I find it sad that Edwards did not do as well as I had hoped.
He is very smart and charming. I believe he has what it takes to be President.
I suppose all those race and gender issues were distracting from his champaign.
Not to mention Elizabeth’s illness.
I also unerstand that Edwards has pledged to not be a running mate.
Well, just like Al Gore, maybe Edwards’ mission is something else really grand to help the country.
Anti-poverty issues are very important!
I regret that Edwards has dropped out of the race, but I look forward to his contributions to the next administration.
Lots of excitement yet to come!

Betty Ann
Nacogdoches,TX

Ewards, was my JFK of my time. To bad that the public could not get enough airtime to hear his great views and how “we the people” can get back on track. His love for his family and faith in the Lord is exactley what we need, but once again the media is deciding who gets airtime. Have we become so wrapped up in filth, we must sell it. We are not hollywood. Im not for sale and neither is my vote. The media is giving to much airtime to those who bicker, talk over each other, and doesnt allow the other canidates to speak. I seen this with Edwards, and the Republican debate last night Huckelbee, Paul was not included in the debate as McCain and Romney. Lets just focus on the top runners, and once again, the little people are not being heard and are left out. The media is trying to decide who will be president, by allowing this practice. Shame on you!!!! We have lost a Great opportunity to see what Mr. Edwards could have done for our country. Alot of politicians jumped on the banwagon, only to boost their own careers. Mr Gore WHERE ARE YOU. Please come out, back Mr. Edwards, convince him to come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Candy,
I have to think that Edwards supporters would go more towards Hillary. I mean she to me is more like Edwards. I mean their stances on the issues are more similar. Although who knows with Obama since he rarely tells where he really stands!

I hated that Edwards dropped out though. I think it is going to make things get WAY nastier between Hillary and Obama.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Candy,
I am a little sad to hear that Edwards dropped out, but I also am for Obama, so…. I also don’t understand what you mean by saying that Clinton voters are the working class. I am for Obama and I live paycheck to paycheck. I have been to college, but it was all for nothing. I find it very rude to catagorize people like that. Do you have facts to support that Obama voters are more educated then Clinton or Edwards voters? I’m sorry, but I would take death over voting for Hillary regardless of my education status, employment status, or any other status for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, I like Edwards, and it saddens me to hear from Betty Ann that Edwards will not be a running mate because I would love for an Obama, Edwards team, but NEVER a Clinton team. EVER AGAIN! Also the polls show that the younger generation are the ones looking on to Obama. We are the generation of change. Hense the title Generation X! We are the X-Factor, and pending all young people get out and vote, Obama WILL WIN! So how can you say education plays a role, when the older you are, the wiser you are to be? I’m off my soapbox now but please rethink what you have said and maybe, just maybe, back it with facts next time.

I hear Obama during his speeches yesterday attacking Hillary. I thought he wasn’t going to run a negative campaign and what about his message for hope. He is going negative, but the media is negative towards the Clintons. Obama is a pushover and will never win against the Republicans. They will chew him up and spit him out. If the Replicans really wanted to run against Hillary, they would be trashing Obama so he would lose the primary, not the other way around. They want Hillary to lose the primary so they can destroy Obama in the general election. Don’t you all get it.

I know dozens of Independents and Republicans, men and woman who would vote for Hillary to return to the great economic times we had. I am a white female Democratic from Florida who if given the choice between Obama and McCain, I would vote for McCain. Hopefully, if my choices are Obama & McCain, then mayor Bloomberg will come to the rescue.

The possibility of a secret deal with Hillary Clinton cannot be ruled out. The Clintons as usual, sleazy and slimy offered John to be her running mate if he drops out. This will make sure Hillary gets the majority of white votes thus depriving Obama of the nomination. With John out and Ralph Nader in the fray, the chances of a Clinton presidency are getting slimmer. Moreover, the McCain nomination is imminent unless a miracle happens on Super Tuesday for Romney. McCain will garner both the Republican votes and the independents. The writing is on the wall for the Democrats. The latest Zogby poll puts McCain the winner if Hillary is the nominee. The Democrats will lose the White House if they nominate a polarizing Clinton and do not wake up from their slumber. It is very troubling that white Democrats are split along racial lines and will not be voting for Obama because he is black. It’s beyond belief that some whites are rejecting a candidate because of his color. I think the electorate needs a Ralph Nader to inject some common sense into the heads of the Democrats.

I was so sorry to see Edwards dropped out; it seems like every time I pick out a candidate they drop out. I must be bad luck to them! John Edwards impressed me with his tour through Appalachia - Bobby Kennedy was the last one I can think of that did this. Edwards could personalize the depth of poverty that is so common in that region of the country; watching him you saw the same care and compassion that Bobby Kennedy exhibited in 1968 in his campaign.

It will be interesting to see how this changes the dynamics of the Democratic race. I just hope that Edwards did drop because he felt that with things the way they are he couldn’t win and not because of family problems. I wish him and his family all the best.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

I miss him already. Honestly, I believe he was our one saving grace in this whole mess. I’m afriad that you know who #1 and you know who #2 are not entirely electable in this nation we exist in. And I don’t speak for myself, I speak for the vast majority of our mid-section of our nation. It’s reality.

Lewis
Portland, Oregon
http://www.spiritofsaintlewis.blogspot.com

I must say Mr. Anderson Cooper, you grabbed at my heart during the Katrina crisis and the Coal Miners tragic ending, I wept along with you, But last night on the Republican debate you were so unfair to Congressman Ron Paul and Governor Huckabee. These two gentlemen are also running for our presidency and there were a lot of interested people,. i’m sure, out here in America that would have been very interested in hearing their views also. It was more than rude and so unfair to the American people the you chose to ignore their presence. Although it did show me that Senator John McCain has no business running for President, thank you for that. That was the last debate before Super Tuesday, as you related, just so sorry that last night, you cheated the people and these two figures, of what I would call true Americans and Statesmen. Thank you for reading this comment, Hopefully you will Anderson. Joyce Williams

I supported Edwards for a long time, until I realized he just couldn’t win. However, I do hope that he ends up as Vice President. I truly believe he works hard for people don’t usually have a voice in this country. Too many people claim to do that but he walks the walk. Would love a Obama/Edwards or a Clinton/Edwards ticket!

Candy:
It does sadden me to see John Edwards leave the race not just because of his voice for the working class but because he was a stable presence in the war between the Obama and Clinton campaigns.

I hope to hear from John Edwards again in the future.

I am sorry Edwards dropped out, too. And I am disappointed in the media who did not give him much air time. I would like to see him as attorney general, I think he would raise the quality of the justice department, and be the best watchdog for Americans since Bobby Kennedy.

Too bad that Edwards has retired from the race, but is still sitting on the fence. If he cares about america so much, he would endorse one of the two remaining candidates. He has a lot in common with Obama, but is he not endorsing him, because deep within him, never mind the talk, he does not want a Black Man as President. Come on Edwards, stop talking the talk and walk the walk.

Hi Candy, I’m sad that Mr. Edwards dropped out this early, but I respect his decision. Right now, I don’t think it matters as much what happened and why he decided to drop out early. The important thing is that Democratic voters have to move forward and figure out who they want to support (if they’re still undecided). I hope the debate tonight will help them in their choice.

Thanks,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

Hey Candy,
There’s something commendable in seeing the writing on the wall before it starts glowing; so too the irony of a white male ceding defeat to a white woman & a black man … remarkable! My crystal ball predictions indicate a Clinton Edwards alliance. I disagree with commentators who reduce the Clintons to being one dimensional. In the political arena, showing your soft side when a hungry bear approaches only makes you more appetizing. President Clinton & Senator Clinton have faced these machinations before, their bruises have faded & the wounds have healed but, they remember what it’s like to face the ruthless Republican juggernaut who are world renowned for fighting dirty even within their own weight class.
I’d love to see you, in upcoming installments, battling in person, the suit & ties who make predictions sporting French manicures & Dior lip gloss; there would be nothing recognizable left behind … … keep up the exceptional work.

Clinton and Obama are just so close on all the major issues. If one of them picks Edwards as a running mate, I really believe it would make a huge difference for them. A ticket with an Edwards VP would have my vote for sure.

I am also saddened that Edwards is out, and more importantly, not participating in tonight’s debate. I really felt that he was the voice of reason in the last debate. His presence will be missed. I just hope that Anderson can do his job and get the candidates to actually answer the questions instead of giving us some poetic speech about hope and change, because believe it or not, hope is not going to turn this country around.

About the polls, I am kind of curious. The last national poll I saw had Clinton as the only democratic able to win against McCain. Although I have my own views on the candidates, for me it is going to come down to who I think can win against the Republicans in November. We just cannot afford another 4 years of this crap!!!

Candy,
Thank you so much for writing an informative piece without taking sides. We need to see more of that on this blog!

I guess only time will tell where Edwards’ supporters will wind up. Personally, I thought he had a lot of good things to say, but I did not like his combative style in the debates. I don’t think he should run as a V.P. though - been there, done that. Perhaps a cabinet post would be right for him. I’d also like to see Senators Biden and Dodd in the next cabinet, along with Gov. Richardson. They were all good candidates and serve our country well.

Hartman, in KC took exception to the statement that most of Hillary’s voters were less wealthy and were more the “common folk”. Stating that she lived from paycheck to paycheck but was still for Obama, proof of Candy’s comments were requested.

We know Edward’s father worked most of his life in a mill, John has worked hard too. His goal was to become president of this country, but for very different reasons than most who have that goal. John saw it as an opportunity to help those who had such a tough life, not for the power that is usually sought.

You want proof? Tell me ~ can you name a time when Obama was poor?

Maggie C

I BELIEVE THAT EDWARDS HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENDORSE EITHER OBAMA OR CLINTON PUBLICLY. HE SHOULD NOT LEAVE HIS CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE NOT KNOWING WHO HE ENDORSES.
HE OWES THEM THAT.

John Edwards should endorse Obama for these reasons.
Im very worried about Hillary becoming the nominee. One of the biggest reasons being, the republicans. They are salvating at the thought of going up against her. They have been gearing up for this, for years. And I know so many Hillary supporters are saying shes been there before, she knows how to fight them and win. But to me thats the the whole piont. Yes, maybe she will win. But why on earth would we as democrats nominate someone that has to fight off years of controversy and questionable practices that she and her husband have been involved in. And if she were to win, how many more enemys will she have created in the process. And in the end will that give us the kind of bipartisan Leadership that this country desperately needs right now. I know any democrat that we nominate is going to be given a hard time by the republicans. But Im absolutely convinced that Obama has much firmer ground to stand on.

Candy, This is really no suprise. Mr. Edwards has been running for President 8 years now and never came close to winning the Democratic nomination. I admire him for his perserverence and determination but it must be a real drain to work and try so hard and never even get a bite of the apple. I’m sure he is a good man however, he should have realized long ago that his efforts to claim the ultimate prize were futile. The question now is, was this all a plan to be VP, so he had a path to the White House, or was he in cahoots with then John Kerry, and now Obama or Hillary to sway the votes. Maybe neither but, why has he stuck around so long knowing he had no chance to win? By not endorsing anyone he always leaves the door open for himself . He seems to think that if he just doesn’t go away he will become a part of it. What do you think? Is there something deeper going on here? As one of the finest reporters on the job today, and with the inside contacts I’m sure you have, When appropriate I hope you will tell us what his actual motives are and have been for the last 8 years. For many of us it is a mystery and a question unanswered.

I think Obama and Edwards make a great ticket