For Edwards, It All Comes Down to South Carolina

[isbister]

For John Edwards, Tuesday is the day of reckoning.

If the native son of South Carolina loses the presidential primary here to John F. Kerry -- a possibility that his entourage nervously acknowledges is real -- the decision will be simple. Edwards will congratulate Kerry, quickly endorse the Massachusetts senator as the Democratic nominee and head home.

He will feel no shame, he said in an interview, in losing to a man he regards as an upright politician, worthy of the presidency.

But if he beats Kerry in South Carolina, Edwards said he looks forward to challenging him for the top spot -- no matter what the odds against his success.

A victory here would send the North Carolina senator flying late Tuesday night to Memphis to begin a quest for victories on Feb. 10 in the Tennessee and Virginia primaries -- a prelude to a battle he says he can wage right through the remainder of the race....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6892-2004Feb2.html

[TexasPatriot]

1. interesting...

Edwards planning to endorse Kerry, eh? he seemed to be cozying up to Dean in the last couple days...

[JasonDeter]

2. Edwards winning S Carolina. In reality wouldn't that be like

Liebermen finishing 5th and saying he finished in a 3 way tie? And it was his joementum in moving forward into Delaware?

[incapsulated]

3. The strategy is sound

If he can't win his home State, he can't win, period.

By coming out for Kerry if he loses, he puts himself at the head of the line for a VP spot should Kerry get the nod.

[Blayde Starrfyre]

4. Really?

"If he can't win his home State, he can't win, period."

Al Gore lost his home state in the 2000 election and still won. :P

[incapsulated]

5. Sure, if you want *that* kinda win

With recounts and chads and the Supreme Court and stolen ballots...

Nah, done that! :crazy:

[patricia92243]

6. SC is not his home state - NC is - he's my senator and has always lived NC

[incapsulated]

8. Sorry, you're right of course

My Bad.

He just such a favorite for that state I started thinking of it that way. :silly:

[Adjoran]

7. Edwards was born in Seneca, SC

He does have to win the state to move on. No doubt about that.

BUT ~ if he does win it, he is in a great position for Tennessee and Virginia the following week. Then Kerry would have to deal with Edwards and Clark in the south and west, while facing a possibly reinvigorated challenge from Dean in the midwest and west coast.

It could still get interesting. It takes 2106 delegates to win, and as of right now, Dean and Kerry are both just barely over 100. It isn't over yet.

That being said, should Kerry sweep or go 5/6, it would be practically impossible to stop him. With the expectations game, he will probably keep his momentum with 4/6, but 3/6 would play poorly in the media.

[Shanty Oilish]

9. I hope he wins it

I'm still for Kerry and think Edwards needs time to ripen, but Edwards is so positive and upbeat, you can't help pulling for him.