So how do I explain to my kid all this "Edwards is done" stuff?

[SunDrop23]

Seriously?

I mean I don't think he's done. In fact I think it is short sighted to suggest he is done since he didn't win Iowa, but it seems like everywhere I turn people are saying "Edwards put all his eggs in one basket and so since he didn't win, he's done..." the implication being the money is gone, the resources are then, and you just can't bounce back like that *snaps finger. Maybe he will be done one day in the future, but I don't understand how we can write him off after Iowa. Perhaps I am showing a combination of being naive and being unschooled in the finer points of Presidential politics/elections.

Earlier tonight my son asked me "How can John Edwards be done after one primary? (sic)"

I'm thrilled to death that he is taking an interest in this at such a young age (8). Naturally it is because his brother (10) and I (29 and holding LOL) have been keeping an eye on this since 2006 and because I want them both to stay interested I am thinking about how to answer the question. I don't want him to think "this sucks, get all ramped up and have it end after one night."

I'll support John until he's out. I really like Sen. Obama, but John gets the nod because he is an NC boy like me. Either way the bigger picture is for us to band together when the smoke clears to ensure WHOEVER wins the White House has a (D) beside his or her name.

[begin_within]

1. It's baloney. Edwards is not done.

[CountAllVotes]

2. yes you are right

Edwards is very far from being "done"!! He has my support if that means anything and also the support of thousands of other citizens!

He has only just begun I do believe.

:dem:

[SunDrop23]

4. I agree with both of you, but I'm not sure my kids will buy it when presented like that.

They need something more tangible, if that makes sense.
They've never been the kind to accept "just because" as an explanation.

[Hippo_Tron]

3. He doesn't have the numbers, money, or organization in the other states

[SunDrop23]

5. But does any one person have all of that at this point...?

[sandnsea]

8. 32 offices in 17 states

Even Alaska. Yes, some people really have the money, numbers AND organization at this point.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/ObamaHQ/Cg8H

[sandnsea]

6. He spent two years in Iowa, put all his eggs in one basket

And the basket broke.

Never put all your eggs in one basket unless you like scrambled eggs.

That's how you explain it to your son.

Or, you can take the miracles happen and you have to stick to your principles approach, that works too.

[midnight]

7. You can let him know that sometimes people don't know

what is going on so they start rumors.

[hayu_lol]

10. Explain it mathematically...

Obama garnered just under 40% of the caucus support.

Edwards/Hillary, between them, garnered just under 60% of the caucus support.

Not one of the three is done or even threatened at this point.

Far as I'm concerned, 60% trumps 40% any day.

Unless I'm mistaken, there may be drastic changes as to how the primary goes in NH.

As a people, we are simply brainwashed into 'instant gratification.'

[midnight]

36. This brain washing is a good explanation. The math is a bit

confusing for me.

[ncliberal]

9. He's not done.

Someone posted in another thread that he had record fund-raising last night. Many of those contributions were from first-time contributors.

[K Gardner]

11. Simple math. There are 50 states. One state voted. 49 are left.

All this "they're done" with regards to any candidate is hogwash. This is just the first few states. I don't think HRC will win NH. I think Obama will and she may get 2nd. I don't think HRC will win South Carolina. I think Obama and Edwards are going to put her in 3rd there, too. And even after all that, I don't think we can count ANY of them down and out until we see what happens on Feb 5th, i.e. Super Tuesday. There are people in the rest of the country - us flyover state people - who have some delegates to hand out. And we haven't even started campaigning yet. Tell him to wait for the rest of the country to speak.. because that's how democracy works :-)

[SunDrop23]

26. Seems like a logical explanation to me. (n/t)

[CarbonDate]

35. Dodd and Biden seem to disagree with you.

Not that Edwards is done, but he does have a serious challenge in convincing "Not Hillary" voters why he's a better choice than the guy who won Iowa.

I like Edwards. I hope he makes a run of it. Unfortunately, at some point before all the votes are taken, either he or Obama are going to need to step aside and let the Not Hillary voters coalesce around one candidate rather than splitting the vote between the two of them. If they both hang in there too long, they'll also be allowing Hillary to stay in the contest rather than euthanizing her campaign early. Right now, Obama has the lead and the logistical edge. We'll see how the rest play out, but after Super Tuesday, this really does need to be pared down to a two-person contest.

On the matter of Hillary: I don't expect her to bow out at any point. I fully expect that, even if she continues to lose primary contests, she will try to keep it close enough to play super delegates and carry the nomination. I don't say that as a criticism; I actually admire her tenacity and would be surprised to see her quit. But Obama and Edwards need to be aware that the establishment candidate will not be knocked out in favor of a two-person contest between candidates of change. If it looks like one of them has the momentum, the other should step aside, whichever one that may be. Otherwise, say hello to President Clinton.

[PurityOfEssence]

12. Like this: "hey guys, you know all that silly dumb stuff kids do at recess? It never changes."

Childish triumphalism and skittish fad chasing never really changes; adults just tend to get more sophisticated at their methods of expressing their primitiveness.

Or...

Grownups are even dumber than kids; just wait.

[flyarm]

13. Edwards is not done..please make sure your child understands that!! Edwards not done!!

Not by a longshot!!

I am still on the ground in Iowa...I was a volunteer for Edwards in Iowa..there were hundreds and hundreds of us from Out of state for Edwards ..in Iowa..to help out get out the vote and help with the caucus's...many of us stayed around today to get on the phones for donations..this may be the top day for donations for the Edwards Campaign..i just heard from one of the finance people ..it is high high high today, and could top all other $$$ days!!

If you have not donated today..every dollar helps..please do!!

I have been on the phones to my state of Florida..and people are donating in high numbers!!

Everyone with the Campaign are Thrilled we beat Hillary!..everyone is very positive!!

sure last night i was a little down..for 5 minutes..because i was tired..we were all tired..but when we all got into the hotel we rallied and everyone was very positive after we saw John Edwards..

I talked with Congressman Bonior and he was very very positive..as was Joe Trippi..

do not let anyone tell you or your child that Edwards is done..that would be a lie!!

The fight has only begun!!

I won't stop FIGHTING ...John Edwards is the right man to take our country back ..of that i have no doubt!

fly

please donate if you haven't already!!

www.johnedwards.com/donate

[davidwparker]

14. You should listen to Thom Hartmann's show today. The three of them

are picking up delegates and the spread between the 3 are not that far off. It's still anyone's game -- even Hillary. Iowa is only the first, but not the deciding event. What about Iowa makes you switch your vote from Edwards to Obama?.

Iowa was a snapshot of what has been happening politically. A repudiation of the pundits, of the status quo, a historic event (i.e., race in this country),

All the props to Obama, but .... that was just the first showdown. He would have gotten a lot of votes on his own, but due to viability rules, he did pick up votes from Kucinich and Richardson when they weren't viable. Kucinich/Richardson apparently request their supporters to go to Obama if either of them were not viable. (Just as Kucinich in 2004 requested his supporters go to Edwards.)

For myself, I'm voting for Edwards in the primary. II also donated $100 today to his campaign. Iowa was fun, but won't change my vote one bit.

One last thing ... I don't vote (D) just because of the (D). I won't vote for the Clintons at all. I'll write in either Edwards or Kucinich if Hillary is the nominee. She'll never carry my state.

[SunDrop23]

28. I didn't say I was switching, if the boldfaced question is directed at me...I said

"I'll support John until he's out."

And I will, but I will also support any Democrat. Period. No way I would waste a vote on a write-in.

If we eat our own, we will end up with someone to the right of the schmuck in the White House today. And what good will that be for any of us? Not just us in the USA but the world as a whole?

[davidwparker]

50. the bold more to those who read the thread. for not voting for the Clintons,

is about saying to the party that I don't support republicon=lite and not interested in the Clintons. that's it. Hillary has high negatives and will not carry my state. it's all or nothing. there will be too many voters for the republicon if she is the nominee.

however, edwards or obama has a chance at carrying my state. the chances of Hillary carrying NC is .... as likely as she will carry VA. None.

[VenusRising]

15. You could also explain about the anti-corporate message.

Edwards has been speaking out vehemently against the corporations in favor of the regular American. Since the media is owned by corporations, they are threatened by Edwards' message and therefore dismiss him easily in favor of the more corporate Dems.

Good luck with explaining things to your son. And congratulations on having raised interested citizens at such a young age! :applause:

[Tejanocrat]

16. I'd tell your son the truth: that many people -- particularly Edwards' opponents but not only them -

have a keen interest in Edwards being "done" and the current president has reinforced the notion that if you repeat something enough (like WMD in Iraq or 9/11=Saddam) many people will believe it regardless of whether it is true.

Tell him that Edwards has raised more money in the election than almost every candidate has raised at a comparable stage of the election in the history of American elections (other than Bush in 2004 and Obama and Hillary this year, of course) but that Edwards is still being outspent by more than 5 to 1. But also tell him that Huckabee won in Iowa despite being outspent, and that both Richardson and Hillary spent more than Edwards (much more in Hillary's case, millions and millions more) and Edwards nevertheless beat them so public offices aren't for sale to the highest bidder in America.

Finally, tell him that Edwards is standing up for what he believes is right (and so are some of the other candidates) and his task ahead isn't an easy one but Edwards is doing his best and will continue to do his best.

[SunDrop23]

30. Interesting points, thanks for the response (n/t)

:hi:

[Clanfear]

17. Perhaps, tell him the truth?

Edwards was a figment of his parents imagination in winning the nomination?

[SunDrop23]

29. Maybe I won't tell him that. But thanks. (n/t)

[Egnever]

34. little over the top there?

Not a cool post at all.

[Mike03]

18. Why is Edwards done? I don't believe it either.

People are not listening to him, or something.

Why isn't is health care obsession sinking through?

[Occam Bandage]

19. It's pretty simple: Edwards campaigned only in Iowa for two years.

He bet everything on winning Iowa. He doesn't have much support or infrastructure elsewhere. He doesn't have money, infrastructure, or momentum, and so he doesn't have any options to increase his standings in the polls. He's badly behind everywhere.

Many are in denial, but Edwards is over.

[hayu_lol]

20. Our three leaders are probably going on past super Tuesday...

perhaps as far as the 700 pound gorilla--California. Sort of a novel idea that we may not know until the 50th primary.

If pressed, Edwards can write himself a check to tide him over. Hillary can do the same and probably Obama can as well.

[ellisonz]

22. Well actually...California is part of Super Duper Tuesday.

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/primaries/democraticprimaries/index.html

This ain't 1968.

And with Michigan and Florida not counting this will be interesting...

[krabigirl]

23. Edwards is not over! Not in my book...I won't vote for anyone else, sorry.

[zalinda]

32. First of all it is a bunch of crap that Edwards

campaigned in Iowa for 2 years. He only put in a couple of weeks more than the other two. I bought into that lie until someone posted days spent there by the candidates.

zalinda

[damntexdem]

21. Good heavens! He came in second! He beat out HRC, if only closely.

Whatever the veracity of the prior "he has to at least take second" talk, the fact is that he did take second.

[Yukari Yakumo]

24. He is getting his butt kicked in almost every other state.

A second place finish in Iowa and a likely third place finish in NH will not change any of that.

He bet it all on Iowa and lost.

Most Edwards supporters are either in the Denial stage or the Anger stage. I haven't seen any reach the Bargaining stage.

[hyphenate]

46. Ain't no fucking way I'm in denial

Edwards spent only a FRACTION of what HRC and BO did, and took second place--with BO having only ONE delegate more than Edwards. That AIN'T no fucking landslide of any sort, and NH is a whole different ballgame than Iowa. I don't see BO doing all that great in NC or some of the other southern states--the argument against a "northerner" is evidential that they don't like people from the north, regardless of it's Massachusetts (Kerry) or Illinois. John Edwards stays on message, and won't pander to the corporations--he's got a proven record of that as an attorney suing big corporations and helping out both the middle class and the lower class.

Obama is also playing to the right, and Edwards, right now, wouldn't be caught dead doing that. Counting Edwards out right now is ridiculous.

[tired_old_fireman]

25. I want to know why it's all Edwards is done. What about Richardson?

Edwards came in second. Richardson barely beat uncomitted.

[smalll]

44. Richardson is also done. /nt

[2rth2pwr]

27. You have to be strong

and tell them that sometimes the conventional wisdom is right.

[dogman]

31. The same way you tell them there is no Easter bunny.

Or spin it like most of his supporters. Say he was out spent 6 to 1, even though he has campaigned in Iowa 6 years to their 1. Tell them he is tough and can't be swift-boated, but hope they don't realize that is bull shit when you tell them the MSM will not let him get his message out. America passed on him before and hopefully will again.

[zalinda]

33. Will you people stop spreading that lie

He did not spend 6 years or 2 years in Iowa, he spent just about 2 weeks more than the rest of the candidates there. I know, I was amazed. But someone posted the days spent there by the top 3 candidates and it was days not years. It may have come from DailyKos.

You know if you can't stick up for your candidate but have to come and piss on someone else's you must be really lacking.

zalinda

[CarbonDate]

40. You realize that he campaigned there for the '04 nomination too, right?

It's not like they forgot who he was.

[zalinda]

47. Of course I know that, but with that reasoning

Kucinich has been there for 6 years too.

zalinda

[SunDrop23]

39. Interesting approach, but I doubt I will tell them any of that. But thanks. (n/t)

[Egnever]

37. Thats a tough one

if your child is emotionaly conected to the candidate. Unfortunately the real factors on the ground make it almost impossible for him to go anywhere but down from here. Part of it is money part of it is lack of organiztion part of it is media buzz. He might be able to overcome one shortfall but he cant overcome all three of them. Had he won last night he would have pulled off something amazing and the buzz would have been all about him. Unfortunately he only barely eeked out a win over hillary. This does absolutely nothing to help him. In fact it hurts him.

He has one last gasp left to him IMHO and that is saturdays debate. His last chance to make his case to a wide audience. Theres a possibility he could pull something amazing off there but based o0n past performances I would say its not likely to be enough.

Keep rooting for him and working for him, you never know the stars could all align and he could pull a rabbit out of his hat. But I would try to prepare your child for the idea that he will not be president.

[SunDrop23]

38. Incidentally they are prepared for the next step, I fear....

I've painted this picture of my kids as two boys who will go off the deep end when Edwards gets the boot and I think he will eventually. I'm an Edwards supporter but also a realist.

But they are ready to support whoever the Dem nominee is, to the extent an 8 and 10 year old can. LOL

[Egnever]

42. Thats cool

I was crushed last time arround when Howard lost and I am way past ten :P

I think its very cool that your kids are politicaly aware at such a young age. They may go on to do great things.

[SunDrop23]

48. Good story...

Let's not even discuss how crushed I was after the 04 election. It really took some time for me to get over and I too am a smidge over 10.
Thanks for the positive feedback.

[CarbonDate]

45. That's good.

I remember how emotionally attached I was to Wesley Clark in '04 and how hard it was to take when I felt like he never got an honest shot. He actually dropped out before I had a chance to vote for him, so I ended up voting for Dean. This year, I haven't emotionally attached myself to any particular candidate, and I've found it easier to roll with the tide. If anything, I've emotionally attached myself to seeing that Hillary is not the nominee, so I naturally found the Iowa results very satisfying.

I won't lie and say that I won't vote for Hillary if she's the nominee. Looking at the Republican field, I don't see anybody I could remotely tolerate as President. That said, I would absolutely be holding my nose as I cast my ballot for her.

I like Edwards. I hope he hangs in there, but after Super Tuesday, either he or Obama needs to step aside and back the other.

[tammywammy]

41. Tell them that Edwards isn't "done"

He's done if/when he bows out. :)

[hyphenate]

43. You just tell him

it ain't over 'til it's over. Until a candidate runs out of money completely or decides the fire is too hot, he's not done. And that's the plain truth.

[VolcanoJen]

49. I worked my ass off for Edwards in 2004.

Edwards hung on until Super Tuesday on March 2nd. I waved signs on a busy corner in urban Cincinnati with a group of supporters, for hours, freezing so much we jumped up and down just to stay warm.

He left the race that night, and we were heartbroken. But of course our hopes were renewed when Kerry chose him as his running mate in the early summer. :-)

I'd tell your son that Edwards is a fighter, and he'll hang on until he no longer can. I'm an Obama supporter this time around, but what I'd like to see is for Edwards to more or less join forces with Obama and turn this into a two-person Race Toward Change.

:hug:

[SunDrop23]

51. Thanks for the response Jen.

I was really involved with the K-E campaign and the 2004 elections devastated me.

The three of us talked about it today and we all agreed to continue to support John 100%, but if he got out we would support Obama 100% (or whoever the Democrat nominee is).

Side note: my wife is a "mama for Obama." LOL

Thanks again for your encouragement!

:applause:

[vanbean]

52. Edwards is not done yet!

I think it is important to emphasis to my kids why I choose to be a democrat. Then I explain why I like Edwards but also explain that if he does not win then Obama will also be a great president. Not to hard for my 7 year old to understand seeing as how she knew since age 4 that Bush was a liar.

I am new to posting to DU but have been reading it for years. Now it seems more important than ever to be an active participant.

[SunDrop23]

53. Gotta agree...now more than ever us Dems MUST stick together. (n/t)