Several possible reasons for the Edwards dropout

[ShaneGR]

1. Fundraising might not have been on par to sustain Super Tuesday advertising/campaigning. In 2004 at this time Edwards had won South Carolina and he was Kerry's only real challenger left.

2. Elizabeth. Not everyone understands this but the form of cancer she has is terminal. She could live another five years, or another two months, it all depends. One thing is certain, eventually she will pass from it. My prayers go out to her and the family and I hope the Edwards family enjoys every second, family time! Also, don't forget, they have two small children, an older daughter, and the fond memories of a lost son.

3. He's cut a deal with one of the other campaigns for a cabinet level spot to combat poverty, it's possible and I wouldn't blame him for doing so. Honestly, short of the Presidency, having a say in domestic policy on the cabinet level makes a LOT of sense to me.

4. He just sees the numbers. He's trailing by 30 points in almost all the polling. The reality is that he needed to win Iowa, when Obama won Iowa, it was basically over as far as winning the whole thing. Maybe he just doesn't want to keep spending money from supporters knowing that he can't win? If you believe in what he's saying, contribute to his poverty center. It's a great organization and a great cause.

5. The Super Bowl is Sunday and the guys tired. He just wants to sit down with his family, on his couch, in his home, crack a beer, and watch some football. Just kidding, but seriously, the guy hasnt really stopped for 5 years.

[lonestarnot]

1. I thought of Elizabeth today. Whatever time she has left now they

can spend it together.

[Fresh_Start]

2. he has younger children, maybe he thinks Elizabeth and he

need to focus on them and their needs.

[ShaneGR]

3. If I was him, in this situation, I would go family

Everyone is complaining he said he'd go until the "convention", that's six months away. With Elizabeth sick, with young children, I can understand.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. I think it's number 4

I have no reason to believe there's anything more to it than that he was running a distant third and knew it was over.

Save the money and embarassment that would've resulted from staying in through Super Tuesday.

All these threads speculating behind-the-scenes stuff is silly to me. I strongly suspected he would drop out soon. I was surprised it was today, though.

[ShaneGR]

5. Well, it's possible, but "no reason to believe?"

It's a FACT that his wife is dying. Like I said, 2 months or 5 years.