If Edwards remained in through Super Tuesday, our nominee would be decided right now

[ecstatic]

I don't think it's clear who that nominee would have been, but one of the two would have greatly benefited from Edwards staying in the race.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm glad Edwards stepped aside when he did so as not to interfere with this extremely tight, historical race. I think his decision was selfless and patriotic.

[sniffa]

1. It would have been HRC, I believe

I took his withdrawal as an unannounced endorsement of Obama.

[FlyingSquirrel]

3. It would definitely have been HRC

Obama's numbers went through the roof after Edwards exited.

The funny thing is, Hillary was trying to paint it as a two person race between herself and Obama while Edwards was still in the race. The moment it actually BECAME a two-person race, she suffered the consequences.

Careful what you wish for........

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. I think you're right

The majority of the Edwards supporters I know turned to Obama when Edwards withdrew.

[saracat]

6. Edwards has been very clear that is NOT the case. He said OPbama wasn't "tough " enough and wasn't a

fighter. He also doesn't like the fact that Obama has no universal health care plan. Edwards liked Obama less and less. When Obama "mocked " him during the last debate, that may have been the last straw.Edwards is NO Obama fan.

[sniffa]

9. Coming from you, that's believable

:thumbsup:

[saracat]

11. No. Coming from Time Magazine as well as the NYTimes.

[gateley]

2. Isn't it the conventional wisdom that JE stepped aside in the interest of

party unity?

You may be right - it might have been better if he'd stayed in the race (if that's what you're saying).

Interested to hear responses of those who are politically savvy.

[Exilednight]

5. There's been no proof that Edwards stepping aside benefited either candidate. It will take years ..

...of some kid working on his poli-sci thesis to determine who this really benefited.

[comradebillyboy]

7. Edwards stepped aside because

he could not afford to keep running and had too little support. I think he dislikes both Obama and Clinton, otherwise why no endorsement? His departure appears to have benefited Obama.

[JVS]

8. Splitting the delegate poll more ways never makes it easier to get the nominee decided.

[jackson_dem]

10. If he stayed in and hypothetically quit after ST he would have 200-300 delegates

He would be kingmaker, a role he clearly preferred to leave to the voters.