Cute story - Edwards(Iowa) delegates "stand firm"

[Catchawave]

Edwards delegates stand firm at convention
By Chris Faulkner/MVM News Network
Published: Monday, March 17, 2008 1:54 PM CDT

FORT MADISON - The national media would have you believe the Democratic portion of the 2008 campaign is a two-horse race.

The grassroots portion of the political process would beg to differ, at least that portion that supports Sen. John Edwards despite the fact that he suspended his campaign about a month ago as Sens. Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton piled up delegates.

If you thought the price of gold was high, imagine the value of the support of an Edwards backer.

At the Lee County Democratic Convention Saturday at Union Presbyterian Church, the 132-plus certified delegates were split about evenly between front runner Obama and Clinton and Edwards.

So when the delegates broke up into three groups for planning strategy and discussing plank possibilities, the Edwards' contingent found it had visitors.

State Rep. Phil Wise, D-Keokuk, and a few other former Edwards supporters tried to convince the stalwarts that while Edwards was a fine candidate and had great ideas, it was time to move on to the one candidate who could beat expected Republican nominee John McCain this November: Barack Obama.

But here's where a valuable civics lesson - regardless of your political affiliation - began to develop. Clyde Martin of Montrose told his fellow Edwards' backers that he was chosen at the caucus to represent Edwards. He wouldn't let those people down. Besides, with the all talk of “super” delegates, Martin said the regular folks should get a voice, too.

“I'm a mini-super delegate,” Martin said.

Then came the Clinton supporters, wanting their voice heard. State Sen. Gene Fraise, D-Fort Madison, and another small contingent put forth their views.

But the Edwards' group, chaired by Sandy Chapman, wasn't going to be persuaded easily.

“I'm not comfortable with either choice,” said Alan Nelson of Jackson Township. If they stay as an Edwards group, they might have an even bigger influence at the state convention, if not the national one.

Chapman agreed. She had been called earlier in the week by a Clinton supporter asking what it would take to switch her allegiance. At least an Edwards-supported platform for starters, Chapman said.

snip

That turned out to be the last word as the Edwards' people had heard enough. They wanted their room back and sent the visitors back to their respective rooms.

snip

more...http://www.dailygate.com/articles/2008/03/17/news/07.prt


(emphasis mine)