Obama, Clinton eager to scoop up Edwards' supporters if he drops out of Democratic race

[ariesgem]

By: NANCY BENAC - Associated Press

WASHINGTON ---- Democrat John Edwards placed second in Iowa, third in New Hampshire and faces even longer odds of pulling off a win in upcoming states.

But he still attracts the support of as many as 20 percent of Democratic voters in national polls. And where those Edwardians turn next if their first choice for president exits the race could well be the determining factor in who claims the Democratic nomination.

"Every time somebody drops out of a race when it's close, where they go is important," says Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who is not working for any candidate. And Edwards' supporters, she says, "are even more priceless than your average jewel."

That's because this year's race is so competitive, and Edwards' supporters are viewed as loyal and dependable voters who will actually turn out on Election Day.

Barack Obama, with his outsider's message of change, looks like a logical second choice for those attracted to Edwards' pledge to fight special interests and corporate greed.

Indeed, Edwards voters in Iowa favored Obama over Clinton as their second choice by a nearly two-to-one margin in caucus-night surveys. And Edwards supporters in New Hampshire reported they had a far more favorable impression of Obama than of Clinton, according election-night surveys there.

Donald Wood, a 52-year-old one-time Edwards supporter from Merrill, Wis., fits that profile. Now that Edwards' presidential prospects look dim, he's leaning toward Obama.

"I think it's time for this country to have a change," Wood said in explaining his new interest in Obama. "With the troubles and everything that the Clintons had before, I don't think the country needs those problems any more."

Consultant Backus says that while Edwards voters are sure to find some of the same qualities that they like when they take a look at Obama, "there is definitely an opening for Hillary Clinton to exploit" as she pivots toward economic issues that hold appeal for populist-oriented Edwards supporters.

Democratic pollster Peter Hart said Obama has the easier sell to Edwards voters because of "a greater overlap of convergence" in the two candidates' messages, but he nonetheless views Edwards' voters as up for grabs if he drops out.

"People are supporting John Edwards for a lot of different reasons," Hart said. "It's not just based on an issue or a set of ideas. So I think it's a jump ball."

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/01/13/perspective/9_37_031_12_08.txt

[KittyWampus]

1. He's not dropping out.

[Skwmom]

13. Of course not. He'll stay in the race just like Bill Clinton advised

him to do in 2004 (as stated by Edwards in a 2004 interview). I wonder if Bill Clinton is still giving him advise like he did in 2004. ?

[Mythsaje]

2. If he drops out

I'll wait for the GE.

I won't be writing in support of any of the other possibles.

[Yael]

17. I thought you announced support for Hillary?

[Mythsaje]

20. Yep...but I'm not going to be writing for her the way I do for Johnny.

I'm not THAT enthuastic.

[Bicoastal]

3. I'm not one of them, but I'm not so sure the Edwards-people might not quote Shakespeare...

"A pox on BOTH your houses!"

[bobbolink]

30. You captured my words exactly!

I think the Dem "powers" may be in for a surprise.

[girl gone mad]

4. Gee..

I guess that explains all the courteous treatment we've been receiving from Obama and Clinton supporters lately. :crazy:

[Arugula Latte]

5. Yeah, well, Hillary, you can forget about this Edwards gal.

Ain't gonna happen. I hope you get dropped like a bad habit.

[Nutmegger]

6. I will mark my ballot for Edwards regardless.

Nothing will change that.

[stravu9]

7. Nobody is gong SCOOP me up!

If Edwards does not get the nomination I am "CHANGING" my party affiliation.
I am a 50 year old life long Democrat wall the walk Social Worker The grand daughter of a Union organizer and I tell you plainly I have had just about enough of the Democratic ELITE!
Me and mine are mad as Hell and this will be the final nail in the coffin for us!
We have never had this good a chance in all the years I've voted!
And we evidently plan to throw this opportunity away by supporting either Hillary , whose spouse pushed NAFTA through and de-regulating the cable industry! And who was on the board at WAL Mart ans Sam Walton called her "his little lady"!
Or Obama a 1st term Senator who has spent all his time running for office, missing key vote during his career and abstaining if the questions got too hairy!

NO WAY!
Don't tell me, "WAAH! we'll lose the Courts!" HELLO! They are already gone!
No!
I have drawn my line in the sand!
Follow the CORPORATE DEMOCRATS which Hillary and OBAMA represent if you will!
If THEY are the party's chosen then this party is no longer for me!

[patrice]

10. I know how you feel.

One thing about Clinton & Obama I just don't get: HOW can you change anything when you enter "negotiations" with the opposition saying to them, in effect, "You can have what you want." That's what triangulating is; that's what being Purple means; that's bipartisan. The opposition has NO incentive to give anything, when they know they're going to get their way anyway. The bargaining is over at that point and we lose.

The opposition has to be treated the way they would treat us. Look at the last 8 years. They'll do it again if we give them a chance. Edwards's right, "You can't nice them to 'death'." They WILL take any and ALL advantage.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

19. where is Obama triangulating if i may ask?

He welcomes all sides to the table, listens to all sides and then try to find out how best to get an issue passed(without compromising the core values of the issue). Listening to somebody does not mean surrender to them


least the above is how i see his style.

Triangulation is adopting for oneself some of the ideas of one's political opponent. The logic being that it not only takes good ideas away from your opponent, but that it insulates you from attacks on that particular issue (which is far far away from what Obama does)

[martymar64]

12. I agree!

I'll register as a Green or a Socialist if Edwards doesn't get it.

[DaLittle Kitty]

15. Got My Line Drawn As Well... I Ain't Vot'n Fer NO CORPORATIST DEM! PERIOD!

This IS all About ONE Party Anyway... The $Money$ Party... Repubs or Dems... :wtf: does it matter... If they're ALL Bought and Paid For By the Same Evil Benefactors! :puke: on all the bast*rds!

[Clark2008]

27. Funny that... if he DOES get the nomination, the *I'm* leaving the party.

I like what he says, but I believe he's full of shit, given the way he voted when he, you know, could do something about it as a senator.

[stravu9]

37. Well,

I don't care what you think.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. Edwards supporters are the "independents" on the Democratic side

They are the "rugged independents".

They have stayed Edwards supporters DESPITE being told to drop out and affiliate with one of the "Big Two" by:

The MSM
Their fellow DUers
Lawrence O'Donnell
John Kerry
Dennis Kucinich
and pretty much anyone else you care to name

[patrice]

9. John's supporters should go Uncommitted in the unlikely event that they don't

make it at their caucuses. There could be a sizable block of Un-committed delegates at the convention.

[loveangelc]

11. i think what may happen is he stays until the convention and gives his delegates to obama if

obama doesn't have enough delegates.

or he will drop out and enrose obama. edwards supporters are not going to hillary imo.

[MadBadger]

14. I think HIllary would benefit in the South if Edwards drops out

A lot of those white southern dems who are supporting Edwards would go over to Hillary instead of Obama.

[loveangelc]

23. I doubt it. Hillary and Edwards do not seem to be on the best terms.

I think Edwards should stay until the convention and give his delegates to Obama if he does not have enough delegates. At least thats what I am hoping.

[redqueen]

44. "edwards supporters are not going to hillary imo."

Might want to trade in that crystal ball.

[Yael]

16. Edwards supporters are informed and paying attention

she is spot on about us turning out on election day.

:thumbsup:

[2rth2pwr]

18. Not if- when. nt

[Mythsaje]

21. Chickens/eggs/hatch.

Do the math yourself.

[MrSlayer]

22. I'm not going to move to either of them.

If Edwards is out by the time I get to vote I'm voting for Kucinich.

[krabigirl]

26. me too

[robcon]

24. I agree... Edwards voters will go to Obama more than Clinton when he drops out.

When will he drop out?? That's a critical question for the nomination.

[stravu9]

28. NEVER!

He will stay and fight until the bitter end as he should.
And I think if you are depending on Edwards backers throwing support to Obama you may be in for a rude awakening.
I could not feel comfortable voting for someone the Corporate Media seems so determined to shove down my throat!

[robcon]

29. Have you EVER heard of anyone with half a brain doing that...

without money, staff, or a chance of the nomination? Especially when his endorsement would be valuable to one of the other candidates?

[stravu9]

31. Sounds to Me Like You Have An Ax To Grind.

Perhaps you'd be more at home on an Obama Supporters Thread?
His endorsement, if it should come will not convince me to vote for your obvious candidate of choice and I frankly don't give a rat's A$$ about the corporate media anointed candidates!

[robcon]

32. Not an ax to grind, but a prediction to make.

My prediction: Edwards will drop out, probably before Super Tuesday, thereby increasing the chances that Obama will win the nomination.

[stravu9]

34. Dream on, Baby!

Keep hope alive!

[robcon]

36. That's not my dream. I'm a Clinton supporter, but a realistic one.

Edwards will be gone soon, and Obama may win the nomination.

[stravu9]

38. And I'll Joining The GREENS!

My Spouse is an Environmentalist Ex-Greenpeacer anyway!

[smalll]

33. And, not to put too fine a point on it -

WITH a wife whose health might benefit from them both getting off the campaign trail and going home?

If da Kooch wants to run until the bitter end, I can understand it: he never had a real chance anyway in the first place, he's in there for his message, and therefore there's no reason he shouldn't stay in until the end. But Edwards HAD a chance: things could have happened that could have set him up to take the nomination. (Like winning Iowa, for one thing.) Once it becomes clear that he's going nowhere, say after Nevada and South Carolina, or after Super Duper Tuesday at the latest, shouldn't he really get out of it?

[stravu9]

35. If you really think you are doing Obama any good with this kind of crap

I would think again.
Read Krugman's take on Obama economic plan.
All hat and no cattle!
And to bring up Elizabeth's health!
Typical Obama camp M.O. low blow!
She is instrumental here and don't doubt it for a moment!
She sees this as what could be her last stand and plans to go down fighting!
You people disgust me!

[robcon]

41. Don't take it so personally, stravu9

We're trying to be honest - not helping any candidate (as if what we write on DU has any effect on anyone other than the tiny number of DUers who read it.)

My honest perspective is that Edwards will drop out soon, and this will give Obama an advantage. That's not spin (as I wrote above, I wish it were not true) but it is what I think will happen.

Stop being so defensive: react as a student of the political process, not as a partisan, and I think you'll agree.

[midnight armadillo]

25. There is still a race on!

Delegates: Clinton 187 (since she's the establishment candidate), Obama 89 and Edwards 50. No one is near the, what, 2000+ delegates needed to wrap this up.

Talking about Edwards dropping out is just dirty tricks to undermine his support, IMHO. Come Feb 5 I'm pulling the lever for Edwards, come hell or high water.

[Horse with no Name]

39. The polls say he is tied for FIRST in Nevada

Why would he drop out now with a possible first and a second place win?
That will actually be better than Hillary's primary record.

Iowa:
1. Obama
2. Edwards
3. Hillary

NH
1. Hillary
2. Obama
3. Edwards

Poll for NV
1. Edwards (tie)
1. Obama (tie)
3. Hillary

[ToeBot]

40. As far as I'm concerned, Edwards is the last hope for the Democratic Party

If he's out, I'm gone.

[robcon]

42. I think it'll be "See ya, ToeBot"

Another DU threat - this time to leave the party if you don't get your candidate for president.

[Phred42]

43. Edwards Isn't Dropping out

Let's see what happens on Super Tuesday kids.

Edwards is still the best person for President and still solid.

Edwards is still the only Dem that can Beat ALL of the top Republican loosers