Great news for Hillary. Edward's followers are those traditional liberal Democrats that elect traditional liberal Democrats. Edwards may get a second trip as VP. The Obama opposition is now united. We should no longer have to worry about Obama's capitulation to the right to achieve unity.

John Edwards is a good man and a passionate candidate. If he has chosen to drop out now, it is because he has decided to join the wave of lawmakers who will endorse Barack Obama and break the Clintons' hold on the Democratic Party. Sen. Edwards, I salute you for this selfless move in the service of our country and the Democratic party.

This helps Clinton. Undoubtedly, whether he wanted it or not, Edwards was going to get some of the votes of racists who wouldn't support an African American. Most will now go to Clinton. Most of the "anybody but Hillary" vote was already heading Obama's way. Clinton will do much better in the South now.

Quite honestly I think Edwards will be Clinton's VP choice. His dropping out of the race causes more damage to Obama than Clinton.

Yes, Hillary would be an OK president. But I don't think she can beat John McCain for the same reasons mentioned by the poster above...she only appeals to one end of the spectrum. McCain will appeal to independents and Republicans. In my mind, a vote for Hillary ensures 4 more years of Republican rule and all the baggage of the GOP. No thanks!

I am wondering about the health of his wife. Saw a pic of her after the Iowa caucus and she looked like a different person, did not look well.

Ummm, the race loses its bed head of hair? It's all up to you, Romney!

This a sad.

The Most electable democrat leaves the race.

He would be the strongest VP for either Obama/Hillary.

We can still hope he makes it to the White House, although 8 years later than hoped.

When is someone going to address the fact that Obama is also a career politician. After a short law career he has been in government. I also find his "present" votes troubling. If he wanted to take a stand against the Iraq war he could have voted "present" instead of voting to fund that mess.

I'm disappointed that the best candidate is dropping out and we may end up losing another national election to a McCain and Guiliani nightmare ticket on the other side. I will now cast my California vote next Tuesday for Barack Obama as I think the Clinton's respresent the old ways and business as usual.

Edwards followers are people who despise what the Right has been doing in regards to Corporate America. Do you really think they are going to endorse a woman who recieves $800,000.00 a year from Pharmaceutical Lobbyists and also sat on the board of directors for the worker-hating Wal-mart?

I hope and pray that he will endorse Obama. My dream ticket would be Obama-Edwards, or perhaps Obama with Edwards as Attorney General.

Obama might as well drop out now too!!!!

This is great for Obama. You either like Hillary or hate Hillary, there is no in between. And those who like Hillary already support her. Expect Obama to pick up at least 90% of Edwards supporters.

Edwards as VP to Billary? Not if he has a brain. There is no room for a VP with the 2 ring circus of Bill & Hillary.

I think Edwards would be smart to make a deal with Obama. An Obama-Edwards pairing could easily defeat Billary.

And, it would then be a "2 on 2" race.

Whether you supported him or not, we should all take a moment to recognize a campaign well-run. A valiant effort put forth!

Looks like a crapshoot for whoever is going to get his votes. Like any of us can predict which way this thing will go.

I think you're right katharine. Edwards is getting out to clear the way for Obama. This sets him up for a one-on-one face off with Hillary where he can make or break his campaign. Obama will also do much better in the south now without having to compete with Edwards for southern whites.

I am an Edwards supporter who will be turning my support towards Clinton. I am not a hug fan of either Obama or Hillary but I have had a major shift of opinion on Obama in the last few weeks. It seems since he has no accomplishments he has to run on the accomplishments of others. 1st it was Abe Lincoln, then MLK, and now JFK. 2 other things really turned me off to him as well. 1st in the Rezko business. It is a fact that w/out REzko Obama would not have been able to afford the house he lives in at that time. I am, sure now he can but then he could not. THe Rezko ties are much deeper than Obama is letting on. Hillary is no saint but she is not running under the false pretense of being a different kind of politician. I was an Edwards supporter and now that he has dropped out I guess I am forced to be a Hillary supporter.

I don't know why he was there to begin with.
He brought nothing to table.
An idea of any kind would have been nice,but not expected.
Thanks for very little John

Hey Edwards folks,
we can use your support for Ron Paul.

I agree that Edwards would more likely tend to lean toward Obama, but of course this is uncertain. Like Obama, Edwards has campaigned as a populist, anti-establishment, anti-Hillary candidate. To go with Hillary at this point would look like a sell-out.

All this talk about Edwards dropping out, which will pave the way for Saint Obama to break the supposed "stronghold" on Washington. LOL

It's interesting that Obama keeps whooping it up about "change" and the need to get away from traditional Washington politics, and then he aligns himself with the ultimate Washington insiders like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and others. Can Mr. Washington Establishment Al Gore be far behind?

It's clear that Obama is about Obama -- not "change."

Thank God. The left wing of the left wing is gone. This guy's primary purpose was to make Hil and Barry look conservative. Now they can duke it out without having to listen to Edwards explain how every Senate vote he ever cast was wrong and why.

Edwards is a good man whose heart may be with Obama, but his elderly white and white blue collar supporters are not as racially enlightened as he and will vote Obama when hell freezes over.

I predict that these Edwards supporters will crossover and vote Republican before voting for Hillary.

I wished Edwards could have held on a bit longer, for his throwing in the towel before Super Tuesday will give Hillary a bit of a racial advantage, but many will abandon the Dems, as they did for Reagan, and Hillary supporters are living in Bill's fairy tale if they think these hard working and suffering folks, who are not caught up on this party loyalty crap and remember who signed away their jobs and economic stability with NAFTA, GATT, and China Free Trade are going to support a Clinton.

Nope Hillary, they will vote for a moderate Republican, like McCain before you.

Edwards will back Obama and request his delegates to do likewise. No way could he back Hillary, particularly after Teddy Kennedy endorsed Obama. Edwards could cut a deal with Obama and be his VP running mate which would help solidy support in theSouthern states AND allay some people's fears that the ticket would be entirely minority - i.e., a minority presidential candiate and a minority VP candidate.

Let us look at McCain’s conservative credentials:

-IMMIGRATION: he wrote the bill granting amnesty to illegal immigrants (co-sponsored by Ted Kennedy)
-SOCIAL SECURITY: he voted to give your social security money to illegal immigrants
-TAXES: he voted against the Bush tax cuts multiple times (he has since flip-flopped and has campaigned as a lifelong tax-cutter)
-RHETORIC: he routinely engages in Democratic class warfare against big companies in America, particularly the “evil” drug companies who research cures to debilitating diseases for a profit
-ECONOMY: as recently as December 2007 he admitted “he does not know the economy very well” and needed to get better at it
-1ST AMENDMENT: he wrote the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill that was declared to be an unconstitutional infringement of the 1st Amendment (co-sponsored by ultra-liberal Democrat Russ Feingold)
-2ND AMENDMENT: he was called the “worst 2nd amendment candidate” by the president of the NRA
-ENERGY TAX: wrote a bill (co-sponsored by his buddy Lieberman) imposing a massive tax on energy which, according to the Department of Energy, would drastically raise the price of gasoline and put 300,000 Americans out of work
-GLOBAL WARMING: supports radical global warming legislation which involved him voting with every Democrat; think only America is responsible to take action, not other superpowers
-JUDGES: he joined forces with Democrats (Gang of 14) to block the Senate Republican’s attempt to confirm conservative, strict constructionist judges
-WAR ON TERROR: fought with Hillary Clinton to demand that terrorists be given a full American trial
-GAY MARRIAGE: he joined liberals to fight against a federal marriage amendment supporting the institution of traditional marriage
-CHRISTIANS: campaigning in 2000, he famously described Christian leaders as “agents of intolerance”
-PRO-LIFE: he filed an amicus brief against pro-life advocates in Wisconsin
-BI-PARTISANSHIP: he met with leading Democrats in 2004 to discuss the possibility of being John Kerry’s Vice-President
-PROFESSIONAL ETHICS: ringleader of the infamous Keating 5 ethical scandal which cost US tax payers $160 billion (Google it)
-PERSONAL ETHICS: McCain cheated on his first wife after she had a severe accident that left her partially disabled. He then divorced her and married his multi-millionaire mistress, whose daddy bought McCain a spot in the Congress

I use to support Huckabee, but a vote for him now means a vote for McCain AMNESTY. Vote Romney to save the conservative movement from the New York Time's favorite Republican, Juan McCain.

Obama / Edwards...I believe now and have always believed that this would make for a great ticket. I would probably vote republican if Hilary wins the nomination. She is just as condenscending as the republicans have been. She and
Bill wants us to believe that words only matter when they are the ones speaking. Bill Clinton ran a campaign of Hope. How is it that Obama is just blowing smoke when he is trying to inspire the Whole Nation to do better. Obama / Edwards...the best ticket 40 plus years.

I agree, John Edwards is a good man, and although I am disappointed he is dropping out, I will now vote for Obama. I cannot get myself to vote for Hillary.

Obama-Edwards '08!

I was going to vote for Edwards on Tuesday (here in Illinois) but now that he has dropped out I will now vote for Obama. I agree with many that he is not super qualified for the position but at least he offers hope and has displayed intelligence and good judgement and is not tied to old school special interests. HRC, on the other hand, claims 35 years experience but last I checked she had no executive experience and only one term in the US Senate (and no, first lady and gov's wife does not qualify as leadership experience). The rest of the world (and some of here in the U.S.) sees her campaign as backdoor way into a 3rd term for Bill, which I will not support. Yes, the economy was good during his administration but that was not really his doing... he was just blessed to serve in a time of prosperity. And we're supposed to be a democracy but we look less and less like a democracy to the world with a succession of leaders named Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton.

I am a lifelong Democrat but if HRC wins the nomination I will look for another option... either a third party candidate (Mayor Bloomberg?) or do the unthinkable and vote for McCain... at least he's an honorable person who will stand up for what he believes and not pander for his own political self-interest.

Umm...where have you been C. Perry? Edwards supporters aren't going to get excited about Clinton. You're talking about a woman who was endorsed as big business's favorite candidate on the cover of Fortune Magazine. All that Edwards energy will be coming Obama's way, while Clinton continues to fizzle with the old played out corporate Democrat crowd. Obama, as an African American man has to pander to the middle by citing Lincoln and Reagan. He can't afford to talk like Edwards, but that doesn't mean that he's more moderate than the Clintons.

Edwards didn't catch on because the media rarely gave him a chance. They determined long ago it was going to be Hillary and Obama. If more could have heard Edwards' platform, I believe he'd still be around. Even after Iowa, all the news was on Hillary's 3rd place showing and not on Edwards' 2nd place finish. It was very disappointing. Nevertheless, unlike C. Perry's prediction, I'm throwing my vote to Obama. And I think other Edwards' supporters will too. He's always been a very close second for me.

Prior to NH, Edwards indicated he sided more with Obama than Hillary, leading some to complain that they were "ganging up" on Hillary - as Richardson watched.

Going into SC, many whites complained that Obama was just "the black candidate," apparently colored-blind to the fact that whites RARELY support black candidates statewide. In fact, Obama is the only U.S. Senator of color and there are only 3 governors of color nationwide (including Richardson).

So now we will see if Hillary gets most of Edwards supporters, even though he is more philosophically in tuned with Obama. (NOTE: Edwards didn't share the same approach that Obama did, but neither did Hillary.)

So to all of those who complained that blacks were only supporting Obama because he was black; let's see how the white folks vote when there is now only a white and a black candidate.

Just as the best team dosn't always win the best person dosn't always win. I JUST Hope that John Edwards dosn't drop out of sight completly. I feel he had a lot to offer and we can't afford to lose him
.I guess now I'll be supporting Obomma.

When is Hillary going to drop out? I can't stand listening to her for the next few months.

Go OBAMA!

Edwards never caught on because he and his message was obviously fake. During his brief time in the Senate he voted against every stand he took as a presidential candidate. The man was a fraud. The electorate isn't as stupid as he thought they were.

Edwards as VP candidate? Not a good idea. Clinton, Obama and Edwards all were seantors--never ran anything. You need a governor and a westerner to balance the ticket. Bill Richardson?

What a little love tribute to Edwards from Bendavid. It's also a little love tribute to the Democratic frontrunners.
To answer the question why Edwards didn't catch on. One is correctly stated: he couldn't compete with a former First Lady and the first real black presidential candidate.
But he also didn't catch on because even though the dimwits in the media don't understand, MOST Americans are not interested in candiates who pit people against other people. They are interested in rich versus poor. They are not interested in slamming corporations. The Loons on the Left don't understand that most Americans do not hate Corporate America. They see Corporate America as their employer and as the entities that supply them with the goods they use and need on an everyday basis. Most Americans do not hate Wal Mart, do not hate the insurance industry, do not hate the drug companies, do not hate the banking industry, do not hate the food companies, do not hate the soft drink companies and those that sell bottled water.
Edwards hates all those entities, had no record to show for anything except for being a succesful trial lawyer. Now, that is a profession, most American do dislike. That is why the Breck Girl went nowhere -- even in the Dumbocratic party!

I remember all the rampant idealism when Harold Washington won as Mayor of the City of Chicago. What was the reality of the first black mayor? Council Wars. Total gridlock. This entire election is very reminiscent of the Harold Washington Mayoral run in so many ways. No matter how wonderful, energizing, or inspirational Obama may be, the end result will be more gridlock. Reality is reality. You need someone that can actually PLAY the game to even have a chance or running the game.

I'm sorry to see him leave as he had my vote.

To the user who mentioned this "Rezko" business...Billary received campaign contributions from him as well and didn't reject those contributions and give them to charity instead. As for an Edwards/Clinton ticket, that will not happen. Bill wants back in the White House and will not be a silent house husband. If Edwards made it onto the Billary ticket, he would definitely be a third wheel.

What are Hillary's accomplishments? Failed health care plans? Rejecting her 'southern' roots to become a New York State Senator? Sitting on the board of Wal-Mart and taking money from pharmaceutical companies?

Hillary is establishment politics and those who say she isn't are deluding themselves.

Hillary also supported the Iraq War.

If Obama doesn't get the Democratic nomination, I will vote for McCain as will many other Americans who don't want Billary in office.

A feminist who relies on her husband to fight her battles for her and a woman who plays the delegate game when it suits her and lauds the 'voice of the people' when Florida gives her a win...that is how you'd want to support. That's your choice. This is America, but I'd rather not live in Clinton-topia.

Edwards would do well to side with Obama and be a real VP who can help bring shake-up Washington. His experience and ideals fit well into the Obama campaign.

To Phil:

You mentioned that Obama's dealings with Rezko have been one of two things that turned you off to Obama. I assume that you see this as an indictment of his character or moral judgement. So Whitewater, Vince Foster, making big $$$ on supremely timed cattle futures and travelgate make Hillary appealing? Her character and/or moral judgement are superior to you to that of Obama's? Are you serious?

Please, Hillary was the worst choice from the beginning. She only ran because people encouraged her to and now she's playing the racist card in order to get her votes. She's the one with racist voters, not Edwards.

Barack 08 now I guess.

I'm a Hillary supporter, but I did like Edwards alot. I would love to see him as VP with Hillary as president. That would be so fun!

I am glad he has stepped down before all this gets much messier than it is now and did not wait for playing the role of Kingmaker. That would have really made him look like Opportunist bargaining for VP post. Huckabee is going to play that role soon..

I think lots of Edwards voters will now see what a great candidate Obama is--a candidate unlike any other in our history, and someone that could change everything that is wrong with our country today. In some ways, Obama is too good to be a politician, and I'm afraid that many Americans (older ones especially) would rather have the same hawkish politician in office, than be open to a real change in the way we practice politics. Change is not an easy thing, but it must be done.

It seems he was forced into oblivion more by the media and the conglomerates that run them. His pro-individual rights, taking back our government from corporate interest, clearly flew in the face of the media conglomerates and their advertisers.

Obama is the only person that can beats McCain. He is the only one right that can mobilize people to get out to vote.
a vote for Hillary ensures 4 more years of Republican rule and all the baggage of the GOP. No thanks!

I highly doubt Obama or Clinton would select Edwards as a running mate. If they have any sense, they will select someone with foreign policy experience like Dodd, Biden or even Richardson. Edwards has already proven he doesn't bring much to the table as a VP - he couldn't even carry his home state for Kerry in 04.

What does it mean? It means it's a sad day for our country. It was John Edwards who brought forgotten issues to the forefront and the other two candidates followed suit. He was the first to introduce a universal health care plan when it was all but forgotten. I hope the Obama and Clinton supporters stop speculating because at this time I'm an undecided voter. I have serious concerns about these two.

It makes no sense for him to drop out now unless the party basically paid him off with some future employment.

Some deal was cut.

I think it helps Hillary more than Obama.

I think Hillary is more the front runner, especially after Florida. So she could offer him the VP to drop out.

Otherwise, Edwards could continue to run, splitting the vote against Hillary in the South, and see if he could use his delegates to support Obama.

Rumor has it that Edwards will endorse Obama in exchange for being made the Attorney General in the Obama Administration.

Edwards supporters should be smart enough to see through what kind of person Obama is. Obama is a petty petty man who always talk big , but no substance to support himself. America will suffer badly if he were become a president. Obama is a crook who will do anything to get a better life including corruption with Rezko who has tie with middle east oil country. Maybe, that's why he voted against the war. not because of american people, but because of his financial supporters in Middle east who he has muslim tie when he was growing up in muslim country. I don't thust this guy one bit. If anything , I'll form anti-Obama to fight with idiots who can't think but follow anti-clinton sentiment.

I'm an Edwards guy. Already voted for him absentee.

To my fellow Dems, you can thank Edwards for pulling our party back toward the center and away from the Reich wing. It was Edwards that 1st said he would refuse to appear on Faux News. The list is long. He has moved the debate to the Left where it belongs. We have a right to be proud of him.

As to where us Edwards supporters will go, that's a good question. Having Hillary enthusiastically clapping for the 'Surge' during Shrub's SOTU address really was in poor form. Obama sat like a stone. The war/occupation is/has been wrong, and on that issue, Obama is right and Hillary is wrong. I'm leaning cautiously to Obama.

Shorter John D-

Government of the Corporation, by the corporation, for the corporation.

Obama/Edwards - that's the ticket.

This is all by design. The DNC wants Edwards out prior to the primary so that there can be a clear winner, one who can beat the Republicans, one who HAS been fully vetted so that the White House doesn't go to the R again this year.

However, Hillary's win nearly guarantees that Bloomberg will run.

Feb 6: NOW the race gets really interesting.

Adios Senor Edwards, you can now go back to chasing ambulances .Socialist pig that you are.

I hope all Edwards supporters will support Obama. We need change in DC our country is going to the dogs! 8 more years of the Clintons with their special lobby interest tainted hands will put us further behind the eightball. The time for change has come Edwards people, don't slip back to the familiar business as usual politics. We need Obama. He has worked for poor & middle class americans all his life while Hillary was on the board at Walmart! Vote Obama now!