Edwards Supporters: Why a vote for EDWARDS still counts

[jgraz]

The latest polls have come out and the two leading candidates are within a few percentage points of each other. In all likelihood, this race will not be decided on Super Fat Tuesday.

That makes each vote cast for Edwards pure gold. Even if Edwards does not win delegates next Tuesday, it's very likely that his share of the vote will EXCEED the margin of victory for whichever candidate comes out on top. That puts the nomination squarely in our hands -- whoever appeals to the majority of Edwards voters will almost certainly be the next Democratic nominee. The higher his vote count, the higher the pressure on the two leading candidates to appeal to Edwards supporters.

And we all know how you do that: move to the left. Start talking about poverty, workers' issues, and (gasp) actual healthcare reform. Go after the CEOs and hedge fund managers and war profiteers. And show that you're the one who will end the occupation faster than anyone else.



John Edwards may have abandoned his role as kingmaker, but that doesn't mean we have to. Vote for Edwards on Tuesday and show that progressive values still matter in this country.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Did Edwards tell you to vote for him now that he quit? Did he perhaps make a mistake in quitting?

I ask that because I'm an Edwards supporter and I haven't heard him tell me to vote for him.

[jgraz]

6. I don't take my orders from candidates -- quite the opposite

He's not my leader, he's the candidate I chose to support. It was never about him and always about his message. Until I hear more of my progressive values coming from the two leaders, I'm going to continue to show my support for the agenda I believe in.

[Colobo]

7. But he's not a candidate anymore...

[jgraz]

12. Yes he is. Why else did he SUSPEND his campaign instead of END it??

If he really wanted to take himself completely out of the running, he could have ended his campaign and thrown his support to one of the leaders. He did not do that, which tells me two things: 1) He still has some hope of influencing the process through gaining votes/delegates and 2) neither one of the candidates agreed to adopt enough of his agenda to earn his support.

To me, that means that the two leaders still need a little kick in the ass if they're going to really listen to progressives.

[Orangepeel]

20. he suspended his campaign so that he could continue to pay his staff and collect matching funds

for the money he has raised in order to pay his campaign debt. That's a normal thing for campaigns to do.

You, of course, can vote for whomever you like. That's your choice and your right. But I don't agree with you that Edwards has a better chance at influencing anything or that his agenda is more likely to be implemented if people vote for him on Tuesday than if they vote for their second choice candidate. (So if you are going to try to convince Edwards supporters that it does, I'm going to give my opinion otherwise).

The votes of Edwards' supporters are very valuable NOW because, as a group, we are large enough to swing the nomination to one candidate or the other. After the primary, it is the delegates chosen during the primary (which will all be either for Clinton or Obama) who will have the influence on the party platform. So if one has a preference between the two, one better make it known during one's primary.

[Yael]

37. Why did he have Rhode Island (March) put his name back on the ballot?

Why did he have N Dakota (2/5) do the same?

Yes -- a "suspension" allows for campaign funds to be used for paying staff.

Don't you get it -- this isn't about John. This is about giving his message a place at the table before the corporations completely take it over.

[Orangepeel]

61. I do "get it." I just don't agree with you

In my opinion, the best way to give his message a place at the table now is to pick which one of Clinton or Obama will be most likely to listen to John and keep her/his pledge to him to make eliminating poverty a priority. Voting for him anyplace where he won't get 15% of the vote (which, unfortunately, is everywhere now that he has suspended his campaign) will not have the impact that being a swing vote will be, assuming you believe there is any difference between Obama and Clinton. If you don't, then it doesn't matter.

I don't know anything about election law in Rhode Island or North Dakota. I imagine there is something about campaign finance issues that made it more difficult to accept donations to pay down debt if he took his name off the ballot. I don't really care. I do know that I heard John Edwards make a fantastic speech where he said he was suspending his campaign and stepping aside. I don't think he quit because he gave up and I don't think he was forced. I think that he came to the sad conclusion that the math didn't work and that he wasn't going to get any more delegates.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

24. SUSPEND? Give me a F BREAK. Suspend what? Edwards QUIT. Are you unwell or what? nt

[jgraz]

28. I'm not the one making ignorant accusations and using childish swear-initials

Wow, I used to think you had a modicum of sense. I guess both of us need to read more carefully.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

31. I don't care if my next president is a DEM woman or a DEM African American....

... as long as it's a DEM, and it WILL be a DEM.

[kelligesq]

68. Spoke with my local DEC attorney this morning - he says John

I just spoke to an attorney at our local Democratic Executive Committee.

He says John Edwards wording of "suspending" was highly unusual.

(he thought John didnt have the money, but he does and more to come
with matching funds in March. He's for Hillary but mentioned John
has the best health plan!)

"Yes, it means he could come back in" he says

So "Suspended Not Ended" is the accurate slogan,

He also advises that delegates at the convention could draft John Edwards -

Some caucus goers are voting "Uncommitted" so they'd be free to vote Edwards at

the convention.

its more important than ever that we vote Edwards or Caucus goers uncommitted

so that John can garner delegates



If anyone wants to make calls today to dems and needs a list of dem numbers

- email me - remind people they can vote for John Edwards, he's on their ballot,

get John Edwards the votes to get him delegates



Go Edwardians for John Edwards, For Populism, For This Country, For Your Family and for Yourself.

:bounce: Go for it John

Suspended Not Ended

[Yael]

38. Whoa -- where is this coming from?

Dang.

[jgraz]

16. In fact, as an Obama supporter, you WANT Edwards voters to vote Edwards

Don't the latest polls show Edwards voters breaking 2-1 AGAINST your candidate? You'd better hope a bunch of us stick to our guns on Tuesday.

[surfermaw]

52. All Edwards suupporters I have spoken with are voting Hillary

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. So you don't take orders from Edwards, but pretend to idolize him so much that you're voting for him

even tho he quit? INTERESTING! I smell something rotten here.

[jgraz]

13. Reading comprehension isn't really your strong point, is it?

I'm going to type this as slowly as I can. I am casting a vote for the message, not the candidate. It's a strategic move to push the two leading candidates leftward. Capice?

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jgraz]

29. OK, so just so we all have this straight

I'm a 12,000-post, donating, Edwards-idolizing, far-left Republican operative. Is that the full list of charges, or do you want to cook up some more?

[Yael]

36. VERY well stated -- and JRE knows this about his supporters

Why he said to keep our powder dry. We CAN send a voice to the floor in Denver and I am on board to make that happen.

The louder we yell, the harder it will be for them to blow off the democratic wing of the democratic party.

[Clarkansas]

2. Edwards isn't trying to be president anymore

I am not going to vote for someone who isn't trying to be President. Plus, I don't want Hillary to be our nominee and Obama has the best chance of beating her.

[jgraz]

9. It's not about backing the winner. It's about helping whoever wins be a better leader

A vote for Clinton or Obama will just get lost in the crowd. But a vote for Edwards will tell the two leaders that they haven't earned your support yet, and they need that if they're going to win.

If this race isn't decided on Tuesday, AND if Edwards manages to exceed the margin of victory, you're going to see both candidates leave skidmarks as they run to the left.

And that's exactly what they need to do if they want to win in November.

[Orangepeel]

3. The votes of Edwards supporters are most valuable NOW

Edwards isn't going to win any more delegates. He was having a hard time winning delegates when he was running, which is why he stopped. If he doesn't win delegates in your state (and he won't, because he won't get 15% anywhere now that he's suspended his campaign), your vote won't help him have any say at the convention.

If you really don't have a second choice -- if you think that Hillary and Obama are six of one, a half dozen of the other, go ahead and vote for Edwards. I'll say the same thing to anyone who wants to vote for Kucinich, Biden, Dodd, or Richardson.

But if you have a second choice, if you have any tiny amount of preference between Clinton and Obama, then vote for one of them. Because NOW, in your primary, that's when your vote will count in deciding the nominee and/or the platform.

After your primary, your chance to influence the convention is over.

Here's more on my take, as a former Edwards, now Obama supporter.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4355191

[jgraz]

4. By voting for Edwards you influence BOTH leading candidates

If I vote for one of the two leaders, I just add to the pile of their votes. But a vote for Edwards means that his AGENDA will still be in the mix.

I personally don't care if Edwards even shows up for the convention. My support of him was support of his message. And the best way to keep that message alive is to cast a vote for him on Tuesday.

[smokey nj]

10. Exactly!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. Oh F please give me a damned break. Whom are you fooling? You don't fool me one bit nt

[jgraz]

15. Oh NOES -- you've totally seen through my transparent attempt to... what?

Pray tell -- what exactly is your great insight into the REAL REASON for my post?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

19. To F waste the vote exactly like the Republicans want us all to do. nt

[jgraz]

21. Ah, so I'm a Repug now. OK, I'll bite -- how exactly does this help the GOP?

Sorry -- I mean how F exactly F does this F help the F GOP. :eyes:


Edit: F

[Sarah Ibarruri]

22. You're wasting the vote, just as Republican plants want you to do. nt

[jgraz]

27. you caught me! I'm a 12,000 post, progressive Repug plant

:rofl:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

32. No, you're wrong. I don't know what you are, but I know that what you're suggesting is perfect

for helping the Repugnicans.

[jgraz]

40. You really need to explain how that works

I'm not the only one on this thread who is confused by your reaction.

[Yael]

41. Lets do some math here

Forgetting for a moment that this is a PRIMARY (and there aren't any republicans running in our race).

You support Candidate A over Candidate B.

I support John Edwards.

Who would you prefer me vote for -- John Edwards or Candidate B?

Please think about this before replying.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

45. You're phrasing it incorrectly......

Here's how it plays out:

The person you're engaged and planning to marry, decides they are not going to get married.

You insist on marrying this person anyway.

You:

A) Pay the caterers and continue forward with the wedding regardless of the fact the person you love is not going to marry you
-OR-
B) Seek some psychological help, get over the person, and move foward with life to find someone else to marry.

[Yael]

48. What in blazes are you talking about?

No, it isn't about holding a party and paying caterers -- it is about a vote.

You get one and I get one.

I am voting for JRE and you are voting for Candidate A.

We both win.

I vote for Candidate B and you vote for Candidate A and we offset each other.

You really need to stop the shit storm you are throwing here. Look, I had a lot of respect for you, but you are really pushing it with your over the top nastiness here.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

49. It's about Republicans wanting exactly what you're planning to do so they can demoralize the base...

... and get another Repuke in the White House.

[Yael]

51. You do know the difference between a primary and the general, right?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

53. Republicans want Democrats to play little "let's throw our votes in the toilet games".....

... they don't care if it's the primary, the GE or what the hell it is. If you lend yourself to that, you are demoralizing the base. It's making zero statement. If you WANT to make a statement get out there and do some HARD WORK by running for small local offices, by joining the Democratic Party locally and working hard towards making it far more left wing, etc. Playing footsies with your vote does not show brilliance on your part. GET OUT THERE AND WORK HARD FOR OUR PARTY!

[Yael]

54. Sis, you aren't listening to a thing we are saying here.

I can't believe it has come to this, but I am going to put you on ignore with all of the other hysterical C & O supporters that just scream, rant and thread-jack without taking into account what the discussion is actually about.

:(

[Sarah Ibarruri]

55. Do it. Edwards has quit. I don't know in what language the man has to say it.

Maybe if he used numerous languages it would be clearer that he has quit.

[kelligesq]

70. Sarah, I'm surprised at you. Shocked. "Suspended" is not "quit"

John is a lawyer and he knows exactly how to use words.

He chose the word Suspended purposely

It leaves the door open.

And he wants that door open for all options for himself and us

If you dont want to believe it, call up a lawyer and ask.

But you really should stop the heated insistence tht he has "quit"

When he wants to "quit" he'll say so.

There's a political game going on within the elected democratic party which we

are not privy to in full, and I would think you would be smart

enough to realize that.

If you want to vote for someone else by all means do, but there's no need

to continue the rampage of anger and deriding Edwards voters - unless you've

always been for Obama and are playing your own game ?

[Heywood J]

73. Wow. How simplistic and pathetic.

Welcome to ignore.

[iris5426]

34. ....

:rofl:

[chimpymustgo]

33. Sarah, why are you so ANGRY about someone voting for whom they want in the PRIMARY.

Your vitriol is off-putting. I think this is one of those American rights.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

46. Republicans want you to vote empty votes and demoralize the base nt

[jgraz]

56. So the great Republican strategy for victory in '08 is...

to get people to somehow demoralize the left-of-center base by voting for someone other than right-of-center frontrunners.

In the primaries.

And they're doing this by hiring very active, long-time, rabildy left-wing DU posters to get the message out.






Step 3: PROFIT.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

57. Well, they have Republican plants and pay people like Nader to run....

... so they must obviously think some of that stuff is working. They're evil but not stupid.

[jgraz]

58. You really are making no sense. None at all.

Seriously, take a step back and look at the number of posters who are weighing in on your side. Now look at the number of posters who are confused as FUCK (sorry, 'F') at your assertions.

Does that tell you anything?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

59. You're not confused. You just don't like what I'm saying. It's your prerogative. nt

[jgraz]

60. No, I honestly have no idea what your reasoning is or why you're being so nasty about it

This is the PRIMARY. Parties are supposed to fight amongst themselves while picking a candidate. Even with Edwards in the race, we still have fewer candidates than the Rethugs, and ALL of our candidates are light-years better than theirs.

In that context, how can a vote for Edwards POSSIBLY help the GOP? I don't get it. Nobody does.

[Orangepeel]

14. What mix will his agenda be in?

After your primary there is no mix, except the convention and the general election.

[jgraz]

18. After Tuesday, there are still 23 states to go, including TX, PA and OH

(That's assuming I counted correctly.) Our vote on Tuesday will give ALL Edwards supporters a larger say.

[Orangepeel]

25. only if he wins delegates in those states

If one does not have a preference between Clinton and Obama, then it makes sense to vote one's first choice, whether that be Edwards or any other person on the ballot.

[jgraz]

30. No, even if he wins no delegates, his voters can still affect the final tally

If 5 or 10 percent of voters in a state go for Edwards, that's probably going to exceed the margin of victory. The leading candidates will see that Edwards voters still hold the keys to the kingdom and come after us hard.

That means more progressive ideas in the debate.

[Orangepeel]

62. how much attention are they paying to voters in Iowa, NH, SC and Nevada right now?

The primary in your state is your chance to have your vote heard. This is the first time I can ever remember that there might still be a contest in my state by the time I get to vote (my primary is Feb. 12). Even considering as much as I admire John and support his message and as much time and money as I gave his campaign, I'm not going to give my vote to a candidate that is no longer running and won't get any delegates when it will make a difference whether Obama or Clinton is the nominee as to whether John's message has a chance of getting through.

Obviously, your mileage varies.

[Biscottiii]

71. Makes perfect sense to me!

I don't have to send my Absentee ballot till Feb 19th. But tomorrow I will vote "EDWARDS" and mail it in. At the General Election I may have to pinch my nose with a clothespin and vote for one of the two 'Corporate Candidates' but not this go-around. I won't bother with the caucus since my County Dems have probably already got it decided, they play pretty fast and loose up here. But at least I can add my little tiny voice as much as possible. Go Edwards!

[spooky3]

63. And Virginia votes on Feb. 12 - it would be nice for our votes

to matter this year, if things aren't decided Feb. 5.

[vanboggie]

64. Well said

My daughter-in-law from Tennessee called today and I told her the same thing. She, like so many others I know (including myself) does not trust Obama and was therefore figuring she had to vote for Hillary. Assuming JRE is still on the Tennessee ballot and it's not an all or nothing state, I told her that if it was me I would still vote my conscience and for Edwards' message, and I think she may do that now.

[Yael]

43. And if they see that they don't have the left half of the party

in lock step (ie, our choices are like flipping a coin to us right now), then maybe just MAYBE they will think twice about John's vision and agenda and pander to the left as opposed to the right with the platform.

It is a message that is more important to me to send than who wins. I am happy to have the rest of the country decide the beauty contest.

[Autumn Colors]

5. I live in CT and will vote Edwards on Tuesday. (nm)

[saltpoint]

23. As long as the man's name appears on a ballot in front of me he has my vote.

[Blue_In_AK]

26. I'm still trying to decide if I will caucus on Tuesday,

but I'm thinking I probably will, even if I have to go "uncommitted," which we are allowed to do here. Hillary/Obama -- six of one, half dozen of the other, as was said upthread. They can duke it out without my help.

[Yael]

35. Sending to the greatest

[sellitman]

39. When he dropped out he lost my vote.

Voting for Edwards is a waste of a vote.

You are voting for a ghost.

You are letting others decide who wins.

Stop deluding yourselves and others.

You all sound like spoiled petulant kids. Grow up and face reality. Your candidate isn't.

You are making our side the laughing stock.

[Yael]

42. Thank you for sharing

Welcome to the list!

[kelligesq]

66. Bad advice : my local DEC attorney says delegates can

my local DEC attorney. (Democratic Executive Committee)

says the wording "Suspended" is highly unusual

It means Edwards could come back in

and then he said but delegates could draft him at the convention!

Every vote for John or for uncommtted if they have caucus type situation counts

to get delegates for John in place at the convention.

:bounce: Go for it John

Suspended Not Ended

[Kurovski]

44. K&R. (nt)

[judaspriestess]

47. jgraz you vote for whomever you feel should get your vote

some may not like it and thats just tough shit.

Best wishes

[liberal N proud]

50. I still plan on casting my vote for Edwards

I can't come to a decision on the other two corporate choices so I will cast my primary ballot to Edwards and support who ever the media lets me support in the General Election.

[kelligesq]

65. More than that - delegates can draft Edwards at the convention - so says

my local DEC attorney. (Democratic Executive Committee)

He also says the wording "Suspended" is highly unusual

It means Edwards could come back in

and then he said but delegates could draft him at the convention!

Every vote for John or for uncommtted if they have caucus type situation counts

to get delegates for John in place at the convention.

:bounce: Go for it John

Suspended Not Ended

[Disincorporate]

69. JRE Diehard Seeks Clarification...

First, know that I am most definitely casting my vote for JRE tomorrow, in hopes--well or ill-founded, who the haitch knows--that this modest little vote might possibly shift the balance tangibly if microscopically leftward, come convention time. Wishful thinking? Maybe not. In my flamingly progressive congressional district, there is actually a _strong_ possibility of JRE's drawing 15% of the vote. Besides, voting for affirmative-action corporate candidates at primary time? Naaaaah....that would be rubbing salt in still very open wounds.

This is to say that I, too, after much reading, questioning and deliberating, came to the conclusion that the campaign was "suspended, not ended," and I chose my course accordingly. But why no basic statement on the Edwards website explaining the particulars of campaign suspension? Why were so many followers left twisting in the wind, trying to read between the lines, weighing the advice to keep our powder dry, on the one hand, and to choose our candidate quickly, on the other? Why all this prolonged confusion about whether or not votes will even _technically_ count? Seems to me there was a real lost opportunity here to offer people at least a modicum of direction.

Anybody with any insights on this?

[Biscottiii]

72. Sometimes 'Silence is Golden'

Edwards has suspended (NOT ended). But to offer MORE than the speech he gave - fan the fires & provide fodder for the press to mess with - would only turn ugly and turn the catfight into something that could only harm the whole party. Plus strengthen the Repugs' ability come Nov. Edwards has too much honor to become the 'Spoiler' I believe, main reason he hasn't offered his endorsement to Weight the Scales before 2/5. Personally, I hope he doesn't offer ANY endorsement EVER.

It's pretty shocking already (IMO) how much pressure is being lobbed at us Edwards supporters to switch, people practically telling us we don't have a right to our very own vote. I'm still expecting someone to say that we're "Unpatriotic" for voting our beliefs. The two Corporation Candidates seem like six of one & 1/2 dozen of the other.

[tilsammans]

67. Keepin' it kicked for John!

:kick:

Go, Johnny, go!!!

:yourock:

[IsItJustMe]

74. Voted for Edwards this morning.