Dumb question: If a brokered convention occurs, could John Edwards re-enter the race?

[brentspeak]

I suspect the answer is a firm 'no', because delegates already pledged to a particular candidate can't pledge to any other candidate. But how many of Obama and Hillary's delegates are "pledged"?

[LSparkle]

1. I thought I heard that NONE are pledged ...

They've agreed to vote for a particular candidate but technically
they could be swayed the same as the SDs (although they'd probably
get in more trouble if they switched).

The interesting thing about Edwards is he didn't WITHDRAW from
the race -- he "SUSPENDED" his campaign. Romney later did the
same thing, but up until Edwards' announcement, I'd never heard
of a candidate "suspending" -- they usually "withdraw" (don't they?).

[saracat]

3. Actually, he could, technically and he did recently ask his delegates to stay pledged to him.

[1monster]

8. Delegates are only pledged for the first ballot. If neither candidate receives the

necessary number of votes on the first ballot, all delegates are free to change their votes to whomever they choose.

[msallied]

2. They are pledged but aren't bound by law

And at a brokered convention, the waters could be muddied. I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of it, Al Gore was the nominee. lol

this is why Obama needs to increase his lead further and enter the convention with a real mandate, even if he is going to be shy a few PDs.

[BuyingThyme]

4. I don't know, but I suspect delegates can vote for whomever they want

after the first round.

[TAWS]

5. There will be no brokered convention, there are only two people, someone will get a majority

[totodeinhere]

12. Not necessarily.

Enough super delegates might decide to vote for someone else or abstain meaning that neither Clinton nor Obama would get a first ballot victory. That would throw it to a second ballot where anything goes. Edwards, Gore, or anyone else might be in contention then. Is this a likely scenario? No, but it's at least technically possible.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. After the first ballot, delegates can vote for a candidate other than

the one to whom they are pledged.

:popcorn:

[Mabus]

11. Delegates can actually break their pledge on the first round

and vote for whomever they want. But they usually vote for the candidate that they were elected to vote for.

[book_worm]

7. Sure he could. If no candidate reaches a majority after several ballots

the party may try and draft a compromise candidate.

[Renew Deal]

9. Technically, they could nominate you.

So yes, Edwards is in it.

[democrattotheend]

10. Conceivably, especially if it goes to a second ballot

If I understand correctly, pledged delegates are only locked in on the first ballot. If neither candidate gets 2025 on the first ballot (which could happen if Edwards refuses to release his delegates), he could theoretically throw his hat into the ring for the second ballot. But it's highly unlikely he could get the nomination that way. That would be extremely undemocratic, for the delegates to vote for him or Gore or someone for whom none or very few of the Democratic primary voters voted for. That would piss off all the Clinton and the Obama supporters.