John Edwards Gives Up the Ghost

Former North Carolina US Senator and 2004 Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee John Edwards withdrew from the campaign for the Democratic Presidential Nomination on Wednesday 30 January in New Orleans after a steady series of third place finishes in the already completed primaries and caucuses. Edwards had settled in third place in the race and, with funding on the wane, prospects for improvement in the field were all but gone.

The Edwards presidential candidacy raised important critical issues to voters across the nation but he lacked the charisma of Obama and the machine and organization of Clinton. However, it is likely Edwards will play a key role in helping determine the eventual nominee and much of the policy recommendations to be put forth in the party platform at the late summer Democratic National Convention in Denver. Another vice-presidential nod is very unlikely for Edwards, but if Clinton or Obama is elected President, Edwards could be tapped for a key cabinet position, most likely Attorney General.

Edwards declined to endorse one of his rivals on Wednesday, but look for an endorsement before the end of February after things shake out in the next few weeks.

Edwards was one of the candidates I greatly supported, along with Kucinich, for the presidency. His departure leaves me uncommitted and uncertain on whom to support. Clinton is out and I am still waiting to hear more specifics from Obama. I have never voted Republican for President in my 32 years of presidential elections, but a vote for McCain is something I have not ruled out at this point.

But it is still over nine months to general elections on Tuesday 4 November.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080130/D8UGF5FG5.html

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