Hey, Edwards does have what? 17 delegates!  No matter what anyone says, he's still well within the mix and striking distance and at the 1/8 pole......

Please, for the good of the country,  drop out of the race and stop diluting the anti-Hillary vote. In principle I agree with you, but pragmatically, you are not going to get the nomination. So please, drop out and endorse Barack so that you and him can prevent this country from being run by more of the same old DC interests that the Clintons represent. You are a true patriot, and nothing would show that patriotism more than sacrificing your own political future in order to stop the Clinton machine. OBAMA 08

John Edwards is right to the point.  Only 2 states have voted in their primary.  He has 18 delagates and Obama has 25, Hillary 24....what is the big rush,before and now, with the media to boil it down to 2.  My guess is because as he talks about the "Corruption"....Maybe y'all are afraid you'll have a little less butter on your bread...

Keep going John. As long as you're in it, you have my vote.

Edwards seriously needs to start thinking about dropping out this race. He is not helping anyone but himself.

Good for Edwards.  I hope he wins.  Please stop quoting polls and just let the race unfold.  

Why shouldn't he press on?

The news media have done a disservice to John and to the Country by only covering the theatrics in this race.

I have voted for democrats for as far back as I can remember. I have given generously to the campaigns of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry.  I have argued passionately for many years with my conservative friends and colleagues who claimed that the Clintons are committed to one thing only - themselves. Up to last week I was quite happy with any of the democratic nominees.

The recent display by the Clintons in NH has completely soured my view of them and of what they stand for.

I saw Bill Clinton - a former president of our country -  transparently and inartfully  play  to sexist fears and innuendo in order to gain votes in NH. For all of the sometimes just criticisms of the other democratic candidates, I doubt that any of them would get away with this sort of open display of divisiveness.

I saw Hillary Clinton break into tears only to emerge to say that her opponents are wrong and she is right - exactly about what I do not know.

As I've watched both Clintons (particularly Bill) operate these last several days, I've experienced an unfamiliar combination of awe and sadness. It  finally dawned on me that these people have no shame and that their values are really not mine. I saw,  as have others on this discussion board, a combination of raw ambition and selfishness that has no interest in civility or the truth.

I nonetheless waited up last night to hear what Sen Clinton had to say for herself - to so-to-speak give her the benefit of any doubts about her husband and about her plans  heretofore. What I heard must rank as one of the most unimaginative, inane, inarticulate political speeches we have been treated to for quite a long time. I certainly cannot be alone in this view as I am generally more of an ..actions speak louder than words.. type of person.

I am frankly already worried (for the party) about what she will say when the republicants ask: what 35 years are you talking about Hillary? ..Does this include the time of overbilled hours at the  Rose Law Firm, your manifest incompetence in managing healthcare reform, you poor judgment in selecting an attorney general (not once but twice), cronism in the Travel office firings, the  Law firm billing records that mysteriously  disappeared and then just as mysteriously reappeared during a criminal investigation, Monicagate, your inability to stand up to the Bush administration against rushing into the Iraq  war.....

Fellow dems, let's pray a silent prayer each day that by some miracle we do not find ourselves after this fall's election in the now familar predicament of having lost the white house, re-energizing the republican base (losing the congress), two new justices on the supreme court that do not share our values.

Barack Obama… the jury is still out… can I as an American and a Christian actually vote for someone educated from infancy outside of the United States??? I don’t underestimate the significance of a child’s adolescence and how it influences the rest of his life… he's does not salute the flag when the National Anthem is played… the next time you attend an event where the National Anthem is played, look around and notice how few people do not salute the Flag… the Flag, “Old Glory,” represents every ancestor you and I have who have ever lost their lives for that Flag… Mr. Obama may be a great person, but his childhood and seemingly lack of patriotism, make me question what his real intentions would be if elected to the White House… I'm sure change is the correct word to use to describe his candidacy… I'm just not sure what kind of change it would be… how will this change impact my life??? We do need change… but change that also includes the traditions and values of most Americans… does he want to be the leader of the free world to help strengthen our National pride, our economy, our communities, our youth, and solidify this country’s place in the next millennium… will he stand-up to the pressure of the world’s influence and continue to uphold the principles that have made this country great???  Will he give ground to the pressures of the outside world for the United States to conform to the way the rest of the world thinks??? I believe for this country to move forward we must first stand our ground… maintain our identity as a people… teach our children not to be haters of things or people they don’t understand, but at the same time remain true to their heritage and protect it… America was built on the shoulders of strong men and women who had a core set of values and stuck to their guns…  we need a leader who will put America first… will he be able to set-aside his feelings for the hardships that part of his family in other countries endures, and focus on the feelings and hardships of every American’s family??? Considering his childhood, he must be a man torn between two ideologies… which one will he choose??? Is his candidacy about changing America to strengthen it, or more about changing the world by changing America??? Is it more about making the world a stronger better place to live, by weakening America??? In the end I feel it is my responsibility as an American and a Christian to vote for the candidate with the strongest voice that mirrors my belief system… to vote for the candidate I feel will pave the road for my children’s children to live in a future where a Christian is still the majority voice in this great country

His proudest moment in his one term in the senate is a patient bill of rights that never passed?!

LOOL?

Quit using my tax dollars to fund your ego!

Why shouldn't he press on?

The news media have done a disservice to John and to the Country by only covering the theatrics in this race.

I have voted for democrats for as far back as I can remember. I have given generously to the campaigns of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry.  I have argued passionately for many years with my conservative friends and colleagues who claimed that the Clintons are committed to one thing only - themselves. Up to last week I was quite happy with any of the democratic nominees.

The recent display by the Clintons in NH has completely soured my view of them and of what they stand for.

I saw Bill Clinton - a former president of our country -  transparently and inartfully  play  to sexist fears and innuendo in order to gain votes in NH. For all of the sometimes just criticisms of the other democratic candidates, I doubt that any of them would get away with this sort of open display of divisiveness.

I saw Hillary Clinton break into tears only to emerge to say that her opponents are wrong and she is right - exactly about what I do not know.

As I've watched both Clintons (particularly Bill) operate these last several days, I've experienced an unfamiliar combination of awe and sadness. It  finally dawned on me that these people have no shame and that their values are really not mine. I saw,  as have others on this discussion board, a combination of raw ambition and selfishness that has no interest in civility or the truth.

I nonetheless waited up last night to hear what Sen Clinton had to say for herself - to so-to-speak give her the benefit of any doubts about her husband and about her plans  heretofore. What I heard must rank as one of the most unimaginative, inane, inarticulate political speeches we have been treated to for quite a long time. I certainly cannot be alone in this view as I am generally more of an ..actions speak louder than words.. type of person.

I am frankly already worried (for the party) about what she will say when the republicants ask: what 35 years are you talking about Hillary? ..Does this include the time of overbilled hours at the  Rose Law Firm, your manifest incompetence in managing healthcare reform, you poor judgment in selecting an attorney general (not once but twice), cronism in the Travel office firings, the  Law firm billing records that mysteriously  disappeared and then just as mysteriously reappeared during a criminal investigation, Monicagate, your inability to stand up to the Bush administration against rushing into the Iraq  war.....

Fellow dems, let's pray a silent prayer each day that by some miracle we do not find ourselves after this fall's election in the now familar predicament of having lost the white house, re-energizing the republican base (losing the congress), two new justices on the supreme court that do not share our values.

Go john go

No matter what happens, Edwards needs to get his message to America - we can't afford otherwise. I've been pulling for Richardson, but any of the dems (even Hilary!) would be preferable to Mitt, Dead Fred, or Toxic Gooliani. Only McCain, Huck, and Crazy Paul have any shot at my vote...

I hope he presses on since he is the only true candidate for change. GO EDWARDS!!!! There are lots of us out here that want to cast our votes for you. Michigan, Nevada, S.C. please make the Dems proud and cast your vote for John Edwards. He scares the Reublicans and fights for hard-working Americans. Nothing against Hillary and Obama but Edwards is the right choice for this country.

I suggest that folks who are fed up with waiting for comments to appear on this site head on over to politico.com, where posts appear almost immediately after they are sent.

I am a big supporter of John Edwards. The MSM seems to declare this a 2-way race when, in fact, a competent, compassionate, fearless change agent is sitting right there in 3rd place. It is only because in this truly unique environment - when a man of JE's talent and character must be measured against a woman and a man of color - that John is trailing. His message encompasses more specificity than either of the front runners and more to the point has no failings - only strengths - when the time comes to take on the Rep. in the GE. With virtually no media attention - which in and of itself suggests the failings of the fourth estate, John is campaigning with passion - he is right on the issues, right on the country both domestic and international and man of integrity. It's too bad he is white. Tragic.

This is tremendously tongue-in-cheek because, while I like Edwards, he's not among my favorites, albeit I was a supporter 4 years ago:  How about Dracula running for office in Transylvania and running on a program of "I was born here and I was trained to draw blood here, therefore I should get your vote."

If Edwards were to  drop out, doesn't it seem likely most of his support would go to Obama?   And, if I had wings, doesn't it appear I could fly?

Cornbread

John Edwards benefits Obama in SC as he will no doubt peal away core democrats from Hillary.

Needless to say this is very advantageous for Obama because if he looses SC it's pretty much over for him.

As an Edwards supporter, I can't help but be disappointed -- if not completely surprised -- by his showing in Iowa and New Hampshire.  In an election where "change" is the buzzword on everyone's lips and  the other leading candidates have unprecedented cash resources, a grass-roots, publicly-funded populist campaign is at best a long shot.

And yet, I applaud and enthusiastically support Edwards' determination to remain in the race.  Not only because I have hope that support for his candidacy will grow, but because John and Elizabeth Edwards have already proven to be a tremendous force for progressive change IN this election cycle. The growing emphasis by both Clinton and Obama on corporate interests, health care, the underprivileged and the politically marginalized reflect this.  Whomever wins the nomination, he or she will do so because millions of Americans have responded to John and Elizabeth's call to fight for real, transformative change in the status quo.      

I'm glad to see a piece on John Edwards, on MSNBC.  I'm just sorry you didn't include the warmth, dedication to working people, the poor, and the fact
that he works harder than any other candidate, because his constituency is the middle class and poor, not the elite rich or the corporate moguls.  We
love him and his wife for it and we will stand by John to the convention.  I am just very sorry that in
order to promote the candidates of their choice, the 3 major media networks have not given him equal time,
nor have they presented him fairly.  There has been a
great effort to silence his message and to insure that candidate that wins can be defeated by the GOP
candidate.

Edward is part of the status quo.....he ran on it in 2004 and now that the winds are blowing in the direction of change e running away from it....nice try!  He is just overcrowding this contetious race...he probably took Obama's votes in NH.

He voted for the Iraq war anyway....shouldn't this guy really be home spending more time with his ailing wife?....some people are just obsessed with the WH.

I'm a big John Edwards fan (I really Like his message and all) but I'm hoping he will get out of the race. It just seems that he's looking like a person who doesn't know that the party ended and he's still sitting on the couch, waiting for dessert.

Go already!

You should be covering Edwards as a major presidential candidate.  NBC barely mentions his name on Hardball and Countdown. Your coverage prior to NH primary was all about your polls.  Less on the polls and focus on content!  Edwards has a very detailed platform that is never mentioned.  How about a report on the money donated to these candidates.  Doesn't that tell us something about both the Democratic and Republican candidates.  Shouldn't we know about this before the various primaries?  When you look at Edwards cost per vote it is very impressive how he has performed despite your snub!

Hi~
The main reason I was glad to see the article is that I have seen so little coverage of Edwards' campaign.  Over the last couple of days, there was virtually no coverage.

It will be interesting to see if there is a hometown advantage.
How about a real three way race, How exciting would that be.
Go Edwards, make them all work harder for our vote!
No more lovefest, lets talk issues!

His message is tired & not relevant. Who is he talking to?

He wasn't competitive in New Hampshire. I like him, but losing by 20 points isn't a competition. It's a thumping.

this is Johns last stand! If he wins here he will have what he needs to move on. I for one will stand with John and the one America we will build together!

GO EDWARDS!!!

I hope this question comes up at a debate;
"Mr. Edwards, you haven't done better than a weak second place showing thus far.  You claim change is most important, even more important than yourself.  If Barack Obama loses narrowly, could it be plausible to say that you were the spoiler for change?"

"following losses in the first two primary states."

That's one primary state. Iowa was not a primary.
Other than that, thanx for the info.
Obviously, Edwards wasn't expected to do well in an Ivy League, Yankee state.  Without a fraction of the funds or media hype that Obama and Hillary get, Edwards is still a viable candidate and according to some Ohio polls, he leads all GOP candidates. It goes without saying that leading the GOP in a state like Ohio is far more important than winning a primary in a state not much bigger than my penis.

The Edwards message will go over much better in the poorer Southern States where there's poverty New Hampsters only read about in books.

He has a huge backing in California as well and ultimately, he's the only Democrat running that can win against the Republican nominee in November.
Obama does well with college age groupies and Oprah fans. Hillary does well with fools and corporations.
Edwards will do well with people who care about their country and their fellow Americans. He just has to find them.

I wish the good people of South Carolina the wisdom and courage to vote the status quo down and out.

Regards,

I watched the debate last Saturday night.  Afterwards, I am strongly swaying to the Edward’s side out of any other of the candidates.  From 1988, I have been usually voting for the Republican Party candidates.  I know the republicans have been truly representing the wealthy yet have been tough on terrorism but the democrats have been representing the minorities and wacky leftist liberals.

I work for a very large company that employs tens of thousands and the majority of us are middle-class.  The general consensuses is we are not going to vote for candidate because they are Democrat or Republican but who can do the best job for the American people.  Our main complaint is we feel there is no one out there representing the middle-class. We have seen jobs go over seas to India and China because of the tax breaks.  We haven’t gotten a raise for several years but watch the top execs rake in millions.  We are college educated yet are struggling to make ends meet.  We are strangled by repayment of college loans, insane mortgage payments, gas prices, high healthcare premiums; just the cost of living in general.  It’s almost impossible to save money for retirement and God help us if we get sick (even with health insurance).   We have no discretionary income to put back into the economy.  If a company is not selling its goods or services, they end up going out of business.

I have never liked Edwards until Saturday’s night’s debate.  The position Edward’s took to combat the lobbyists, those few greedy corporations strangling the middle-class and the passion exhibited to change the Status Quo in Washington was uplifting.   Edward’s is swaying me over to his side because of his new message.  Keep it up and you have my support and vote.

WE NEED SOMEONE OUTTHERE TO STAND UP FOR THE MIDDLE-CLASS, NO MATTER IF THEY ARE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

hey john! i am glad to read this and i am behind you all the way.
i am ready for the november elections to begin.
Bonnie in oklahoma

Thank you John Edwards!!

The CORPORATE media has smeared you and spread LIES about you - all because you're speaking out about the HUGE influence of CORPORATE power on our "democracy."

You are speaking up for the working poor and middle class and speaking Truth to Power - while other candidates are offering "hope" and "tears."

We are with you all the way!

Is mony the reason Edwards did not get votes he needed to do better?

Go John. Talk about other things than your family of hardworking people. We've all heard it already. What will you do about the economy going south, or the manufacturing jobs that you'll try to bring back. Enough about how your going to go against the big bad corporations. This country has had enough of "bring 'em on" mentality....You've got my vote!!!

Edwards needs to drop out and support Obama.

He has no chance.

I really like Edwards, too bad he's been in the media shadow cast by Clinton and Obama.

Barack Obama needs to practice some Political Ninjitsu.  Hillary Clinton claims to have 35 years of experience and people buy it.  She's only held a political or governmental position for a fifth of that time, seven years as a Senator from New York.  She brought peace to Northern Ireland?  Why is it that the only mention of NI in her memoirs is when she was given a tea pot?   Her economic experience outside of her time on the Senate is limited to her time being on the board of directors for Wal-Mart.  I don't know why the press buys that argument and never notes that Barack Obama has held office for four years longer than Hillary.

I am very happy, and  very optimistic at the attitude of John Edwards. He is, and has been throughout, a passionate, inspiring, and intelligent man, who has my support, and will have my support until he is sworn in on January 20, 2009 ! He remains the strongest Democrat running, and has the best chance at a national contest. He has accomplished all this without VERY LITTLE coverage, and very little postivie coverage. Even when he, or someone involved in his campaign is actually mentioned  or interviewed, (as was the case this afternoon at approx. 3:30 (est) by Contessa) the questions are those regarding Hillary or Obama, with little importance paid to his well thought out policies. One might even begin to think that the Media is attempting to ignore John Edwards !! I believe Fred Thompson, who continues to poll around 5% get quite a bit more coverage. Why is this ? And yet, despite all this, John Edwards surpassed Hillary in Iowa.

Well, the media that savaged Clinton before the N.H. vote is taking the chain saw the day after.  It's really excessive over at Fox News but that's to be expected.  What I didn't expect was how bad it continues to be over at MSNBC.
Obama continues to get the free pass while Hardball and Tucker paint a picture of racism on the part of N.H. voters.  Not that Clinton did a good job at campaigning but that N.H. voters are racists.  MSNBC will continue to rank third amongst cable networks until a fourth one comes along.
I am left with CNN and that is where I will stay for election coverage.

I can't believe it, you never hear of Edwards in the media. All you hear is bah, bah, bah Hillary, bah,bah,bah Obama but not a word about Edwards. Edwards is the only choice for the Democratic Party and the people better wake up and stop just listening to the media. The media doesn't want you to hear Edwards, because they know that they, the media, make and break Political runners an dif Hillary or Obama run, its a shoe in for whoever is running on the Republican side. It sad, that in this Country, People spend more time investingating the latest Hollywood type, then they do, who is going to be the next President. Another sad fact is that there are not enough voters, I mean the enough of the real, actual people out there that vote who will vote for a woman or black man for President, which leave Edwards as our only hope of not having another Republican President. Check Edwards and Vote!!

Wonder when the media will question Obama on how HE can bring us all together?  ha!
Ain't gonna happen.

Prior to Iowa, the media pundits thought Obama's "hope" was just great! - and ignored Edwards SUBSTANCE.
But since Obama lost in NH - they're saying he needs more SUBSTANCE.  ha!

We know Obama and Hillary like change - cause they've copied Edwards plans and CHANGED to HIS "change" theme.  Well heck!  even Huckabee is now using "change."
Go Edwards!

John Edwards is on the edge.  I listened to him on CNN speak about the African American vote and he equated the African American experience exclusively with poverty.  We are not a monolithic group.  Our community spans the economic spectrum and the fact that his comments don't reflect the economic diversity of our community demonstrates his lack of understanding and judgement. Further, many of his comments related to Obama have had a racist undertone.  He uses his own southern strategy and it is neither subtle or beneficial to expanding the party base.

 You can dish it out,but not take it?Are you smarting from the admission that NBC has given Obama a pass?Because he's "fascinating"?Lose your blues and post, or quit.

Edwards is a decent candidate, and I wish him well in South Carolina. It will be interesting to see how democrats in this state value Obama, Hillary and Edwards - it may be a three way split. I think that no one of the three will have enough delegates by convention time to win on a first ballot, and we'll get to see a real-time, deal-making,  political process in work at the convention to elect the team and set the party platform.  It will be really great to see it happen from the grass roots rather than from TV ads and spin.  

Why was Edwards not mentioned at all on the day of the election in New Hampshire?  The election is a joke - it's outcome is predetermined.

John Edward''s downfall began after Iowa when he ridiculously said that Clinton was essentially out of the race. Then he went on to a debate where he tried to make it sound like he and Barack were buddies in this together, saying over and over that they were the agents of change and ganging up on Hillary in both of their names (although Obama wanted nothing to do with him). It was pathetic: like the pimply faced high school loser trying to claim he and the star quarterback are really buddies. Then he made fun of Hillary after she cried and it was all over for him. Good riddance.

Re comment "armed with same stump speech" -- Dear John Edwards, you (and Elizabeth) have a lot to offer this country, champion the citizens who are barely scraping by by taking on corruption and greed.  I'd like to see you vary your speech somewhat while retaining the essential elements.  Not being really critical here - but I did write and ask Hillary Clinton to try "softening her voice" as it sounded quite shrill. Proud of the demos running for President, especially, all good men, and recognize those with good hearts on the other side.  

im excited that john edwards is pressing on. ive been a strong supporter of his since he ran back in 2004. he is a true candidate of change, and even though he has yet to win in a state, take a look at the numbers. by looking at the number of delegates that each democratic candidate has won, he is still very much in this race. if he can repeat his 2004 victory from 2004, he can take the lead and ride a new wave of support from the new front runner john edwards. given the strong minority population of nevada, he may still have a good showing from the working class and minorities, even though obama picked up the key service union endorsement. when the people of the south are to decide between the democratic candidates, they very well  may select their southern alumni john edwards, giving the senator the support he needs to clench the nomination.

I hope that Edwards will discuss specifics of how large corporations and industries have been harming US citizens and the past legislative and administrative actions that have allowed the large corporations to behave in a predatory and monopolistic manner. He's made his opinion heard, but has yet to prove his case in the media. This is a case that cannot be proven in soundbites. Maybe a 30 minute infomercial (ala Ross Perot) would help.

Hillary Clinton, the political Borg, is starting to use one of John Edwards' pitches,"I'll help protect citizens against large corporations and industries" as her own. If Edwards is not careful, he will lose ownership of this position. Resistance is futile.

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