For an Edwards supporter, the Iowa Caucuses last night were disappointing, to say the least. Former Senator Edwards was counting heavily on an Iowa victory. A second place finish, while not making an Edwards nomination impossible, would seem to make it very unlikely.
In the wake of Iowa, what’s an Edwards supporter to do? Some thoughts, below the fold.
To start out: While I’m not 100% satisfied with Senator Obama as a candidate, if Edwards has to lose the nomination, I’d rather it be to him. Of the top three candidates, Obama is the one who, after Edwards, most represents change and a fresh direction for America. Though I wish his message were a little bolder at times, Obama, more than Senator Clinton, seems to tap more into the feeling I get from John Edwards. If Senator Obama goes on to win the nomination, it will be a historic opportunity for my party, and my nation. I will be more than willing to campaign for him, and I will be proud when he’s elected president.
Despite his Iowa victory, though, Senator Obama has not yet won the Democratic nomination. Yet, already, I have seen at least one person call for John Edwards to give up, for the party to "unite" behind Barack Obama. There is much to be admired in Obama, but I find it difficult, if not impossible, to give up on Edwards. I admit that his second place showing in Iowa isn’t a good sign. I admit that now, more than ever, he has an uphill battle. I admit that it’s unlikely that he’ll win in New Hampshire, let alone take the nomination. But, I just can’t bring myself to give up on him. Not yet.
Last evening, Ezra Klein posted on John Edwards at The American Prospect’s website. The post got some front page attention from Kos, but I have decided to post some of it again, right here, because nothing does a better job at illustrating why it is that I continue to support Edwards, even as the chances of his winning the nomination grow slim:
The talking heads on MSNBC just spent a few minutes puzzling over John Edwards' concession speech. "It had no concession," they fretted. It didn't talk at all about the horserace, or the vote totals. Instead, Edwards spoke of the downtrodden, the uninsured, the insecure, the exploited, the oppressed, the wronged, the scared, the hungry, the homeless, and the poor. It was a fitting speech. It was not about the candidate or the race, but about the ideas, and the individuals they are supposed to help. In that way, it was Edwards' candidacy distilled to its core: A search for justice, a cry for equality, a demand for empowerment.
Last week, I spent a few days in New York City. While there, I stopped at a few bookstores, and I picked up a biography of Robert Kennedy. It’s the second biography of RFK that I’ve read in the past few years, after having read Arthur Schlesinger’s biography of Kennedy back in 2006. And, for the second time, I’m struck by how many similarities the two men seem to share when it comes to their compassion for the poor and disenfranchised, and their willingness to openly run on a platform that seeks to bring light and hope to America’s "forgotten."
The comparison isn’t perfect, but there’s enough there to win my backing. In 2004, I ditched my support for Howard Dean after it became clear that he couldn’t win. By the time Pennsylvania’s exceedingly late presidential primary rolled around, Kerry had the nomination locked up, and I voted for him to "show my support" for the nominee.
If Edwards, as now seems likely to happen, fails on his quest for the nomination, I doubt I’ll do the same this year. I will, as I said, be willing to work for whoever wins the nomination. When Pennsylvania’s April primary day rolls around this year, though, John Edwards will get my vote, regardless of who has won the nomination.
I like Barack Obama. But, John Edwards is a little bolder, a little prouder, and a little more direct in saying what has to be said – what America needs to be said - in this critical election year. For that reason, no matter how unlikely it may have become that he’ll win, no matter how much of an uphill battle he may have in front of him, I will not give up. Not while there’s still at least a sliver of a chance. Nor, I hope, will Senator Edwards.
[Edwards] said his role was to speak for the voiceless. He now barrels towards New Hampshire with ever more volume. And while his shot at the nomination is long at best, his candidacy, even if it fails, will have been far more successful than most.
Godspeed, John Edwards. And on to New Hampshire.