Edwards will not seek re-election to the Senate....NBC

[baby_bear]

I just heard this on NBC television. What do North Carolinians and others think about this? It just said he wants to devote all his time to running for president. Was this expected?

s_m

[rocketdem]

1. crap

That leaves an open seat ripe for the taking.

I like John Edwards, but I don't think that he can win the nomination. So his sacrifice just makes it that much more difficult to turn the Senate back from the dark side.

[JI7]

2. yes, it was expected

he wants to put all his effort into a presidential run. i personally would want him to run for bosh senate and president. and if he were to lose the primary he can focus on senate again. if he were to win the primary then he should have dropped out. but i said before he was serious about the presidential run so i can see why he did this.

[benfranklin1776]

7. Agreed.

But if he did not win the primary then he could have focused on representing the people of North Carolina and ran again eight years from now at the completion of a Democratic Administration. Al Gore was defeated in the primaries in 1988 but chose to run again and was returned to the Senate by the people of Tennessee in 1990. Certainly it did not hurt his political future. Sometimes you have to also think of a greater good than personal ambition such as the need of the party to retake the Senate to stop the Rethug legislative freight train, whose ultimate destination is the regressive 1897 corporate state of McKinley.

[The_Counsel]

60. Agreed, But I Think We're Forgetting...

...that Gore wasn't faced with running for President the same year his Senate seat was up for re-election. Al ran for Prez in '88, but his seat wasn't up for re-election to the Senate until 1990. Edwards' Senate seat is up for grabs THIS YEAR.

If it were me, I'd stick out both campaigns at least through February or March. By then, the Democratic Presidential Nomination would just about be all over except for the whining. From what I've seen, March is about the right time to start gearing up local campaigns anyway.

I'm not sure Edwards is thinking this thing through: who else do the Dems have to run for that seat? Erskine Bowles?

-- sigh. --

[arcos]

3. Link to the full story:

Sen. Edwards: I Will Not Seek Re-Election
17 minutes ago


RALEIGH, N.C. - John Edwards will not run for re-election to the Senate in 2004 so he can concentrate on seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, a state party official said Sunday.

The North Carolina senator wrote a letter received Sunday by state Democratic Party chairwoman Barbara Allen announcing his decision, state party executive director Scott Falmlen said.

"I ... decided that I will not seek re-election to the United States Senate in order to devote all of my energy to running for president," Edwards wrote Allen.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=3&u=/ap/20030908/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_senate

[lumpy]

64. Maybe he is looking forward to the vicepresidency ?

Interesting to see who will throw his/her hat in the ring for his senate seat.

[TheYellowDog]

4. GODDAMNIT

NOW WE ARE GOING TO LOSE THE NORTH CAROLINA SEAT TOO. :( :( :( :(

[I Lean Left]

6. We might've anyway...

It wasn't a given that Edwards would get re-elected. Saves him the embarassment of being behind in the polls for the Senate while running for the Presidency.

[baby_bear]

11. Who cares about his embarrassment? Jeez

I care about the makeup of the Senate. Even Lieberman didn't drop out of his Senate run in CT during the presidential election.

Good thing, as it turned out.

In my opinion, Edwards has let down Democrats, big time. I will defer to North Carolinians, though, in this matter.

s_m

[I Lean Left]

14. He cares

because it would be used against him. This takes it out of play.

[surfermaw]

10. I don't think we will lose a seat

Political climate is changing in North Carolina,the economy and high gas prices are begining to get to the people.Republicans are quiet, they aren't taking up for Bush as they usually do for their party and candidate.. I think if the campaign would have been a little longer Bowles would have defeated Dole...Just two weeks ago two Rep. Congress persons were critical of Bush.

[Pompitous_Of_Love]

31. Don't bet the ranch on that

The North Carolina Republican Party is currently undergoing a blood bath. They're fielding U.S. Rep. Richard Burr for Edwards' seat, but Burr has all the personality of a light pole. With the GOP at each others' throats, a Dem win in the Senate race is not at all out of the question. There's been a hell of a lot of job losses here in the last two years and Rethug candidates are going to have to answer for that next fall.

[Hawkeye-X]

41. A huge mistake.

IMHO. He should drop out of the primaries immediately and focus on his re-election.

We need all the Dem seats to hang on to them and removing all the Repuke Senate seats from the Repukes and getting the House majority for the Dean Presidency.

Don't count on Edwardian presidency -- he only has one shot, and it's in South Carolina, and Dean is already working on that state.

Hawkeye-X

[surfermaw]

67. Again.....No...trust me...John knows what he is doing.

[onehandle]

5. Thanks for nothing, Senator...

He doesn't have a fucking chance. Are there ANY realists in the world besides me?

[onehandle]

23. On the other hand...

I just remembered that my father in-law, who is active in NC Dem circles, said that Edwards is not well liked by the party.

Maybe he saw the handwriting on the wall.

[w4rma]

27. What's going on over there in NC?

I thought he was well liked in that state. What did or didn't Edwards do for that to happen, if it did happen?

[AP]

39. Someone here posted a long time ago that the woman who runs NC Dem party..

...is a Republican.

Edwards owes nothing to the state machine, and I don't think they've ever supported him that much. I'm not surprised that they wouldn't be a hundred percent enthusiastic about him. Edwards, like Kennedy, owes his political success to a direct connection with the public which doens't require the mediation of the party. That's my opininon.

[IndianaGreen]

40. If what you said is true, then it is tragic that Edwards won't run

If one cannot get their house in order, how can we expect him to carry NC if he is tapped as Kerry's VP as another poster has said.

[AP]

55. Because he has a direct connection to the public's conscience

which doesn't need to be mediated by the state party.

And he's doing what he needs to do to win the presidency, and then bring in Bowles on his coattails.

[PurityOfEssence]

50. Yes, you're the only realist in the entire universe

Congratulations. Now please move aside and let the rest of us deluded inferiors continue to run the world.

[Lindsay]

8. It was expected.

I read somewhere (sorry about the lack of citation) that the NC democratic party told him to choose one or the other.

I haven't been in NC long enough to know a lot about the political scene yet, but it doesn't sound positive to me.

[AP]

I read EVERYTHING about Edwards, I have haven't heard this.

.

[AP]

44. It's the product of strategy, I'm sure.

Perhaps they got word that Clark wasn't going to run. Maybe they're on track to get big money the quarter, or maybe the pollign has him where they expected. Maybe he got some big contingent endorsements.

I have read that the NC Dem party is a terrible organization often working at cross-purposes with Democrats running for office. But, I think Bowles and Edwards and the national party isn't going to let them force anyone to do anything that isn't going to lead to the maximum number of Democrats getting elected to office next Nov.

[Flying_Pig]

9. Dumb, bad move....

shows he's concerned more about his ambitions, than the nation.

[union_maid]

12. That is the way it appears

Unless he really didn't think he'd be reelected to the Senate. Because frankly, if he was the best candidate for that job, then running for that seat is the most valuable thing he could be doing right now. There are plenty of presidential candidates, and several good ones. We need all the senators we can get.

[AP]

42. When's the next NC gubernatorial election?

Edwards is clearly interested in helping the most people possible, and he's committed to winning the presidency. If he gets the nomination this is a smart move. He'll bring Bowles in on his coattails, and he's effectively eliminated the SOLE criticism the Republican party has had of him.

If he loses the primary or the general election, he can run for governor of NC, and he'll win that, and run for president again, and he'll be ripe to run in 2008 (if the timing's right).

But, you know what foks, I think he's going to get nominated and win.

[TacticalPeek]

49. Governor I can accept as a fallback, but

only if Bowles or someone has an equal or better shot at the Senate seat. Them's precious things.

Or maybe Edwards sees the future more accurately than I?

[IndianaGreen]

13. Bad move because he is hovering in the single digits

Gephardt has more of a chance at the nomination than Edwards. What Edwards should do is drop out and concentrate on his reelection campaign.

Edwards needs more seasoning. In a way he is like JFK in 1956, whose dropping out of the race for VP at the convention actually propelled him as a leading candidate in 1960. (Note: Stevenson opened the VP selection to the convention)

[chimpymustgo]

16. Good move, because Edwards is following his heart.

And he's announcing his decision early enough that Bowles can get his campaign in gear. Bowles has a very good chance against Burr.

[arcos]

20. wow... that would be an astonishing act in 2004...

if the Democratic candidate opened up the VP selection to the whole convention it would be amazing.

[I Lean Left]

15. Might invigorate his campaign

Shows that he's serious about staying in and that he's committed.

[jsw_81]

17. Damn

Somebody needs to call Jim Hunt ASAP. We simply cannot afford to lose this seat!

[schultzee]

18. Niether will Gephardt. and Grahm., this can really hurt the Senate

if the filthy greddy pig republicans are elected. Say goodby to not working as a gardner or maid if bu$h stays in the big house.

[w4rma]

19. Sen. Edwards is an idiot. He can't win the nomination at this point (n/t)

[Dookus]

22. I have to agree..

he's going nowhere now, and without his senate seat, will have nowhere to launch from in the future, when he might reasonably have a chance.

He's not just sacrificing a Dem senate seat, he's ruining his OWN political future.

A lot of people (including me) like Edwards and think he just needs a little more seasoning before he's read to be Prez.

It's WAY too early to make this announcement. He could've waited a little bit into the first primaries and judged where he was then.

[w4rma]

26. I agree. He should have waited before making such a radical decision (n/t)

[MiltonLeBerle]

30. He's running for Vice-President.

Kerry-Edwards if the DLC has their way. possibly even Lieberman/Edwards.

Dean/Edwards?
Clark/Edwards?

He can certainly help round out the ticket for a lot of different possible nominees.

[IndianaGreen]

33. Lieberman?

Are all the other candidates going to disappear overnight, for that is the only way Lieberman could win the nomination.

[Hawkeye-X]

43. Sorry. I reject Edwards as VP.

I will NOT accept a pro-war, pro-tax, pro-Bush-wannabe VP candidate. I will only take Clark, and that is what Clark intends to do -- run for VP, not as a President ala Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Hawkeye-X

[AP]

46. "Pro-tax"?

Baffling.

[AP]

45. Jeez. Is this the first election to which you've paid close attention.

Edwards is on a winning trajectory, and he's clearly the candidate who's exactly right for this moment in history (which, unfortunately, means he's going to get the most resistance from Republicans -- but I'm ready for a watershed presidency).

[tjdee]

24. Yeah, maybe everyone should drop out but Dean.

I mean, the primaries are tomorrow, after all, and everyone knows that nothing changes after September 7th.

:eyes:

[w4rma]

25. He's already gone and made his announcement

So, there really isn't any point in my talking about his mistake since it's doubtful that he'll go back and change at this point. IMHO, he won't win the nomination because few people are interested in him when compared to Dean, Kerry and Gephardt, and now he won't be in the Senate either. And, now that he's a lame duck noone will really listen to him either.

[jenk]

21. his numbers are slowly rising, good to see he's in it for the long haul

.

[surfermaw]

28. Edwards knows what he is doing

Edwards knows what he is doing, if he doesn't Jim Hunt does, I think North Carolina is going democratic in the next presidential election. We have had many new people move into the state, and many immigrants come to the state. Remember the women of this state like Edwards,he didn't have a problem winning his Senate Seat..according to what I read men like him as well.

[Merlin]

34. Then why isn't he running ? n/t

.

[baby_bear]

35. Well, there's a lot of academia in NC, for sure

A lot of people with post-graduate degrees; scientists and engineers. That could help overall in retaining NC in the Dem column.

I hope.

s_m

[IndianaGreen]

37. How much of the work at the Research Triangle

is dedicated to the military-industrial complex? Those are certainly GOP votes.

[baby_bear]

51. I didn't think of that

EPA supports a lot of scientists at RTP. I figured they would more likely be Dems. I don't know too much about the military angle.

s_m

[Dookus]

29. yes... slowly

which is why he should stay in the Senate until 2008 or 20012 when he'll REALLY be electable.

[Jane Eyre]

32. At least now it is official

The local papers have been reporting Edwards' absence in the Senate for some time now, even while running glowing articles in a special series about John Edwards' NC roots and his presidential ambitions.

Worse yet, Liddy Dole showed up in Kannapolis the day after Pillowtex filed bankruptcy laying off thousands to announce that she was opening a temporary office in that little town to show how much she cares. Not only was there no sign of John Edwards, but a couple of days later he announced that he was opening a dozen new offices - in Iowa!!!! Talk about a tin ear.

The problem with Edwards' absence in his home state is that he has also lost the enthusiasm of the hometown political activists for his presidential bid. On any given day outside the Dem headquarters, you will see plenty of Howard Dean bumperstickers but I can't remember seeing any John Edwards stickers. Our primary is held so late that it probably won't make that much difference, but on the other hand we have activists crossing the state line into SC on a regular basis to work for Howard Dean.

Personally, I am relieved that he has finally made his much-rumored decision public. Don't be looking for Jim Hunt though. Rumor has it that Erskine Bowles is the handpicked successor. And expect Dan Blue to make another run for it, putting personal ambition before the goals of the party just as he did when he tried to make a deal with the Republicans to keep his seat as speaker in the General Assembly.

[baby_bear]

52. Thanks, Jane Eyre!

Great information. Being from Seattle, I don't know all those names (Hunt, Blue) but I'll be on the lookout.

I kind of thought that Edwards was being encouraged to drop out because he would have a rough time winning re-election. Just a hunch on my part.

Thanks again.
s_m

[IndianaGreen]

53. Why has Edwards committed the one cardinal sin in politics?

Ignoring their constituency is the death knell of any politician.

[surfermaw]

66. Edwards was with the pillowtex employees

He wasnt't there on the day Liz Dole was, but he had been there and was there for a couple of days after Dole Visit.

[VolcanoJen]

36. This is a very brave move, and it surprised me.

I think it positively sucks that we may have to fight harder to keep that seat, but this shows how serious John really is.

I'm pretty shocked.

[Merlin]

57. "Brave" my ass!

This is the act of a political coward.

[VolcanoJen]

62. I meant "brave" in the sense that he has virtually no chance...

... of winning the Democratic nomination. I guess "brave" was a poor choice of words on my part. :-)

[MattNC]

38. Erskine Bowles

I'd like to see Erskine Bowles win this seat. Although I won't be terribly upset if Burr (R) wins it. I've met him a few times and he's a Republican I actually like.

[neuvocat]

47. Edwards may be a DLC centrist but

I don't think this is at all wise of him to do. He won't win the primaries and if he indeed quits then he will have lost a great position to campaign from later.

[AP]

58. Two things:

-on David Broder said that the DLC does NOT like Edwards because he has voted against free trade a bumnch of times. Edwards is an economic liberal (in the tradition of JFK and FDR) who looks to most people like a moderate (like JFK and FDR). It's a winning combination.

-If Edwards can't win as a senator this year (and pull off a JFK), then he should probably run for Governor (that is, if he isn't VP). In fact, he could go from VP to NC Governor, to President in 2012.

[TacticalPeek]

48. Seems strange.

I don't see how a candidate for the presidential nomination can "run" for the VP nod, absent a convention's smoke-free rooms filled with support swappers. Very dubious possibility these days.

I guess I could see this if some other NC dem had an equal or better chance at this crucial seat. But incumbency, diligently used, goes a long way I would think. And his presidential nod odds seem to be getting longer by the day, just guessing. If Clark runs, and well, it would lengthen Edwards odds even more.

I hope he hasn't maneuvered to the wrong target. And that his replacement is ready to rotate in. Strange.

[NYYFan]

54. NC Dem here- BAD MOVE

1) He can't win.

2) This almost guarantees a hand-over of the state to *- his handpicked crony this time is 5th District congressman, Richard Burr: http://www.house.gov/burr/

[Merlin]

56. This is a dumb move on Edwards part, and a betrayal of our party.

I am furious that this pretty boy could be so arrogant and irresponsible as to vacate a seat that's critical not just to our party but to the prevention of right wing rule in America.

In one of the most critical political times in American history, with near parity in the Senate the only thing standing between America and neocon fascism, this spoiled rich kid decides to blow off the challenge of running for reelection in a critical state.

And please, Edwards people, spare me the arguments about how he's sure he's going to be the Presidential nominee. This about seals the odds against his being on the ticket.

The truth is, he doesn't think he can be re-elected. That says to me he's got no chance to be the nominee either for the top spot or the second spot.

[PurityOfEssence]

61. "This spoiled rich kid"?! Where'd ya get that?

Except for an intact and loving family, his origins were quite humble and daunting.

Unlike other politicians, he's making his decision early enough to not rock the boat too much.

His struggle will be to get the nomination, but he has the best chance of winning the general election.

This is a fine person and a potentially historic leader; it's not just a selfish move, and it's being done in the most honorable way.

[surfermaw]

65. The last thing he is (arrogant

Once again..John Edwards, knows exactly what he is doing. He has said from day one he was running for President of the United States. I know you think he is wrong,but I don't...Erskin Bowles, or Jim Hunt will pick up the seat...North Carolina fumbling with drawing lines..left Bowles with little campaign time, a few more weeks and he possibly could have won. Liz Dole, campaigned on being with Bush on every thing...The person on the republican ticket may not get by riding Bush's coattail in the next Senate race. I think North Carolina may be changing their habbits in the next election. If Bush dosen't turn them around then they are hopeless.

[okieinpain]

59. some people can be so selfish some times. this

guy knows he's way behind the pack, and that he's not going to be the nom. so is it he knows that he can't be re-elected back to the senate and is just trying to save face.

[carolinayellowdog]

63. A bird in the hand

Hey,

Before reading others' comments I will say that with a 10 point lead over his likely opponent, and as far back as he stands in the presidential polling, Edwards should have made the opposite choice. Now the Democratic fight to regain the Senate becomes that much harder, and he may not have helped himself with the nomination. I wonder if some other candidate has promised him the VP slot-- maybe Kerry-- to justify this risktaking.

CYD