For the Edwards and Dean, Winning May Not Be Everything

[maddezmom]

Published: February 11, 2004


ASHVILLE, Feb. 10 — Even as Senator John Kerry won two more states on Tuesday in a show of force that has put him on the lip of seizing the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator John Edwards and Howard Dean vowed that they would soldier on into Wisconsin and into a heavy run of contests in March.

That left more than a few Democrats asking the same question on Tuesday night in this rapidly deflating contest: what precisely are Mr. Edwards and Dr. Dean trying to do?

The answer is that for Mr. Edwards, of North Carolina, and Dr. Dean, the former Vermont governor, the decision to hang on is a calculation that does not necessarily have to do with becoming their party's nominee for president.

They are looking to the lessons of Jerry Brown in 1992 and the Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1988, two other Democratic presidential contenders who stayed at the party long after the lights had come up, trying to enhance their national stature in a race that for all purposes appears to be over. (A third candidate, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, posted another weak showing on Tuesday night, and pulled out of the race.

~snip~

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/11/politics/campaign/11DEMS.html

interesting read :)

[Skwmom]

1. Amazing how the same rational can't apply to Clark.

Oh that's right, we must get him out of the race.

[maddezmom]

2. was thinking the same thing as I read the article

but I trust Wes made a decision best for him and his family/

[Skwmom]

4. Based on some of the postings

It seems like that decision was taken out of his hands.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Influencing the party platform

But no matter how they perform in the next contests, these Democrats are looking beyond a race that even their aides acknowledge is close to being settled. They are positioning themselves to achieve a degree of influence at their party's convention in Boston and in the writing of the party's platform.

I wish Gen. Clark had remained in the race for the same reason. I think it is vital that outsiders like Clark and Dean have some influence over the party platform. Otherwise, I see it as the DLC rolling over the progressive wing of the party, offering Bush-Lite to try and entice independent voters. DLC, wake up. The majority of people in this country want Bush OUT. They aren't looking for Bush-Lite but a real change.

Hope the General can still have some input.

[spooky3]

5. I wish I knew how much to believe of this. It appears to be mostly

the writer's opinions, and no one is quoted (with regard to the speculations).