Big drop for Edwards
A Las Vegas Review-Journal poll released Friday showed John Edwards with a dismal 14 percent support in Nevada.
But that was a lot better than what he actually ended up with in Saturday's Democratic caucuses: 3.75 percent.
What happened?
A statement from his campaign manager portrays Edwards as the underdog facing two $100 million opponents.
Indeed, Edwards might not have enough money to compete anymore. But he had enough money to attract some following in Nevada. He campaigned there. Yet it slipped away.
Caucus procedures probably hurt him. My guess is that, at the gatherings themselves, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama supporters talked the Edwards people into defecting with the argument that it's time to back a more likely winner. When all was said and done, Edwards was left with a faithful few.
In South Carolina Saturday, Democrats can vote their conscience on a secret ballot. Edwards will get a true reading of his popularity in a state where he should do well. If he loses badly again, it will be clear indication that he's not the candidate his party wants.
Meanwhile, the Republican picture is clearing up a little. In losing South Carolina to John McCain, Iowa winner Mike Huckabee looks more like a one-hit wonder. Mitt Romney takes Nevada. Unless Rudy Giuliani really has some brilliant late-surge strategy that no one has seen yet, this may turn into a two-man race before long.
Comments (5)
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Caucus procedures probably hurt him. My guess is that, at the gatherings themselves, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama supporters talked the Edwards people into defecting with the argument that it's time to back a more likely winner. When all was said and done, Edwards was left with a faithful few.* Doug
Naw! Hillary sent in Slick Willie and he muscle those Vegas Union workers around like Tony Soprano at a meat packers convention. John's Union connections died like a dead man's hand at the Poker table. I have ever reason to suspect that's John's political career in Vegas will result in future work as a Bus boy or a Greeter at the "Lonely Hearts and Spade Casio"
Meanwhile, the Republican picture is clearing up a little. In losing South Carolina to John McCain, Iowa winner Mike Huckabee looks more like a one-hit wonder.* Doug
Are you kidding? Huckabee has called for rematch on Smackdown with Ric Flair and Chuck Norris taking on McCain in a South Carolina steel cage located at any State prison...South Carolina just might be the first state in history that has a immigration fence on both of it's borders to keep the Republican party of South Carolina members in before it spreads to another defected gene pool.
Posted on January 20, 2008 9:30 PM
Glad to see Edwards go - even though it makes more room for the wife of Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend.
Posted on January 20, 2008 11:37 PM
Actually what hurt him was the Democratic Party caucus procedures themselves. To be "viable" in a precinct, a candidate had to have 15% support. In precincts where Edwards' support fell below this threshold, his "non-viable" supporters either had to jump to another candidate or not be counted.
It's a really dopey way to select a President. A secret ballot primary would be a much better way to go.
Posted on January 21, 2008 1:53 PM
Good point, Dave. And here I would fault the national Democratic Party for blessing the Nevada caucuses but not the Michigan primary. Which would be a more valid expression of Democratic voters' preferences?
Posted on January 21, 2008 5:30 PM
n South Carolina Saturday, Democrats can vote their conscience on a secret ballot. Edwards will get a true reading of his popularity in a state where he should do well. If he loses badly again, it will be clear indication that he's not the candidate his party wants.*Doug
Watching the Demo debates tonight proves one thing about Edwards, He just predicted that he will be running against McCain in the General election.
No wonder the Bookmakers in Vegas won't take a bet from him?
Posted on January 21, 2008 9:53 PM