The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Chattanooga Edwards fans, consider yourselves lucky.

From the AP: DENVER - The Associated Press has learned that Democrat John Edwards is leaving the presidential race. Two advisers say Edwards has notified a close circle of senior advisers that he plans to make the announcement today in New Orleans. Edwards ran a campaign that steered his rivals toward progressive ideals — even as he dealt with family hardship, & his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

This is a surprise. Edwards was widely expected to stay in the race at least until Super Tuesday. His delegates could have made a huge difference at a brokered convention.

ABC News has more here. The “money quotes” are at the end:

Edwards has not publicly said who he will throw his support behind, though he has had private conversations with both Clinton and Obama in recent days.

In a recent interview with ABC News’ David Muir, Edwards adamantly shot down any desire to again be a vice presidential candidate.

Here’s Barack Obama’s statement on Edwards:

“John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn’t popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who’s up and who’s down, he made a nation focus again on who matters: the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this — that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.”

& this is an AP story on Clinton’s reaction:

DENVER (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton says John Edwards called her to let her know he was bowing out of the race for the White House.

Edwards’ decision to drop out could be a boost to the New York senator. A recent Associated Press-Yahoo poll suggests four out of 10 Edwards supporters will switch over to the Clinton camp, compared to a quarter who say they prefer Barack Obama.

Both Clinton and Obama would welcome Edwards’ backing and the support of the 56 delegates he has collected. But, Edwards has no immediate plans to endorse either of them.

Obama heaped praise on Edwards, saying he has “spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn’t popular to do.” Aides say Obama asked for Edwards’ endorsement last night.

So what does this mean going forward? One thing’s for sure: Thursday night’s California debate just got a heckuva lot more interesting.

Here’s the latest on Rudy Giuliani, expected to bow out today:

Two New York lawmakers say Rudy Giuliani has told them he will drop out of the presidential race and endorse Senator John McCain.
The two New York state Republicans say they got calls from Giuliani about his plans. Congressman Peter King, a Giuliani adviser, says he expects Giuliani will be “fairly active for McCain.” Giuliani, who once led the GOP pack, bet and lost on Florida. After heavy campaigning in the state, the former New York mayor placed a distant third in yesterday’s primary.
He’s heading to California, where Republican presidential candidates are scheduled to debate at the Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley. Party officials say that’s where he’ll announce his backing for his longtime friend.
McCain, who is himself heading to the Golden State, spoke glowingly of Giuliani yesterday, thanking him for being an “inspiration” to the Arizona senator and to millions of Americans.

What do Edwards & Giuliani’s departures mean for either party? Will Rudy’s support help McCain? Whom will Edwards endorse? Post a comment with your thoughts!

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