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As an ardent John Edwards supporter, today is a sad day for me as he announces he is dropping out of the race for the White House.
His campaign moved me in the way I know that Hillary Clinton's campaign and Barack Obama's efforts moved others. At another group blog, MOMocrats, many of us were writing about why we supported Edwards in this race and proclaimed, "Vote for John Edwards or you're grounded!"
So how did I come to this decision as a liberal woman? One word -- poverty. Not just a plan to toss a little money at food stamps or a "stimulus package." But a comprehensive proposal to actually end poverty in this country.
I grew up on a small family farm and things were always tight. There were often discussions around the table at election time that one candidate or another was good, but no one was holding their breath that we were going to get any real attention about making things better. Many politicians give lip-service to helping the poor, but when it comes right down to it, unless you're a huge political donor or a large, recognized voting block, your voice gets lost.
John Edwards wasn't going to let that happen for the first time in a long time.
At a conference this weekend, we went through an exercise to evaluate the websites of a variety of the presidential candidates. The only site where the clear message on the front page was one of wanting to focus on voters was Edwards' site.
And I think that's something that resonated with many. About Edwards decision, MOMocrat Jen says:
Edwards kept his playing field focused on the issues and focused on the human beings who need his message most. He was the one candidate who specifically addressed poverty and his passion for alleviating poverty touched a nerve deep within me.
Spending a decade working with the homeless and in shelters has allowed me to straddle the fence of the darker side of America, the one where many do not have enough to eat or a roof over their head. People, amazing, beautiful people who are forced to allow illnesses to go untended and can't feed their children. People who by virtue of poverty alone are systematically stripped of their basic human rights until they've lost everything, hope included.
For the first time since I voted for Nader in the primary all those years back, my head and my heart were aligned when I chose my candidate. (I've already voted for Edwards via absentee ballot.)
I now fall into the very undecided camp and I know that whomever I vote for it will be a trade-off. In the end I will vote the party line, but Hillary and Barack, if you are reading this: you are going to have to work hard for my vote. All the pundits this morning are speculating as to whom Edwards' voters are going to support and I can honestly say Hillary and Barack, you probably won't know (because I won't know) until I cast my vote in November. I dare say I am not alone.
And, there is something about John and Elizabeth Edwards together that moved some of us, including Amie at Momma Loves ...:
I knew his odds weren't great, but I liked his messages. I like what both he and Elizabeth stand for.
It was just bad timing.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not disappointed with my remaining choices. I am over the moon that the two top contenders are not white men. I'm proud of my country for finally considering candidates for their experience and knowledge rather than dismissing them due to their skin color or genitals. It's about time.
But still...there was just something about the Edwards. I would have been proud to have them represent my country too.
Of course, for the Republicans, Rudy Giuliani is also withdrawing from the race. I can only assume that people who were passionate about his race are also having a tough time today. But while he was, at one point, seen as the front-runner for the GOP, he wasn't really tested on the national level.
Edwards, I felt, had a message that could benefit everyone, regardless of whether they could give a dime to a campaign or whether there was political might in their votes.
I admit that from the start of the campaign, there
