Edwards vows to stay in race to convention
Sen. John Edwards catches a pass as he shoots baskets in Lebanon, New Hampshire Saturday. (Photo Credit: AP)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democrat John Edwards said Sunday he will stay in the presidential race through the party's convention in late August, even if he fails to win any of the early presidential primary states.
"This is the call of my life, and I have no intention of stopping," Edwards said on ABC's This Week. "I'm in this through the convention and to the White House."
Asked specifically if he'd remain a candidate even if he failed to garner a win over the next month, Edwards said, "Absolutely."
The former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential candidate edged out rival Hillary Clinton for second place in the Iowa caucuses Thursday, and a new CNN/WMUR poll taken entirely after Iowa voters weighed in shows a slight bump for Edwards in the Granite State, though he remains in a distant third at 20 percent among like Democratic voters there. Barack Obama, the winner of the Iowa caucuses, and Clinton are tied at 33 percent.
Also Sunday, Edwards denied a formal alliance between himself and Obama against Clinton, but he continued to paint the New York Democrat as symbolic of the status-quo in Washington and called for a two-person debate between himself and Obama.
"Voters here in New Hampshire and in all the future states need an unfiltered debate between the two of us about who can best bring about change," he said.
Related video: Edwards campaigns in N.H.
Related: Poll: Clinton, Obama tied in New Hampshire
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
- Trump attorney appears before grand jury in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Judge says several Trump aides, including former chief of staff, must testify to Jan. 6 grand jury
- Harris hires Stephanie Young to be senior adviser
- Michele Bachmann Fast Facts
- Untitled
Why is the media ignoring Edwards. It has gotten so bad that i was beginning to think he had droped out. Just another instance of the media influence i guess.
Edwards for President
Is it be possible that we could frame this presidential campaign in some way other than a unrepresentative, combative, winner-take-all primary mess we seem saddled with?
I appreciate the, consistent and strongly articulated positions which John Edwards has taken. I've also liked Obama's recent call for a national Coalition for Change. I'd suggest that Obama and Edwards join forces to present the strongest imaginable national leadership team . Their styles are complimentary and the policies are quite similar and, hopefully, still work in progress.
Obama and Edwards in '08 – that sounds like an amazing ticket to me. Two of the strongest leaders we could ever hope for joining forces to undo the Bush damage of the past eight years and facilitating the many changes we have been hoping for.
And, by the way, what is going on with the Federal Elections Commission and our need for adequate fund-matching for current campaigns and our concerns about election fraud, faulty voting machines, paper trails, voter lists, etc? We should all be deeply troubled by the lack of attention and progress on these matters in the White House and Congress. ???
Duncan McCutchan
We Americans are "DOOMED" if John Edwards does not become President!
Edwards is the only candidate who is even making any since and is the only one with a real plan to fix years of piles of crap from the Bush Boy's!
It is time someone truly stood up for " WE THE PEOPLE". President Bush will not
admit how much trouble we are in, he candy coats everything. But look around, people are suffering right here in American.
John Edwards is ready to take on big corporations, and stop them from buying into Washington. That sounds great to me, and I believe he will do it.
Edwards Heath Care Plan and Taxing Plans are just what we Americans need and it would help millions of people.
And best of all, he is ready to end the war.
To me, John Edwards is the only candidate for the working class, and Obama is only repeating everything that John Edwards has already said.
Hillary is like Bush, an "old school politician" and who do needs anymore of that!
Hey John. Talk to a therapist about your anger – not me.
Alfred Bills...God bless you.
The facts are that this race isn't about any single issue. The world has become incredibly complex and most issues are very much interrelated. It takes clarity of vision and a very strong dose of independence to have a real impact in the world today. We need a John Kennedy...someone who understands the reality of politics but also has the vision to inspire Americans to rise above partisanship and petty party politics.
This contest is much like the last several...a popularity contest where the candidates try to figure out how to best pander for votes. Only Edwards has the ability to overcome the raw politics, and this is where his lack of fund raising actually helps him, as he isn't a puppet pulled by the strings of the financial backers like the other candidates.
I'm for Edwards, as the best Dem candidate, the one who will really fight for the middle class. I'm surprised Lou Dobbs doesn't see this, but he seems to be thinking about Michael Bloomberg (or someone like him) as an Independent candidate. As far as I can see Bloomberg is status quo. Not a man of the people, although a competent mayor as Guiliani was.
We in the middle class will no longer be middle class if things don't change.
Mariel
Get your thinking caps on, folks. We need Hillary, who actually has the experience to be president. The Clintons are loved all over the world–and can get America respected again.
Edwards is a silly little banty rooster. I am sick of hearing him and seeing him. And the way he is trying to get himself 2nd, (tho he hasn't a chance), because of the silly way the caucus works, is ridiculous. Obama wouldn't ask him to be VP anyway, I don't think.
Hillary is ready to go–REALLY–not just verbally "fired up and ready to go". I have never heard Obama say just what change he has in mind, except it will be a change to have a black president, I guess. Same as it would be a change to have a woman president. Only difference is that the black one is inexperienced, and the woman is ready to run things from day 1. We need Hillary. She actually knows how to make the changes, not just talk about them.
Hillary Clinton for President 2008. John you can not go to Washington with a chip on your shoulder a expect change.
Comments by the name Realist, it seems you are very stupid and I would say other words but don't want my message delete, it seems that you are a sexist and racist to the 3rd degree. America is for change and a Black man or a woman could win. I don't like hilary but one of the 2 could win. Obama is our man, he can do it.
Kieth Olberman was the only one who noted the $$ spent by Edwards in Iowa in contrast to Obama and Clinton.
My amateur prediction is that if Edwards can show above 20 pts in NH and finish 1st or 2nd in South Carolina – preferably first – then he's positioned to cause big problems on super Tuesday - if he can get his message out there.
No matter what: the top 2 stories are Obama's success and Hillary's failure..... not a lot of sound bites time for Edwards.
John Edwards was once my first choice but now he's my last. He changes as the wind blows and now his recent pact with Obama, he's just not the John Edwards I used to like, he's so bitter. I hope he gets something from his pact with Obama but he won't be my vote. I wish I could take back my donation.
jimmy, Iowa
If you haven't 'splained to your kids about Bush's hooch and cocain, and how a Christian can go to war against innocent women and children for no reason,
then you don't have to worry about it.
Once you get that explained to them, it will be easy to explain Obama.
I feel that Edwards WILL be president in my lifetime, maybe not this time but he will get it. He has such focus and passion for the job and I think he will be great when he finally does win it. As a democrat I'm really excited about this year b/c I love all the canidates and don't really care who wins the nod. I'm ready to support any of the 4 still in the race but deep down I kinda hope it's Hillary.
Hey voters out there! Politics is a very complicated subject...
Politics is not about looking good or trying to lecture people...Obama is the one beeing artificially prop up, not Clinton. The latter can actually do the work and bring us back to stability and confidence. Gop supporters and Independents are voting for Obama because they want somebody that they can easily tear down during the general election.. Think about it! In real politics race can not play a big factor, but experience count... This is the first nation in the face of the planet... Carefully select a 'Leader', not a talker or an immature.. Let us not mention Edwards; he's looking @ obama shoulders for running mate like last time; but this time he is not getting.. Even the most sublime forces of nature will not let it happen or let America in the hands of 2 immatures!! If they get the nomination, that will be it for the Democratic party!!! Thus, I'll be campaigning and voting for McCain or any other GOP nominee..This is not personal or the race for the Senate.
YOU ALL WANTED GORE, BUSH WON... That is how it works... YOU ALL LIKE IMMATURES AND VERY ENERGIZED GUYS, but Clinton will have the most delegates at the end of the dayyyy.. Don't be last to line up to vote for her
Go John Go!
Hey, Beamon, maybe you should talk to your own therapist. John Edwards is honestly "angry", not "crazy" angry, because he is fighting for the millions of poor and middle class Americans. Just because a person is passionate and concerned about real issues doesn't make them out-of-control. He's channeling what are obviously strong feelings in a truly righteous cause - health insurance and tax relief for the poor and the middle class.
Actually, rather than go to a therapist, maybe you should go to a voting booth and cast your ballot for John Edwards for President.
It just might make you feel better about yourself.
Edwards' quest is quixotic. He was the candidate best positioned to benefit from the idiosyncrasies of Iowa's caucus process, yet still he lost. While I agree with his position on corporate greed, Edwards is not an effective messenger and he sounds increasingly shrill. Perhaps the best way he can facilitate change is to withdraw, rather than to divide the anti-Hillary vote and inadvertently aid her cause.
S.K.M, Boston, what kind of math are you using? Obama counted his experience of foreign policy from under 10 years old and college study too. You should read Hillary's Living History first before open your silly mouth. Hillary's experiences are over 35 years if she count like Obama did. People refuse to know Hillary and criticize her, it is not a contructive idea for our Country. Just read "Living History", then you will recognize how foolish your comment is.
Edwards is the only person I want for our next President - Anybody who cares for their future and the future of this country should be voting for Edwards!
I am just completely shattered to see so many people support a candidate like Obama. They say one picture is worth a thousand words and to me, THAT is fact! I have many times seen the picture of democratic candidates saluting the flag when they appeared together at an outdoor event some months back. If you know what picture I am talking about then you remember that Obama refused to salute the flag and stood there with his hands in his pockets. That is NOT a man I want for my commander and chief.
And Hillary is riding on her husband's history. I liked Bill, but I can't stand Hillary.
Edwards is the smart choice for the democrats. Anything else and the republicans will probably keep the white house. Bad move for the dem party.
John Edwards 2008
Lets see some equal coverage in the media!
Senator Edwards, I would NOT vote for you because you are making your case only on of the expense of Hilary Clinton.
Gentleman?! What is it? On the debate you ware like a Hyena over her, before her suit... Is that a simple jealousy lire most of American women (surprise for me, even Pakistanis are more advance in this meter and Bhutto was killed from her enemies).
Second, do you deny that "Clinton's machine" work peaty well for americans for 8 years ?
It is partly your fault. Why didn't you win the Election in 2000? Now you are blaming Hilary that America is really in a big ...
You still play your ego agenda, Sur! Obama will be chewed and spit from Republicans, because he has not very much to offer then word "Change" (He sounds to me like those communist leaders who had been feeding the people only with nice word and hopes of future almost heavenly life; UTOPIA, eh , worked for some period).
Americans , please, just do not compare him with JFK.
If you really are talking from your heard, it is not late you to make some REAL CHANGE- make sure Democrat to be in the Oval office this time even that is not you.
As I rite on a CNN goes a Braking New about Iranians? I imagine Senator Obama in the Oval office with pence full of..
Wake up Americans, it is very serious , do not blow it again!
Obama/Edward ticket. I see it coming. And Jimmy from Iowa. If you haven't sat down with your child to discuss drugs....shame on you. You should be your child's role model.....don't blame Obama. We all make mistake but it takes a man to come out public to say he made mistake in past. That's how you heal which has motivate others to get their lives in order. With his message that overcome our personal problem where we are able to be successful in the end. So don't blame him take a good look at yourself before you start pointing finger at others.
The best choice for Democrats is not Obama/ Edwards, but Edwards/ Obama. They are much more electible that way.
John Edwards is the most viable candidate in the democratic party to beat a republican in Nov. Sure, Obama and Clinton have star power (shhhh! because they are a black man and a woman) and don't forget Oprah. I say Edwards/Obama is the winning ticket. Combined, they've got enough experience. But not too much to be corrupt (Clinton). Also, Edwards can capture the southern /rural/heartland vote (important) and Obama would capture, the right/left coast liberals, young people, women, and the black vote. Together, they could do alot of good and turn this country around.