Edwards Vows To Continue Campaign

After Third Place Finish In. N.H., Democrat Faces Long Odds Against Clinton, Obama

(AP)  Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards took his third-place New Hampshire finish in stride, pledging to carry his battle forward despite difficult odds. "I am in this race until the convention," he told supporters.

Edwards had campaigned on a message of ridding Washington of special-interest corruption, and he made clear that despite finishing well behind his two main rivals he would not change course as the race heads toward "Super Tuesday" next month.

"I am in this race until we have actually restored the American dream and strengthened and restored the middle class in America," he said.

Edwards had 17 percent of the vote, compared to 39 percent for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and 37 percent for Sen. Barack Obama. Edwards, a former North Carolina senator and 2004 Democratic vice presidential contender, finished second in Iowa's Democratic caucuses last week.

"Two races down, 48 states left to go," he said.

Edwards offered his congratulations to Clinton and Obama, but insisted that "I intend to be the nominee of my party."

"Up until now, about half of 1 percent of Americans have voted. Ninety-nine percent plus have not voted. And those 99 percent deserve to have their voices heard because we have had too much in America of people's voices not being heard," Edwards said.

His wife, Elizabeth, who spoke before Edwards, said, "This day, we have taken steps. Not as big steps as we wanted. But ones of which we're enormously proud."

"You never get anything if you don't work for it," she said.

Edwards campaigned long and hard in the state in the days before Tuesday's primary, up one side of New Hampshire and down the other, including a 36-hour stint over the weekend.

As Obama surged in the polls, Edwards offered a blend of change and experience.

"I do think it's likely that as we go forward that all of us, particularly Senator Obama, will be looked at very carefully by voters," he said in an interview earlier Tuesday with The Associated Press.

"With all of the sort of gauziness, it's sort of like a first date in a lot of ways with these candidates," Elizabeth Edwards said. "At some point people recognize that 'I'm not going on a first date with this fellow, I'm marrying them."'

She said voters may regret not applying such tough scrutiny to George W. Bush eight years ago.

"People said, 'Is this the guy you want to have a beer with,' and look what happens," Mrs. Edwards said. "Maybe we need to take a more in-depth view of what it is you're buying."

In 2004, Edwards won the South Carolina primary, but he faces tougher odds in this year's contest on Jan. 26. He trails both Obama and Clinton in polls.

[bud28dy]

John Edward''s downfall began after Iowa when he ridiculously said that Clinton was essentially out of the race. Then he went on to a debate where he tried to make it sound like he and Barack were buddies in this together, saying over and over that they were the agents of change and ganging up on Hillary in both of their names (although Obama wanted nothing to do with him). It was pathetic: like the pimply faced high school loser trying to claim he and the star quarterback are really buddies. Then he made fun of Hillary after she cried and it was all over for him. Good riddance.

[rowdytexan2]

John Edwards is just a gifted ambulance chaser. And a total narcissicist.

The most sickening thing I have ever seen was he stood there on that platform with his arm around those children smiling, and saying he loved them! The man was made a MILLIONAIRE off their suffering. He will take his 30% plus expenses cut of their awards, invest it in tax shelters and hedgefunds, not pay a penny of tax to the government he claims to love, and the child, once their award is taxed, and Edwards fees paid will have enough left to pay their hospital bills, and possibly their medical expenses for a few years. Had they not had a 99% winnable case, he would have told them to drop dead!

[bizzzz-2009]

There is something about the need for a Presidential candidate to use a tanning bed that is somewhat disturbing.

[teamsterwif1]

Edwards is the true candidate of Change. He is the best of both worlds. A very very small number of American Citizens have had a chance to participate in the primary process so your nasty remarks about him being a spoiler are as premature, as the media calling NH for Obama. As an Edwards supporter, I say all the way to Super Tuesday! To do any less would be disingenuous to his beliefs.

[nocore]

John Edwards is the Ralph Nader of the Democratic Primary.

[random_radar]

Paul is clearly not the LOSER I''''''''ve been making him out to be.
LOL

Posted by michaelt302 at 10:14 AM : Jan 09, 2008

Ron Paul is the best presidential candidate we have had in over 150 years. The only reason he isn''t going to win is because most people are like you and prefer bondage to liberty.

The few of us who understand what freedom is all about have to defend you against tyranny even though you do your best to enslave us. I wish that someday you would reget your stupidity, but I have to make sure that day never comes for my own well being.

That is the irony of defending freedom--you have to save the idiots who don''t value it.

[oleander8]

John Edwards needs to go home and take care of his wife and family. I find him incredibly selfish.

[omega39-2009]

Edwards is a good egg. Doesn''''t have much of a chance, but still a good egg.

Posted by cs4466

At least it looks like I will get a chance to vote for him in the primary.

[bluespetal]

Edwards is now the spoiler, and nothing more. Perhaps he is hoping that he will be Obama''s pick for VP that will better position him in the race eight years from now...who knows. I lost a lot of respect for him during the last debate. It was embarrasing the way he carried on and was chumming up with Obama to gang up on Hilary. I agree with you bud28dy. He needs to hit the road...

[bud28dy]

Edwards failed because he suddenly became Obama''s sel-appointed sidekick. He kept using Obama''s name and his together and talked about how much they were the forces of change. It reminded me of the pimply faced high school loser who tries to attach himself to the popular star quarterback. His fawning admiration of Obama wa sjust plain pathetic and apparently some of Obama did not wear off on this loser.