Edwards Drops Out, Obama Drops In

So John Edwards has finally left the race. It's kind of sad that leading into Super Tuesday, only two candidates remain in the running for the Democratic nomination for President; compare this to the original eight main candidates (Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich, Obama, Richardson) that were in the running up until now. I've already seen three of my favored candidates (Biden, Richardson, Kucinich) drop out, however, for most of them I know that they would be great in an international relations position in a Democratic administration, especially should Obama take the mantle that he definitely deserves.

We are now less than a week from Super Tuesday, when 24 states will be casting their primaries, including my own of Illinois, which is solidly Obama. I foresee Edwards' dropout from the race as a great boon to Obama, due to the natural charisma of either candidate as well as their focus on more progressive policies. While Edwards has a lot of class warfare populism on his side, I think that would translate well into the desire of reforming American society and the hope that Obama proclaims.

Clinton, meanwhile, has been attacked for her less than noble treatment of other candidates, an effort left by the wayside by her opponent to an extent, and even the invitation of Bill aboard the sinking campaign ship has brought some negative light that has dimmed her own performance.

And it seems that the national media actually cares about the Democratic results in Michigan and Florida, results that the online community have ignored because, well, the two states had their delegates pulled for moving their primary before Super Tuesday. Both contests that Clinton performed well in, only because the other candidates went, "We're going to follow the rules and pull our names from the ballot in order to encourage the states to keep to party rules". It's kind of hard not to win a state where you keep your name on just for the sake of saying you won. Despite the fact that even with a 55% win of all votes, Clinton still faced 40% of voters claiming "uncommitted", a clear nod to Obama and Edwards.

I am now a supporter of Obama, through and through. While before, I posted about my apprehension about his candidacy, I see now the common thread of unity that has been a constant, integral part of his campaign. Obama has worked up an energy unheard of by the other candidates in any of the presidential races. He has made my generation feel emboldened that we can make a difference, that change is an option and leaving the nation to rot in the status quo should not be the choice we make.

It is for these reasons, among many, that I am endorsing him. I hope that when the primary comes for you, you too will make the right decision and vote Obama for your choice as Democratic candidate for the President of the United States.