Awaiting Tidal Tuesday

It's been downhill for me since South Carolina. After a terrific showing in the Democratic debate before the SC Primary, Edwards looked to be on a roll, even snagging an appearance on Letterman. But then the returns came in and the writing was finally on the wall.

He didn't even need to see the Florida returns to make his decision. I was privy to a conference call with him and his wife a few hours after he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race (I'm sure he held it with steering committees in all the different states yet to vote) and I'm certain of one thing: Had he not felt the urgent need for the Democratic ticket to take shape more quickly, given McCain's apparent rise on the other side, he would have remained in the race through to the convention. For the sake of Democratic unity, he got out...so that voters would have a clearer choice. The pundits are now waiting to see whom he will endorse, but I'm not sure he will. And if he doesn't endorse Obama or Clinton before Super Tuesday, then the odds are pretty good he won't at all (after all, it wouldn't be fair to all his supporters who will have already voted on Feb. 5th). He provided some counsel to us as far as our votes go, but that shall remain between us and him.

In any case, I've been in a growing funk now for a week and Super Tuesday doesn't seem so super any more. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to vote until Feb. 9th but, even so, it will be hard to choose between a candidate who seems to inspire such promise that he can raise $32 million in a month (highly suspicious in my mind) or voting "Uncommitted" which seems like no vote at all. One thing is certain: I REFUSE to vote for Hillary, at least in the Primary. Now the General Election may be a different matter. Even the detestable Ann Coulter has gone on record saying she'd vote for Hillary over John McCain.

If you want to understand my support for John Edwards, then watch this "60 Minutes" segment about the ridiculous power of lobbyists in Washington at:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3108688n


Hillary Clinton is not going to take care of this problem and, judging by the amount of money behind Obama, neither will he. My only hope now is that the eventual nominee will appoint Edwards to a cabinet position where he can begin to address the mess (perhaps as Attorney General).