# Handicap the Dem nomination race **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 16, 2007, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256 "2007-12-16T22:17:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/101 "2008-01-08T16:21:20Z")
(Same as post #100) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/102 "2008-01-09T14:44:41Z")
In this age of massive polling, a surprise such as this is quite a rarity. Now the race looks like a toss-up. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/103 "2008-01-09T14:55:38Z")
I still see Obama winning it. As Edwards’s support fades away, I just don’t see his voters winding up in the Clinton camp. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/104 "2008-01-09T15:03:48Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] I still see Obama winning it. As Edwards’s support fades away, I just don’t see his voters winding up in the Clinton camp. [/QUOTE] Edwards drew a lot of his support from union and low-income Democrats, the old guard that prefer Clinton’s familiarity. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/105 "2008-01-09T15:11:20Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] Edwards drew a lot of his support from union and low-income Democrats, the old guard that prefer Clinton’s familiarity. [/QUOTE] I suspect most of his support was of the ABC (Anybody But Clinton) variety. But time will tell, I suppose, as we watch and see where his supporters gravitate. I feel bad for Edwards. He’s run a good campaign this year, and if Obama hadn’t surprised everybody by jumping into the race, Edwards would have stood a good chance of winning. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/106 "2008-01-09T15:15:44Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] I feel bad for Edwards. He’s run a good campaign this year, and if Obama hadn’t surprised everybody by jumping into the race, Edwards would have stood a good chance of winning. [/QUOTE] I don’t know…he has no chance of actually getting the nom at this point. But if he manages to garner 15-20% of the delegates (which is possible, if improbable) and Obama and Clinton lob the primaries back and forth across the net on the way to Denver, he could end up being the kingmaker. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/107 "2008-01-09T15:19:40Z")
I think Hillary already is getting the votes of everyone who can stomach her. Earth to John Edwards: Get out. Please. Memo to Barack Obama: Find out Edwards’ price and pay it. HEW Secretary? No problem. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/108 "2008-01-09T15:43:10Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] I think Hillary already is getting the votes of everyone who can stomach her. Earth to John Edwards: Get out. Please. Memo to Barack Obama: Find out Edwards’ price and pay it. HEW Secretary? No problem. [/QUOTE] Attorney General would probably be better. The man has a long career as a trial lawyer and the AG position would be one that would put him in a better position to bring the lawless bastards of the current administration and the 109th Congress to justice. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/109 "2008-01-09T15:58:41Z")
Tasty! I like it! Would also keep him in the news, give him a platform as a crusader, maybe set him in a good position to follow Obama. Eight years ain’t forever, Pretty Johnny. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/110 "2008-01-09T16:18:04Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Attorney General would probably be better. The man has a long career as a trial lawyer and the AG position would be one that would put him in a better position to bring the lawless bastards of the current administration and the 109th Congress to justice. [/QUOTE] I’m sure that would be great, too. But if an Obama administration gets serious about national health care, I think Edwards would like to be in HEw to be in the midst of it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/111 "2008-01-09T16:21:28Z")
It’s actually the vice-presidential choices I worry about. I’ve heard Mark Warner and Jim Webb mentioned. This would be bad. As would any other Dem senator…it’s not like we have a surplus of those at the moment. We need Webb in the Senate and we need Mark Warner in John Warner’s seat next January. We need either Clinton or Obama (whichever one doesn’t get the nom) in their Senate seat then, too. We need all the Dem Senators and likely-Senators we can get to actually BE in the Senate as a Senator, and not as the Vice-President. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/112 "2008-01-09T17:23:31Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] It’s actually the vice-presidential choices I worry about. I’ve heard Mark Warner and Jim Webb mentioned. This would be bad. As would any other Dem senator…it’s not like we have a surplus of those at the moment. We need Webb in the Senate and we need Mark Warner in John Warner’s seat next January. We need either Clinton or Obama (whichever one doesn’t get the nom) in their Senate seat then, too. We need all the Dem Senators and likely-Senators we can get to actually BE in the Senate as a Senator, and not as the Vice-President. [/QUOTE] Bill Richardson has been running for Vice President during this campaign. Otherwise, I’d pick a Governor. I highly doubt the Dems would be stupid enough to do another Senator-Senator ticket like they did in 2004. Of course, this is the Democratic party we’re talking about… ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/113 "2008-01-09T17:26:06Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] Of course, this is the Democratic party we’re talking about… [/QUOTE] That’s why we support gun control- to protect our feet! Richardson would NOT be CLinton’s running mate. The Clintons are furious at him for urging his non-viable Iowa supporters to back Obama. That after Bill made him Energy Secretary. He could be Obama’s. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/114 "2008-01-09T17:30:11Z")
I think Richardson should drop the presidential hopes and file to run for Pajama Pete’s blank-slate Senate seat, myself. I can’t imagine that he couldn’t run roughshod over Heather Wilson. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/115 "2008-01-09T18:18:54Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] It’s actually the vice-presidential choices I worry about. I’ve heard Mark Warner and Jim Webb mentioned. This would be bad. As would any other Dem senator…it’s not like we have a surplus of those at the moment. We need Webb in the Senate and we need Mark Warner in John Warner’s seat next January. We need either Clinton or Obama (whichever one doesn’t get the nom) in their Senate seat then, too. We need all the Dem Senators and likely-Senators we can get to actually BE in the Senate as a Senator, and not as the Vice-President. [/QUOTE] Mark Warner isn’t even in the Senate yet. They would never pluck him out of his campaign to run for VP. I don’t think he would want it anyway. * * * Richardson would be a good pick for Obama in terms of geography and experience, but would a Mexican on the ticket help or hurt? I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/116 "2008-01-10T14:37:46Z")
It’s all over now! Kerry endorses Obama! Hillary is toast! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/117 "2008-01-10T16:21:35Z")
Kerry isn’t endorsing Edwards? That’s got to hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/118 "2008-01-10T17:29:40Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Kerry isn’t endorsing Edwards? That’s got to hurt. [/QUOTE] According to [this source](http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/10/john_kerry_endorses_obama.html), > [@](#): > > relations between the two [former] running mates have long been frosty, and Edwards and his wife Elizabeth Edwards have taken to publicly criticizing the 2004 campaign, in particular for ignoring Southern states. So I guess it really didn’t come as too much of a surprise to Edwards that he wouldn’t get Kerry’s support. Though he was quite gracious about it. > [@John Edwards](#): > > "Our country and our Party are stronger because of John’s service, and I respect his decision. When we were running against each other and on the same ticket, John and I agreed on many issues. I continue to believe that this election is about the future, not the past, and that the country needs a President who will fight aggressively to end the status quo and change the Washington system and to give voice to all of those whose voices are ignored in the corridors of power.” > > [Source.](http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/01/kerry-endorses-obama-officiall.html) Obama is also picking up some other nice endorsements. From the first link: > [@](#): > > Other high-profile endorsements are expected in the coming days, including a key Western female governor, Janet Napolitano of Arizona, sources close to the Obama campaign said. > > Also this morning, the campaign announced that it had picked up support from Rep. George Miller, a prominent California liberal Democrat and House chairman, who is one of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s closest allies. The first has to sting John McCain, and the second, Hillary. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/119 "2008-01-10T17:36:03Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] I’m sure that would be great, too. But if an Obama administration gets serious about national health care, I think Edwards would like to be in HEw to be in the midst of it. [/QUOTE] Nitpick: You mean [HHS.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256/120 "2008-01-10T17:38:38Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Lance Murdoch] Richardson would be a good pick for Obama in terms of geography and experience, but would a Mexican on the ticket help or hurt? I don’t know. [/QUOTE] I’m sure it would help. The Latino vote leans Dems but often wavers, many Latinos being socially conservative Catholics. Richardson on the ticket would make sure of them. (Well, except for the Florida Cubans.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-dem-nomination-race/430256.md?page=7)