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Justin Webb's America

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Edwards out: Now his supporters must decide

  • Justin Webb
  • 30 Jan 08, 03:04 PM GMT

edwardsback_ap203b.jpgThe John Edwards decision to quit surely leaves his supporters with a tricky decision of their own to make.

Even if Edwards goes for Obama, many of his blue collar supporters will move towards the Clinton camp.

But if Edwards himself continues to campaign with the energy he has shown so far, and his wife does the same, it may well be that he can bring his people with him - with potentially huge consequences.

Another point: the Obama camp is attempting to rid itself of the impression that it is naïve in its operations. I thought Obama's people made a terrible error in allowing journalists to think they would win in New Hampshire, but they are fast becoming much more savvy - and with Edwards they have plainly done some deal behind the scenes.

Watch out for more high profile endorsements of Barack. I see Jimmy Carter has refused so far, but efforts continue to get him on board.

The CNN Democrats' debate on Thursday night is now the (latest) biggest moment in American politics this year. It will be Him and Her. No funny lights telling them to shut up. No third candidate to scold them for being silly. No Mike Gravel. He (Obama) needs to outperform her. It is as simple as that.

Will a Giuliani endorsement help McCain?

  • Justin Webb
  • 30 Jan 08, 03:23 AM GMT

The big news on Wednesday will obviously be the next endorsement

Some wonder whether Ted Kennedy's endorsement really assists Obama: surely the same question arises now with regard to Giuliani?

Has the terror threat really gone away?

  • Justin Webb
  • 30 Jan 08, 02:57 AM GMT

Washington DC: Speaking minutes after his political demise, Rudy Giuliani told his supporters that terrorism "is there, it is a reality - we cannot wish it away". And yet the extraordinary fact is that the people of Florida appear to think it has gone away, a view that suggests to me a lack of consistency or logic on behalf of the electors.

The AP story on their exit poll said: "Given four choices, nearly half of Florida Republican primary voters said the economy is the most important issue facing the country. Terrorism was picked by two in 10 voters, while immigration and Iraq were picked by relatively few."

Two out of ten???? What planet are the others on? If you thought terrorism was a threat a year ago how can you not believe it still is? What has changed? Interesting: and surely a debate for the general election.

Mitt Romney's speeches are getting odder: did he really say it was "time for the politicians to leave Washington and the citizens to take over"? Politicians are representatives of citizens, are they not? So the citizens taking over would be, umm, politicians.

Interesting that Governor Romney praised George W Bush during his speech (for keeping America safe). The exit polls suggest Republicans who still like Bush tended to vote for Romney, but this is surely not a winning constituency.

I heard Wolf Blitzer on CNN announce the arrival of John McCain "and his wife Sidney" at their campaign HQ - before correcting himself. Now that would have been a story...

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