John Edwards drops out of presidential race

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Dan Balz, political reporter for the Washington Post, reports that John Edwards is going to drop out of the US presidential race today. It’s a sad ending to the race for me, since I’ve been an Edwards’ supporter since before he invited me to come along on his plane when he announced that he was running back in late December of 2006 (he spoke at Gnomedex that year). On that trip I met Dan Balz, too, who has been covering politics since the 1970s. Back then he said that the press had already picked Clinton and Obama to cover, since their stories were more interesting. Most of the political experts I met with back then thought that Clinton was going to take it all. That looks like it is still pretty likely. But I’m going to vote for Barack Obama in next Tuesday’s primary here in California. I met Hillary when she spoke at Microsoft and, while she’s very smart and will be a capable president, I just like Barack better. I’m tired of Bush and Clinton families running America and want a change. If that makes me a bad person, so be it. Now back to talking about technology…

Published by Robert Scoble

I help entrepreneurs build their technology business' story, help with getting ready for investors, with other launch plans, and many other strategic things that can help your new startup. Call to talk: +1-425-205-1921 (text first).

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75 thoughts on “John Edwards drops out of presidential race”

  3. Hey Robert. Nice to see a little (non-tech related) political commentary once in a while – keeps things fresh… šŸ™‚

    Did you know by the way that down at the bottom right hand corner of your blog the About Robert section says: “Robert Scoble works at PodTech.net (title: Vice President of Media Development). ”
    Is this still so? I thought you changed jobs?

    Like

  4. Umm, the Giuliani Exit is real actual news. King of World post-9/11, and now not even a primary win. John Edwards was doomed from the get-go, everyone knew that already, he was just there on account of his big bank account and big ego.

    Two America’s indeed, the play-dough fantasy-land Edwards lives in, and the America everyone else occupies.

    Like

  5. Hey Robert. Nice to see a little (non-tech related) political commentary once in a while – keeps things fresh… šŸ™‚

    Did you know by the way that down at the bottom right hand corner of your blog the About Robert section says: “Robert Scoble works at PodTech.net (title: Vice President of Media Development). ”
    Is this still so? I thought you changed jobs?

    Like

  6. Umm, the Giuliani Exit is real actual news. King of World post-9/11, and now not even a primary win. John Edwards was doomed from the get-go, everyone knew that already, he was just there on account of his big bank account and big ego.

    Two America’s indeed, the play-dough fantasy-land Edwards lives in, and the America everyone else occupies.

    Like

  13. Christopher, while I’m not a huge Edwards fan, that was the whole idea of his campaign — he’s been part of both Americas, and wants to make his latter one more accessible to more people.

    Robert, I like Obama and Clinton too, but Obama is going to get my vote because of how I’ve seen him unite people and bridge party lines. I’ve had to pick my chin off the floor several times when different die-hard Republican friends tell me they’re voting for Obama. I really like the idea of the president as a uniter, and I think Obama can win in November.

    Like

  14. Christopher, while I’m not a huge Edwards fan, that was the whole idea of his campaign — he’s been part of both Americas, and wants to make his latter one more accessible to more people.

    Robert, I like Obama and Clinton too, but Obama is going to get my vote because of how I’ve seen him unite people and bridge party lines. I’ve had to pick my chin off the floor several times when different die-hard Republican friends tell me they’re voting for Obama. I really like the idea of the president as a uniter, and I think Obama can win in November.

    Like

  15. Thanks for totally once again ignoring the little guy and fellow Gnomedexer. Of course I won’t be as lame. Guess you only bother reading the known people.

    Like

  16. Thanks for totally once again ignoring the little guy and fellow Gnomedexer. Of course I won’t be as lame. Guess you only bother reading the known people.

    Like

  23. Despite being a republican in almost every sense, I cannot fool myself into thinking the republicans even have a good candidate this time around.

    I favored Ron Paul over everyone, but he’s a non-starter. I’ve since started looking at Obama. We don’t need any more Clintons in the White House. Out of all the democrats, Obama is the most real, the least tainted, and the most intelligent. He brings people together. As long as he doesn’t want to rasise my taxes, he’s cool with me.

    Like

  24. Despite being a republican in almost every sense, I cannot fool myself into thinking the republicans even have a good candidate this time around.

    I favored Ron Paul over everyone, but he’s a non-starter. I’ve since started looking at Obama. We don’t need any more Clintons in the White House. Out of all the democrats, Obama is the most real, the least tainted, and the most intelligent. He brings people together. As long as he doesn’t want to rasise my taxes, he’s cool with me.

    Like

  25. Wreck: Republicans raised our taxes many many times in the past eight years. How? Have you seen the dollar’s value overseas? It used to be worth 50% more. So Republicans raised our taxes 50% without even passing a single bill. Just print more money!

    ALL politicans want to raise our taxes. Some are just smarter about how they do it so that everyone thinks they don’t raise taxes. We’re all suckers. I used to be just like you. Then I saw what was really going on. Now I prefer the honest approach.

    There is no free lunch. When Republicans go and start wars that cost hundreds of billions you gotta pay some way.

    Like

  26. Wreck: Republicans raised our taxes many many times in the past eight years. How? Have you seen the dollar’s value overseas? It used to be worth 50% more. So Republicans raised our taxes 50% without even passing a single bill. Just print more money!

    ALL politicans want to raise our taxes. Some are just smarter about how they do it so that everyone thinks they don’t raise taxes. We’re all suckers. I used to be just like you. Then I saw what was really going on. Now I prefer the honest approach.

    There is no free lunch. When Republicans go and start wars that cost hundreds of billions you gotta pay some way.

    Like

  29. I hate politics on tech blogs.

    Global markets are not politically controlled, invisible hand and all. So to think the Rep’s have much influence over world-exchange markets is being economically naive, that’s sound-bite politics, and wrong at that. Many complex factors at play, blaming the Republican’s or Democracts is just brain-dead election-time fodder.

    Actually not ALL politicans want to raise taxes, many go Laffer Curve and actually want to lower them. None, in the Democractic Party for sure.

    Ignoring wars or conflicts, like ignoring mowing the lawn, costs billions too. Times when you have to step up and get rid of the weeds, before they overtake. Ignoring Iran’s nuclear development could cost, oh say, Cleveland. Head in Sand is not a leadership policy. Ignoring wounds, causes serious infections.

    Like

  30. I hate politics on tech blogs.

    Global markets are not politically controlled, invisible hand and all. So to think the Rep’s have much influence over world-exchange markets is being economically naive, that’s sound-bite politics, and wrong at that. Many complex factors at play, blaming the Republican’s or Democracts is just brain-dead election-time fodder.

    Actually not ALL politicans want to raise taxes, many go Laffer Curve and actually want to lower them. None, in the Democractic Party for sure.

    Ignoring wars or conflicts, like ignoring mowing the lawn, costs billions too. Times when you have to step up and get rid of the weeds, before they overtake. Ignoring Iran’s nuclear development could cost, oh say, Cleveland. Head in Sand is not a leadership policy. Ignoring wounds, causes serious infections.

    Like

  31. About “raising taxes”:

    Look over to Europe. We have higher taxes than the United States. Are our countries poorer? Europe’s economically very, very strong, but more important:

    The people are more wealthy! In Europe, nearly nobody has to live in trailer parks. Way less people live on the streets. The middle class is way bigger. The social divide is smaller. In Europe, most people can live off ONE job. We have way lower crime rates. And everybody has high quality health insurance.

    We haven’t got the very rich people like the US. But we also have much less very poor people. In Europe, a lot more people live a good life than in the US.

    You can’t do that without government spending, but believe me: It pays off. (Except for rich people, of course…)

    Like

  32. About “raising taxes”:

    Look over to Europe. We have higher taxes than the United States. Are our countries poorer? Europe’s economically very, very strong, but more important:

    The people are more wealthy! In Europe, nearly nobody has to live in trailer parks. Way less people live on the streets. The middle class is way bigger. The social divide is smaller. In Europe, most people can live off ONE job. We have way lower crime rates. And everybody has high quality health insurance.

    We haven’t got the very rich people like the US. But we also have much less very poor people. In Europe, a lot more people live a good life than in the US.

    You can’t do that without government spending, but believe me: It pays off. (Except for rich people, of course…)

    Like

  33. Good choice. I voted for Obama yesterday. Unfortunately Hillary won our meaningless primary which means no delegates.

    I think Obama would be the best person to unite the country and improve the rest of the world’s opinion of us. His speech at the 2004 Democratic convention is still one of the best political speeches of recent times.

    Like

  34. Good choice. I voted for Obama yesterday. Unfortunately Hillary won our meaningless primary which means no delegates.

    I think Obama would be the best person to unite the country and improve the rest of the world’s opinion of us. His speech at the 2004 Democratic convention is still one of the best political speeches of recent times.

    Like

  35. I know you’ve gotten beaten up in the past for espousing your political views in your blog, whatever your political choice does not make you a bad person at all.

    I think the key thing is that people look to your blog for information on technologists and technology and don’t want to have to deal with the political side of things, too. There’s already way too much of that sort of commentary.

    Your fans consider you to be somewhat of a safe haven from the normal political chatter.

    Like

  36. I know you’ve gotten beaten up in the past for espousing your political views in your blog, whatever your political choice does not make you a bad person at all.

    I think the key thing is that people look to your blog for information on technologists and technology and don’t want to have to deal with the political side of things, too. There’s already way too much of that sort of commentary.

    Your fans consider you to be somewhat of a safe haven from the normal political chatter.

    Like

  37. Bill: I understand that but this blog is about me and, yes, I have political views from time to time and reserve the right to piss off my readership by talking about them. If you don’t want that then you probably would rather read something like CNET or Google News, where they focus on one thing.

    Like

  38. Bill: I understand that but this blog is about me and, yes, I have political views from time to time and reserve the right to piss off my readership by talking about them. If you don’t want that then you probably would rather read something like CNET or Google News, where they focus on one thing.

    Like

  39. Pingback: Edwards Leaves the Democratic Race for the White House « Wayward Fundamentalist Christian

  42. Hey Wreck! What do you mean Ron Paul’s a non-starter? He came in 2nd in Nevada, and maybe 1st in Louisiana. His message will resonate with people the more they get to know him. And, while I agree with you about Obama being intelligent and a uniter, he’s a gun-grabber and favors further socialization of the health care system.

    Like

  43. Hey Wreck! What do you mean Ron Paul’s a non-starter? He came in 2nd in Nevada, and maybe 1st in Louisiana. His message will resonate with people the more they get to know him. And, while I agree with you about Obama being intelligent and a uniter, he’s a gun-grabber and favors further socialization of the health care system.

    Like

  44. Pingback: BlogWonks
  45. Pingback: Grizzly Groundswell » Edwards Leaves the Democratic Race for the White House

  46. Robert, kudos to you for speaking your mind on your own blog (and by the way, I’d say that regardless of what campaign you endorsed). After all, you were the one who was there at the beginning of Edwards’ campaign with your camera and it’s fitting for you to note its end and state your views.

    I’m glad you chose Barack Obama and I’m glad you said so.

    Like

  47. Robert, kudos to you for speaking your mind on your own blog (and by the way, I’d say that regardless of what campaign you endorsed). After all, you were the one who was there at the beginning of Edwards’ campaign with your camera and it’s fitting for you to note its end and state your views.

    I’m glad you chose Barack Obama and I’m glad you said so.

    Like

  48. Scoble, you should definitely say what you want on your own blog.

    I gotta agree with Christopher(#15) on this one though…

    Like

  49. Scoble, you should definitely say what you want on your own blog.

    I gotta agree with Christopher(#15) on this one though…

    Like

  50. Robert,

    I appreciate your comments. I do understand that Republicans have “raised” taxes due to Iraq and Afghanistan.

    I have voted republican all these years because I’m a social conservative. Now that I’m getting older (40), I’m starting to see that things like healthcare, education for my kid are far more important than my presonal reasons for voting republican.

    What I meant by raising taxes is historic. The democrats, war aside, generally are tax raisers. They do so to pay for social programs. I’m now a lot more in favor of things like universal healthcare, education, etc.

    I think Obama would do the greatest good out of all current candidates. I pray he can defeat Clinton where it matters, California, New York, Texas. It looks like he will take the southern states, Florida aside.

    I’m looking forward to him winning and this country having a bit of a shakeup. We need it. We’ve been too complacent too long.

    Like

  51. Robert,

    I appreciate your comments. I do understand that Republicans have “raised” taxes due to Iraq and Afghanistan.

    I have voted republican all these years because I’m a social conservative. Now that I’m getting older (40), I’m starting to see that things like healthcare, education for my kid are far more important than my presonal reasons for voting republican.

    What I meant by raising taxes is historic. The democrats, war aside, generally are tax raisers. They do so to pay for social programs. I’m now a lot more in favor of things like universal healthcare, education, etc.

    I think Obama would do the greatest good out of all current candidates. I pray he can defeat Clinton where it matters, California, New York, Texas. It looks like he will take the southern states, Florida aside.

    I’m looking forward to him winning and this country having a bit of a shakeup. We need it. We’ve been too complacent too long.

    Like

  52. Robert – Early on I supported Edwards but he lost sight of the fact that Obama has changed the election. Obama hit a nerve with his “not red states, not blue states, but a UNITED States of America” line. People are tired of the partisan bickering. We want someone who will bring us together, not divide us for their own political gain. That’s why I abandoned Hillary when she started playing gutterball with Bill in New Hampshire. Another benefit in voting for Obama: the GOP has been gunning for Hillary since 2006. They don’t have a strategy for dealing with Obama and they won’t have time to formulate a cogent one. We canNOT tolerate another four (or eight) years of Republican malfeasance.

    Like

  53. Robert – Early on I supported Edwards but he lost sight of the fact that Obama has changed the election. Obama hit a nerve with his “not red states, not blue states, but a UNITED States of America” line. People are tired of the partisan bickering. We want someone who will bring us together, not divide us for their own political gain. That’s why I abandoned Hillary when she started playing gutterball with Bill in New Hampshire. Another benefit in voting for Obama: the GOP has been gunning for Hillary since 2006. They don’t have a strategy for dealing with Obama and they won’t have time to formulate a cogent one. We canNOT tolerate another four (or eight) years of Republican malfeasance.

    Like

  55. @6. Ron Paul probably has more supporters than Edwards and look where that is getting. What’s your point?

    Like

  56. Robert,I too am a techie by day and passionate Edwards supporter in my down time. I met him back in 2002 and was active on his campaign the first go ’round and this one. I am so disappointed by the lack of any serious media attention to the one candidate with the most serious and thoughtful policies. The media landscape has been changing dramatically the past decade, and not in a good way. I had hoped the blogging community would have more influence this cycle.

    Like

  57. Robert,I too am a techie by day and passionate Edwards supporter in my down time. I met him back in 2002 and was active on his campaign the first go ’round and this one. I am so disappointed by the lack of any serious media attention to the one candidate with the most serious and thoughtful policies. The media landscape has been changing dramatically the past decade, and not in a good way. I had hoped the blogging community would have more influence this cycle.

    Like

  58. I met Edwards in ’06 and I was impressed with his grasp of some basic IT concepts, you know…for a politician and all. šŸ˜‰
    At any rate, I’m a fairly conservative person who has usually ended up voting in the blue D column, and I really want to see Obama make it in the Super Tuesday primaries. If not there, then in the TX primaries thereafter. GoBama!

    Okay back to tech…

    Like

  59. I met Edwards in ’06 and I was impressed with his grasp of some basic IT concepts, you know…for a politician and all. šŸ˜‰
    At any rate, I’m a fairly conservative person who has usually ended up voting in the blue D column, and I really want to see Obama make it in the Super Tuesday primaries. If not there, then in the TX primaries thereafter. GoBama!

    Okay back to tech…

    Like

  60. Bah! I won’t vote for Hillary. Bill will always be a distraction, regardless of her qualifications.

    In this whole thing I am reminded of a comment made by Ronald Reagan. He said that he did not leave the democratic party, but rather the democratic party left him. Regardless of how you may feel about him, he is quite right. Read the inaugural address of the last great democratic president JFK. Ask yourself, where did that democratic party go?

    “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

    “Let both sides unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah — to “undo the heavy burdens, and [to] let the oppressed go free.”

    “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

    “Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

    Obviously, there is much more. But there is precious little in his speech that present day democrats would gladly embrace, even though JFK is often invoked.

    But where did that party go?

    Like

  61. Bah! I won’t vote for Hillary. Bill will always be a distraction, regardless of her qualifications.

    In this whole thing I am reminded of a comment made by Ronald Reagan. He said that he did not leave the democratic party, but rather the democratic party left him. Regardless of how you may feel about him, he is quite right. Read the inaugural address of the last great democratic president JFK. Ask yourself, where did that democratic party go?

    “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

    “Let both sides unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah — to “undo the heavy burdens, and [to] let the oppressed go free.”

    “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

    “Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

    Obviously, there is much more. But there is precious little in his speech that present day democrats would gladly embrace, even though JFK is often invoked.

    But where did that party go?

    Like

  62. I met John Edwards last year while interviewing his wife at the premiere of her book release. He was the first presidential candidate that I had ever met, shook hands with, and looked in the eye. I have never been into politics, but hearing him speak about his trip to Uganda, he struck me as a smart, passionate man. Someone whom I would be EXCITED to vote for.

    So this is very sad news. He would have been a great President.

    Like

  63. I met John Edwards last year while interviewing his wife at the premiere of her book release. He was the first presidential candidate that I had ever met, shook hands with, and looked in the eye. I have never been into politics, but hearing him speak about his trip to Uganda, he struck me as a smart, passionate man. Someone whom I would be EXCITED to vote for.

    So this is very sad news. He would have been a great President.

    Like

  64. .

    Yes Ian, it is sad news about John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and all the others who got very little coverage.

    Why is this happening? If McCain wins (which the media could help to happen just by spinning Hillary or Barack’s messages in the last days)the wars will be endless and we’ll all suffer with the world we’ve created as the corporations get bigger and hide behind walls protected by Blackwater or some other private mercenary, while the peasants pick around in the dumpsters.

    Did you hear that Ralph Nader is considering running? He was interviewed this morning by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now.

    Robert

    Like

  65. .

    Yes Ian, it is sad news about John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and all the others who got very little coverage.

    Why is this happening? If McCain wins (which the media could help to happen just by spinning Hillary or Barack’s messages in the last days)the wars will be endless and we’ll all suffer with the world we’ve created as the corporations get bigger and hide behind walls protected by Blackwater or some other private mercenary, while the peasants pick around in the dumpsters.

    Did you hear that Ralph Nader is considering running? He was interviewed this morning by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now.

    Robert

    Like

  66. “Iā€™m tired of Bush and Clinton families running America and want a change.”

    I think I can summarize your choice in simpler terms: you’ve decided to vote for a Democrat no matter what, and you don’t want it to be Hillary. Fine. Just say so.

    If Jeb Bush were running and a viable candidate at this point your statement above would be a good way to disguise the fact that you eliminated a Republican vote from the start.

    Most people, rightly or wrongly, choose the party they are going to vote for well in advance of all the debates. It only irks me when people pretend that they are exceptions to this.

    Go to the CBO web site and look at projected Federal spending as a percentage of GDP (and note where the money goes, also note the optimistic assumptions about “other”, finally note that this is ONLY federal spending). Explain to me how any of the Dems are going to address this.

    Have the Reps done a good job of addressing it? No. But at least they acknowledge the problem and resist the temptation to add yet another exponentially growing entitlement to what may be the downfall of our way of life.

    Like

  67. “Iā€™m tired of Bush and Clinton families running America and want a change.”

    I think I can summarize your choice in simpler terms: you’ve decided to vote for a Democrat no matter what, and you don’t want it to be Hillary. Fine. Just say so.

    If Jeb Bush were running and a viable candidate at this point your statement above would be a good way to disguise the fact that you eliminated a Republican vote from the start.

    Most people, rightly or wrongly, choose the party they are going to vote for well in advance of all the debates. It only irks me when people pretend that they are exceptions to this.

    Go to the CBO web site and look at projected Federal spending as a percentage of GDP (and note where the money goes, also note the optimistic assumptions about “other”, finally note that this is ONLY federal spending). Explain to me how any of the Dems are going to address this.

    Have the Reps done a good job of addressing it? No. But at least they acknowledge the problem and resist the temptation to add yet another exponentially growing entitlement to what may be the downfall of our way of life.

    Like

  68. Have you seen this?

    As Edwards is out of the race on the democratic side, the internet swell seems to be moving towards Obama.

    Here’s one of the more interesting election advertisements I have seen in a while. The main singer for Black Eyed Peas took a Barak Obama speech from New Hampshire and mixed it into a music video titled: “Yes We Can”

    http://www.yeswecansong.com

    Like

  69. Have you seen this?

    As Edwards is out of the race on the democratic side, the internet swell seems to be moving towards Obama.

    Here’s one of the more interesting election advertisements I have seen in a while. The main singer for Black Eyed Peas took a Barak Obama speech from New Hampshire and mixed it into a music video titled: “Yes We Can”

    http://www.yeswecansong.com

    Like

  70. Have to agree with you on this one Robert. I have said from the beginning that 30 years of two families running the country is a bad deal no matter how you slice it. If Ron Paul doesn’t get the Republican nod, Barrack gets my vote.

    Like

  71. Have to agree with you on this one Robert. I have said from the beginning that 30 years of two families running the country is a bad deal no matter how you slice it. If Ron Paul doesn’t get the Republican nod, Barrack gets my vote.

    Like

  72. Robert,

    Glad to hear that you are supporting Obama, and were willing to say so.

    I think we can combine discussions on technology and politics sometimes; for instance, have you seen the page on Obama’s site discussing his views on technology? It is definitely worth taking a look at – http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/

    I would love to see folks like you who support Barack, getting involved with setting policy and priorities for the internet and use of it in the future.

    Fired up – Ready to Go!

    Like

  73. Robert,

    Glad to hear that you are supporting Obama, and were willing to say so.

    I think we can combine discussions on technology and politics sometimes; for instance, have you seen the page on Obama’s site discussing his views on technology? It is definitely worth taking a look at – http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/

    I would love to see folks like you who support Barack, getting involved with setting policy and priorities for the internet and use of it in the future.

    Fired up – Ready to Go!

    Like

  74. SORRY BUT ALL OF THE WRITING ON THIS ENTIRE PAGE IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO READ. I WOULD APPRECIATE BLOCK LETTERS SO THAT I CAN SEE AND COMMENT ON YOUR MESSAGE.
    THE SCRIPT IS UGLY AND DISTRACTING SO WHY ARE YOU USING IT?

    Like

  75. SORRY BUT ALL OF THE WRITING ON THIS ENTIRE PAGE IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO READ. I WOULD APPRECIATE BLOCK LETTERS SO THAT I CAN SEE AND COMMENT ON YOUR MESSAGE.
    THE SCRIPT IS UGLY AND DISTRACTING SO WHY ARE YOU USING IT?

    Like

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