Dennis Kucinich
Your embrace of progressive policy is a persistent challenge to other Democrats, no matter their standing in the polls, to respond to issues that matter to those of us on the left. This is not an election of a candidate in stasis, but a candidate tested by the primary to be more representative of the massive impetus towards a new party in presidential office come 2009. Anyone who can push that eventual nominee towards the left belongs in this race.
Christopher Dodd
You set a standard in how to use presidential candidacy to make a difference in the Congress, a body which continues to fail in its responsibility to change our course in Iraq and stand up for our civil liberties. This is a standard I hope all of our candidate senators rise to in the coming months of the primary and afterwards.
Joe Biden
Your elder-statesman's role adds complexity and nuance to the ongoing foreign policy debate in the primary, an issue of vital importance which will define much of the upcoming presidency.
Bill Richardson
You are a man with an admirable resume which speaks to the competence of our party. I have no doubt that there is something you can contribute to the next administration, and accordingly there is something you can contribute to the primary.
John Edwards
You underspent American royalty but outworked it, taking second place with a progressive message that is almost exactly what the American public should be hearing from our nominee. There is nothing that says you cannot do that again, and that the support you garner and prove to the party will either place you in the presidency or give you power to effect the change you care about. The longer Edwards has a voice as a major candidate in this primary the better off we will be, years down the road.
Hillary Clinton
Even you have recognized the importance of bringing change to the public. You are clearly listening to the people who have the ability to elect you, and your candidacy is a clear motivation to solid, devoted Democrats who embrace your husband's administration and the last time our party held the presidency. You can still win, and I hope the eventual nominee is strengthened by the difficulty of this race.
Barack Obama
You won Iowa, a state in the artificial political middle, speaking a progressive message to a majority that supports that message. You defeated a former vice presidential candidate with a deeply rooted and committed following in Iowa, as well as a de facto incumbent former first lady who has received powerful approval from the committed core of the party. You won Democrats. You won independent voters. You won men. You won women. You brought in new voters and captured 57% of the youth vote. This change of voting demographics can win you any election in this country, and I'm proud to be among your supporters, including those who have formed an unmatched base of small-donor contibutions.
The only reason any candidate should be leaving this primary race is finding a better chance to improve this country, and I hope all of our candidates continue working to that end.