As an Obama supporter, I'm very happy about tonight's results in South Carolina. But I'm also a little worried. You see, it looks like John Edwards is going to finish in third place in his birth state. Such a finish is the sort of result that many candidates might consider a campaign killer. And I don't want Edwards to leave the race.
Why? Because him staying in the race helps my candidate.
Now, I don't mean that he draws votes from Hillary or splits the white vote or anything like that. I don't care about that stuff.
What I mean is that Edwards was, is, and (hopefully) will be a positive influence on this campaign. He helps Obama, and he helps Hillary, not in a strategic sense. He helps them in a progressive sense. Edwards has brought a emphasis on important middle class issues. On workers' issues. On poverty issues.
When the front runners started getting distracted by silly season stuff (mostly initiated by the Clintons in my opinion, but Clinton supporters may disagree), it was Edwards that made it clear that they needed to be more grown-up. When Hillary decided to abandon South Carolina, it was Edwards and his strong support in the polls that forced her to come back. And when Clinton and Obama need a nudge in the progressive direction, I want Edwards there with his strong voice, amazing debating skill, and immense heart to force the campaign to where it ought to be.
Thank you, Senator Edwards, for improving the quality of the campaign so far. Please stay in this race, John. We all need you.