Is Hillary Edwards' Real Victim?

News Type: Opinion — Sat Aug 9, 2008 10:02 AM EDT

politics, clinton, hillary, iowa, edwards, affair

Live Poll

Is Hillary the real victim of Edwards' affair?

Yes, Hillary would have won except for Edwards.
46%
No, Obama would have won anyway.
54%

Total Votes: 24

Had Edwards' affair been public knowledge before Edwards ran for president, he likely would not have run or been an insignificant factor in the primaries. But the affair did not come out until yesterday and Edwards did run. This raises the question about what might have been had Edwards not run.

As we all know, the opening round was Iowa. Without a big boost there Obama would not have been the nominee. Obama received 38%, while Edwards got 30% and Hillary 29%. But what would have been the outcome had Edwards not been in the race? A case could be made that Hillary would have gotten the majority of the Edwards vote, perhaps even enough to win Iowa. Had that happened, there is little doubt that Hillary would be the nominee today.

So who is the real victim of Edwards' deceit? The Democratic Party, the American people and most especially, Hillary.

9 Votes
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Public Discussion (15)

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1.6

{"commentId":2409509,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}

Robert Blevins - AB of Seattle

I didn't vote because the truth is I don't know the answer. But you bring up a very good point that I don't even think the 'experts' considered.

{"commentId":2409509,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}

2 votes

#1 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 10:37 AM EDT

{"commentId":2410490,"authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

gatorhater

Of course the presumption is that the Edwards vote would have gone decisively to Clinton. It would have be looked at by each caucus. Edwards came in 2nd in the overall vote, yet garnered only 4 delegates, to Clinton's 14 and Obama's 27. Edwards only had 6 total delegates for the convention. If I recollect, the Obama surge in Iowa was a surprise, as Edwards was considered the favorite. Clinton was favored in 2nd place.

It is an interesting question, as one has to consider if Edwards were not in the race, where would his staff and contributors lined up? What would have been the overall impact in the few states that he ran in? What will the repubs do, to capitalize on Edward's endorsement of Obama? Stay tuned.

{"commentId":2410490,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

1 vote

#2 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 1:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411247,"authorDomain":"mrmajek"}

MrMajek

Considering all of the affairs and homosexual revelations about some Repubs they'd best keep their mouths shut. Their only capitalization should be happy that his voice may be silenced.

{"commentId":2411247,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"mrmajek"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 3:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411362,"authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

gatorhater

While it might be best for the repubs to stay silent, I fully expect to see ads, about Obama, where Obama and Edwards are in the same frame, with no mention of Edwards in the ad. Facts have nothing to do with politics.

If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner. - H. L. Mencken

I may get thrown off the vine for quoting Mencken, so often.

{"commentId":2411362,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 3:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411677,"authorDomain":"jade-log"}

jade-log

gatorhater,...I got your back. There is never too much Mencken.

ADH has the attention of most Iowans. Said company is also a big funder for Obama.

{"commentId":2411677,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"jade-log"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 4:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411348,"authorDomain":"politicalcenter"}

politicalcenter

This is an excellent piece, focused on perhaps the most important issue that should have been the focus of the media from the very start. But, as usual, it is the cognent writing of a Newsviner pointing the way.

Please keep it up! We need more to state their views and target real topics of importance instead of promoting the one-voiced mantra of Obama and his media.

{"commentId":2411348,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"politicalcenter"}

2 votes

#3 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 3:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411370,"authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

gatorhater

Agreed!!

{"commentId":2411370,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"gatorhater"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 3:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":2411976,"authorDomain":"lpwillham"}

No Mcgovern repeat 08

Interesting premise, I wonder if Edwards voters feel any "obligation" now to follow Edwards directive and cast their vote for Obama?

{"commentId":2411976,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"lpwillham"}

1 vote

#4 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 5:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":2412327,"authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}

Kim-298921

If they don't want another 4 hellish years of Republican rape of America, they'll vote for Obama.

And smart voters don't even need John Edwards, Hillary Clinton or anyone else telling them that.

{"commentId":2412327,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}

2 votes

#4.1 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 7:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":2413077,"authorDomain":"RCFriedman"}

Richard Friedman-125619

I am amazed that Edwards thought he could keep his affair a secret. Was he asleep during the Clinton administration? Imagine if Edwards had been nominated and the beans had spilled before the election. Imagine if Edwards had been elected and the story surfaced after he was sworn in. One thing is for sure. This guy influenced the process and he shouldn't have had anything to do with it.

{"commentId":2413077,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"RCFriedman"}

1 vote

#5 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 10:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":2413544,"authorDomain":"barry-llc"}

JD in VA

I am of the opinion that it wouldn't have mattered one iota. I was an early Edwards supporter and am truly disappointed in him on both a personal and professional level. However, Edwards never really factored in the primaries this year. Senator Clinton did not succeed in winning the nomination through a mix of incompetence and a total lack of understanding the dynamics of the public's desire for change. She thought that her winning was pre-ordained and that she was invincible - both of which she helped prove untrue.

I'm certain that recent revelations about Edwards will fuel a lot of speculation among the media and die-hard Clinton supporters. That is unfortunate because there are so many serious and threatening issues that should occupy the public dialogue.

{"commentId":2413544,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"barry-llc"}

#6 - Sat Aug 9, 2008 11:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":2414125,"authorDomain":"inglett9"}

Gene-340754

Some guys don't think with their brain when it comes to promiscuous women. Edwards as a lawyer knows the value of not breaking your word. He broke his promise to his wife, he broke his word to be honest, and he lied to all those who worked so hard for him in the primaries. Who knows what the outcome would have been if he had stayed out of the primaries. Clinton was double teamed by Edwards and Obama at times. I supported Clinton, but she didn't make the right moves until late and by that time it was too late.

{"commentId":2414125,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"inglett9"}

#7 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":2414133,"authorDomain":"inglett9"}

Gene-340754

By the way this is the first discussion that I've been in where there hasn't been any name calling or hate posts. Thanks for the conversation and the civility.

{"commentId":2414133,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"inglett9"}

#8 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":2541250,"authorDomain":"daddyparts"}

Rob G-439199

I think a better question is:

If the majority of Edwards votes had gone, as I believe they would have, to Obama would Hillary have taken the hint and dropped out sooner?

{"commentId":2541250,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"daddyparts"}

#9 - Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":2555429,"authorDomain":"RCFriedman"}

Richard Friedman-125619

Rob could be right. We will never know for sure, but Edwards needlessly skewed the campaign and maybe the election. And that's a shame.

{"commentId":2555429,"threadId":"328775","contentId":"1734601","authorDomain":"RCFriedman"}

#10 - Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:00 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"328775","isPrivate":false}

Edwards admits to affair he denied as candidate	Associated Press	Fri Aug 8	151
Dates in the Edwards' extramarital affair	Associated Press	Fri Aug 8	4
Edwards admits to affair, denies fathering child	Associated Press	Fri Aug 8	109
Edwards' ex-mistress nixes paternity test	Associated Press	Sat Aug 9	36
Edwards' ally explains $14,000 payment to mistress	Associated Press	Fri Aug 8	6

RICHARD FRIEDMAN-125619

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Is Hillary Edwards' Real Victim?

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