Dear Edwards supporters, here is a BIG HUG for a VERY noble fight

[calimary]

:hug:

:grouphug:

:patriot:


I salute you! I can pretty much guess how you're feeling because I pretty much feel it, too, even though I hadn't yet committed to his - or anybody's candidacy.

I am still undecided, but I found him tremendously appealing, and I love how he stood up for the have-nots as nobody else has. I suspect he still will be a major force and a forceful voice for the poor and the disenfranchised. Until he came along, the last person who really cared and tried to do something to make a difference may have been FDR. They've had to stand at the back of the line for far too long, and Edwards has made sure their case was pushed up front-and-center. He's a classy guy who built a great success by virtue of his own talents, wits, and hard work. He had no fancy-ass silver spoon in his mouth from would-be aristocratic parents and big-ass connections and strings to pull to grease the skids for him, or ANY sense of entitlement. He's sweet to his wife and a doting father. He's gonna go to Heaven when he dies.

I send you my love and appreciation, sympathy and solidarity. I will help you carry his message and his priorities to whoever our standard-bearer is, because I think his message is HUGELY important. He will STILL wind up a winner in November, because WE WILL WIN, and he is certain to play a prominent role in the next administration. Whoever does win will be a complete fool not to make substantial use of him.

[spooky3]

1. thank you, calimary

It's a sad day for us.

[calimary]

4. I bet it is. I'm so sorry.

I was driving home from carpool this morning and listening to Stephanie Miller (before the top-of-the-hour newsbreak) and the way she was talking, I guessed that Edwards must have decided to step out. The first thing I thought of other than - "aw, shit!" was about the people here on DU - how so many of you guys were gonna be really bummed today. Made me sad.

My sympathies, truly. John Edwards was VERY under-appreciated.

[BlackVelvet04]

2. Thank you. It's been a hard day. n/t

[calimary]

10. Yeah - I bet it is, indeed. I can remember how I felt when Howard Dean

A) pulled out and B) was given SUCH shit from the media - that "scream" crap really helped to do him in, all for the sake of a directional mike - he was fouled on a technicality. BUMMER. I was bummed for days. So, in that respect anyway, I can relate.

And I remember the day after the election, when John Kerry was robbed, and I sadly took my Kerry sticker out of my car's rear window, and put the "Dean for America" one back in, just for old time's sake. It was a very bittersweet moment for me.

I just wanted you guys to know there is a lot of solidarity for you, and shoulders to lean on, and nobody worth anything today is gonna give you a bad time.

[sueh]

3. Appreciate your warmth and kindness, calimari...

:grouphug: :hug: :hi:

[calimary]

11. Back atcha.

I saw Hillary just making a statement pledging to keep his priorities about advocating for the poor in mind in her campaign. I hope so. I hope Obama does, too. Hell, EVERY candidate for high office should do that. The have-mores have had PLENTY of time hogging center stage, and the best seats, and the front of the line, and first dibs at the pig trough. It's LONG past time they moved over and let the have-nots get a turn.

I now see Obama referring to "that other America." Yay! He's embracing the cause, too.

Good!

Shit - it's making me choke up.


It's not just John and Elizabeth Edwards who deserve that applause. YOU EDWARDS PEOPLE deserve it, too.

[virgdem]

5. Thank you for your condolences...

I feel like there's been a death in the family. Now I'm forced to make a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, and it's a damned hard choice. I had hoped against hope that this day would not come to pass, but it was not to be.

[calimary]

13. Yeah. I can understand. I said in an earlier post here that I can relate

because I remember how I felt when Howard Dean had to quit. And I remember how, lo these years later, I STILL felt like I was correct the first time.

I'm glad, at least, that Hillary and Barack have since reacted as a lady and as a gentleman.

No salt in the wounds today, guys.

Actually, on second thought, I can relate in another regard - I've been disappointed (well, maybe even heartbroken) from the beginning because MY first choice this time never even got into it (Al Gore). EVERY day, in a small way, has been kind of a bummer for me because of that, because I can't help thinking how different it'd be, and how he'd be IT by acclamation, from very early-on - but, alas...

Oh well...

:grouphug:

[ClassWarrior]

6. Pssst... Sis...

Delegates: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4291267&mesg_id=4291267

NNNGU.

[calimary]

14. As usual, a MOST worthy offering from you, Bro!

Edwards will still make his mark. He will be unavoidable. And Edwards supporters will still be heard. And his priorities will still be priorities.

:toast:

[blm]

7. With you there, calimary.

You're always the sweetest. ;))

[calimary]

17. Well, except when I'm being sour. Or a tart, maybe? };>

I'm thinking back to this very early "Peanuts" comic strip when Lucy declares "I'm never quite so stupid as when I'm being smart." That's always stuck with me! (Hmmm... wonder why?)

OOOPS! John Edwards is on now. What a classy guy. What a classy guy.

Let's be strong and be unified - FOR HIS SAKE, 'eh? 'Cause he told us to be that way!

[redqueen]

8. Thank you...

I'm still voting for him in the primary anyway. :)

[calimary]

18. I know how you feel.

I voted for Dean anyway in the 2004 California primary, even though John Kerry had clinched it weeks earlier.

[redqueen]

19. I voted for Kucinch... though... well, the whole reality thing.

:P

:hug:

[calimary]

47. Yeah. And I'm still sitting there with a candle in the window for Gore.

So whaddo I know, 'eh?

:P :hi:

[Yael]

9. Thank you for your kind thoughts

K&R

[calimary]

22. Always!

I'm listening to his remarks. This stuff is IMPORTANT. The case for the working people. The poor. The kids worried about the future of the planet. The families torn apart by the shitty bush/republi-CON economy. I hope Clinton and Obama both take on this mantle. Wouldn't it be great if they took a page from what he just said - "let's be strong and let's be united"? And just stop all that other BS?

Let's hear it for a proud progressive occupying the White House!!!!

This is a great speech! "Promise me you won't forget us." Shit. GREAT stuff. REALLY IMPORTANT stuff.

America's hour of transformation IS upon us, indeed. But WE have to make it that, don't we?!

[Cassandra]

12. Thanks. I'm feeling kind of bummed right now.

It was easier to keep Dean as my avatar rather than keep shifting it from one candidate to another. So far, I'm leaning towards Obama but I'd like to hear more progressive specifics from him.

[calimary]

25. Hopefully he will, or, if it's Clinton, she will.

Each of them has already said they would. Edwards says he has a commitment to this.

I love this - "don't turn away." "The work goes on." "We will lift you up." Really wonderful stuff.

He's correct, of course. DO NOT GIVE UP on the causes we have fought for. DO NOT WALK AWAY."

I really like that: "thank you, God bless you, and let's go to work." GREAT stuff. Not just words. And the rest of us have to make sure that those are never just words. From here on.

[golddigger]

15. Thank you...

But I'm still voting in the primary for him, here in Oregon.:grouphug:

[calimary]

27. By all means!

He just said - don't walk away, don't stop fighting. Stay in there. Stay in there to support him, and even more important, to support his cause. His cause - heck - it should be ALL OUR CAUSE.

[Political Heretic]

16. Thank you friend!

Supported Edwards since the very beginning. I'm not angry or hurt though... I just heave a heavy sigh and say, what's next? :)

[calimary]

29. What's next? Well, carrying on with what he started.

Now he's passed that baton to the rest of US!

Now WE get to be the conscience of the campaign, as he has been. Let's make sure that Obama and Clinton keep their promise to him (and to the rest of us) to keep the cause of the have-nots as central to OUR campaigns.

You guys picked a very noble man. There are would-be aristocrats in this campaign (on both sides). And then, there is the true nobility. We've just seen it at that podium in New Orleans. An EXCELLENT example to follow!

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

20. K&R, and a big salute to the Edwards supporters.

Like the candidate you've supported all these months, you have the passion and heart to do something great in this country. John and Elizabeth are fantastic people who care deeply about our future, and so are all of you. Thank you for all that you have done as Democrats, and for the Democratic process. That's what America is all about.

:dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem: :yourock: :grouphug: :dem:

[calimary]

30. What you said, ordinaryaveragegirl!

:yourock: also!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Thanks for staying classy, DU Edwards supporter.

If only all DUers could be like you.

[calimary]

31. Well, let me just say this:

My late dad had his faults but one thing that wasn't a fault was when he'd admonish me every so often - after whichever kick in the teeth it was that I'd just suffered - "Rise Above It." And I hated that SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah, shut up already! Well, on that score he was absolutely correct, and I have tried to pass that on to my kids when they've faced various downers.

But you haven't lived til you've had your kid tell you - "Rise Above It, mom!" Criminy!!!

One of my dad's other favorite directives was "do as I say, not as I do" btw! :P

[petersjo02]

23. Thanks

I needed a hug right about now. He is an awesome individual and would have been a truly great president. I hope either Hillary or Obama are actually electable in the general. They are both so polarizing to a segment of voters that we'll need to get a Dem back in the White House. Let's hope John negotiates a deal for AG, or the job of his choice, with whomever he ends up endorsing. I've been so tired of Hillary and Obama sniping at each other. We need to rally around the flag. I thought, and still think, John Edwards would have been best situated to create our come-together moment. I'm sad today and a bit dispirited.

[calimary]

34. Yeah, I think especially after listening to him in New Orleans today,

that there are many, many Americans getting a sense of what might have been. I suspect there will be MANY regrets today from people who may, sadly, have just discovered Edwards TODAY. And only now do they realize what they missed.

I do hope he becomes Obama's or Clinton's Attorney General. He'd be the best one in DECADES, and exactly what we need to rehabilitate that thoroughly-bushed-up department. I sure hope he has a prominent role to play as of next January.

My sympathies. Broken hearts are no fun. ARE YOU LISTENING, AL GORE???!?!??!?!?

BTW - here's another hug: :hug: And a salute: :patriot:

[Window]

24. What calimary said.

This is a sad, sad day.




Peace:thumbsup:

[calimary]

35. Hey, you!

:hug: :pals:

[Window]

56. Sorry for stealing, lol....but

you said everything I wanted to say, only more beautifully. Plus it was time for my cold milk, warm cookies and nap.



Peace :thumbsup:

[Withywindle]

26. You speak for me, Calimary. Well said.

John Edwards was a great candidate and he's still going to be a force to be reckoned with for doing good in this country. I know he and his supporters are very serious about what really matters: helping people.

It's a sad day for the campaign, regardless of who you support. I will miss his voice in the debates.

[calimary]

37. Truly.

I guess what everybody has to do now is make sure we don't miss his voice - because it's still roaring out there for all of America (AND the world) to hear!

[K8-EEE]

28. TYPICAL DU Post!

Which is to say, what a thoughtful, intellegent and compassionate post. I did make me feel better. Thanks Cali!

[calimary]

39. Good to hear! It's not as good as a hug from Edwards, but here:

:hug: :pals: :patriot:

[bullwinkle428]

32. Thanks very much for this, calimary - I had the privilege of attending several

of his campaign appearances in Iowa prior to the caucuses. I'm a pretty cynical middle-aged guy, and can't tell you how touched I felt by his words at these events...I felt almost embarrassed by being moved so close to tears!!

This was not the standard-issue pandering type stump speech that so many people have heard before from politicians of all stripes...you really wanted to "go to war", if I may use that expression, for this guy! He really WANTED TO DO the things he talked about...these were not just efforts to manipulate votes.

[calimary]

41. I agree. His speech today was truly wonderful. Admirable. Honest.

Stirring. Motivating.

What a classy guy! And all along, he's been like that, even with all the schoolyard spats going on around him. Big shoes to step into. I hope BOTH Hillary and Barack make sure to fit into them. May we ALL do that.

[CitizenLeft]

33. beautifully said

Also undecided, but I always liked Edwards, and wish he could've remained in the campaign. Very sorry to see him drop out.

:grouphug:

[calimary]

42. Yeah, me too.

I hope his pet cause doesn't get dropped. Let's make sure it doesn't. He did kinda say "TAG! You're IT!" in New Orleans today, 'eh?

[BlackVelvet04]

36. I'm an old veteran of internet message boards

and have experienced much nastiness including being stalked and because of past experiences I seldom share my heart. I'm often sarcastic and snarky, but right now I will share my heart.

John Edwards set before us a challenge. The challenge of something far greater than supporting any one candidate or being wrapped up in an election. Our challenge is to embrace a cause. We are challenged to reach out and support the poor, the sick, the defeated, the hungry. Will we embrace the CAUSE as much as we embraced John Edwards?

If his candidacy did not inspire us to go out and further the cause and do the work that needs to be done, THEN and only then will he have lost and so will we.

[calimary]

43. Well said! Howard Dean said the only way we lose is if we give up.

The only way America loses is if we give up on the priorities that John Edwards articulated in such a heartfelt and consistent and honest way.

[BlackVelvet04]

45. We can honor John Edwards by being changed by his message

and furthering the cause.

Thanks.

[calimary]

49. I'm DEFINITELY voting for that!

The best way to make sure his campaign priorities don't fall to the wayside is to make sure WE take up those priorities ourselves, and keep them up top.

[BlackVelvet04]

51. Absolutely....

there are plenty of organizations we can support to further the cause. I think that's what would make John Edwards proud.

[calimary]

52. Remember, what he really told us all today was: "TAG! You're IT!"

It IS up to us now. But then again, it has always been that way.

[BlackVelvet04]

53. LOL yep, we're it and maybe it's

time we quit waiting for someone else to do it for us.

[calimary]

59. Couldn't agree more.

WE have to be the movement, and the hope for America. AND the leadership for America, too! So much of the rest of the country seems utterly lost in the wilderness.

[sandnsea]

38. Big big big hug

Totally shocking. What a difficult day.

:hug:

[calimary]

44. Well, don't feel like you're alone or isolated, okay? MANY shoulders here

for you to lean on.

What a classy guy! Perhaps his best "lovely parting gift" is that kind of show of behavior - that kind of demonstration of elegance, dignity, class, maturity. A lesson and example for us all! (You listening, Senator Obama? You listening, President Clinton? You listening, Senator Clinton? Hint... Hint...)

[jillan]

40. Big hugs from me too!

This Bidenite understands how you feel....
and you will be grieving.


:grouphug:

[calimary]

46. Thanks! I know it makes a difference - especially to all the people who are

really seriously hurting today because they put their hopes, dreams, work, dedication, loyalty, and money where their mouths were.

I liked Biden, myself. I'm sure a lot of people (especially here) will have a big bummer to deal with all day. I hope they know they're buoyed up. John Edwards recommended that, personally, just a few moments ago.

[LibraLiz1973]

48. Thank you Calimary-

Today has been very, very hard. I can't believe how emotional I am.

[calimary]

50. I can guess. I got kinda choked up just watching him give his speech

just now.

Yeah, it'll be a hard day. Put one foot in front of the other. Go on autopilot for a little while. And remember the sentiments voiced here and elsewhere. Maybe this is THE DEFINING MOMENT for us as Dems - FINALLY to come together and MAKE CHANGE! Change for the BETTER! Change for the better FOR THOSE WHO'VE BEEN LEFT OUT til now!

We can continue his campaign, even if he can't. It's certainly worth it! Let's make sure Obama and Clinton and Clinton and Obama remain loyal to those same priorities, and keep them central to their campaigns as John Edwards did in his.

Aw shit - almost forgot...

:hug:

[NastyRiffraff]

54. Thank you, calimary and all others who expressed their support

I thought that after Dean, nothing could be as bad. In a way, this is worse. I've never actually cried over a candidate before; now I have.

I have to be careful on DU today; I'll go nuclear over any posts urging me to support X candidate now.

[calimary]

55. Understood. I think everybody should cut Edwards supporters a break

today. And everyone should cut the remaining two candidates a break, too. Let's not bear down on anybody. Feelings are very tender about this at the moment. Hearts are hurting, aching, broken. Let's cut everybody some slack for a little while. I think we all need it.

Remember what Scarlett O'Hara said! "Tomorrow is another day!"

[RFKHumphreyObama]

57. Edwards will be remembered as one of the best Presidents we never had

His vision, his integrity and his passion were all traits that we needed at the helm of American government to make America and the world a better place. The Democratic Party the lesser for not having had him as a presidential nominee and America and the world are the lesser for not having had him as President.

I wish John, Elizabeth and his family well for the future and my thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with them. I hope to see him continue his public service because he has so much to offer

[calimary]

58. I know what you mean. He's the one who represented hope for a lot of

people.

My condolences! And I hope for the best for the Edwards family - especially for Elizabeth. I hope she's doing okay. Perhaps removing the stress will help ease her condition a little.