[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/29/art.edwardssc.gi.jpg caption=" Senator John Edwards campaigns throughout South Carolina."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
He hasn't won anything yet, and his showing in some cases has been dismal. But John Edwards is showing no signs of getting out the race. Maybe he doesn't have anything else to do. His campaign says that Edwards will stay in it until the Democratic Party convention, and they're hopeful that we can still win it.
One top campaign official says quote: "There are numerous scenarios that lead to us being nominated." Right, like if Obama and Clinton drop out. But this same official points out that it's "essentially impossible" for one person to get a majority of delegates with three candidates in the race. That's because the Democrats allot all their delegates proportionally - no winner-take-all – and so far, Clinton and Obama have pretty much been splitting the lion's share of the delegates.
Even if he doesn't win, and he won't, Edwards could still play a role if the nomination ends up being decided by a brokered convention. In such a scenario, Edwards could use his delegates - potentially hundreds of them - to promote his platform or to act as a power broker. As one political analyst says: "It's obvious what he has in mind - if you can't be the king, then be the king or queen-maker".
And by staying in the game, Edwards can also influence the race in different states. For example, he could divide the white vote with Hillary Clinton like he did in South Carolina, which could help Barack Obama. Or, Edwards could attract some of the voters seeking "change", which could hurt Obama.
Here’s my question to you: If the Democrats wind up with a brokered convention, what role would John Edwards play?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Michael writes:
If the Democrats wind up with a brokered convention, Edwards will use his delegates to secure him the vice presidential slot by backing whomever will name him VP. Remember, Edwards has been campaigning for president for 10 years and will happily take the VP slot for any presidential candidate with the hopes of becoming president in 8 years.
Jeannette from Hartwell, Georgia writes:
If we are lucky, John Edwards will be the nominee. He is the best choice to lead America, and if the media (yes, this includes you, Jack) wasn't part of big business and threatened by John, he would have gotten better treatment from all you talking heads.
Michael writes:
His political career will be over. Democrats and voters will be so irritated with his shady politics and complete waste of their time that he will lose the little support that he does have. He is obviously trying to nose his way into the White House, either as president or as vice-president. The man obviously has no chance and his obstruction of the voice of the people will destroy his popularity.
Michael writes:
It is clear that Edwards want to be a King-Maker, not a Queen-Maker, throwing his support behind Obama. In exchange, John Edwards will be the V.P. Except this time, unlike 2004, the Democratic Party lead by Barack Obama will win it.
Paul writes:
He should be vying for Attorney General. Could you imagine having an attack dog like him running the Justice Department? Republicans would wet their pants at the thought of a trial lawyer with subpoena power.