Edwards out: Does this help Clinton or Obama?

The Associated Press

He couldn't win a primary race this time.

Featured Topic | Posted 42 weeks 3 days ago

Edwards out: Does this help Clinton or Obama?

Today, we were going to tell you why John Edwards is staying in the Democratic race -- so that he could play kingmaker in the event of a brokered Democratic convention between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this summer. There's only one problem with the scenario: Edwards is announcing today that he is getting out of the race now.

How did Edwards go from being his party's vice presidential nominee to an also-ran? How did he affect the race? And what does his departure mean for the battle between Clinton and Obama?

Ben likes: Edwards Quits -- One Woman Hardest Hit

Ed Morrissey/Captain's Quarters

Unlike other candidates who have dropped from contention, Edwards actually has a significant number of delegates. They can now vote for whomever they desire at the convention, although an Edwards endorsement will likely carry a lot of weight. However, the influence of Edwards goes well beyond delegate counts, and both of the remaining candidates know it.

Joel likes: Populism's candidate

Chris Hayes/The Nation

No matter who wins the Democratic nomination, the fact remains that the Edwards campaign has set the domestic policy agenda for the entire field. He was the first with a bold universal healthcare plan, the first with an ambitious climate change proposal that called for cap-and-trade, and the leader on reforming predatory lending practices and raising the minimum wage to a level where it regains its lost purchasing power. Edwards's rhetoric has started to bleed into his rivals' speeches as well.