Reflections From a Murky Pond

During the last week of January, 2008, America experienced a dramatic streamlining and parring down of the field of candidates for both the Republican and Democrat primary races. Both Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards retired from their respective races.

Rudy Giuliani, who had bet most of his presidential campaign on a decisive Florida win, suffered a disappointing third-place finish in the state’s Republican primary Tuesday night.

Giuliani’s was the frontrunner in the crowded Republican field at first, but his strategy of focusing his attention on Florida while all but ignoring the other states’ Primaries left him unable to adapt to dynamic of the race.

When you run for president you spend a lot of time thinking about the qualities needed to be president Obviously, I thought I was that person. The voters made a different choice.

— Rudy Giuliani

Giuliani had Florida as the “gateway” to his presidential bid, but found that gateway locked. He is now backing Republican rival and longtime friend John McCain.

John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, was in New Orleans, LA where he started his campaign, when he confirmed that he was abandoning his bid for the US Democratic presidential nomination. This was a shock to his supporters since Edwards vowed last week to stay in the race until Super Tuesday, when almost 50% of the states hold their Primaries.

Edwards finished a strong second in Iowa at the start of the campaign, but was quickly overshadowed and a distant third by Obama and Clinton.

It is time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path.

— John Edwards

Edwards did not immediately endorse either Obama or Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

Tags: 2008 Elections | Clinton | Edwards | Giuliani | McCain | Obama | Politics

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am and is filed under 2008 Election. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.