RICHMOND -- With Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., leading in the polls in Virginia and Tennessee several days prior to the primaries, John Edwards, D-N.C., and Gen. Wesley Clark supporters still held on to shreds of hope of an upset for their respective candidates. Clark's results were extremely disappointing by all counts, as he was running in a statistical dead heat with Edwards for second place prior to Feb. 10. Edwards' results were received by many with mixed emotions. While Edwards and his supporters scoff at a vice-presidential slot, they should not rule out this scenario if they wish for him to continue his political career.
At an Edwards Meetup at the Richbrau Brewing Company restaurant in downtown Richmond, a handful of Edwards supporters gathered to watch the election returns. Most expressed disappointment, but managed to put a positive spin on it, conceding that although he lost, he came in a close second to frontrunner John Kerry.
Two students, the first ones at the event, had traveled two hours from James Madison University. Seniors Levar Stone and Mike Ingenito, co-founders of Students for Edwards at JMU, both railed on the media for their influence in the success of John Kerry. Stone, also the president of the student body at JMU, said he feels that Edwards had not been given a "fair shake" in Iowa from the press. Ingenito also said he thought that the press had "made Iowa the presidential election," placing too much importance on Kerry's win, with denotations of the "Comeback Kerry." Both noted that Edwards' surprising success in Iowa received little media attention, overshadowed by Kerry and the Dean Scream.
Edwards' appeal among his die-hard supporters is evident. When speaking with a few supporters, one can sense a deep attachment and admiration for their candidate. Bet Ludden and Pat Gammon, both ardent Edwards fans who have been involved in his campaign effort, gushed with emotion and esteem for Edwards. They described him as "genuine" and "down to earth," even going as far as comparing him to John F. Kennedy. They were both touched and influenced by his humble background as the son of a mill worker, and his determination to "look out for the little people."
Cate Edwards, Sen. Edwards' daughter and a senior at Princeton University, echoed these sentiments in her visit to the University on Monday. She reiterated her father's theme of creating "one America."
Ludden and Gammon remain "hopefully optimistic" for Edwards' success, noting that only about 20 percent of the states have had their primaries and caucuses so far. However, the momentum of Kerry will be a significant factor in swaying the 80 percent of the population that still has yet to cast their ballot. Edwards staffers hoped to do well in Virginia and Tennessee and have Edwards be an "alternative" to John Kerry. This is a pretty defensive strategy, and it doesn't have a very positive outlook after the Virginia and Tennessee results. Kerry's wins will further fuel his endorsements, donations and popularity.
Edwards' upbringing, charm, charisma and dedication to rectify some of society's ills through the courts as a trial lawyer, as well as those in Congress, are definitely some of his attractive attributes. John Kerry, on the other hand, appears to be supported by many simply on the issue of electability.
Probably the most frequently asked question that always lingers in the air when speaking with Edwards supporters is the possibility of a vice-presidential position. When questioned on this, Edwards often says that he would love to have John Kerry as his running mate, but still affirms that he is only running for the presidency. Cate Edwards stated adamantly that her father was not running for the vice presidency.
However, certain strategies, such as abstaining from attacking Kerry, have led some to believe that Edwards may be paving the way for the VP slot on Kerry's ticket, and he would be smart to do so if he still wishes to remain in the political realm. He is not seeking reelection in the Senate, and Kerry's anonymous vice president (if it is not Edwards) would have more of a claim of incumbency over Edwards.
A Kerry-Edwards ticket would combine Kerry's experience with Edwards' Southern support and populist appeal. Not that I am rooting for Kerry or Edwards, but a Kerry-Edwards ticket would certainly make for a competitive presidential election as well as a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, spine-tingling next few months for hardcore political junkies like myself.
(Whitney Blake is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.)
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