POLITICS: Why Edwards And Thompson Need To Stay In Their Races

To begin with, let's rule out those who are not players in 2008.... and let's focus on two two-person races: (1) Clinton & Obama, and (2) McCain and Romney.

Narrowing in on the Democratic party, let's examine the probabilities. Obama is riding on the "wave" right now. There is some backlash over Clinton campaign remarks and some other "dirty tricks" being played by the Clintons. At the same time, many powerful figures within the Democratic party have a genuine fear of the Clinton political machine and the potential for Hillary to win their party's nomination. That's why you see so many party leaders coming forward in these last few days to support Obama.

But, do we forget how skillfull Clinton organizers are? Do we forget how many times Bill was in serious, and I do mean serious, political trouble during his Presidency? Yet, he survived, time and time again. So, there was this "race" gaffe. Or, was it a "gaffe?" Could it have been a well-planned and well-rehearsed strategy to call out the issue of race without dirtying the hands of the candidates? (Bill and Hillary are both candidates here, whether you recognize that or not,). The Clintons are well known for their ability to have a "supporter" make a "slip of the tongue" in order to poison the atmosphere in their favor. Attorneys do this all of the time in front of juries..... then manage an apology to the Court while knowing all of the time that their "seed" has been planted in the minds of every juror in the box.

Look for this tactic to continue as the immediate days go on, particularly in the south. The Clintons know fully well that, when a true southerner steps to the poll to cast his vote, the thought of a black as President is going to have a profound impact. And, in the northern states, look for the Clinton supporters to slip with the "Osama rhymes with Obama," "Barack HUSSEIN Obama," and "Black Muslim," cards. Again, when the northerners cast their votes, they will have to be mentalizing the pictures of the World Trade Center coming down in flames and rubble.

So, I propose that Hillary is going to be totally in the driver's seat as their party heads off for the Convention unless..... there is another, palatable alternative. And that, my friends, has to be John Edwards.

So much for the Democrats. Now, let's look at the Republicans.

Romney is going to be toast for being a Mormon just as Obama is going to be toast for being black. This is not to say that I am a bigot; far from that. I'm just laying out the land for how it really is. Besides, Romney has flip-flopped on too many major issues. So, where's Huckabee? Huckabee is going to be toast for a different reason; he does have some appearance of being weak but, beyond that, his name is way too much like "Hickabee." He doesn't stand a chance against the 2008 political machines.

McCain appears to be the Republican hope at this point in time. However, there is an underlying conservatism in the party that is growing. Call it a desire to return to Reaganism if you want. McCain has distanced himself from most things Reagan stood for and he has alienated a lot of people along the way. One of the big reasons he lost his behind in Nevada was that he is openly against legalized sports betting and has made several runs at shutting Nevada bookies down. He points to all of the hundreds of millions of dollars being bet in Nevada and the possibilities of illegal influences on professional and college sporting contests; he fails to mention the BILLIONS of dollars being illegally bet in other states, largely through organized crime, or the fact that closing down Nevada would ultimately just add to the latter figure. McCain is also known for inviting leaders of Native American tribes to Washington to "pow wow," and then having the audacity to refuse to make an appearance himself or to listen to their concerns. These are only two examples of his arrogance.

So, the Republicans need Fred. He's conservative, he appears to be forthright and honest, and he stands a much better chance at being a successful President than anyone else currently in the running for the Republican nomination.

In closing, Americans need to have a choice when they go to the polls in November. Edwards vs. Thompson would certainly give us a choice better than we have had in any election over the last 20 plus years.

And that is MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully submitted.