Why Edwards Still Matters

He may have lost Iowa and New Hampshire, but don’t forget about John Edwards just yet, even if he’s not going to win the nomination, writes the Washington Post’s Dan Balz. Trumped by the celebrity and fundraising might of Clinton and Obama, Edwards will likely have to settle for a role as spoiler—but in this year's race, that's no small thing.

With Edwards seemingly on Obama's side, the political calculations are endless. He could help Obama in South Carolina by siphoning white voters away from Clinton—but could also hurt him later by stealing away the same “change” voters that have bolstered the Obama campaign. If he bails before the convention, when and where he does so could prove all-important. (More John Edwards stories.)