The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

John Edwards ' presidential campaign staff is girding for news that he will pull out of the primary race to focus instead on his re-election to the Senate. "We don't see how he can do both for much longer," says a volunteer in North Carolina. "He has a better shot at winning re-election, but if he doesn't move fast, he risks losing that slot, too." /p>

Tarheel state Democrats have been making increasing noise about Edwards and his floundering presidential hopes. Six weeks ago, they had him meet with former Senate candidate Erskine Bowles, who lost to Elizabeth Dole in 2002. Bowles has the basic structure of a statewide operation in place from the last go-round, and some Democrats prefer him to run in place of Edwards.

Edwards's meeting with Bowles ended with no comment from either camp. Sources said afterward that neither man seemed interested in discussing their future plans, with Bowles pressing Edwards to make a decision for the good of the party.

As it stands, Edwards is in the top tier of Democratic presidential hopefuls money-wise, but in the second tier polling wise. He has essentially pooled his hopes for the primary run in South Carolina, where he is a native son. But other candidates, such as Rep. Dick Gephardt, are also focusing on that state, as Sen. John Kerry and former Vermont Gov. Howie Dean focus on New Hampshire.

Some Edwards supporters expect to hear something from Edwards in early fall. Others believe Edwards will attempt to string things along until it is too late for the state party to field another candidate in North Carolina, and his national political prospects will be far more apparent.

topics:
Environment, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, Energy