“I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.” – Otter, “Animal House” (1978)
I am about to propose something which is certainly futile and maybe stupid too.
I’ve been talking in recent days to people who, like me, supported the candidacy of John Edwards.
I’ve found that most of us are in a bind: we don’t really have a clear preference for one or the other Democratic candidate.

What we all do want is for the issues John Edwards placed on the table to remain on the table.
We want Clinton and Obama to live up to their promises to Edwards to put fighting poverty at the top of their agenda. We want Edwards’ ground-breaking proposals on health care to become the Democratic platform.
We know that John Edwards moved the Democrats to the left. And we’re concerned that with him out of the race, Clinton and Obama will move towards the center — convinced that it’s the only way to beat the Republicans in November. Edwards voters are in their pockets anyway — we’re not going to vote Republican, after all.
I’ve decided that tomorrow, Super Tuesday, I’m going cast my vote for … John Edwards.
If Edwards appears on ballot papers which were printed before he withdrew, I’ll simply vote for him. If his name isn’t there, I’ll write it in.
I realize that the vast majority of Edwards’ supporters will either be voting for Clinton or Obama, or not voting at all. Voting for Edwards is of course a futile gesture; he is not going to be the Democratic nominee in 2008. But I’m going to do it because when all is said and done, I prefer Edwards to the alternative. And I don’t mind saying so.