Dean is out...a disheartening, but necessary development, given the impossibility of nomination. Still, I think staying on the ballot while dropping from the race is not a positive thing for Senator Edwards, who would have benefited from a brokered convention, but who likely can't muster the percentage he would need to win outright in a 2-person race.

Nothing short of endorsement will send the message to Dean supporters that there is a difference between the 2 Senators. Leaving his name on sends the opposite signal, and runs the risk now that Kucinich and Sharpton will both beat him in many remaining states. That will not help in the attempt to persuade the convention that we Deaniacs offer substantial power