South Carolina

Obama has won South Carolina. I would expect Edwards to drop out now. South Carolina was his last best hope. If he stays in, it is with the support and as an agent of Hillary, to split the anti-Clinton vote. The obvious deal, of course, is the Vice Presidency. Edwards has denied he wants it; but he is obliged to. Edwards would balance Clinton nicely on a ticket, helping in the South and with the party’s left wing.

Even if Edwards stays in, though, the anti-Clinton vote will now tend to further coalesce around Obama. Given Clinton’s high negatives, this gives Obama a real chance.