Edwards' Biggest Role to Come

John Edwards may be a longshot to win the Democratic nomination, but he could wind up anointing the eventual candidate, and not just as a spoiler. Democratic delegates are divvied up proportionally in each state, Politico explains, so Edwards could wind up with a tidy clump of delegates if he keeps performing well. Who he throws them to could sew up the nomination.

Edwards has attacked both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but he’s been noticeably chummier with Obama, making that alliance more likely. “He’d be in an awfully influential position—more than any other individual,” said one veteran Democrat. Others note that Edwards’ delegates could jump ship. “There may be a race within the race for these delegates,” said one Clinton strategist. (More Democratic presidential primaries stories.)