You Have No Choice By: Mark W Adams

Thursday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded

If you want to keep the Republicans out of the White House, if you want to end the war as swiftly and prudently as possible, if you want to banish mega-corporations from controlling our government, if you want to end the pissing matches between right and left based on personalities and not policy, if you want universal health care, sound environmental policies, and an administration that takes the threat of climate change seriously -- you must start supporting John Edwards.

John Edwards is our best bet to do all that and more.

Global Strategy Group has all the numbers which explain why no one else can deliver a future we all want.

Nationwide general election polling shows John Edwards is the Democrat with the best chance of defeating the Republican candidate in the 2008 general election for President. Edwards is the only Democrat with a significant lead in a head-to-head match-up against Republican frontrunner Giuliani. Against the other three major Republican candidates, Edwards’ average margin of victory is identical to or better than that of Barack Obama, and significantly higher than Hillary Clinton’s average margin.

Edwards also outperforms the other Democratic candidates in match-ups with Republican candidates in key battleground states including Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio. Further, unlike other Democrats who must “run the table” in states where Democrats have been competitive in recent elections, Edwards brings new states into play. This provides alternate scenarios – and a margin for error – when it comes to amassing 270 electoral votes.

The entire statistical analysis, can be found at TPM's Document Collection. With more excerpts for those of us who prefer English to Statisteeze at Election Central.

More under the fold.

• In looking at the overall win-loss-tie records, Edwards again stands out with easily the best total record.

• At least one poll in the last four months shows Clinton losing to every Republican challenger, even Romney and Thompson, who neither defeat nor tie either Obama or Edwards, confirming Clinton as the weakest major Democrat in the general election.

• Edwards’ status as the best Democrat against frontrunner Giuliani is again confirmed by this measure, as he suffers no losses, while both Clinton and Obama struggle to win more than they lose in that match-up.

State-by-state electability:

• Even more important than nationwide popular vote polls, Edwards outperforms other Democratic candidates in key battleground states, including Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio.

• Unlike other Democrats, who will be forced to “run the table” of states where Democrats have been competitive in recent elections, Edwards brings new states into play. This provides alternative scenarios – and a margin for error – when it comes to winning 270 electoral votes.

• Edwards’ strong performance in these tough states makes him the best nominee for Democratic candidates further down the ticket. In a poll conducted in August by Biden pollster Celinda Lake, an initial 19 point lead for the Democratic House member in the 31 Democratic-held House districts regarded as most imperiled in 2008 is slashed to only 6 when they are linked to Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama and their "liberal" policies.

• The Los Angeles Times reports that “despite recent gains by Democrats in the Rocky Mountain West, party officials across the region are increasingly anxious that their congressional candidates may get dragged under by Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign.” Polling in the region also shows the drag a Clinton candidacy would have on other Democrats in the region.

• Many have come to similar conclusions. Doug Schoen, until recently the partner of Clinton Master Strategist Mark Penn, concludes that Edwards would be the strongest general election candidate: “First, one naturally points to Edwards' southern roots. Since John F. Kennedy's victory in 1960, the only Democrats to win the Presidency were southern Democrats Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Second, Edwards--despite his current left wing rhetorical appeal--is actually perceived as more conservative than either Clinton or Obama. Overall, 44% perceive Edwards as liberal in comparison to 51% who perceive Obama as liberal and 57% who see Clinton in this way. By contrast, 13% characterize Edwards as conservative, compared to 8% who see Clinton and Obama in this way. Finally, Edwards at this point demonstrates the greatest appeal to Independents beating Guiliani by 13%. Obama wins Independents by 5% and Clinton wins them by 3% against Guiliani.”

Note, this isn't merely pushing some electability meme. This is beyond argument, more than advocacy. It's the facts. If you support one of the other extremely qualified Democratic presidential contenders, deal with it -- because if you want to win, if you want to change the world, support and contribute to John Edwards. Get everyone you know to vote for him.