For the Trailing Edwards and Dean, Winning May Not Be Everything

WashPost: Given that fewer than a quarter of the delegates have been chosen, Mr. Edwards and Dr. Dean have presumably not given up hope that they could still capture the prize that they have energetically sought for more than a year. Each is trying to emerge as the alternative to Mr. Kerry, of Massachusetts, in the hope that voters would be seized by what General Clark told reporters on Tuesday would be a bout of "buyer's remorse" about Mr. Kerry.

They are positioning themselves to achieve a degree of influence at their party's convention in Boston and in the writing of the party's platform. And Mr. Edwards, several Democrats said, may well have an eye on the vice presidential slot in November. He may also realize that any spadework he does now could help him if he runs for the presidency again in 2008.