Hold the mayo on the John Edwards Is Toast Special.

It is unlikely that Edwards will win the Democratic nomination. But this race has already seen five unlikelies – the rises of Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee and the resurrections of Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Four reasons to watch Edwards:

• Money. His campaign has it. He probably wishes now he hadn’t resorted to public financing.

• Trippi. Chief strategist Joe Trippi has spent his life running insurgent campaigns that lasted longer than expected.

• Message. Edwards believes he wrote the music that Obama and Clinton are singing. With some justification.

• Messenger. Edwards often puts in the best debate performances.

And what’s to lose by staying in? Obama or Clinton could implode. Or destroy each other.

Even if they don’t, Edwards could hold the balance of power. He could nail the door shut on Hillary today if he endorsed Obama.

Or he could get 15 percent in some states and collect delegates. Then he could go to Obama (or, less likely, Hillary) – now or at the convention – and say: Here’s the nomination. And here’s the price: Put me on the ticket.

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