Edwards: the second choice for all

[leyton]

One thing I've noticed a lot of on this board: a lot of people here like Edwards - most of the time, he seems to get lots of compliments on his debate performance and his poise and presentation. But he seems to be everybody's second choice, everybody's VP choice. I guess Edwards is attractive to many voters but just doesn't light a fire under them like Kucinich or Dean.

Could it be that all the polls that place him in the bottom tier are not indicative of the support he gets among Democrats? Is it possible that though Dean and Clark can be divisive figures whom some like and some dislike (talking about Democrats here, not the general public) Edwards would be a guy that a large majority of Dems would get behind?

[chimpymustgo]

1. I've noticed that, too. Edwards should be on the ticket.

Either at the top, as a good come-together, non-polarizing candidate. Or an excellent vp. Whichever, he has strong likeability and appeal - which is a must in the general election.

[mndemocrat_29]

2. I think Edwards is a good choice

He's my second choice for the top of the ticket (I'm not as sure about the bottom ticket, since right now I'm hung up on a Clark/Landrieu dream team). However, should Clark not get the nod, my second choice would be Edwards, who I think has the debating skills, issues, geography, and appeal to be the next president.

[rwheeler31]

4. Edwards is great

If he doesen't make prez or vp how about letting him replace Ashcroft?

[mndemocrat_29]

6. In my dream cabinet

I have Edwards as the Attorney General. He'd be outstanding!

[a_lil_wall_fly]

17. Yeppers...

He would clean house!!!!!

[xJlM]

3. Not hardly

He voted in favor of the Patriot Act and the Iraq War Resolution. Why would I imagine he would have my best interests at heart?

[sandnsea]

9. 2 votes

This isn't for or against any candidate. And if people are really firmly against anyone except Kucinich, fine too.

But if people are just throwing these two votes out to create antagonism, then that's wrong. No other candidate is supporting repealing the patriot act and no other candidate was totally against the concept of a war with Iraq. They had there ifs and maybes and what-have-yous; and they didn't have to vote. Thinking of nothing else besides these 2 votes appears to be blinding some at looking at the totality of each of the candidates and recognizing that they're very different and will bring very different Presidencies to this country.

Unless one is for Kucinich. And even those for Kucinch ought to be careful to look past the votes to what each candidate actually stands for over their career. Any time you beat up one candidate, you automatically elevate another whether that's your intention or not.

[OhioStateProgressive]

10. right, and we are elevating Dennis!

it is important, it is war, and our freedoms...and those are as important as it gets

anything else is secondary...this is life, death and our freedoms as people...i reiterate, there is nothing important when compared against these

[JohnKleeb]

13. Youre right sandsnea

Tryin to find the good in all the candiates, diggin Edwards' work against the corporations. He's a good guy IMO. I dont like people using this honestly either.

[xJlM]

16. Kucinich is the only one who speaks for me

He's got the only message that resonates with me, since he talks about the same things I worry about. Frankly, I don't understand why some of the candidates are even running, or care. We need a change in the direction this country is going. If we don't change, we might as well change our name to the Repug States Of America. Kucinich is the ONLY one who offers real change.

Don't get me wrong, I have been registered as a Democrat since i was nineteen. I have never voted for any other party, since none of them have historically represented me or folks like me. And I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November 2004, whoever he or she is (unless it's Lyndon LaRouche, which isn't likely). Maybe for the last time, but I think we all face that.

[fairfaxvadem]

5. in person he is just awesome...

have had the good fortune of seeing him and his wife on separate occasions. She is just as good. And neither one minced words about what they thought of GW Bush.

[DemDogs]

15. Edwards is the answer to the #1 question

Who can beat Bush? Oh sure, maybe anyone of the nine can beat him, but as the economy gives him better numbers (too little, too late, but he can still use them), as the Republican congress based the lousy Medicare bill to give him phony education and phony health care to run on, it may take more than "Unidentified Democrat" to beat Bush. And the candidate who can fight for just about every electoral vote, who can beat him to 270 is Edwards.
The fact that people like him here is part of the reason. He can appeal to people who are passionate about another candidate and he can appeal to people who don't pay attention to politics until the last minute. We are making a HUGE mistake if we don't nominate him at the TOP of the ticket.

[genius]

7. I like Edwards

I would like to see him improve on environmental issues though. In most areas he's pretty good. Does anyone know if he is thinking of reconsidering Yucca Mountain?

[Kathleen04]

8. Absolutely..

He's my 3rd choice for '04, but I'd like to see him as VP and later seeing him as President. It just seems as though he is not getting the momentum this time around, possibly because his resume is short, but I do think that most people find him likeable and capable. If he were the nominee, he would do well against Bush*, I think people would be drawn to his intelligence and personality.

[seventhson]

11. Dean/Edwards is THE ticket to win IMHO

I think if either Clark or Kerry or Lieberman were VP Dean would be very much in danger of getting Wellstoned or JFK'd.

[JohnKleeb]

12. Why would Kerry be Dean's VP to begin with seventh

Bad geography, number two those two are like Patton and Montegomery imo.

[Sean Reynolds]

14. Dean would not pick someone that voted for the Iraq war.

It'd send a mixed message and hurt him in the long run. That is why I say Dean will pick Graham, both were against the war from the start.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

18. 7th son of 7th son

Interesting conspiracy idea.... :toast: keep up the ideas rolling