I'm really warming up to Edwards

[Jersey Devil]

I know this is very subjective and maybe I shouldn't make decisions based on subjectivity, but there is just something about the guy that says to me that he really, really cares, sort of a Bill Clinton "I feel your pain" type of feeling.

I really like the fact that despite polls that talk about Iraq all the time and other hot issues he is sticking to his guns and waging a campaign that fights for the little guy, the poor, the disadvantaged, the underdogs, the people in our society who need help.

Sure I know the other Dem candidates probably care just as much, but when I hear him speak there is just something that subjectively tells me that he's the real deal when it comes to someone who has the ability to communicate to people that he is here to help them, no matter how "unimportant" they might be. I can't put my finger on it, but when I hear him speak there is never the slightest bit of doubt in my mind of his sincerity.

I can support the other candidates if they get the nomination. But besides Edwards, there is only one other, who is not running, that I can really get behind and say to myself that I am doing it idealistically rather than pragmatically.

[rainy]

1. me too! He's my first pick if Gore doesn't run.

[Mythsaje]

2. I'm for J.E.

He's my pick. For what it's worth.

[Colobo]

3. Edwards is a great guy. If Obama doesn't make it, I hope John does.

[Jersey Devil]

4. Both are people we could be proud to have as nominees

To think that in my lifetime, which extends back to the 1940s, we could have a realistic chance of having a black President, is almost enough to make me want to push him to the front to get it done, to go beyond the civil rights movements to a time of true equality.

But if he does not get the nomination the effect may very well be the same. This may be the very first time that a black man gets seriously considered for the nomination without any real racial discrimination taking part in the decision.

We should celebrate this no matter what the result.

[Inspired]

9. I feel the same way about Obama.

Thanks for your kind words.

[Mojambo]

5. Happy to have Edwards as my Gore back-up plan

Not so thrilled that he can't get much traction in the polls.

That'll change when he wins Iowa out of the gate, I hope.

[Jersey Devil]

6. This time last cycle Joe Lieberman was the front runner

Things can change in a hurry. Many depend on people to act like sheep. But I am confident that the people in Iowa, New Hampshire a lot of the early states (including, thank goodness, for the first time ever - NJ) will show the kind of independence they have a reputation for.

[Seabiscuit]

19. Actually, in August, 2003 Howard Dean was the frontrunner.

It all faded in Iowa. Aside from the subterfuges he got hit with by two other campaigns (I won't name them, because one of them's still popular on DU) on the eve of the Iowa vote, his sticking his foot in his mouth more than once during the fall debates slowly eroded his campaign. Then came the "Scream Speech" where Fox and the other networks replayed his meltdown endlessly between Iowa and Newhampshire with the crowd noise muted to make him sound utterly ridiculous, and his campaign crashed and burned.

Remember his summer tour of the country? It happened in August, 2003. He was greeted wherever he went like a rock star, and as a result made the cover of both Time and Newsweek, though both mags did slimey hit pieces on him inside those covers.

[tridim]

7. He's my #2 as well

I just wish I liked his accent. It's certainly not a deal-breaker, but it does grate on me.

[Inspired]

8. This is the cause of John Edwards LIFE.

John Edwards stands for something good. Supporting him has changed my life and opened my eyes. Can you imagine the great things that will happen in this country if he is elected President?

Transformational change.

[Hieronymus]

10. It's Gore or Edwards for me.

[Seabiscuit]

20. That is THE ideal ticket. So where's BIG AL when we really, really need him??? n/t

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. He's gathering supporters slowly, honestly, and grass roots upwards! nt

[iamjoy]

12. I Think He Really Cares

Back in 2004, I'd helped staff a mid to high donor fundraiser (this was right after Kerry tapped him as a running mate). Well after his talk to people who'd paid a couple hundred dollars, Edwards went into the back corridor and shook hands with all the hotel workers and campaign volunteers who'd staffed the event. It impressed me that he took that time.

I also watched him at some events on C-SPAN, and now of course we have You Tube. I'm talking about the town hall meetings rather than the rallies...He watches people when they are talking and telling him their "story." He empathizes with their situation and asks questions about THEM.

[Major Hogwash]

13. If he'd shave his head, he'd get my vote.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, that's just a cheap political stunt.

But, he could use it to diffuse many issues at the same time -
He could use it to say that the nonsense over his expensive haircuts was just as silly as calling Democrats losers.
He could use it to show solidarity with his wife Elizabeth, who is fighting the good fight against cancer. Many people fighting cancer lose their hair.
He could use it to poke fun at himself - we've all had bad haircuts at one time or another in our lives.
He could use it to grab the attention of the American people - he isn't going to be the "status quo", and we already pretty much know that Hillary will be.

And we could watch it grow back over the coming months.
By December, it would have pretty much all grown back.
And by the time of the primaries next spring, he'd have his hair back to about the same length as it is now.

This would also help him if Fred Thompson gets into the race next September because Edwards would have just about as much hair as Fred by then. Call it a pre-emptive haircut, if you will.

All the Democrats have a lot of hair. I'm not the only one who has noticed that lately. They have huge hair.
Biden is bald on the back, but you can't really tell because he never turns his head around to show anyone.
But, look at Richardson or Chris Dodd, my gawd, they have thick, full, heads of hair.

It's just an idea.

But, it's just so crazy, it just might work.

I really like Edwards, I just wish he had more "oomph", for lack of a better word.

[jgraz]

14. But, but but...his house is REALLY BIG

And those HAIRCUTS :scared:

I'm sorry, but I just can't support a candidate who lives in a house and cuts his hair.

[patricia92243]

15. I would be quite happy if he is our nominee. I'm for Hillary, but will enthusiastically

support Edwards.

Wonder who his VP would be??

[jsamuel]

16. Fortunately, a lot of my reasoning isn't subjective, but I agree with what you say as well.

His plans, issues, and policies are wonderful. He has the best UHC, environmental, poverty, and tax plans. I also appreciate his honesty.

(woops, this was supposed to be a reply to the op)

[draft_mario_cuomo]

26. Obama is the most likely bet

Unless Obama flames out during the primaries a la Dean, it is hard to see Edwards not putting him on the ticket. Democrats have, to an extent, taken minorities--particularly the black vote--for granted. Having Obama on the ticket would show that the party means business. Edwards-Obama would be a great, winning ticket, although I prefer Edwards-Clark.

[K8-EEE]

17. I'm way past warm, hot and heading to the boiling point....

President Edwards would be A-OK with me!

[tinrobot]

18. He's my choice.

He's talking like a true progressive and seems to be walking the walk.

And... unlike some, he apologized for his Iraq vote as well.

[femmocrat]

21. I think with the MSM portraying Clinton and Obama as taking jabs at each other

more people are starting to look at Edwards as a very unflappable candidate. He is smart to stay out of the fray, IMO.

Sticking to the issues is better in the long-run than taking pot shots. I wish they would all keep it positive, especially this early in the process. The eventual nominee can afford to go negative against the repubs in the general election.

[lyonn]

36. Hey, the Dems are supposed to attack the enemy with an R after

their name, not each other. Sheesh.... Discussions not attacks.

[ChiciB1]

22. I'm In For Edwards And Think As Time Goes By His Following Will

grow slowly but surely! He DOES care, warts and all! I've begun to see it more and more. We have some GOOD candidates, but as Democrats we spend so much time tearing them down rather than SUPPORT them.

We need UNITY, even IF he's not the one for you! Call him what you will, but I DO believe that he and Elizabeth have HEART!

[mzmolly]

23. I am too, Obama was my first, but Edwards is gaining on him.

Not that I don't "like" Obama, but I think Edwards has more ability to win? However, I am concerned about his debate skills. In all honesty he didn't look that sharp against Cheney. I kept wondering if the Kerry campaign tamped him down fearing he'd outshine the Presidential Candidate? If so, he should have that info "leaked" b/c it's been a factor in my choice.

[usregimechange]

24. He will be the next President of the United States. Can't wait.

[KillCapitalism]

25. I'm for Edwards 100%!

I was very impressed by the recent poverty tour he went on through the country. The man is a true populist.

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. Edwards definitely wins the grown-up vote this week.

[illinoisprogressive]

28. I really like John Edwards, too. he is my 2nd choice and I think he is cool.

[killbotfactory]

29. I like Edwards anti-poverty talk

And I'm glad he recognized the mistake of the Iraq war.

Although I'm not entirely convinced he is completely sincere when it comes to cracking down on corporations, I would be happy if he was nominated.

[saltpoint]

30. Edwards' late son Wade asked his father to accompany him and a friend

on a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Edwards didn't let his son down. He went on the expedition.

As a point of contrast, imagine Dubya scaling a mountain with the twins.

Edwards could have passed on that one, but he wanted to share the struggle and the adventure with his son.

I don't think he'll let the rest of us down either.

John Kerry chose well in 2004 and Edwards is in the race now.

I think he has a hell of a lot to offer.

[lyonn]

31. We took our kids to Kenya in 1976 and while in Nairobi

met some young fellas with their ropes and climbing gear getting ready to climb Kilimanjaro. About a week later we were driving on a small hiway past the mountain and wondered about them up there. Very exciting for the young. By the way, it was July and there was snow on the top, just like in pics. Latest pics show very little snow, sad.

Biden fan here, but, Edwards is impressive. Hey, it ain't easy beating the big boys at their game, medical malpractice. Need to hear more on his world views. I can see him smoozing with the big leaders and winning them over. We shall see.

Edit: What kind of cabinet would he have? We now know how important that issue can be after 7 years of jerko and his power mongers.

[saltpoint]

33. Good for you that you took your young folks there and good for them

to be lucky to have adventurous parents.

Bravo.

Yep. We'll see how things begin to sort out. The Thugs are the ones who are really hurting. They don't have anybody worth listening to in the first place and their frontrunners are all lackluster droids.

[lyonn]

34. The repubs are so dumb, Hagel could wipe out all the

arrogant dirt bags running. Hagel is right about the war issue but I sure don't want him on a Dem ticket. Clinton tried it with the Sec. Defense didn't he, can't remember his name. He is on tv all the time speakin' for the company. Republicans bite you in the back, or is that a knife?

We took kids to Paris, Kenya, Tanzania and Brazil and they by far liked Africa. We took the train from Mombasa to Nairobi. That was an adventure. Train stopped constantly and they would be outside beating on the wheels?? Never figured that one out. Sure wouldn't do it now. Country is not the same. So sad. Who would have thought that muslims would end up being a problem in Africa? Oh, and their beer was great!

Edit: Ha, the kids were not beating on the wheels! Kinda sounded that way, it was the natives.

[saltpoint]

35. Travel is a great thing. Some people say Time's the best teacher, but the

retort is that Time MAY be the best teacher but it kills all its students.

Which leaves Travel, and Travel gets my vote.

I love the travel you gave to your young people. That is a spendid gift.

On Hagel. We agree. I'll take his comments on Bush's war policy but beyond that he's kind of frightening. Pretty far to the right, leaning on Very far to the right.

Plus we have too many great Democrats to balance our ticket with!

[OnionPatch]

32. Yep, here too.

I don't understand the low poll numbers. Every time I hear him speak, I like him more. I was having a hard time deciding who I would vote for if Al didn't run but I'm feeling pretty sure it's going to be Edwards.

[Lindsey]

37. He's my #2 if Gore doesn't run. I'm really wondering where they're getting

these Hillary/Obama front runner numbers. I think the media's making them up.

[fujiyama]

38. I think he is sincere in advocating for the poor and the middle class

and I also believe he sincerely regrets the initial support he gave for the war.

I am still debating between him and Obama.

[Yael]

39. He has my undivided attention as well

I believe that his approach to UHC is the most realistic of any I have seen. He has my vote.