Analysis: Is Edwards Real or a Phony?

[SecularMotion]

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) -- John Edwards' presidential campaign is not so much about the ''two Americas'' as it is about the two John Edwardses.

One image of Edwards is that he's a champion of the embattled middle class and poor, an up-from-his-bootstraps populist waging war against special interests who favor the rich and established.

The other take: He's a phony.

Which is it? Is the Democratic presidential candidate a man of the people, as he says, or the fake his rivals call him?

It may be that Edwards is not quite either caricature -- that the answer, like much in politics, is less black and white than gray, and discerning voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will give Edwards his ultimate gut check.



http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Edwards-Authenticity.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1190233591-wXyJc4JVXMNW1lmMliZ/bQ

[Armstead]

1. Both

I think he really believes in what he says, and is running on real belief and goals.

But old habits die hard, and he still has elements of elite phonyness he has to deal with.

[Hieronymus]

2. Several of our presidents who did most for the under dog were

rich. Washington, FDR, and JFK..oh, and remember Johnson's war on poverty.

[SecularMotion]

4. I like this quote

"You don't need to be blind to help those who can't see or crippled to aid those who can't walk, and wealthy families like the Roosevelts and Kennedys had no problem connecting with working-class voters."

[radiclib]

3. Looks like the Grey Lady is getting sensitive again

Time for them to prove once again how fair and balanced and NOT LIBERAL they are to the scary Coultergeists of the world. What a load of crap! Apparently, they learned the "some say" tactic from Fox Noise.
I won't hold my breath waiting for the "RUDY: FUN TYPE GUY OR TRANSVESTITE FREAK" article.

[Jane Austin]

8. What do you object to in the article?

Are their facts wrong?

Are there inferences that are cheap shots?

I thought it was pretty well balanced, if not actually favorable to Edwards.

Thanks.

[radiclib]

10. I'll freely admit I didn't read the article

My problem is with the question itself. So the article is favorable to Edwards, big deal. Many people will just read the topic line and get that there's a 50% chance that Edwards is a phony. It's an old, cheap journalistic trick in order to frame the debate.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

5. Phony.

[LSK]

12. how did I know that there would be no explanation?????

Why do you bother?

[AnotherGreenWorld]

13. When one does provide an explanation, supporters of Edwards avoid or call

the individual a freeper. There's no use arguing with such people. Why provide reasons? I'm merely expressing my opinion: I think Edwards is a phony.

[LSK]

20. ummm still no explanation but now a blanket insult for Edwards supporters

Keep going...

:popcorn:

[Catchawave]

6. Some days are just not worth reading the DU....

What's with all the attack pieces on Edwards today ? Aren't there republicans we can take a few swipes at?

[SecularMotion]

7. Please take the time to read the article

It is not an attack on John Edwards. It is an analysis of the attacks.


For the record: I feel we have a strong field of Democratic candidates and would be happy to vote for any of them. I am leaning toward John Edwards as a preference.

[tech3149]

9. All I can say is if he were my neighbor

I'd offer to cut the grass and feed the pets while he's away no matter how big his house is. I figure he'd be willing to do the same for me. Even if he didn't, I wouldn't hold it against him, shit happens and you do what you can to deal with it. If anyone wants to paint Edwards as a phony, all I can say is put up or shut up. Give me evidence that he has a history of self-serving actions that contradict his political platform. Edwards isn't my first choice as a candidate but I think he's a good choice and will follow the platform he runs on. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, I'd love to see it.

[LSK]

11. JOHN EDWARDS IS THE REAL DEAL, LOOK AT HIS LAW CAREER

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/LSK/127

Also he is a self made millionaire. Are we now punishing people who work hard???

[Catchawave]

14. Good use of RW talking points, no?

His background speaks volumes:

"After the 2000 campaign, Fournier became chief White House correspondent, a post he held for the first half of Bush's term."

It's the context of an article that can be used out of context to smear a candidate. Look as this thread :D

[robcon]

15. How does the 'chief White House correspondent' for AP

lead to the non-sequitor: "Good use of RW talking points, no? His background speaks volumes."??????????

[Mass]

24. Because he has written similar articles against basically every single Democrat that matters.

Surprisingly enough, he never seems to have something to say about Republicans.

[MethuenProgressive]

16. Few Edwards supporters will ever read this article.

They're way too fragile...

[Catchawave]

21. I read it, but based on some of the responses here, many

non-supporters haven't :(

[calteacherguy]

17. Mostly phony. nt

[saltpoint]

18. I would ask Wade's ghost if his father is real.

In so far as ghosts could talk, I bet Wade was say he was very real indeed.

Not that many fathers would scale Kilimanjaro with their then-15-year old sons.

Edwards did.

As soon as Britt Hume climbs Kilimanjaro, I'll listen to his efforts to feminize John Edwards. Until that time, Britt Hume's a cupcake.

[PATRICK]

19. FYI

The AP writer is Ron Fournier and the question is whether he himself is a phony or a real journalist, offering you the choice between reality and the media script on edwards that the media has been selling 24/7 from every conceivable angle and which they hope will be on the minds of the voters. Thanks AP for setting the paradigm, blurring the issue so at the least the soft lie can dampen the Edwards campaign.

I will give the low count poster the benefit for being unfamiliar with current intense AP prejudicial slant in this primary season and in the past.

Google Fournier and Gore. He's at it again. Eevn with Gore "Is Gore hot enough?"

[MetalCanuck]

22. Here is a video of John Edwards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2JfndMusfc


Tell me what you think.

[Mass]

23. Ron Fournier's article... Whoever believes a word this guy is writing deserves

to see his guy/gale with the same treatment!

I do not like Edwards, but I like Fournier even less and I am totally uninterested by what he or any inside-the-beltway reporter has to tell on subjects like that.