The Edwards attacks are kind of fun for an Edwards supporter

[ShaneGR]

For over a year everyone here pretty much ignored Edwards. Along with the media I may add. So we sat back and watched the Dean people tear up Kerry and Gephardt. Then we sat back and watched the Kerry people tear up the Dean people. Suddenly the Clark people tried to tear up the Kerry people. Meanwhile, Edwards didn't try to tear apart anyone.

Kind of funny how that works, Edwards didn't try to tear anyone down and now he's in a 1 on 1 with Kerry. So the attacks don't bother me, as Kerry would say, bring em on. We'll stay above the fray in the end.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Not so fast!

While I am glad Edwards has extended the debate and while I have no doubt Kerry will prevail in the end and be a stronger candidate for it, he will be significantly poorer for the effor in terms of the bank account.
Bring it on. :(

[ShaneGR]

2. No, he will have gotten TENS of millions of earned media

He will be better known, and keeping the race fresh keeps Bush out of the news and our party on the front page.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. True

but then there's the GE to plan for. Read this article- CLinton was already spending on beating Dole in the spring of '96.

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/printer_4078.shtml

[ShaneGR]

14. Problems with the 96 comparison

First, Clinton was considered a lock for re-election and Dole already had his primaries locked up so he wasn't getting any more free media.

Second, Clinton was popular during that time, and the odds on a Bob Dole beating him were about zero.

Third, whoever the Dem nominee is will be able to raise a LOT of money, and fairly quickly. Let me tell you something, if Kerry gets the nod I'm writing him a check THAT day. Now, if he picks Edwards as VP then it will be a bigger check, but still.

That being said, with Dean out of the race this is going to be very close. Expect that Feb. 26th debate to decide this thing.

[wtf]

3. haha

:)

[newyawker99]

34. Hi wtf!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[SangamonTaylor]

6. free media is the best media. n/t

[corporatewhore]

4. I dont know if i will be able to attack him

he just so gosh darn good lookin' :loveya:

[jpgpenn]

5. Attacks?

Is that what you call truthful information on Edwards?

[bearfartinthewoods]

8. attacks are like he wrote the pat act

i with the poster...we have finally arrived. i'm absolutely giddy!:party:

[ShaneGR]

9. Fun isn't it?

Woohooo!

[bearfartinthewoods]

10. i'm dancing around with "go go...go johnny go" blasting!

[mmonk]

11. Edward's foray into the limelight has just begun

We'll see how you and the candidate hold up.

[AP]

17. I'm really excited about this too.

[SangamonTaylor]

12. We need to make an ultimate thread

that is a compilation of all of the false or misleading attack threads on Edwards here at DU.

[AP]

18. Anti-Bush started a good one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=279430

There are some new recent lies which need to be added.

[Lex]

13. I remember when Edwards ran for Senator.

And everyone said he could never beat Lauch Faircloth and the Helms smear machine money.

Someone back then said, "Your first mistake is to underestimate John Edwards."

How true.

[Forkboy]

15. getting attacked in a campaign

is a sure sign you're doing something right. :)

[ShaneGR]

16. LOL, I know

At first I was like, what's going on here? They're attacking us and paying attention to us? WTF!

Then I was like, WOOHOO! We're contending and they're attacking us! YEEEEEAAHHHH!

[carolinayellowdog]

19. DU supporters of various candidates

I know it's not fair to judge a candidate by the antics of his supporters here, but they do have a psychological impact. While a Dean supporter myself I stumbled into offending his disciples and was truly aghast at the ensuing personal attacks and insults. Didn't make me stop supporting him, but after that there was always a sinking feeling in my gut at the sight of his name here. Then a bunch of Clark supporters apparently decided they would prove themselves meaner than the Dean supporters. More sinking feelings associated with a candidate I liked. Now some Kerry supporters are making wild accusations about Edwards's success in Wisconsin, with multiple posts and threads on that theme. If this keeps up, of course I will still vote for Kerry if he's the nominee-- but that sinking feeling associated with nasty supporters on DU will accompany my vote.

Edwards supporters' demeanor here has in my observation been generally more civil than that of other candidates' supporters, with the notable exception of Kucinich. That didn't figure into my deliberations during primary week when I decided to vote for Edwards-- at least not consciously. But I would hope that the candidate's style rubs off on his supporters here, and that we can maintain a higher standard of civility than the Dean, Clark, and (maybe now) Kerry factions.

[ShaneGR]

23. I think the important thing is to look past DU supporters

Focus on your candidates.

[roseba]

31. I can't speak for other groups

except the Clarkies. General Clark never was treated with kid gloves. First all you heard was Dean, then Kerry Edwards horserace. Most of the time, the media pretended Clark didn't exist and when they acknowledged him, they only did so to distort things or to demean him. Clarkies by in large, are very, very civil. But they have been very emotional of late, and they feel cheated out of a fair nomination promised to them as Americans. The people didn't speak. The media spoke, and the people complied.

[newyawker99]

35. Hi roseba!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[TexasSissy]

20. I hear ya. It was the same way with Clark.

As a Clark supporter, I was actually pleased to hear Clark's name bandied about, regardless of the reason, since he'd been virtually not mentioned in the media or by others for a long time. I didn't understand Dean complaining about being picked on...bet he'd give anything to be the lead topic and be picked on now. He had not experienced being invisible to know that being the lead story, for whatever reason, is better than there being no story at all.

So I know where you're coming from. Edwards is a big story now, and he'll be picked on. Not to worry. He seems to be pretty media savvy and quick on his feet and quick with the gilded word. He'll survive the attacks. Odds are against him becoming the nominee, but who knows? I like Edwards. I like Kerry, too. But our Texas primary isn't until 3/9, so I don't need to make up my mind now. It may be made up for us all before that time.

[ShaneGR]

21. If the nomination still isn't decided until then

Texas and Florida will decide.

[DjTj]

22. This is totally fun!

I love it! Bring it on!

[Lex]

24. The more Edwards shines

the shriller the criticisms get here for sure.

[MurikanDemocrat]

25. I am the Grand Madam of Skull and Bones

I gave the guys this week off.

Just wait ... we have many evil conspiracies in store for Edwards in the near future.

I've already told you too much.

BWAAAHAHAHAHAA!! :evilgrin:







PS. Congrats on the good showing last night. :thumbsup:

[ShaneGR]

26. Thank you Murikan!

I really appreciate that. You have no idea how much respect I have for Kerry, I just think my guy is better!

:headbang:

[MurikanDemocrat]

27. Have my reasons for choosing Kerry, but would have no problem with Edwards

May the best man win. :toast:

[ShaneGR]

28. Yes, never forget this is about one thing

Taking out Bush. We are all on the same side. But we fought hard for, and won our chance for a showdown. Nothing personal.

[MurikanDemocrat]

29. Agreed

:toast:

[ShaneGR]

30. Draft or bottle?

:grouphug:

[MurikanDemocrat]

32. Bottle

Meet you on Nov 2

[ShaneGR]

33. I'll be in one of two places

Somewhere in Mass. or somewhere in North Carolina.