Are There Any Substantiative Differences Between Kerry And Edwards?

[THUNDER HANDS]

Really?

Or is the race between them just going to come down to whether or not the Party wants as its standard-bearer - a Northerner or a Southerner?

Seems kinda pointless to me to try to argue electoral strategy with either guy.

We're just as much of a lock to win the Northeast as we are to lose the South.

And I don't believe Edwards is going to open the door to the South for us. So what do we have to gain with him as the nominee?

Unless there is some major, earth-shattering differences between these two candidates that pop up rather quickly, I can't see why we should throw our support behind the candidate with less experience and campaign skill.

Assuming both are equal on the issues, which I'm pretty sure they basically are.

So, what's the deal. Is this just going to be a class North v. South fight, or is there something really important that these two men differ on?

[Jersey Devil]

1. Well, there is the hair thing

I know it's not substantive, but I believe my theory will be the deciding factor at the end of the day.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=357666

[Walt Starr]

2. There is the fact that John Edwards is NOT John Kerry

Good enough reason for me to vote Edwards.

[JVS]

33. Score another one for Edwards!

ABK, brother!

[CalebHayes]

3. NAFTA

[Guaranteed]

9. LOL Edwards wasn't around to vote for it nt

[rucky]

11. We're not locked in, ya know.

he can pull us out of it.

[rucky]

4. NAFTA

and even then... any talk of reform is just blowing smoke. the WTO would overrule. We're either in or we're out. At least Edwards has discussed pulling out.

[xray s]

5. The differences are superficial in my opinion

But that is not to say they are not important, as a lot of people vote for very superficial reasons (ie I like/don't like his looks, I like/don't like his accent, I like/don't like his wife, he is/isn't someone I would like to drink a beer with...etc).

[AP]

6. Kerry can't make the middle class opportunity argument.

And Edwards not only can make the national security argument, but he can REALLY make the middle class opportunity argument, and he has a more solid legislative record backing it up, whereas Kerry's past is very intertwined with big corps.

[KittyWampus]

13. Edwards Won't Be Able To Effectively MENTION National Security

His "solid legislative" record means next to nothing in regards EXECUTIVE and LEADERSHIP issues.

And his "solid legislative" record is very SHORT.

In fact, Edwards supporters have touted his close to non-existant voting record as a plus.

Funny how you want to have it both ways.

And Kerry can make just as good a argument for Middle Class Opportunity as Edwards since he's been in the Senate FIGHTING for that for the last 15 years.

I may not like Kerry but I'll give him his due.

[SangamonTaylor]

20. Try this for national security.

Strengthening Efforts to Fight Bioterrorism

Edwards authored provisions of a bill that would strengthen homeland preparedness for a potential bioterrorism attack on our nation’s air, water and food supply. Edwards’ provision would improve stockpiled of vaccines and antibiotics, help state and local governments become better prepared for a bioterrorist attack, and increase food inspections. The bill provides $4.6 billion in funding, including $1.5 billion in funding to help states.


Protecting Our Computer Systems

In 2002, Senator Edwards authored two bills to thwart terrorist and criminal attacks on computer systems. Provisions from these bills were included in legislation signed into law, including provisions that would encourage federal agencies to increase computer security by disseminating a list of the best security practices, and requiring agencies to report their cybersecurity efforts to Congress. The legislation would also devote $25 million to increase the number of university professors researching cybersecurity, which would help fill the critical need for cybersecurity experts with fellowships and training programs.


Protecting America’s Seaports

Edwards worked to get key provisions to safeguard North Carolina’s ports included a bill passed by the Senate to improve seaport security. Because personnel at seaports currently have the resources to search only two percent of the cargo containers that entry the country every day, the Maritime Transportation Security Act was passed to fund security improvements to U.S. seaports. Edwards provisions would provide new funding for security infrastructure at seaports, establish Coast Guard high-speed boat patrols to protect vessels and ports from terrorist threats, and ensure that cargo entering the country has not been tampered with for criminal or terrorist purposes.

Improving Border Security

Edwards authored a provision passed as part of an anti-terrorism bill that requires the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies to develop sophisticated lookout databases. The legislation requires computer programs to match variations of the same names—keeping terrorists out of the country, while preventing innocent people from being wrongly accused of terrorism. During debate on the bill, Edwards worked to ensure that the strengthened security measures protect sensitive intelligence information from disclosure. The provision was part of the Enhanced Border Security Act, which was supported by Edwards, and also required intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. consulates regarding individuals who threaten U.S. security.

[AP]

41. It's all many want to talk about: IWR, PA, etc. etc.

Why cant' Edwards have that discussion? He's been having it endlessly.

[leftchick]

7. Has Edwards explained his Iraq War vote?

I hope it is better than Kerry's excuse....

[HFishbine]

28. Yes -- no excuses

MATTHEWS: <snip>

Let me ask but the war, because I know these are all students and a lot of guys the age of these students are fighting over there and cleaning up over there, and they’re doing the occupation.

Were we right to go to this war alone, basically without the Europeans behind us? Was that something we had to do?

EDWARDS: I think that we were right to go. I think we were right to go to the United Nations. I think we couldn’t let those who could veto in the Security Council hold us hostage.

And I think Saddam Hussein, being gone is good. Good for the American people, good for the security of that region of the world, and good for the Iraqi people.

MATTHEWS: If you think the decision, which was made by the president, when basically he saw the French weren’t with us and the Germans and the Russians weren’t with us, was he right to say, “We’re going anyway”?

EDWARDS: I stand behind my support of that, yes.

MATTHEWS: You believe in that?

EDWARDS: Yes.

MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about-Since you did support the resolution and you did support that ultimate solution to go into combat and to take over that government and occupy that country. Do you think that you, as a United States Senator, got the straight story from the Bush administration on this war? On the need for the war? Did you get the straight story?

EDWARDS: Well, the first thing I should say is I take responsibility for my vote. Period. And I did what I did based upon a belief, Chris, that Saddam Hussein’s potential for getting nuclear capability was what created the threat. That was always the focus of my concern. Still is the focus of my concern.

So did I get misled? No. I didn’t get misled.


http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3131295/

[knight_of_the_star]

31. So this is what you want?

A man who agrees with Bush on every step of the way in terms of the war?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

32. I sure don't. Talk about a 'yes' man

Edwards is clearly too inexperienced in these matters to be President.

[lastliberalintexas]

34. As opposed to the "experienced" Kerry who was fooled by Shrub?

Sorry, but I'll take the guy who has the cajones to stand behind his vote- even if it is one with which I disagree- rather than the one who wants to have it both ways.

A lot of good Kerry's experience did him if he couldn't see through the fog of this administration.

[HFishbine]

52. Oh, hell no

Not me. This is one reason why I will not vote for Edwards. If he should happen to choose an anti-war VP, I might, but short of that, there is no way I'd vote for someone who has a lower standard for pre-emptive war than George Bush.

[leftchick]

39. Well that just sucks....

I guess I go with Kerry then.

[uconnyc]

8. Edwards is humble and can relate to ordinary Americans

He is not a lifelong Washington elitist that feels the White House is owed to him.

He also has great charisma and inspires people.

He does not have political "baggage," and a wife that is a ticking time bomb.

He is not from the northeast and is not considered liberal.

He talks about race and poverty everywhere he goes. Those are central issues to his campaign

He does not take money from lobbyists

NAFTA

[KittyWampus]

15. Did We Ever Find Out About Edwards "Bundles"

nothing funnier than supporters of any candidate playing the sanctimonious card.

And yeah, he's not a Life Long Washington "elitist".

He's a wet-behind-the-ears Washington Elitist who couldn't get re-elected in his home state.

He doesn't have political "baggage"? Like voting for the IWR, NCLB, Patriot Act?

So you're saying he has little relevant experience to run for President. Why are you supporting him?

[Adelante]

43. Funny

I never saw Edwards as a "humble" person at all. He's got a lot of grit, a self-made multimillionaire, terrific confidence. If you mean humble beginnings, that whole myth strikes me as silly. His family started out stretched as most young families do, but they were middle class before long.

[aldian159]

44. How is Kerry's wife

"a ticking time bomb?"

Explain that to me, please.

[Guaranteed]

10. One's a southerner, and one was in Vietnam.

Also, one has a long Senate record, and one's a newcomer.

That's about it.

[For PaisAn]

17. That about sums it up

n/t

[OKNancy]

21. Kerry's liberal ( ADA) rating is higher

than Edwards.
http://www.adaction.org/Campaign2004/VotingHistory/votinghistory.html

[PurityOfEssence]

12. Rural voters and college students are two

He has initiatives to bring teachers to rural areas and provide better access to medical care. His college tuition plan is a real resonant with the middle and working class.

Let's not forget the decrying of predatory lending and usury; this is something that shows his acute awareness of the plight of the working poor. Whether one likes it or not, the origins issue is a big one: people vote for their champion, and one who comes from familiar surroundings is one who'll be more supported.

Read his platform; it's on his website and it's very detailed.

[MurikanDemocrat]

14. Let's be honest. The biggest difference between Kerry And Edwards

is that Kerry is the one "guilty" of taking front runner status away front Dean.

[MadHound]

16. No, both men make fine corporate whores

And I'm sure both will serve their corporate masters ably.

Just as I'm sure that both will continue to screw the average ordinary person, in that fine Clinton/New Dem/DLC tradition.

[corporatewhore]

18. JE is speaking out against NAFTA

how much he will do i dunno

[absyntheNsugar]

19. Big one: IWR

Kerry says it was a mistake
Edwards stands by his vote

This makes some support Edwards because of his conviction.

It makes me support Kerry, though.

I have lots of friends who thought Sadaam was this great threat, and now realizes he wasn't.

[wabeewoman]

26. Yep, this one speaks to me...

I can understand voting for it in error (although Byrd and many democrats didn't) but to still think it was the right thing to do??? It was a pre-emptive war against a 3rd rate nation which was NO threat to us. Edwards had better come up with something better as he loses me on this issue alone. It speaks to his understanding of foreign affairs and ability to understand threats. Also, I'm not sure Edwards is 'tough' enough to stand up to bush. Mr. Nice guy isn't going to play when bush starts the dirty stuff-he will have to fight back.

[HFishbine]

29. "Kerry says it was a mistake"

His IWR vote or the war itself? Can you direct me to something definitive on this? I've yet to see or hear Kerry be clear about this.

[JVS]

35. Edwards stands by his vote. Kerry erected a monument of waffles to his...

vote.

[absyntheNsugar]

46. Standing by a bad mistake

in which you were lied to is integrity?

Then please keep integrity out of the White House!

[JVS]

50. Kerry stands by his Iraq war vote whenever it is convenient to stand by it

[DjTj]

22. Edwards will clean up Washington...

He has the strongest platform for doing this out of any of the candidates. If Edwards wins, there WILL be real change in Washington:

Ban Lobbyists from Going Directly Into Top Government Jobs. Edwards would bar individuals who acted as federal lobbyists in the preceding 12 months from taking senior executive jobs with responsibility for the subject areas on which they lobbied. A chemical industry lobbyist could not take a job with responsibility for chemical industry regulation, for example.


Reinstate the Five-Year Ban on Lobbying by Former Top Officials. Like John Kerry, Edwards would reinstate the five-year ban on top executive branch officials becoming lobbyists. He would apply this ban to all top-level officials throughout the executive branch, including officials at independent agencies and in the United States Military.

Sunshine for Lobbyists Law. Edwards will require lobbyists to specifically disclose every two weeks which members of Congress or executive branch officials they met with, what specific regulatory or legislative matters they discussed, and what money they spent on that lobbying and how they spent it. Such information would be posted on the Internet immediately, in time to affect the matters at hand.

Sunshine on Expert Witnesses. Witnesses regularly testify at congressional hearings without disclosing all their clients or financial supporters with an interest in the matters at issue. Edwards will require witnesses to make these disclosures.

President Bush’s prescription drug and energy bills contain billions in giveaways to drug and energy companies whose lobbyists have collected millions in donations for Bush’s campaigns. Among the presidential candidates, only John Edwards has never taken a dime from federal lobbyists or Political Action Committees, and he never will. Edwards will ban members of Congress and the president from taking campaign contributions from federally registered lobbyists.

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/cleaning-up-washington.asp

[DuctapeFatwa]

23. Edwards is shorter, has a southern accent and more manageable hair

Kerry also has a face that lends itself more readily to cartoons.

[gottaB]

24. yes, really

here's one summary:

CPQ by Cal


Vote Smart Scorecards for Kerry

Vote Smart Scorecards for Edwards

What constitutes a major earth-shattering difference for you? On the issues I care deeply about, Kerry has the better record, and the better platform.

[adadem]

25. Add to that

experience. Our foreign policy is in shatters. We are hated abroad. Kerry has the experience that Edwards lacks. I like Edwards and could easily vote for him but he just doesn't have the experience in government and world affairs that Kerry has.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. and add to that

experience. (it counts for double if not triple points!)

as I said before

[lastliberalintexas]

30. Gun control

Not that this issue will play well for Edwards here at DU, but his stands on gun control make him more palatable to certain areas of the country. We shouldn't lose the blue collar "gun nut" vote in states like Louisiana and West Virginia, and maybe some Western states, if Edwards is the nominee. If Kerry is the nominee, that REPUBLICAN woman named Sarah Brady will be hung around his neck like an albatros.

[gottaB]

36. On the contrary

Kerry is a credible voice for sensible gun control. Genuine gun nuts are going to vote against whomever wins the nomination. Ordinary gun owners will be less suspicious of Kerry, despite his record of voting for gun control, because he has projected an image of a hunter and outdoorsman. That image will be enough to give him the edge, to get independent gun owners to consider voting for a Dem.

[lastliberalintexas]

37. Not in the South

And I'm talking about DEMS who care very much about the gun issue- not repubs. Kerry is seen (rightly or wrongly) as a gun grabber while Edwards is not. So while I don't think that either of these men would pull in repubs based on this issue, I think that Edwards is less likely to drive Dem voters away based on this issue.

[Exgeneral]

38. HUGE GIGANTIC AUDACIOUS HAIRY DIFFERENCE

Kerry can't beat *
Edwards can.

Do your best spin on that oK?

[David Zephyr]

40. One Is A Rich, White, Heterosexual, Male Democratic Senator

from the East Coast that voted for the Patriot Act and the Iraqi War Resolution and "No Child Left Behind" and the other one is.......

exactly the same.

[goobergunch]

47. Yeah

And don't forget the Homeland Security Act.

[curse10]

42. Death Penalty

which is why Edwards is not my first choice. He's for it. Kerry's against it.

[Adelante]

45. Jesus

Pat Buchanan is saying how he supports Edwards' campaign. Peggy Noonan said it the other night. Where oh where will this end? Next thing you know, George W. Bush will step down in favor of Edwards. :puke:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

51. Hmmm. Sounds like Edwards is runner up to Dean

in the Bush set up for easy victory. :puke:

[Guava Jelly]

48. Security

Dubya believes his strongest issue for re(likehewaselectededthefirsttime)election is security America needs to feel safe.They have had 3 years of fear shoved down Americas throats and people believe what they are told.
Democrats have the albatross as fake and untrue as it is as being weak on defense.So What do ya pick A War hero or a trial lawyer?
I like Edwards he's a good man i can tell he actually cares.
But in a toe to toe election fight against the Chimp a decorated war hero is more attractive to moderates who actually pick our Pres. then a trial lawyer.

[Digit]

49. Yankees for Edwards

There have been some very worthwhile contenders in this race thus far.
For whatever reason, justified or not, they are not in the running as of now.
IMHO I fervently believe John Edwards is able to inspire more people and beat George Bush.
If you look at where he was a year ago...virtually unknown, to where he is now, you can see the power this man has. People BELIEVE in him and he has been a large part of the new optimism just recently developing that can turn America around.
Keep our jobs at home!
It is about time....
John Edwards has demonstrated integrity in his political dealings thus far, which cannot be said for the other side.
John Kerry is a fine politician and his strong suit may be his long political history, but that just may be what does him in, in the end.
That is troubling. I don't want to see any last minute revelations that would hurt our chances to beat Bush.
I would be proud to see John Edwards interact with other world leaders on our behalf. We all have seen what wonderful persuasive powers he has, and he does it with CLASS!
Oh please, let us restore integrity and class to the White House.
Go JE!
Signed,
A Yankee

[molly]

53. Foreign policy experience.