Why John Edwards Must be the Democratic Nominee

[JohnLocke]

Why John Edwards Must be the Democratic Nominee
By Michael Fox
----
Gore isn't running. So we must consider who the very best candidate is, on the key points of this election:

Win-ability

Polled head-to-head against each of the leading Republican presidential nominees, John Edwards wins each match-up by 5 points more than Hillary Clinton. As there must be no margin for error this time, that is truly significant.

In the most recent Republican forum (one couldn't call these burlesques a debate), every one of the Republicans - who were at this particular event to woo the "values voters" by proving their bona fides in misogyny, homophobia, and the need to pack heat invoked the name of Hillary Clinton - as though she were the only Democrat they face - 29 times! Evidently, they are armed and ready for only one opponent, and we mustn't give them her to chew up. She, meanwhile is cautiously trying to sound like them.

Corporate pirates' worst nightmare

Big business has been given a free pass by the supply-side globalization crowd since Ronald Reagan got into office, and in those 26 years what they have achieved is the ruin of the American middle class, the destruction of trade unionism, and the creation of a wealthy class that functions beyond law, beyond taxes, and beyond recourse. One percent of our population now lives lifestyles that the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire couldn't even have dreamed of. While Bill Clinton did much good, he also, working most of his term with a Republican congress - favored the very economic policies that have got us to this point. Hillary hasn't proven she doesn't have identical economic philosophies. Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover would be smiling, as the policies they advocated were much the same, and look where that got us. Similarly, the media elites want to expand their oligopoly of ownership, and therefore define our entire national political and cultural discourse.

No more! It is now time, as in 1932 for Franklin Roosevelt, to bring in a leader who not only knows how to call large corporations to the mat for their misdeeds and abuses, but is willing to ASK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SACRIFICE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE REBUILDING OF THIS COUNTRY. It is time for those companies that have "moved their corporate headquarters offshore", usually to a post-office box in the Cayman Islands, but sometimes - like Halliburton recently did -to Dubai, to be taxed where their real offices are, here in the United States. If they don't like it, they lose their government contracts.

I have followed the campaigns closely, and while I don't agree with every point Edwards makes (Civil Unions for gay couples? C'mon John, just go the extra step..), I have said for several years that after the utter disaster visited upon our country, our constitution, our treasury, our military (where does the list end?) we need an FDR to recreate a middle class, to restore social safety nets, to recalibrate the balance of wealth, and to reinvigorate the populace; to make us feel we are united again. And restore our goodwill in the world community.

The media have decided to tell us that Hillary Clinton is the next President, and that may yet happen. But those same media - print, television, and radio, specifically - have not yet heard from the people. John Edwards inspires me, and, while it certainly would be nice to see a different kind of face in the oval office, neither Clinton nor Obama have the courage, it seems, to come out and tell the American people what John Edwards is saying, which is the kind of message that recalls the participatory pleas of FDR and JFK: Putting this country back together is going to take something from all of us - me and you - together and individually. In return for the sacrifices, we will get a reborn America, with energy independence, universal healthcare, adequate education funding, and a return to world leadership; the kind of leadership that comes from earning the world's respect rather than its disdain.

This is a snippet (maybe 4 minutes) of an interview Edwards did with Bill Maher, in which Edwards talks about the importance of a leader asking the people to sacrifice (in this case for energy independence). Wanna see what a President looks and sounds like? WATCH ...and consider the importance of this vote. Electability is key, and he's got it, and we need it.

One last thought: Elizabeth Edwards would make the best First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt, but I'll discuss her in another article.

Michael Fox is a writer based in Los Angeles. He has no connection to the Edwards campaign.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_michael__071108_why_john_edwards_mus.htm

[99th_Monkey]

1. Edwards definitely has my vote ... in the General Election

if he's the nominee I'll be delighted.

Meanwhile, I'm sticking with the Little Guy from Ohio in the Primary.

[MethuenProgressive]

10. I'll vote for him if he's nominated. But he'll get killed in the general.

The GOP will chew him up and spit him out, and we'll have 8 more years of Republican control of the White House. He's a proven loser, and I'm postive our party isn't stupid enough to buy the crap he's selling.
You want another Mike Dukakis? Vote for Johnny Edwards.

[pauldg0]

15. No...a GREAT MANAGER...People are now starting to think!!

YOU ARE GIVING UP ON THIS MAN..............


THINK ABOUT IT!!!

John Edwards has raised the least amount of campaign funds than anybody.....mostly from common folks. He packs the BIGGEST PUNCH for the small amount bucks he has received!!!!!

FOLKS, JOHN EDWARDS IS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WITH HIS MONEY!! HE WILL BE A GREAT PRESIDENT AS HE IS A GREAT MANAGER. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW HE WILL MANAGE OUR MONEY???!!! HE WILL DEFINITELY SURROUND HIMSELF WITH GREAT PEOPLE AS HE ALREADY HAS TO MANAGE AMERICA.

[goodgd_yall]

23. Welcome to DU, pauldg0!

:hi:

[asdjrocky]

31. Welcome to the DU...

Nice to have another Edwards supporter.

[Hieronymus]

69. I'll be voting for John Edwards in the primary .. for sure.

[Naturyl]

2. Edwards is a stronger and stronger #2 for me.

I'd be totally okay with Edwards as the nominee. But I'm supporting Kucinich for the duration, whatever that might be. The post is well-argued, though. I'd have no problem if it got Edwards some new support.

[anniebelle]

3. The more I hear from Edwards, and it's not easy to hear over

all the pundits far and wide, the more I like his vision for our country and the world. I don't like his stand on civil unions for gay couples, but seriously folks, if he came out and said he doesn't have a problem with marriage for gays, all the holier-than-thou candidates will be all over it. It'll be his doom. You think for a minute Pat Robertson and his little band of haters and no-do-gooders will let that pass? I firmly believe John Edwards is the only candidate that can win nationwide. I live on the buckle of the bible belt and the people I run into every day are so afraid of somebody "not from these parts" might become president (code for not white and not a man). It's just sickening to see how our great nation selects the most important leader in the WORLD! I'm still listening to points from all candidates, but it's harder and harder to hear what's real and what's pundit-talk.

[saltpoint]

4. (post redirected to OP)

[saltpoint]

5. John Edwards is a good man.

Agree also on Elizabeth Edwards.

There's been a significant uptick in the intensity of the campaign this past week. Edwards is at the crest of the swell and with less than 2 months to go before the Iowa vote, his chances remain strong.

I like him. He gets my vote in the primary. He'd be very strong against any of the GOP candidates in the general.

[MethuenProgressive]

11. Walter Mondale, good man. Mike Dukakis, good man. John Kerry, good man.

Al Gore, better man. I'm tired of losing. I don't want another 'nice guy' - I want someone who will pound the GOP into the dirt and dance on their grave.

[Think82]

13. Well, since you asked....

Biden's already been pounding Guliani and Romney. Maybe we should nominate the guy who's already taking the best shots at their candidates?

[polichick]

21. And you think Bill Richardson is the one who can do that...

...."pound the GOP into the dirt and dance on their grave?"

[youthere]

58. I can do one better...

Joe Biden will not only "pound the GOP into the dirt and dance on their graves" he also will pull support left leaning support from them.

[Hieronymus]

65. The GOP is praying that Hillary will be the nominee.

[Ninga]

6. An Ohio vote for John Edwards. If he is able to overcome the $$$ and the polls he will

be a stellar President.

Given his background and work experience and work history, I thought long ago that he would approach this endeavor with a "game plan".

And as the dynamic and ebb and flow of the primary campaign season has unfolded, he has not wavered, did not launch his media buys until he was ready and has demonstrated that he is rock steady and tough.

The video of the Mellencamp concert (absent sound) clearly illuminated his modesty and self awareness.

That is because he understands the audience he is standing in front of....be it teachers, union members, auto workers, executives or other politicians.

It is a gift.

It is time we have a President who displays such sensitivity and awareness.


:patriot:

[saltpoint]

7. I love this post.

Bravo and thank you.

[Ninga]

8. You are a dear....it's not me...it's Edwards...he's the one who provided the inspiration.

:loveya:


It's a perfect morning for a :donut:

[saltpoint]

9. Dammit, there you go being nice to people again on DU's boards.

What kind of attitude is THAT in a political primary season!?!

Winter's just around the corner, and that means the snowflakes and primary and caucus votes will both be flying through the air.

I'm psyched!

[Yael]

12. Good post. Thanks for that perspective

:hi:

[Nutmegger]

28. Very good post, thank you.

It was so well done, I bookmarked it.

[McCamy Taylor]

14. K&R

[Omaha Steve]

16. Another K&R

On to Jan. 3rd.

[tucsonlib]

17. Yes, but.....

I get the uncomfortable feeling that the author, along with most of the folks replying to this post, have never even heard of Dennis Kucinich. Truth is, if you like Edwards, you'll love Kucinich. The only candidate not beholding to corporate donors. The only candidate in favor of not-for-profit universal health care. The only man with the courage to bring a bill of impeachment to the floor of the House. And on, and on.
Sure, I'll vote for Edwards if he's the candidate. But right now he's my distant second choice.

[vanboggie]

20. Don't think so

You can put your uncomfortable feeling away. I think we've all heard of Dennis. Maybe there's suppose to be a :sarcasm: there that I didn't catch?

I like Kucinich, but I like Edwards better. DK has guts, great ideas, and yes the courage to bring impeachment to the floor. But I like John Edwards better as a Presidential candidate for the reasons in this article coupled with my own gut feeling about the man's character. I also think his eloquence in getting his points across (among other reasons) make him the type of candidate we need right now.

[Skittles]

36. huh

I don't care for the kind of "character" that would vote for IWR - it will always sicken me

[vanboggie]

75. Is this DU?

Geez, I like Kucinich, but overall my choice is Edwards. I sure as h*ll am not going to run down Kucinich, because I like him, too. The Edwards IWR vote is a downside, yes, but overall I still like John Edwards and think he has the best chance.

I don't have much faith that any of it is going to matter anyway. Rove's no doubt in the shadows plotting the 2008 steal. I see a Clinton-Thompson showdown. How else can they explain neo-cons "winning" in 2008 and with another idiot puppet at that? The country wasn't ready for a woman, they'll say - especially another Clinton.

Yeah, I'm jaded. I also think our best shot is Edwards.

[NorthCarolina]

18. I'm Sticking with Kucinich for the Primary but

if Edwards is the nominee, I'll give him a second look (unless DK runs as a Green or other 3rd Party candidate). I won't vote for a Repug period, but I won't simply vote "party" for the sake of voting "party". I'm really pinning my hopes and dreams on the little guy from Ohio though as he speaks to most of what I want to hear from a candidate. If Kucinich wins, we'll also know that the voting machines weren't rigged...."killing two birds with one stone" if you ask me.

[smalll]

19. "Win-ability?" --

Mr. 28,000 square foot house? Mr. "I-joined-a-hedge-fund-to-learn-about-poverty?" Mr. Ambulance-Chaser-cum-Used-Car-Salesman? Captain "All My Life" Hyperbole with the $400 haircut?
http://xs217.xs.to/xs217/07284/CaptainHyperbole!.jpg
It is to laugh!
Personally, I'm also beginning to get annoyed with his grammatical redundancy: his talk about "transformational change" and more recently (as at the Jefferson/Jackson Dinner) his talk about the "trust relationship" between the President and the people - you just need the "trust" not the extraneous "relationship!"

[Laurab]

22. I'm not an Edwards supporter but really - the first part of your post

would be more at home on Freeper republic, I think. What does his house or his haircut have to do with ANYTHING about being President? I had actually thought those non-issues were gone a couple of months ago, so I was kind of surprised to see them in a post.

There are a couple of people I like far more than Edwards, but there are some good points made in the OP, and I was amazed to see a post about haircuts and houses as a response - thought I was on the wrong board for a minute.

[Divine Discontent]

24. LOL

this is when I smile at DU... whoever you're responding to is on my ignore list for making dozens of anti-edwards posts, and apparently, they still are.

[jgraz]

25. Wait -- that wasn't a JOKE?

:wtf:

[Laurab]

27. I can tell you this much - you're not missing anything! n/t

[GreenArrow]

47. 303,349,750

That's the U.S. population as of this moment. I suspect that there is a considerable difference of opinon about Edwards among those 303,349,750 persons, ranging from complete ignorance of his existence, to adulation, to scorn, to indifference and points in between too numerous to delineate. His house and his haircut may not have anything to do with his being President, but they may also (as I tend to believe) say something about his character, judgement and values, not to mention taste.

[skyblue]

39. Edwards does have an image issue but

I was thinking he's too warm and fuzzy. I think he'd overcome the ambulance chaser stereotype, but he's stereotyped too easily as a liberal and would be too vulnerable to attacks. While helping the poor is noble (as it should be!) , I doubt that's a strong selling point to voters. Plus, he has a bit less experience than the other candidates. He is very likeable tho'.

[venable]

46. if you call him an ambulance chaser, you don't have enough knowledge to judge him

his law career was the opposite of this derogatory crap. read a book. maybe start with Four Trials, or look up NYT coverage of his law career.
take this lie somewhere else.

[GreenArrow]

48. "Four Trials"

That's certainly unbiased.

[defendandprotect]

26. If we manage to elect Edwards or Kucinich...they're going to need powerful protection of public ---

Remember what they did to Clinton --- they were working on overturning his presidency before he even set foot in the WH.

Keep in mind --- they did the same thing to Carter --- I'm not saying they caused the taking of the hostages --- but they USED that issue mightly --- and I'm quite suspicious of the damage to the helicpoters in the rescue efforts by Carter --- unbelievable!!!

And, then, the October Surprise ---

What do these neo-fascists have at stake now . .. more than before --- !!!!

[Mark D.]

29. With All Respect

To Edwards who'd be a better choice than any in the GOP, I still
say - to his 'standing up to corporations' - having read his site,
his health plan still empowers the insurance companies. Ideas
of buying pools to fight costs just isn't enough. Single payer
is the only way and I worry puting in a plan like he or any of
the others but Kucinich offers means 'the end of the effort'.

And we are stuck with a slighly better, but still getting all
the more expensive plan, covering everyone but leaving the
profit-based system intact for years. Maybe decades more.

In his debate with Cheney he really wimped out. I would not
see Biden or Dodd or Kucinich doing that. No way. While it
may not bode well for Dennis based on stupid reasons why
folks won't vote for him. Dodd or Biden have more of a
chance, electability wise. Fewer targets like 'hair',
or having lost before, or all of Hillary's baggage
or a racist 'surge' that'll vote AGAINST Obama.

[Divine Discontent]

30. I was let down with his performance in the debate also

he seems much more in touch and focused and not so green this time... running for president takes time, and I think it's his time. good thoughts though on your comment.

[zalinda]

34. Edwards' health care plan has been noted

by Paul Krugman as the best plan. While Kucinich's plan is great in theory,it will never get off the ground. It puts too many people out of work and up ends the whole entire medical system. With Edwards plan you have insurance companies AND government plans (like what government employees have now). You as the consumer can pick which plan. What this does is it starves out the for profit health insurance companies, over a period of time. They will be put in competition with the government. Some will always opt for private health insurance, but they will probably consist of those who want special perks, whatever the insurance companies can think of as luxuries. And, as the people switch over to the government plan, it will be like putting it in social security like funds. These funds can be used to help insure those who can't afford insurance. The insurance will then become less of a drain on government.

As for when he was running for Vice President, he was told what to say and how to say it. A Vice Presidential candidate is NOT his own man, just like a representative is not. You take on the position knowing that there will be restrictions on what you can do. I think this is one of the reasons Edwards did not run again for Senator. I think he hated the fact that he couldn't do what he wanted to do.

zalinda

[bpeale]

55. great explanation zalinda!

i could never quite figure out how to word the description of his health plan as you did. the objective IS to starve out those for profit insurance companies by forcing them to compete with the government or go out of business. i think his plan is the best of all of them & will lead to universal healthcare over time.

[NorthCarolina]

63. Yeah, and the Government

and the Insurance Companies would never ever collude to take advantage of the public for profit (tongue in cheek there). I'm not quite sure I buy the "We'll starve out the Insurance Companies" strategy, but of course that is just me and obviously you folks see it differently which is cool.

Of course other countries have made the switch to Universal Single-Payer Health Care For All, so I think if our leaders REALLY REALLY took their little pencils, got them some wide lined paper, scratched their heads (and butts if need be), they might actually be able to figure out how to do it too. That is of course assuming that they really wanted to do something beneficial for "the people they represent". In fact, it's already been done FOR them and it is contained in House Resolution 676.

I have yet to hear even one good reason offered up to explain why it would be beneficial to the masses to KEEP the for-profit Insurance companies as a middleman between a patient and their doctor. Not one.

It's easy to make a claim like a previous poster did that eliminating Insurance Companies would create "Upheaval" in the Health Care Industry. Big scary claim, but what study is this accusation based on, where is the study data that emphatically supports this charge. or is it just ones own "intellectual cyphering" (I thunk it so it must be so)?

For me, I know the country doesn't need For Profit Insurance companies to provide decent health care to everyone. Other nations the world over have shown me that so it's seems as kind of a "no brainer". But be that as it may, for those out there in America that think you really really do still need a "for-profit insurance company" to tell you whether or not your next colonoscopy is a "covered" expense, well god still loves you I guess.

Fact is, an "insurance mandate" placed upon Americans with punitive damages for non-compliance with enforcement will only serve to make folks who are even now three months behind on the rent, and utilities the ones to suffer damages. Lets see, will it be food, or the phone bill, or the rent, or should I stay legal and pay for this insurance? Hmmmm....tough choice, and those exact tough choices go on every single minute of every single day, and from sea to shining sea in this country.

So, will I vote to put further burden on these folks who are struggling day to day to even feed their families? You can bet I won't. My vote is WAY more important than just "me". My vote is also about the millions and millions of American families who have been devastated by things like NAFTA, or Natural Disasters, or health issues that have cost them everything they own, those who are teetering between feeding their children or putting a roof over their head. Don't kid yourself, there are millions of them in this country and NO they are not illegal aliens, but rather red blooded- dyed in the wool Americans. I see them every day, and so do you unless you never leave your nearest Country Club Estates.

I fully intend to cast my vote for that feisty little guy from Ohio, the one that's buggin' Pelosi like a popcorn kernel stuck between her teeth that she just can't seem to get out. The one that looks America in the eye and says we CAN have universal Single Payer Not For Profit health care for all in this country. Who says we must Emilinate NAFTA, not merely "Revise" it, and get out of the WTO to boot. The one that is honest enough to shine a light for America on the dirty side of DC politics, of which there is plenty. The guy that is taking a stand for America, and moreover for the America We Deserve To Be.

To me it comes down to (a) Vote for a Washington insider candidate, or (b) Vote for a true Patriot of American Values and Compassion. For me, I choose the latter.

Kucinich 08...Right Then...Right Now...Right For America

[zalinda]

74. It's great that other countries have been able to

do governmental health insurance en mass, but their population (60 million UK) and ours (300 million) is not quite the same. Their health system and ours in the beginning and now, not quite the same. They have had their system in place since 1948 (UK), big difference in population then and now. For a country to go from where we are, to where they are over night, would take a miracle worker, and Kucinich could never bring it off, no offense. The thing is NO ONE could bring it off, not even Edwards. This is why Krugman said Edwards plan is the best, because it eases us into the plan.

And let's not forget government has been handling Social Security pretty well all these years.

Btw, I am one of those people who would have to decide if to pay for rent or health insurance. But, I trust Edwards to make the right choice on who pays and who doesn't.

"To me it comes down to (a) Vote for a Washington insider candidate, or (b) Vote for a true Patriot of American Values and Compassion. For me, I choose the latter." Tell me how many years has Kucinich been in Washington? Edwards opted out after 6 years when he didn't like the way the game was played. So, who's the insider?

zalinda

[NorthCarolina]

76. I Think it's Obvious

who the "insider" is, and it sure isn't Kucinich. HR 676 clearly details exactly how the plan would work, how it would be paid for, how the transition would work, and who would be covered (everyone). You should really take the time to read it. I did, and I think it's doable. So I guess it's just my worldly opinion against your worldly opinion.

By the way, Kucinich has been in DC for one term as a Senator and six consecutive terms as a Congressman. Edwards had one lackluster term in the Senate, and he opted out NOT because he didn't like inside politics (I have no idea where you came up with that doosey), but rather because there was not an ice cubes chance in hell at reelection for him here in NC.

[Mark D.]

86. I Agree

I can't defend the insurance company based plans. I worked for several insurance
companies. They can't be trusted. They DO give perks to those who deny claims
& they DO warn or fire those, as sure as they kick doctors off the plan, that'll
be too 'nice' to patients. It is that simple. I do not buy Edwards plan as one
to starve the companies. Given their plan or govt. we'd all just choose govt.
and starve them quick but I don't honestly think that will happen under his
plan. At best that may slightly reduce certain costs. Others will continue
to rise, and coverage will continue to get skimpy. Single payer is made
so those down sides to for-profit insurance simply cannot thrive then.

[bjobotts]

32. Are you on drugs. Any democrat nominated will win the general...ANY.

After the horrors of Bush and the present GOP field being such a joke...god what is wrong with you people? Stop letting the press (who makes more money the more they can convince everyone the race is close or will be) make you paranoid about this so you end up choosing who you think will "win the general" instead of just the best democratic candidate. Read my fucking lips...WHOEVER WINS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT...PERIOD.

Kucinich represents the only real change. He's brave, courageous and right on ALL the issues.
Remember it was Edwards (and I love Edwards) who said stupid stuff like..."would you want the same people who handled Katrina handling your health care?" on National health care. (hell no goober, they should all be fired, I want efficient people handling the national health care not incompetents. The idea is to make government better, more efficient, not say we can't because government is incompetent). I don't think he realized what he was saying.
Same interview, Edwards on impeachment..."I don't think it's what the American people want...it would take up so much time and it would be a waste of time and keep congress from passing laws". (Really, too busy to stand for the constitution and put a stop to the law breaking this administration continues on a daily basis. Making them accountable for all the horrors they've brought on the world and the American people is wasting time. What is the downside for the democrats in showing what lies and crimes this administration has gotten away with? Do we not have time for justice anymore John?) But I'm convinced John could be persuaded to change his mind once he had a debate with us about it.
Kucinich gets to the point with National not for profit, single payer national health care and he offers to have impeachment a national discussion and debate. He promises to have Bush/Cheney arrested his first day in office. He is the only real change. We let Gore get by us...I sure hope we don't do the same with Kucinich.

Kucinich/Edwards '08...the only real change...the truth ticket..they can't be bought. The GOP and the corporations are trying to pretend they don't exist and hope , with the MSM's help, that you will do the same.

[Mark D.]

33. Not So Quick

I want to believe that. Just like that white haired fellow ... who makes the
comedy-techno videos around here 'celebrating' the demise of the GOP tho
it hasn't happened & may not happen in 2008. Remember who most of the
touch screen manufacturers support and that they will go to no length to
scare the cavemen who make up most of the right wing supporters and
will never miss voting. 'Vote GOP!! Or gay abortionists will force you to
adopt a welfare crack baby & convert to Islam!' We laugh at this but
it's done all the time because it works all the time on them. Really...
Edwards does have potential, personally, I think Biden would be way
harder to topple, and would crush Gulianni in debates more than any
other. But then, he's probably not going to get the nomination, as
my 1st pick (Dennis Kucinich) likely won't either ... unfortunately.

[zalinda]

35. I seriously doubt anyone who gets the dem nod

will win. This will be a hard fought battle, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Kucinich would never win in the general. While his heart is in the right place, he comes off too much like an old hippie. While old hippies are cool (I'm one of them), most people will not vote for him. Too peacenik, which means he will not respond to a terrorist attack. He doesn't eat meat, how un-American. He's been married 3 times, could any of those past wives be bought to trash him (remember swift boat). A lot of his "plans" are really unworkable. I have not heard anything on HOW he intends to have national health care, you can't just command it into place. And let's not forget the UFO thing. He is too much out of the main stream to get elected to president. Just think back to high school, who won the class president election, the jock or the nerd? This is still a high school country, like it or not, and Kucinich wouldn't have a chance.

And if you remember Dukakis, the cartoonists had a field day with him, and probably sunk his career, they would be 10 times as cruel to Kucinich.

zalinda

[NorthCarolina]

71. You Haven't Hear HOW Kucinich would do it?

The answer of exactly HOW he intends to do it is a matter of "Public Record", and is very detailed in exactly HOW. You can find it easily on the web by searching for a transcript of House Resolution 676.

The internet can be a wonderful wealth of information to learn things you DIDN'T even know before you go out and start splaining' candidates positions and capabilities. Just a thought.

[zalinda]

73. That's what I get from most of the candidates

supporters, and that's why he doesn't have a chance. You send me some where and tell me to read some thing. If you can't tell me in a few sentences how it's going to be done, then how are you going to communicate that to the voters. Ask an Edwards supporter the exact same thing, and they will tell you, what he wants and how he's going to do it. You ALWAYS keep it simple when talking to a voter.

zalinda

[NorthCarolina]

77. Doesn't Seem That If I Told You

the mechanics of HR 676 that it would really make much of a difference to you in your regard to DK. If something like National Health Care were really of interest/concern to you in this campaign, you would actively seek out such information as HR 676 and what it is about now wouldn't you? Rather it's just easier to look for the one candidate who can condense some BS on such a major and complicated issue into a few sound bites for public consumption.

No wonder this country is going down the shitter.

[zalinda]

78. And my response is if you can't explain it to me

how will you explain it to millions of people who don't even listen half the time to what's being said by candidates. You seem to miss the point that we here on DU are the ones who are interested in politics, the general public not as much, if at all. I won't support Kucinich because he has a snowball's chance in hell in winning the general. Face it, he ran last time, and how far did he go. Does anyone except political junkies even know who he is? You can tell me how great he is all you want, but the plain simple fact is that of ALL the candidates he has less name recognition than all of them, and he's run before. What is different this time?

I don't get it Kucinich runs a second lack luster Presidential campaign and he's a "fighter". But these same people would be all up Kerry's ass if he ran again because he's a loser. He ran a "bad campaign" and all the other BS that goes along with it. Kucinich would be lucky to get 1/4 the vote that Kerry had. Kucinich is on par with Nader, Gravel and Ron Paul......only a few percent would ever vote for him. Remember the little man with all the charts, Ross Perot, he even bought 1/2 hour of TV and he still only got 10% of the vote. Could Kucinich do the same, I doubt it.

I am pragmatic, I have looked at all of the candidates and assessed their chances and Edwards is the only one that came out on top. He is left of all the other candidates except for Gravel and Kucinich, but he doesn't come off like he's so far left that people wouldn't vote for him. I think he'll even be able to pick up some repub votes, Kucinich would never get that.

zalinda

[sss1977]

37. I'd vote for Edwards...

In the General, but not in the primaries. Kucinich has my vote there.

[BringBigDogBack]

38. I am a new found Edwards supporter...

He's really impressed me the last few months.

Obama is now my #2 guy.

[liberal hypnotist]

40. I'm off the fence and in John's corner!

I believe John Edwards is the best choice for a true democratic president.

[Czolgosz]

41. Emailing this to friends and relatives in Iowa (they already support Edwards so this will reinforce)

[Czolgosz]

42. This POSITIVE thread has about 50 recommendations; the negative opposite thread has 1. Cool!

[mtnsnake]

43. Every positive Edwards thread gets umpteen recommendations because of rampant dishonesty here

What happens is the Edwards clique has a "private" agreement amongst everyone that they are to recommend ANY positive Edwards thread they come across, whether or not it holds a drop of water. If the recommendations don't come in fast enough, a couple Edwards idolizers then email all their friends and the recommendations start piling in. The same thing used to happen all the time with the Kerry threads and everyone on DU knows it.

There are a couple well-known DU posters who post Edwards thread after Edwards thread 24/7 and each and every one of them is always filled to the brink with recommendations. Not all, but many of the Edwards clique are just as phoney as Edwards himself, as evidenced by so manyy of the trivial threads that get voted to the GP.

[PVnRT]

44. OMGZ TEH CONSPIRACY

[mtnsnake]

45. What I said is the truth and you know it. Every Edwards thread is padded w/token recommendations

by people who can't make up their minds on their own.

Any Edwards supporter could post that John Edwards flossed his teeth successfully and it would probably get 5 recommendations.

[PVnRT]

54. And obviously it's only supporters of Edwards who do that

Especially not your candidate, who is as pure as the driven snow and whose supporters are the very definition of ethical and pious.

Furthermore, why are knocking flossing? It's very important for proper dental hygiene. Do you WANT American children's teeth rotting out, or what?

[Stop Cornyn]

49. Waaaaa!

[last_texas_dem]

52. Well damn all of you elitist Edwards supporters...

...shutting me out of your private agreement to bestow recommends on all of the "pro-Edwards" posts! I see how much you value my support now. :sarcasm:

Really, this whole idea of some "private agreement" is just ridiculous. I lean towards supporting Edwards and occasionally rec a pro-Edwards thread, but no one is telling me to do a damn thing, and I highly doubt any other Edwards supporters are being told what to do by a "clique" either. Perhaps Edwards threads just get mor recs because he has more supporters on DU? And if your point is that Edwards threads aren't being rec'd based on their merits but just because the people rec'ing favor Edwards- well, I'm sure that is sometimes true, as it is also true for those rec'ing threads supporting other candidates. But when was rec'ing threads ever entirely based on the merits or strength of a post? This isn't and has never been the case on DU.

[slick8790]

64. a vast edwards-wing conspiracy, eh?

[parkerll]

50. Nope

I will not vote for someone who not only voted for the invasion but cosponsored a bill to do so. I want a candidate with 20/20 foresight (not 20/20 hindsight).

I'll write in Kucinich if I have to. I'm through capitulating to elect corporate tools.

[mtnsnake]

53. I agree with you about Kucinich. Edwards talks out of both sides of his mouth

Now that he can't vote because he's unemployed, he brags about how he would end the war and blah blah blah, but notice how he never brags about the fact that he co-sponsored the Iraq War Resolution itself, along with a handful of other warmongers just like him at the time. And then this doublespeaking phoney has the gall to suggest that he's a saint now because he admits to his "mistake" of voting aye for the war. No wonder hardly no one trusts this guy. I love how guilty people so commonly make "mistakes" and then apologize for them only when it's poitically safe for them to do so, hoping to clear their name. What a farce.

[GreenArrow]

59. Brother, you must believe!

The Best Is Yet to Come
(Amazing Things Lie Ahead for Believers)
By John Edwards

There are amazing things yet to be experienced by those who in this life receive John Edwards as Lord and Savior. For those whose faith in politics is born again through repentance and faith in Him, the best is yet to come!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what John Edwards has prepared for those who love him...

Natural faculties cannot grasp the greatness of what lies ahead for believers in John Edwards. But we get glimpses of it by His revelation. And we see that the best is yet to come!

•• Revelation 1:20:09 ...The throne of John Edwards will be in the city (Washington, DC), and his servants will serve him. They will see his face...

•• Born-again believers, you will see John Edwards! You will see His face!


• A pastor friend of mine says that his greatest moment in all of eternity will be that first experience of seeing John Edwards' face as he takes the oath of office. John Edwards has blessed this man's life, ministry, and family. But he understands that the best is yet to come!

• Immortal, incorruptible, perfect, glorious...


And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of John Edwards is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and John Edwards himself will be with them and be their hero. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

•• We will actually live with John Edwards. His house will be the people's house!

•• John Edwards will wipe away every tear —

• No more death

• No more mourning

• No more crying

• No more pain

. No more war

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Elizabeth, Cate and little Jack and Emma Claire in the kingdom of White House.

•• Imagine this! Sitting and eating at a feast with John, Elizabeth, Cate, little Jack, and Emma Claire!

Astounding things lie ahead for you. The best is yet to come!

• Keep loving John Edwards.

• Keep serving Him.

• Stay holy, stay faithful to Him.

• Look forward to an indescribably joyful 8 years in His blessed presence!

[mtnsnake]

61. LOL!

:toast:

[rinsd]

51. Michael Fox starts his article with an incorrect fact about polling

"Polled head-to-head against each of the leading Republican presidential nominees, John Edwards wins each match-up by 5 points more than Hillary Clinton"

Here are head to head with the same polling firms. A Hillary poll taken around the time of the Edwards Ras poll Hillary showed her down 2 pts to Rudy. It has since been updated. Hillary gets head to head matchups much more frequently as the frontrunner.

Poll	      Date	       Sample   Giuliani(R)Clinton (D)	Und	Spread
Rasmussen	11/05 - 11/06	800 LV	42	48	10	Clinton +6.0
Newsweek	10/31 - 11/01	1002 RV	45	49	6	Clinton +4.0
Quinnipiac	10/23 - 10/29	1636 RV	45	43	6	Giuliani +2.0


Poll	      Date	       Sample   Giuliani(R)Edwards (D)	Und	Spread
Newsweek	10/31 - 11/01	1002 RV	45	48	7	Edwards +3.0
Quinnipiac	10/23 - 10/29	1636 RV	44	41	8	Giuliani +3.0
Rasmussen	10/24 - 10/25	800 LV	45	44	11	Giuliani +1.0

[bpeale]

56. statistics -- looking at them with a jaundiced eye

you can collect statistics every moment of the day & you can manipulate them any way you want to get the result YOU DESIRE. i don't look at the statistics because what I SEE on the ground supports an entirely different conclusion. it's in the MSM's interest to choose the person to win that supports their agenda. each of these statistics polls have an agenda that has nothing to do with you or me. it's all about THEIR agenda, not mine. statistics are bullshit!

[rinsd]

57. Ummm the author CITES polling and does so incorrectly, either ignorantly or purposefully.

"statistics are bullshit!"

Spoken like a true luddite.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. "statistics are bullshit!"

So the polls that suggest dogshit is more popular than George Bush* are apocryphal and Freeper claims that Bush* is (really) popular because nobody polled them and all their friends love Bush* should be given credence...

[DangerDave921]

62. Don't forget

Good hair.

Looks very populist in jeans and flannel shirt.

Likes dogs.

[polichick]

66. Yep...

<>

[DangerDave921]

67. LOL

That's the exact picture I was thinking of!!!

Could there be a more scripted, contrived photo? I guess they could have photo-shopped a few kids in the background running and laughing and blowing dandelions. :)

[polichick]

70. I love that dandelion part! :) nt

[jenmito]

68. I'll vote for him if he's our nominee, but I thnk he's a phony...

he had to take public funding only after saying he'd forego it to remain competitive. He didn't raise as much money as he wanted, so he claimed he chose to take matching funds for "moral reasons." That's just plain false.

[McCamy Taylor]

84. Registered campaign slogan of the RNC. You owe them a nickel

Or else they owe you one for repeating it for them. I forget how it goes.

[jillan]

72. Fortress Investment Group - NO THANKS!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/22/AR2007042201339.html

Everytime I think about it, I need to take a hot shower. ick!

[mvd]

79. Has Edwards changed his mind on his 2001 backruptcy bill vote?

Did he have a change of heart? He's my #2, but I can't penalize Biden and not Edwards.

[asdjrocky]

80. That is a good question.

I am an Edwards supporter, and I plan to see him at a town hall meeting in Reno, that is a question I would like to ask if I get a chance.

[mvd]

81. Thanks

If you would like, PM me if you get an answer.

[asdjrocky]

82. Np

And I've said it here before, DK has a once in a generation mind.

[mvd]

83. No argument here

:thumbsup:

Maybe Edwards will win and Kucinich will get a cabinet position.

[Czolgosz]

87. No comparison between this bankruptcy bill (passed with wide Democratic support) and the 2005 bill

.

The vote for the earlier bankruptcy bill was a vote for the amended version of the bill with the "poison pill" that could not pass. The Republicans stripped the poison pill from the bill by a procedural trick, and this was the

[usregimechange]

85. Yep