Wow...Edwards was a real jackass today!

[calteacherguy]

I use to have him as my second choice, but after his comments regarding Hillary showing a little emotion today he's gone WAY down on my list.

The man appears to have serious character deficiency.

[ObamaAmerican]

1. Edwards is a nice guy but a failed candidate with a record of failures .eom

[calteacherguy]

3. He sure was no "nice guy" today.

He didn't even know the context, or did he? He should apologize, not that it would help his dead in the water campaign at this point.

My opinion of him has really changed. I used to hope he would do reasonably well. Now I think he deserves to go down.

This will cost him in NH bigtime whether folks support Hillary or not.

[ObamaAmerican]

9. Edwards would be an acceptable choice as Obama's VP .eom

[jenmito]

21. Why in the world would Obama pick Edwards? He'd add nothing to the ticket.

He should choose someone who hasn't lost before-twice.

[ellisonz]

27. He didn't help Kerry. He can't even win his home state.

Out of the field only Richardson is a possibility. However, I'd like to see what a search committee comes up with first.

[Hieronymus]

61. If you recall, Kerry, head of the ticket, wrote off North Carolina, a

red state, which Edwards had previously won.

[ellisonz]

84. In a Senate race, once...

Maybe it was written off because the polling didn't look good.

Edwards will not deliver any Southern state and won't help in the border states or the midwest.

[Hieronymus]

115. You laugh off a Democratic win in a red southern state? Enough said.

[jenmito]

66. Exactly...

I don't think Richardson is right, either, just because he's made so many gaffes (being gay is a choice, we should make Musharraf step down, etc.) I would've liked Wes Clark but maybe for Sec. of State.

[robbedvoter]

70. But he can backstab "I wanted to fight - bad Kerry didn't let me"

[tired_old_fireman]

72. How were they supposed to win North Carolina without commercials?

I'll doubt you will answer that question since no one who posts the same talking point over and over ever does.

Also, North Carolina was the only southern state where Kerry did better than Gore so it seems Edwards helped in NC. If they advertised in the state and campaigned there, maybe there was a chance but we will never know.

The exit polling in NC showed Edwards would have won his seat back if he had decided to pull a Lieberman and run for Vice President and Senate at the same time (in case that talking point is coming next.)

[ellisonz]

83. They lost N.C. by 13%, that's more than what ads could have done.

Besides, if John Edwards is such a fighter why didn't he fight for a campaign in his home state...maybe he knew it couldn't be done.

Somehow I don't think his new mansion and hedge fund friends go over well in N.C. so I doubt it'll get any better.

"Hey! Look at me, I was a better losing VP candidate than Lieberman. Pick me! Pick me!"

[tired_old_fireman]

94. How do you know what ads could do?

Do you think Obama could have won Iowa without any ads? Where was he polling in the state before he put $9 million worth of ads on TV? If advertising isn't effective in a campaign, then why do people advertise? You think you're going to do well in a red state without trying?

I wouldn't want Edwards to be Obama's VP. I don't think he wants to be Obama's VP. I know you just want to put Edwards down. I'm not going to do the same with Obama because I'm a democrat and so is he.

[ellisonz]

103. Straw man.

I don't dislike JE as a person. I just don't want him as the nominee.

[tired_old_fireman]

116. It doesn't look like you have to worry about that.

I don't want Obama as the nominee, but I don't have any say in that. I will have a say in the general, so maybe people should stop crapping on Edwards and Clinton since you'll probably want our votes. Going negative on our candidates and us, isn't helping your cause--unless your cause is to get McCain elected.

[ellisonz]

126. What I posted was hardly negative...

Compared to most of the crap around DU lately.

[bvar22]

108. Oh. You're one of those rare and endangered eccentrics....

who believe that the American People vote for the Vice Presidential candidate!

I don't think I've ever seen one of you before.

Upon what do you base your highly unusual theory?
Do they let you out in the daytime?

The Democratic Party LOST in the South because the Democratic Party nominated a Northern, Elite, sitting Senator for President, and used the DLC strategy of NOT campaigning in the South.

Thank God and Dr Dean for the changes that allowed the victories in 2006.

If the Democratic Party wants to LOSE again in 2008, nominate a Northern, elite, sitting Senator again.
History WILL repeat.

[ellisonz]

113. I think ultimately they vote for a ticket.

But whatever...you're just being insulting.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

141. Exactly.

But then pointing that out will, of course, make you into some kind of fire breathing monster....

sigh.

The DU has never been so .... amazingly....

lame as it has been lately.

I am surprised that the Obama and Hill supporters haven't latched onto calling Edwards the "Breck Girl."

[surfermaw]

144. Thirteen % in Helm's country, I would have thought it to be 25% at least

[avaistheone1]

159. An Edwards/Obama ticket would be better. Obama lost a couple of races himself.

In 2000, Obama made an unsuccessful Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives seat held by four-term incumbent candidate Bobby Rush.

When Obama ran for Senate in 2004 he ran against Alan Keyes. That was a one man race give Obama had no real competition in that race.

[K Gardner]

12. I really think you're overreacting. This is kind of a nonstory except on DU.

I'm really kind of surprised at the virulence of your reaction, calteach. "I think he deserves to go down". I just hope you don't jump aboard the bashers here at DU.

[Patchuli]

58. Oh BS!

There wasn't anything not "nice" about what he said. I'll bet he and Obama are pretty tired at this point also as is Hillary.

Overreact much?

[cali]

Do you know who Todd Gitlin is?

Gitlin, old SDS guy, prominent Sociologist, well known writer, and very left lefty, said that Edward's comments today made him ashamed he was a man.

Edwards was way over the line. But since he's JE, he gets a pass here.

Double standard much?

[Patchuli]

93. Mr. Gitlin's entitled to his opinion

and so am I. I still call BS. Edwards didn't say anything the other two wouldn't have said about him if he "welled up" and showed emotion. I think the OP was pretty obviously flamebait to aid the OP's choice. Maybe you should see the Al Gore Rolling Eyes thread...

[truebrit71]

146. Well some guy having masculinity issues doesn't make JE a bad guy...

...I agree 100% with what JE said, it wasn't an attack on HRC and if people on DU actuallt fuckling READ what someone said before flying off the handle there would be a drastic drop in bandwidth usage...

[proud2BlibKansan]

128. You must be thinking of something different than I am

I didn't think what he said was all that bad.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

Where and when did Edwards fail? nt

[Pastiche423]

75. When : 2004

Where: Deomcratic primary

[Darth_Kitten]

73. Oh. right.

:sarcasm:

For someone not getting a free pass and riding others' coattails, he sure seems to be holding his own.

[Sulawesi]

2. Link? What did he say?

[maddiejoan]

4. here

""I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business,"

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/rival-reacts-to.html

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. Okay now, please someone tell me what's bad about that comment. I must be missing something. nt

[maddiejoan]

He's saying that

the campaign seems to be too tough for Clinton, so she's not fit to be President.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

33. I think that about Obama. All candidates think that about one another. And they say it.

Now, if he'd said, "The little lady here is too weak for this sort of man business," I'd personally tell him where to go. But he didn't.

[maddiejoan]

39. Essentially

He did.

[Chulanowa]

102. Do you also think Clinton's statement about Obama's experience...

Is her "essentially" saying that he's where he is now because of affirmative action?

Now I know that's not the case, and you know that's not the case. I also know Edwards made no "little lady" cracks, and I know that you know he didn't, either.

trying to turn a fake issue (The "tears" - cripes, she has tear ducts, big whup) around to attack another candidate with doesn't take away the "fake" part of it. Yeah, Edwards made a backbiting, snippy comment. There was nothing pertaining to her double-X arrangement anywhere in it, though.

[maddiejoan]

142. clearly you are not familiar with

what a sexist tactic is, or how powerful women are attacked.

what was "fake" about it? She choked up a little while delivering her standard speech material before an audience.

Big effing deal --and Edwards turns it into a question of her readiness to serve as President?

Sorry --he's a scumbag.



as far as your Clinton statement --I have no clue what you are referring to, so can't comment.

[Chulanowa]

154. Do you suggest a free pass on virtue of being a woman?

You can't have it both ways. Either the candidates are sexist pigs for attacking her with anything... or they'd be sexist pigs for not attacking her at all. Look, it's stupid, but a candidate - any candidate - "crying" is going to get covered with mud from the competition. It's a cutthroat, backstabbing practice of politics, but it's pretty damn predictable. Do you think if Edwards or Obama had choked up, that Clinton would have taken the "high road"? I guarantee you, she would not. It's just how the primaries work.

With regards to it being a fake issue... I mean simply that I do not think that the "tears" are an issue at all. At least, they're not for me. I think all the hooplah over it, from all directions, is pretty damn farcical. It's the Dean scream / Gore sigh of '08.

[maddiejoan]

157. No I'm suggesting no free pass

But jeeez --I've seen Edwards tear up and talk about "personal" issues himself --so kind of a double standard here

[truebrit71]

147. "essentially" he did? Don't make me laugh...What a ridiculous reach...

...he said SPECIFICALLY that he wasn't going to comment SPECIFICALLY on HRC's cycnical playing of the gender card, but chose to comment on how tough running the country is...

YOU choose to see that as a sexist attack...

I choose to see that as a candidate speaking from the heart about the challenges of the job he is working toward...

That quote is alos very nicely cherry-picked to MISS the part were John Edwards SPECIFICALLY said he wouldn't comment on HRC's emotional breakdown...

[The Backlash Cometh]

49. I can certainly understand his competitive bite. I think Hillary probably

would have said the same thing if the shoe was on the other foot. Still, I don't think that Hillary getting teary eyed is a big deal with the voters, and it actually might help with some.

[cali]

79. bwahahaha.

that's exactly what he said he thinly veiled coded language Duh. And plenty of people are telling him where to go, including a former employee and Tod Gitlin over TPM.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

87. Oh so it doesn't matter how he said whatever, if he said a candidate couldn't hack it and it happens

to be H. Clinton, then he's being sexist. I don't think so.

[DemCam]

37. 'Which we all know is crap

[GreenArrow]

74. it's pretty damn clear

that's exactly what he's saying.

[gmudem]

91. Wow

Where the hell did he say that? He said presidential campaigns are tough and so is being a president. Pretty standard statement if you ask me or anybody else not desperately trying to find fault where there is none.

[maddiejoan]

99. But look what he said it in reference to

[Native]

140. Exactly! I wish people here would read the entire article....

It also reports on what Obama said in reference to Hillary's tears - quite the contrast in statements. We also need to remember that the comment was in reference to tears, which, for some damn reason only seems to be an issue when a woman sheds them. I don't recall anyone making a big deal over Bush's tears. If the press had been going after Edwards as viciously as they've been attacking Hillary, and he had started commenting as Hillary did about how this country is going to hell in a hand basket and how deeply he cares and wants to make a difference and is worried that we might blow this opportunity and started to get a little teary eyed, my guess is they'd be playing it as deep and heartfelt sentiment for our country and grave dismay over our current situation, NOT WEAKNESS.

[DaLittle Kitty]

105. Nothing Wrong Here. Edwards Speaks The Truth. We Are Talking POTUS Are We Not?

John Edwards when asked about Hillary today said, "I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and Presidential Campaigns are tough business, but being President of the United States is also tough business,"

Nothing untoward about this comment. Perfectly reasonable and NOT at all inappropriate or below the belt. Just The Truth! :silly:

[Honeycombe8]

25. Well, he was my second choice, too. I hate to hear that he said this. nt

[Hepburn]

151. What in the hell is wrong with that???

Should he have said that we need weak POTUS or something???

:shrug:

[calteacherguy]

5. Just saw it on the news.

Said something like campaigns are tough, but Presidents have to be tough too.

Obama correctly refused comment saying he did not know the context and wasn't his place to comment.

[AzDar]

17. Kinda hard to pin Obama down on anything, isn't it?

I'm surprised he didn't just reply: "present".

[Blue_In_AK]

96. LOL

He's "riding the wave," don'tcha know?

[Critters2]

109. Just like everything else.

I'm hoping he'll say something some day.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. What did he say about her? nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. What's so awful about this?

"I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business."

Later he said:

"These campaigns are very grueling, they're tough and difficult affairs, running for president is a tough process."

I don't see what's so nasty about this. And I can't imagine that Hillary wouldn't have said anything different if the shoe were on the other foot, especially since she never misses a chance to bust on Obama and Edwards for being inexperienced lightweights who wouldn't be ready to take on Al Qaeda.

[Cha]

28. Yeah, it's nothing more than

hillary's spewings and quite a bit less.

[ihavenobias]

34. Excellent Point On Al Qaeda

[polichick]

8. I still like Edwards' fighting spirit (especially re corps) but...

I'm a little disappointed in him since Iowa ~ his speech didn't truly acknowledge Obama's victory, and since then he seems to be glomming on to Barack and acting like a shithead to Hillary.

[melody]

10. Clinton took similar jabs at Obama and Edwards

Edwards was just shooting from the hip. It's what he does.

[maddiejoan]

32. Shooting from the hip for Edwards

cos he's a man?

If Hillary had said the same thing about Edwards --it would be a bitch comment.


I'm calling out Edwards for making a bitch comment --I'm shocked he didn't give a diva snap afterwards.

[melody]

38. He didn't say "bitch" and neither did I

He quite rightly countered her tough talk with a knock at her crocodile tears. It was deserved.
I'd have said the same thing no matter her gender.

I like Hillary, I admire all the candidates, but she's my last choice in the Democratic field because
of her stand on policy. I don't vote for people because of their gender. I try very hard not to judge
their remarks to be one thing or another simply because they are male or female.

[maddiejoan]

53. I never said Edwards said "bitch"

I said YOU used "shooting from the hip" to describe his comment which seems so very manly--whereas I think Edwards was being a bitch and he made a "bitch comment"

[KennedyGuy]

56. Really now..

is it Ok to say that Edwards seems a little..oh, I don't know...a little..well, not masculine? (not that there's anything wrong with that)..you know..kinda girlie?
would that be fair game in this new era of political discourse?

[maddiejoan]

62. Deal with it

Hillary gets this crap all the time

[KennedyGuy]

65. thats my point

whats good for one..is good for another..we are in agreement here.

[melody]

124. I'm a woman. I've been told I shoot from the hip on a number of occasions.

Women were quick shooters also. It's your inference that it was manly that is at odds with the reality of the
situation. It's easy to take anything and make it a slam. Just because Hillary is a woman doesn't make it a
sexist jibe. If he didn't give back to her as toughly as he does Obama, then I'd think that was sexist.

[maddiejoan]

143. Please

He gives it out to Hillary MUCH tougher than he does to Obama.

and yes --women shoot from the hip too --but that's not the point is it?

The point is that Edwards didn't "shoot from the hip" -- he delivered a classic snark.

If Hillary said the same thing, she'd have been called a bitch (and rightly so), but Edwards is said to be a "straight shooter"

There was no straight shooting there -- it was a "bitch comment", much like when he 'complimented' Hillary's outfit.

[melody]

153. He has a major problem with Hillary just like I do - as for the outfit comment, remember the hair?

You're cherry-picking points to make your argument.

[maddiejoan]

155. No I don't

Did Hillary say something about Edward's hair?

[melody]

156. Yes, twice. And not in a complimentary fashion. But it's politics.

C'est la vie ... or at least c'est la politics.

[sendero]

129. She HAS said the equivalent thing..

... I didn't hear JE whining.

The fact is HRC's little show didn't annoy me because of the emotion, I'm a very emotional person myself and I understand that emotions are not always under control by either gender.

My problem is given the wording and the tone it came off to me as a practiced speech trying to sound extemporaneous. And even if it was real, the emotion seemed to be largely, "poor me".

Not endearing at all to me.

[Horse with no Name]

13. And now the REAL story

unless you have already internalized the media hype:

At a New Hampshire campaign event, presidential rival John Edwards told reporters he was unaware of Clinton's emotional reaction and would not respond to it,

but added, according to CNN's Dugald McDonnell: "I think what we need in a commander in chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are a tough business, but being President of the United States is also a very tough business. And the President of the United States is faced with very, very difficult challenges every single day, difficult judgments every single day."

[waiting for hope]

18. Thank you!

But, it's not going to get acknowledged.

[BrklynLiberal]

19. Why should anyone wait for the facts when they can make judgments on partial information

taken out of context?
I recall Chelsea Clinton being subjected to the same snap judgment behavior just a couple of days ago.

[maddiejoan]

24. "But added"

So it's basically "I have no comment --but here it is anyways"

[Horse with no Name]

29. "according to CNN's Dugald McDonnell"

Who knows what context the other statement was in or what question actually preceded it.
It was CNN.:eyes:

[John Q. Citizen]

100. Aww, poor Hillary supporters, If it isn't one thing it's another. So thin skinned

and paranoid no one can say anything without it being turned into some sort of major flap, some sort of major conspiracy out to get Hill.

Jeezz, get over it already, or if not, maybe you can cry me a river.

Ever hear of Tom Eagleton? Talk about a sexist double standard.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen already.

I'm sick of this crap. Obama is mean to gays! Hill is the ice queen! Edwards beats up on poor wittle girls! Sheesh. How do you all look yourselves in the mirror?

[maddiejoan]

145. or

you could step away from the keyboard until you collect your reason back.

you sound sort of unhinged at the moment.

[mtnsnake]

26. If that's the real story, then calteacher is right. Edwards IS a jackass. nt

[Luminous Animal]

82. Actually, we don't know the real story...

Are you ready to assert with 100% authority that there wasn't another question in between his no comment and the quoted statement? Because I'll take the bet that he was responding to a subsequent question.


DUers have turned into chickens with their fucking heads cut off.

[GreenArrow]

36. and reading between the lines:

"I think what we need in a commander in chief is strength and resolve,...

(and crying during the campaign is niether a sign of strength or resolve, and you won't see John Edwards doing it)

...and presidential campaigns are a tough business, but being President of the United States is also a very tough business....

(and if she's so weak that she cries during a Presidential campaign, which you haven't seen John Edwards do, nor will you, how can we trust her to keep on an even keel were she to be faced with some much more grueling than a campaign, the actual Presidency.)

...And the President of the United States is faced with very, very difficult challenges every single day, difficult judgments every single day."

(challenges and judgements much more difficult than a campaign, a campaign in which you will not see John Edwards cry, because he doesn't and won't bow to pressure like she has, and that over the mere campaign. If she's not tough enough to handle this without breaking down, how can she be, unlike John Edwards, capable of handling the Presidency? She can't and she isn't, unlike John Edwards.)

[nolabels]

121. Using emotional response to cover for lack of forethought or insight?

Many do it and everyone should be able understand it or call it out if need be. We are sorry to hear about it but grow a pair of nads already. You cannot expect lead others by asking for their sympathy. This also does not square too well with all them years experience too much either :shrug:

[skids]

134. If you really want to read between the lines...

...then you should probably be aware that Edwards did not know the nature of the event which he was asked about. Nor is it clear how much time had elapsed between when he said he didn't know about it and when he actually spoke these words, or if it was even in response to the same question of a follow-up question "conveniently" not mentioned by the journalist -- it could be quoted way out of context.

What happened here was during the debate, Edwards played a classic courthouse trick on Hillary, which works on both genders, one might note. He goaded her into being strident and talking angrily in front of the "jury." It wasn't the purest political play of 08, but we all know politics is still even these days a dirty high-school popularity contest and all the candidates are trying to swing low without getting mud on their hands -- all of them.

This whole over-reaction to Edward's comment is the Hillary machine's revenge. Entirely manufactured and coordinated. You can tell if you carefully follow the spread of this "story" through the media and online.

This is actually a very fascinating race to watch if you can keep your eye on the ball. The age of politicians having no clue about "running on the Internet" is most certainly over.

[Kajsa]

81. Oh my goodness! Don't confuse us with the FACTS!

Notice the MSM didn't want us to know the entire story, either?

All I heard on 'World News Tonight' was the "what we need" comment.

Typical!

;(

[DaLittle Kitty]

106. No Problem Perfectly Appropriate. We're Talk'n POTUS NOT City Council!

:)

[calteacherguy]

110. That was wrong and showed no class. He attacked Hillary for being emotional. nt

[yardwork]

14. Thank you for your concern.

[Sulawesi]

15. I guess I am thick, it is a tough business, what is the context?

[Occam Bandage]

16. Callous, self-serving, and wrapped in a veneer of "honesty?" Sounds like pure Edwards to me.

[GreenArrow]

47. he's a regular

fucking prince.

[ozone_man]

20. Put in the same category as Obama saying "Hillary you're likable enough."

When you make off the cuff remarks a few are likely to be taken the wrong way. Actually, I thought Hillary was about to cry at the debate when told that Obama was more likable. That was a strange question to ask. If you want to take a shot, take it at that moderator.

[spooky3]

40. A classier reaction would have been for Obama to say

something like

"I thought people wanted a chance to compare our views on the issues, Charles, not run for Head Cheerleader."

"Yeah, well, Charles, a lot of people wanted to have a beer with our current president, and look where THAT got us."

But he was tired too, like all the other candidates. I didn't like his comment, but geez, we need to give all of them a break.

[ozone_man]

69. I agree.

I thought Obama's comment was fine. One of the analysts (Stephanopoulos) said it was kind of chincy. But it was an inappropriate question. Hillary had a great answer though.

But we're not electing cheer leaders here. This is serious business, electing the leader who is going to have to make critical decisions under pressure. Debate real issues, there is no shortage of them.

[fascisthunter]

22. lol

that oughta win a vote or lose a vote

[Raine]

23. What he said was the truth

and he gets dumped on for that! :shrug:

[mtnsnake]

30. You are spot on, teach. Edwards is not only a jackass, but a poor imitation of a bully

[K Gardner]

42. Wow.. you too? I continue to be surprised at the venom coming from Obama supporters.

[NYCGirl]

45. I think mtnsnake would get offended being referred to as an Obama supporter.

[mtnsnake]

50. Not offended at all

I've been called a lot worse :evilgrin:

[NYCGirl]

54. I rest my case.

:evilgrin:

[K Gardner]

55. LOL.. I'm getting the attacking sides mixed up !

[mtnsnake]

60. K, don't ya remember me? You saw me in the audience the other night at the debates

Mom did so well there. :evilgrin:

[K Gardner]

68. Chelsea !! You stay warm up there in NH now :-)

[October]

127. I agree! They are totally turning me off.

I'm trying to avoid Obama supporters' comments on these threads because they make me dislike Obama. It's unreal. They mock, ridicule, and insult everyone.

[Cha]

31. Big deal...Edwards

is fine. Everyone is suppose to bow down because hillary got the sniffles.

[countmyvote4real]

35. Much ado about nothing.

I've read the entire thread thus far, Edwards is not the asshole here.

[rodeodance]

44. no he is not------but neither is the person he was referring to.

[ClericJohnPreston]

52. Ding, ding,ding!

Why talk sense when you can be gleefully superficial and knitpick on anything, Like Obama supporters.

Say, pray tell, one of you, what you thought of Obama calling Pakistan a Democracy on Saturday Night?

I guess thats why his handlers don't want him talking anything , but superficial buzzwords.

By the way, todays phrase class: "we're riding the wave". Memorize and proselytize.

[LittleClarkie]

41. And then Hillary whined that Edwards and Obama got a free ride

when it's been she that all the pundits have talked about, how presidential she was and how she's had it in the bag and such.

Pffffffft.

[creeksneakers2]

43. This one isn't as bad but Edwards has been terrible lately

He should quit. Hillary should stop negative campaigning or quit. All they are doing is harming themselves and each other. And they are grabbing media time away from the GOP civil war.

[Adelante]

46. He was a jackass at first and then pulled back

Edwards offered little sympathy and pounced on the opportunity to question Clinton's ability to endure the stresses of the presidency.

"I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business," Edwards told reporters in Laconia, New Hampshire.

-snip

However, in an interview with ABC News' David Muir, Elizabeth Edwards offered more compassion than her husband. She noted that everyone on the campaign trail can relate to how grueling the task can be. In the end, Elizabeth Edwards did not pass on the political opportunity and added that voters will decide whether or not they want to see watery eyes.

Later, at another campaign stop, Edwards appeared to adopt his wife's more sympathetic tone.

"These campaigns are very grueling," he said, "they're tough and difficult affairs, running for president is a tough process."

During a campaign stop at Jake's Coffee in New London, New Hampshire, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was also asked to comment about Clinton's teary moment.

"I didn't see what happened," he said, but added, "I know this process is a grind. So that's not something I care to comment on."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/rival-reacts-to.html

[robbedvoter]

63. Oh, the taughness of the Oops! Poppy had Babs to make him acceptable to women

Like with the wars - one that he started, one that he was willing to - "oops" doesn't make look any better...Just more pandering to the women voters he offended today...
Some fighter, this one!

[Left coast liberal]

48. Hello? WTF? n/t

[Madam Mossfern]

78. Hahahahahahahaha haha ha haha ha ha ha

I had the same reaction

[ursi]

51. I heard John Edwards speak at a rally and he said it was"personal" for him too

maybe he should try crying too?

[robbedvoter]

64. No, because a tough POTUS doesn't cry - just sez "oops" every time he starts a war...

[goodgd_yall]

57. One of the few times

I can say I agree with you, teacher.

[The River]

59. Pot Meet Kettle

[Beausoir]

67. Did he really say that? Transcripts don't convey much. If he did say that...I am very disappointed

in him.

He should certainly know better.

[Mutineer]

71. He stated the truth.

I guess some of you HRC'ers can't handle the truth.

[cali]

85. He stuck his foot in his mouth

and it's getting a lot of play and it's getting a lot of play up here in the North Country. He'll pay for it tomorrow, and deservedly so. This is gonna be instant karma for Johny. Oh, an I don't support Clinton. I just hate sexist bullshit, and I don't trust JE with his co-sponsoring of the IWR with Lieberman and his hedge fund and all his other baggage.

[krabigirl]

120. So the media took Clinton and Edwards down on the same day...

[tired_old_fireman]

76. Who cares who your second choice is?

Are you expecting Obama to drop out anytime soon?

[sjdnb]

77. Obama Girl, is that you?

Sheez, I sure hope it's not going to be like this on DU much longer.

[Quixote1818]

89. I found out Obama girl isn't even for Obama

They just pay her to be Obama girl.

[lisainmilo]

80. Wow!

I can't see Obama or Edwards crying FOR THEIR CAMPAIGN losing!
Did she cry when her and Bill got 10 Million for their library from the Saudi's....I did!

http://www.againsthillary.com/2007/12/15/clinton-library-got-funds-from-abroad-10-million-from-saudis/

Sorry call it as I see it. :shrug:

[annie1]

86. What has he been going through. He has been really nasty lately...

i was very much for him, he and hil were my top 2, but now i just can't stand him. my god. what a jerk.

[gmudem]

88. I honestly don't know what the hell you're talking about

Anybody who takes offense at Edwards statement today is being absurd and is hard to take seriously.

[PassingFair]

90. What a bunch of PANTY WAISTS!

This is what has your knickers in a bind?

"I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business," Edwards told reporters Laconia, New Hampshire.

What a BULLY!!!!!!


:rofl:

[Mr_Monday]

95. The flipside to being a female candidate,

HRC can get more sympathy and her attackers will be branded as "bullies".

[PassingFair]

98. Only the true fans would be offended by a statement as

BLAND as that!

[Hieronymus]

117. Yea, how dare he .. what does he think this is .. some kinda campaign?

[Bonobo]

92. Wow! You really are reading too much into it. nt

[LostInAnomie]

97. Wow, sounds like some people in this thread have a pretty low tolerance for reality.

Running for the nomination, and being President is a tough business. If you have to resort to crocodile tears (while spouting jabs at your opponents) as a campaign gimmick, and hope the overly-sympathetic and gullible run to your defense, you don't have what it takes.

[MalloyLiberal]

101. I love the Obama supporters replying back to each other

It's about as staged as Hillary's crying.

Someone must be worried

[Bonobo]

104. Nope. He was not.

[Evergreen Emerald]

107. I actually think this is the first time you and I agree on something!

I cannot support Edwards after today. He is stooping so low for political gain.

[incapsulated]

111. He is a jackass every day. n/t

[ejbr]

112. And remembering Obama stumped for Lieberman,

I think Clinton will be my second choice.

[frogmarch]

114. Clinton has already become my second choice. nt

[Hieronymus]

118. Clinton is my third choice.

[krabigirl]

119. I didn't like it, but, still, he's the best candidate right now.

[MagickMuffin]

122. All OUR Candidates ARE Jackasses

It's our mascot after all.:kick:

[FlyingSquirrel]

123. It was not his finest moment. Fortunately,

he recognized his mistake and did not repeat it further on throughout the day. I'm sure that he would probably apologize for it if asked, but I'm sure he'd rather focus on more important things.

[begin_within]

125. Are you saying that Edwards was a real

today?

[Bluebear]

130. "I use to have him" - I take it you don't teach English

:)

[Tennessee Gal]

131. Much ado about nothing.

Plenty of whiners on here. Want some cheese?

[cali]

132. Maybe. But

we'll see how the voters feel today. Undecideds may well not think too kindly of JE's comments.

And lots of people- and not just on DU, think he crossed the line.

[Tennessee Gal]

133. If that remark changes a vote,

people were not seriously supporting him anyway.

You are attempting to take something minor and blow it into a huge political gaffe.

[cali]

138. No. I think it was a peek inside JE

rather telling. Read Gitlin over at TPM on this affair. In any case, Edwards will likely come in third today. And that's really the end whether he drags on to the convention or not. He'll become increasingly irrelevant. Voters rejected Edwards 1.0 and they're rejecting version 2.0 as well. Thankfully.

[Apollo11]

135. Edwards is showing his trial lawyer instincts.

Edwards sees a weakness in his opponent and can't help himself from pointing it out to the jury.

I would have to say that Obama gave a much classier response on this one:

During a campaign stop at Jake's Coffee in New London, New Hampshire, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was also asked to comment about Clinton's teary moment.

"I didn't see what happened," he said, but added, "I know this process is a grind. So that's not something I care to comment on."

Obama was asked if Clinton should drop out if he wins the Granite State primary tomorrow.

"I would never presume to say anything like that. Look, we've had one caucus, and this would be one primary. And right now Im just focused on tomorrow. We've got to get our voters out," he said.

"It would be such a shame after seeing the great turnout in Iowa, if we weren't working as hard as we could to make sure that story continues. Because I think that's the biggest story out of Iowa: 18 to 30 year olds voting at the same rate as seniors, doubling caucus turnout. That transcends any individual candidate, if that happens we're changing the political landscape," Obama said.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/rival-reacts-to.html

[Vickers]

136. This is the political equivalent of a pea under the mattress.

:P

[Froward69]

137. I am glad others are finally

noticing... Its all about Edwards' Ego.

[Meshuga]

139. JE has lost points with me this week

If he stuck to his message he would be a fine candidate. But the attacking bullshit is his demise. He did it to Kerry in 2004 when Kerry became the front runner and he is turning to "snake mode" now in 2008.

[snagglepuss]

148. your willingness to take Clinton's "emotion" at face value speaks volumes.

Edwards response which hardly merits contempt suggests that he isn't as easily moved by croc tears. I find it highly suspicious that Hillary decided to use Edwards pitch that his fight is personal. For someone who successfully and admirably remained stoic in face of all the attacks during her husband's presidency, I don't buy this recent display of emotions as sincere.

[Tom Rinaldo]

150. Your unwillingness to take Clinton's emotion at face value speaks volumes

I made this post yesterday, but it applies to your arguement just as well:

"Have you patented a rating/ranking scale for situations that are worthy of real tears contrasted with those that can only realisticly elicit crocadile tears? Is it as effective as a lie detector test yet? There's probably a good market for such a sincerity sorter.

I have gone through real shit storms in my life without shedding a tear, and I have cried reading a news story about a pet who died helping their owner survive.

First off, it would have been fine with me if Hillary out and out cried. Second, she didn't. She got emotional and it showed. There are distinctions to be made, but like I said to me they don't matter in this case - but since they do in the political world: Point A, Hillary never "lost it" during that reply.

But more to my point. When I viewed the clip I thought her emotion was triggered by the empathy implicitly being shown her in the question she was asked. Acts of kindness are as least as likely to make me cry as are hardships. And Hillary Clinton, like Barack Obama and John Edwards and the other candidates also, is living a daily grind that is almost impossible for me to internally grasp right now. One, it is exhausting and that has an effect, but that isn't even it.

If I were one of those Democratic candidates, getting up every morning at the crack of dawn to go out and greet thousands of pure stangers without a real moment of privacy - eating lousy food, being hounded by the press and accused of things like your OP accuses Hillary of right here, right now, I tell you what. I would question what I was going through all this for. And if I couldn't find a damn good reason to believe it was worth it, I couldn't put myself through it for a single hour. That question put to Hillary put her in touch with why she was standing there sleep exhuasted in New Hampshire in the first place. The issues that have been important to her all her life. If that can't make someone emotional I sure don't want them as my President."

[laureloak]

149. Truth hurts. World leaders don't cry when times are tough

for them.

[Turn CO Blue]

152. the Clintons are jackasses EVERY day! What a bullshit post.

[last_texas_dem]

158. Those comments would really cause him to fall WAY down

on your list? Really? They read like typical campaign rhetoric to me; nothing particularly offensive, and not much of a big deal outside of the "General Discussion: Politics" forum on DU.

(And BTW, Edwards was your second choice? IIRC, you've been pretty consistently anti-Edwards since the time you started posting, and under your previous name on here as well.)

[SlowDownFast]

160. Pffft. Whatever.

Go get a stress test, you need one.