If you were advising Edwards, what would you tell him?

[kentuck]

Would you tell him to keep hammering his populist message? Or to modulate his message just a little, since most people already know where he stands anyway? Would you to advise him to be positive or to go negative? What would you tell Edwards to get him to the front in the next couple of weeks?

[pennylane100]

1. He should stay positive

and hope that Hillary and Obama both go negative toward each other.

[madrchsod]

2. don`t stop what you are doing

play the game straight up and let the people decide.

[OzarkDem]

3. Agree, he's doing fine

his message and campaign style are the kind that keep working in a tough campaign. His only problem is the news media's fear of him and their continued refusal to give him much coverage.

[Vilis Veritas]

8. The corporate news media machine is afraid...

because he is anti-corporate and pro people.

Peace.

[avaistheone1]

9. The main stream media is working hard to ignor Edwards because he is a threat to all they represent.

Edwards keep doing what your doing. You are doing great.

[kentuck]

70. Edwards should point out that over $300 million has been spent,,

on television and advisers already. They have an interest in continuing the status quo. That is why they atack us and minimize us. They said Edwards was over if he did not come in first in Iowa but McCain and Guiliani were still in the game?

[rocktivity]

4. I'd say, "Nobody could have anticipated your beating Hillary!"

rocknation

[Hoof Hearted]

20. by .28 of 1 percent. AMAZING.

.oo28

That's a thrashing. :sarcasm:

[Le Taz Hot]

51. Well, in that she outspent him

6:1 I'd say the Clinton campaign didn't get much of a return for all that corporate money. Her masters might be just a tad upset with her.

[Vilis Veritas]

5. Stick to his guns...

They got him this far...

He is young. He needs to stay on message for his career. The nation needs his message. Corporations need to hear it and he is making it heard.

Peace.

[The Backlash Cometh]

57. Maybe he should find more testimonials of people who have been

abused by the system to illustrate the reason and need for his anti-corporate message?

[Vilis Veritas]

65. That would help...

I am sure there are others...

Having a published list of others or some other venue for making stories known, perhaps an online database that could be verifiable and printed at a moments notice if he needs names, condition and numbers for legislative efforts?

just a thought...

Peace.

Oh and let us not forget the american public in general and their inability to be properly represented on issues.

[1awake]

6. I think that

He should keep doing what he's doing. I seriously doubt most people know accurately where he stands, at least in the sections of the country who need to hear him. His message is one that easily crosses regions and party lines.. the truth has that habit ;)

[proud patriot]

7. "You beat Hillary " repeated over and over

while jumping in a hugging embrace ..

Tonight is a win ..

[CorpGovActivist]

12. KICK! n/t

[EFerrari]

14. A big win. And, I hope he and Elizabeth know that.

:hi:

[CorpGovActivist]

17. Elizabeth Is a Positive Engine...

... a constant support, and has seemingly boundless energy.

I suspect she's already well on her way to helping him pivot.

- Dave

[JVS]

26. yup.

[mb7588a]

10. a couple things:

Kick it up a notch and do NOT be afraid to let it all out - get louder about corporate greed, MORE MORE MORE about Iraq like you were doing in the last week, while "change" was the winning message you should really talk about what the RESULTS of the change will be since the other candidates are not telling us that.

[riverdeep]

34. You've got to be careful not to get into Dean Scream territory.

Yes, I know it was manufactured. What I'm saying is, they are looking for that moment, when they can declare him unfit- don't give them the opportunity.

[understandinglife]

11. Support Obama. Be Secretary of Health and Human Services in his Administration.

And, I offer this suggestion in the deepest respect for Senator Edwards. He could truly transform every aspect of science and wellness in this Nation, and beyond, as Secretary of HHS.

Peace,
Bob

[Colobo]

13. Exactly.

[Mr_King]

43. Edwards would...

probably like being Attorney General or Secretary of Labor more.

[derbstyron]

15. I would focus only a little on NH.

not give up in NH, but I would advise him to put a tremendous amount of energy into South Carolina and Nevada.

[EVDebs]

18. I'd advise JE to hammer the price of oil at $100/bbl and the damage to the economy

IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID ! redux.

NBC even pulled a youtube video that should have been Hillary's theme song, "It's Money That Matters"

http://www.youtube.com/index?&session=sKOVLmlKM8WvQTgpVxslSk0cODE91Ys9jc_EpfsqbQxYQk6fYOs7jvybrqDWSzWeFnQW8ZiDoo43ktk9cOxMgn9SXa7VDKxVuouaI8WXzPuWJBpGYsV0O-0G8k40mdqgH-YoVX7RFPkAW9z0oZ09cFVGwZp3drZVhor20ib5Vy0CYwf7UeBLcX1hyMuqT1hUCsOAfFt-L4FDGgsY_A2cmi1QgjEMGetFezP0vazbKSq2UeWVIc8w6w==

"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NBC Universal"

a replay of a Saturday Night Live Randy Newman/Mark Knopfler performance. HRC's M$M couldn't stand the heat ! This is the smoking gun.

[begin_within]

16. The fact that you beat Clinton in Iowa is significant, and shows that people are listening.

So carry on! And by the way here's $100.

[CorpGovActivist]

19. Look at the Sudden Influx of Campaign Cash...

... people are voting with not only their time and ballots, but with their wallets now - because they know that you'll protect their wallets in the White House.

- Dave

[cynatnite]

21. He came in second, Hillary was third...over and over...

emphasize his real world experience that presses forward his vision of one America for all.

I'm not a supporter of his, but that's what I think would help him.

[stimbox]

22. Edwards needs a true single payer healthcare plan.

Then he would be unbeatable.

[LostInAnomie]

23. Change nothing. Keep hammering away.

All he needs right now is money.

[AzDar]

48. Precisely right!

:kick:

[morgan2]

24. I'd tell him to use the word hope a lot

and change.. but to contradict clinton and obama's vague use of the word, start talking about the changes he would make. Talk about how he's not afraid of real change, and isn't just paying lip service to the term.

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

25. Be nice to Barack.

Obama/Edwards is 68% of tonight's vote.

[WA98296]

27. Stay on his own message, of vocal for PEOPLE, and discuss saving the Constitution

[JVS]

28. Continue populist message. If an opportunity arises chastise Obama about Donnie McClurkin

Play up electability

[The Traveler]

29. Dissect Obama's economic policies

There are reasons why liberal economists are turning towards Edwards rather than Obama. Explain them. Turn the focus not only on corporate misdeeds but on those of the Rethuglican administration. Point out the need to know the truth and drain the swamp. If Obamas policies are indeed policies of change, honestly point out what is changed ... and what is not.

[lisainmilo]

30. John Edwards should be true to himself....stay as he is!

and that is positive! What John Edwards needs is funding. Also in looking at the exit polls, Obama drew alot of the younger crowd, somehow his message needs to appeal the younger generation.

[David Zephyr]

31. Edwards rose up in the polls because of his populist message. He beat Hillary because of it.

He shouldn't change a thing. He should have done it sooner, Kentuck.

He's a great guy.

[nonconformist]

32. Edward's populist message is why people support him

I know it's why I do.

I'd tell him to stick with it, be positive and remember - you beat Hillary!

[frogmarch]

33. I don't think the problem has ever been his message.

I think the problem has been getting his message out. He's been all but ignored by the media. I wonder if he'll get more coverage with his second place win tonight, though it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't. Damned media.

No matter what, I think he should stay true to his message.

[Old and In the Way]

35. Keep broadcasting the message.

It's the right one that is resonating. I don't know if message only can win because there are intangibles that attract people in their vision for President. While he's now my choice (thanks for the effort Chris), I can support any one of the 3. I have to say Obama was inspiring as hell and I can understand why he's captivating the crowds. Certainly no slam to John Edwards, but Barack has got some real mojo working for him right now. But the race is only starting....

[OKthatsIT]

36. GET OUT of the CFR.......it's anti-American ....and anti-Labor

Council of Foreign Relations is David Rockefeller's NGO. He's openy declared his support of the NWO many times. This is precisely what the CFR does, day to day...bring down the country's identity, borders, trade, manufacturing and Constitution.

[riverdeep]

37. One small, superficial thing I would advise him to change.

He does that Bill Clinton hand gesture. That sort of pointing with the fist with the thumb on top. That's pure Clinton. Put that aside, and come up with something else.

On more serious matters, he's got to figure out how to get most bang for his buck. If money starts becoming a real issue down the line, he may have to make some dramatic moves. On message, hammer home how specific his policy is in comparison to the others, without boring his audience.

[Swamp Rat]

38. Promise to prosecute Bushler&Co for their numerous crimes.

[SammyWinstonJack]

61. ...

:thumbsup:

[CorpGovActivist]

39. "Let's Send Mark Penn Some Pansies!" n/t

[amandabeech]

40. Let us who are over 50 know that you will stand for us, too.

We're not done. Many of us will be around for another 20, 30, maybe even 40 years. We still have a future.

It seems on this board that many of us who are a little older are less swayed by Obama's message and are looking for specifics. You have them.

Yes, the kids have a longer future, and don't forget them.

But don't forget us, either.

[K8-EEE]

41. I think he did GOOD!! Sending him some bucks!

Hope he gets some $$$ to go toe-to-toe with B & H in the next race.

[Mr_King]

42. I'd tell him...

1. Stay on message. Keep talking about the bad economy but personalize it more for the voters. Talk about a single mother who works minimum wage and can't buy school clothes for her children. Things like that because many people can relate to things like that.

2. Talk about him beating Hillary Clinton. Even though it wasn't a big difference between Edwards and Clinton in the final tally, he still came in 2nd and she came in 3rd. More people in Iowa supported him than her. Do what he did tonight and talk about how he beat a person that was a fomer first lady, who is very well funded, and had the endorsements of many big names inside the Democratic party.

3. Focus less on Obama and Clinton and attack Bush and the Republicans HARD. Now of course that's what they all should do but if there is one thing all Democrats can agree on is our mutual hate for George Bush. He should really attack Bush in Nevada and SC. He needs to go into the black and latino communities that have been hit hard by Bush's economic policies and tell them this is Bush's fault and only HE can fix it, convince them of that. Going after Bush inside the black and latino communities will help him boost his numbers in Nevada and SC.

4. Remind his staff, volunteers, and supporters in NH, Nevada, and SC that Bill Clinton, Bush Sr., and Reagan all lost in Iowa and went on to become President. Keep their morale up maybe hire a few top people from Biden and Dodd's campaigns. In a close race like this picking up the small amount of Dodd and Biden's supporters especially in a small state like NH can make a big difference.

5. Reach out to blacks in SC. This goes along with my #3. There are still some black voters (like my mother) that will think that America won't vote for Obama because he's black. If he can take a good chunk of Hillary's support from blacks in SC while getting rural Democrats he can win SC again.

6. Go onto college campuses in NH, Nevada, and SC and talk about the Republicans and them wanting to expand the "War on Terror" and that means they'll try to bring back the draft. Now is this true....not so much. But it does address an issue that many college students are worried about; and it's something Obama is not talking about to the young people. Also talk more about his plan to give young people money to go to college.

He's unlikely to take votes away from Obama so his best bet is to pick off a good chunk of Hillary's supporters who might be demoralized after Iowa. But he has to play up her 3rd place finish and the Democrats hate for Bush (subtlely implying Hillary is Bush-lite) to do it.

[Efilroft Sul]

60. Excellent analysis, Mr. King.

Quite astute.

[Mr_King]

81. Thank You

[Hippo_Tron]

44. In all honesty, I'd say that sometimes the frontrunner gets hit with a big scandal

Which is highly unlikely but not outside of the realm of possibility. Edwards needs to position himself as the alternative to Obama instead of Hillary. Should such a scandal happen to Obama then he would be in a position to capitalize.

[readmoreoften]

45. He should let people know he wants to pull out of Iraq immediately like he said last night.

That's what people want to hear.

[Senator]

46. He Should Say The Word: Impeachment

It's the only way to separate who's doing the walking from who's just talking.

This election is "all about bushcheney."

Impeachment taps into the mother-lode of "outsiders" who want action (not just talk of "change").

He needs the courage to do more than "modulate."

====

[Raine]

47. Stay positive

his speech was TERRIFIC, he needs to keep that kind of message. :thumbsup:

[PVnRT]

49. Keep going - it's not like there's been an actual primary yet

Obama won primarily on the strength of second-chance voting and people jumping on the Obama bandwagon towards the end of the night. Without the elimination round, the final percentages are much closer and Edwards might have ended up on top.

[Le Taz Hot]

50. Dump Trippi.

That is all.

[barbtries]

52. i want to hear all the candidates

talking about bringing some consequences to bear on the gw administration, real consequences. i want these bastards to pay for their crimes.

guess that explains why i'm not in politics. sigh.

but speaking as a citizen and as a voter, i would be so more inclined to vote for the candidate who isn't spouting the slogans they think they must in order to WIN, but is simply presenting his or her plans for the way he or she will govern if elected. i am so, so sick of bullshit! and it's all i hear.

after the gulf war ended and saddam retained power i just quit looking. i knew then that they kept him in for the next time they decided to throw a war. it sickened me then and it sickens me now: the cynicism, the absolute absence of any consideration for the lives lost in their fucking games. i've read several posts recently here decrying idealism. so decry me. cynicism skates too close to hopelessness, and feeds on a dog eat dog ends justify the means mentality that i want no part of.

eh. i've got no advice for edwards or any of the candidates that they would pay any attention to whatsoever. what the fuck, maybe i'm the cynic.

[OneBlueSky]

53. emphasize populism! . . .

"John Edwards: Of the People, By the People, For the People"

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

54. I would tell him to inhale the essence of Al Gore's MLK Day speech

He's really on this same page. This speech was awesome and inspiring and it was filled with hard truths magnificently voiced. I would like to see Edwards frame many of the same issues in his own voice specifically about the role of government and that government is not the enemy of the people, it should be the voice and the servant of the people.

His greatest challenge will be in framing and delivering a message that his concern about corporate dominance of government is NOT anti-business, because that is how his enemies will mischaracterize it. I would suggest he use some brief historical examples and explain how this is pretty much a cyclical occurance in our history - that every once in a couple of generations, wealth and privilege overreach and abuse their positions and have to be reined in by a responsible government that is protecting the citizenry from having their hard fought dollars transferred to the wealthier.

It is a difficult message to get across, but I think Americans know in their heart that this is what is happening in our country and they need someone working for them.

[HughBeaumont]

55. "Keep doing what you're doing."

The fact that he came in second despite being outspent and absolutely NO coverage from the pro-corporation media speaks volumes. There'll be a groundswell for Edwards in the coming weeks. Leave Barack Obama be.

Obama/Edwards 08.
Edwards/Obama 08.

Make this winner of a ticket happen. Change America for the better.

Because I'm damned sure I'm not going to live in a country with a president named Huckabee.

[Warren Stupidity]

56. Keep hammering and then keep hammering.

And everyone here who wants a populist anti-corporatism candidate needs to send John money NOW.

[Triana]

58. I'd tell him you WON! You beat the Hillary money machine!!

And considering you were outspent 6 to one and the corprat-owned media ignored you - that's INCREDIBLE!


On to New Hampshire, Tiger!

[randr]

59. Keep hammering the repugs

The war is against fascism and tyranny from the fright wing dumdamentalists.

[cgrindley]

62. I'd tell him to drop out of the race and sell his house (nt)

[theboss]

63. Throw every available resources in South Carolina

He needs a win...somewhere...anywhere.

He is doing exactly what he did in 2004 - doing just well enough to finish 2nd in every state. And that means absolutely nothing.

[NewJeffCT]

64. A few things

1) Hammer away at Bush and Republicans - that will unite Democrats in agreeing with you.

2) Try to get free time on the air - Olbermann, Leno/Letterman, Colbert/Stewart. Heck, even Larry King would work.

3) Be happy that you finished second in Iowa, but also don't forget that you also finished second in Iowa in 2004 and that Bill Clinton lost Iowa in 1992.

[kentuck]

66. I think I would tell Edwards not to assume NH is same as Iowa...

I would tell him to continue to campaign as the true agent of change. Our country needs radical change.

Also, I would remind him that Obama won Iowa because he inspired many young voters to go to the caucus. There is no guarantee that this will be a continuing influence on the election. After all, everyone is aware of the attention span of the current generation.

Also, I would tell him to stay positive - say good things about Hillary and Obama. Come across as the good guy but serious enough to know that this country needs change. Continue to let the voters know that you will fight for them.

I think his message is a good one but it needs a little tuning. Make some small changes to the campaign speech. Attack the media because they tried to write you off before the NH primary. That's a winning issue with many folks. Let the people know that the media is part of the big corporations that have taken over this country.

[never_get_over_it]

67. Bring them home, healthcare and JOBS

over and over and over and over and over.....and don't go negative

[L. Coyote]

68. Not going to happen with the current message. Get a new message.

Go after the Corrupt Bastards Club instead, and campaign on cleaning out the corruption from every nook and corner of the bureaucracy.

[cascadiance]

69. His message IS his strength! Stick with it and build on it!

It is why people like me are supporting him! It is because it is a message that speaks for a lot of people out there, and without it, they probably don't see difference between his campaign and the unsubstantive triangulating campaigns of what he's up against.

And even if he DOES lose out to Obama, if he sticks in long enough, and Obama feels pressure from Hillary, perhaps Obama will start grabbing more of Edwards' populist stances himself to try and bring some of us "stubborn" populist voters over to his side and beat Hillary in the end. That would be a win for us all. In a way, he'd be serving the same role in that context that Dennis has been serving us all with up to this point that probably helped lead to Edwards going the way he has now.

If he abandons his message, a lot of the people will feel abandoned, and that will lower voter turnout later.

[kentuck]

71. Well said...

He needs to build on his message. I would suggest he point out the media is a big part of what is wrong with America. They have a vested interest in stopping his message. They have accrued over $200 million thus far and the race has only begun. That is where your donations end up.

[cascadiance]

75. This is probably also what Huckabee is benefitting from too...

In that he has in a way a more "populist" message targetting the religious right on the Republican side that also rejects central control by corporatists, since Huckabee on occasion has also indicated that corporations are too strong. Now we obviously don't buy into his sort of populism, but it does reinforce the notion that the media is a big part of the problem, trying to inflict candidates like Romney, Clinton, and to some extent Obama on us that will be more willing parts of their empire and unsuccessfully trying to push aside those like Huckabee and Edwards, with the country starting to wake up to the corporate media manipulation of what we get as "information" from them.

It's also amusing to hear what Fox News folks have been saying about Huckabee now too, since he's becoming TOO threatening to the corporate empire on their side too. They expose their corporate side a bit when folks like Hannity no longer "support" the religious values messages Huckabee's been running on now that he's threatening to "win" the nomination and not just draw in the religious right "sheeple" of the past.

[FrenchieCat]

72. Most people don't know exactly where he stands......

Many voters think he is still the moderate Democrat from the South that he used to be....which is why that was his largest chunk of support in Iowa.

[kentuck]

73. But we must understand...

Things have gotten much worse since the last election in 2004. A realist changes with the times.

[FrenchieCat]

76. That's not the point.....

The point is that understandably, Voters are not clear as to where Edwards stands. Some believe he still stand where he stood before he shifted his stances.

[kentuck]

77. That's true with all the candidates at present..

unfortunately. They all say they are for "change", even Huckabee, but that is only a word. The voters will have to decide which one they believe.

[FrenchieCat]

79. No it isn't.....

Not all candidates have a turned from moderate Southern Democrat to Fire throwing populists in 4-6 years time.

[kentuck]

80. So we know where Hillary and Obama stand on all the issues??

I don't know that I agree with you there.

[salin]

78. You have a point.

For those paying close attention this is not a problem. I know many old Kucinich voters who are roundly in Edward's camp now - because of the change in his message with even more fire behind the two Americas with stronger populist appeal. The problem is that for many voters there isn't a period of paying close attention - instead many base their votes on a general impression.

[LSK]

74. I'd tell him to always speak from his heart about what he feels is right

And that is what he has been doing all throughout his entire campaign.

[balantz]

82. I would tell him to focus on doing a kick-ass job at the debate Saturday.

:kick:

[PassingFair]

83. I would strongly advise him to appeal to the BASE.

Go for the anti-war people who support Kucinich.
Stress his support for Gore's Earth-friendly policies
vis a vis global warming.

Stop it with the "Mah daddy was a mill worker" schtick.

It's OLD.

Keep up the populist message, but put some POP into it.

[Orsino]

84. Ditch the fear. Make specific pledges. Reverse *'s Executive Orders as soon as you get the chance.

Stick up for same-sex marriage. You know you want to.