Campaign for John Edwards in 2008

This was before news of his “alternative” social life. No further comment.

greatly disappointed that Edwards had to drop out. I understand his reasons; this election was completely consumed by the two qualified “celebrity” candidates making history, respectively. Edwards’ Campaign just Could Not get any air.

He was said to have joked to a staffer near the end Well, i guess i could set myself on fire, but i dont think it would help…”

As of this late date, the nominee battle is still undecided, with a minor edge for Obama. I do support Obama, and i really really wish he would / could pick Edwards as his running mate. I think that would make their election a clean sweep, since Edwards was “everyone’s 2nd choice”. I heard briefly that Edwards wont accept any VP offers,,,,and i so hope he changes his mind. It’ll take (at least!) 16+ years of intelligent Democratic presidency to clean up all of the idiot Dubya’s messes.

Maybe i’ll write a personal letter to Edwards, beg him to reconsider. This country so needs him in the major struggles ahead….

from various sources on the ‘Net

If you want more of the same Washington politics, the same elitism, the same corruption, the same foreign policy wrapped in a different package, the same corporate stranglehold on the political leadership, a healthcare system that leaves the insurance companies and drug companies in charge, the same atmosphere where voters have no access to their elected officials (unless they can afford a $3500.00 per plate dinner), and if you want a candidate who will struggle to win moderates and independents in a General Election, then by all means, vote for Hillary.

Barack Obama? Obama would also be very vulnerable in a General Election. As great as Obama is and as good as his message might be, he cannot generate the broad support needed in a General Election to win (and flip) purple States over a wide geographical area. The Democrats must be able to win purple States like Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee & others. Obama is not the best candidate to get it done, especially against a well oiled, tested and proven Republican machine, that is licking its chops, hoping for an Obama nomination. The Republican machine would destroy Obama in a General Election, making the dismantling of John Kerry look like childs play by comparison.

But there is a Democrat who could get it done – John Edwards. But if you watch the news coverage, it is almost as if Edwards is not even running for President. I have been watching for Edwards coverage closely, especially over the last several weeks. Each night, Chris Matthews has talked about the matchup between Clinton & Obama, and has hardly mentioned John Edwards. The few times when Edwards has been mentioned, it has always been in the context of “Oh yeah…that guy… the loser”. There has clearly been an effort to take John Edwards out of the mix. There also seems to be a push to get Democrats to nominate an unelectable or less electable candidate. The Republicans would welcome (and greatly appreciate) Clinton or Obama as an opponent. There is no greater rallying tool for Republicans than a Clinton nomination. That would certainly stir the Republican grassroots, as Republican strategists have admitted themselves. In fact, Republican cheerleaders would not have to work nearly as hard to motivate the troops with Clinton as an opponent. Democrats would be doing the work for the Republicans with a Clinton nomination. But the Republicans fear John Edwards.

by The Angry Independent

The Aftermath of the Iowa Caucus

I see the Obama win in Iowa as the Democrats worst nightmare coming true. A Trainwreck in the making.

The corporate media will still act as if Edwards doesn’t exist. He will continue to face a media Blackout. The networks will continue to spin the election as a Obama/Clinton contest. Why? Because it is good for their ratings. That has been one of the motivations behind the whole Obama/Clinton nonsense all along. This has been a media driven election for Obama and Clinton. Neither candidate belongs anywhere near the top tier. But they were placed there by corporations who decided that this was what the political landscape should look like.

The fact is… Obama & Clinton are 2 of the least electable candidates that Democrats have to offer (among the serious candidates/not counting Gravel or Kucinich).

Who owns the big media? The same kinds of corporations that John Edwards says he wants to stand up to. So that is another factor in this race.

There is no way that Obama can match a top Republican in a General election. He is not the best Democrat for winning Purple States. And he will get nothing in the South. Yes, he won in Iowa…but that does not translate into victory in a General Election where there will be 50 separate and unequal contests taking place. And keep in mind, this will be after the Republican political/media machine gets done with him.

In fact, Obama would struggle just to hold on to States that Democrats won in the last 2 elections…such as Pennsylvania.

In short, the Democrats are once again headed for a Trainwreck…. with either Obama or Clinton.

It’s sad to see this happening to Edwards…who would make a great President. Edwards may be finished soon, because so much was riding on Iowa. His campaign may have been doomed before it had a chance to get started, because the media made a concerted effort to take him out of the mix from the beginning. He never got a fair shot. This fundamentally flawed American election system needs to be overhauled. The allocation of media time to candidates, etc all must be regulated if this Country wants to have anything resembling free and fair elections. Media steering should be stopped and public polling before elections should be regulated or eliminated altogether.

by Mirror On America

Some folks will say that Obama exudes more “Presidential charisma” than Edwards. But i feel that John Edwards is the only canditate with the intelligent savvy to truly bring smart, fresh changes, as well as has the experience in various ways to know how to accomplish them. I’m personally hoping for a Edwards-Obama ticket. Obama is no doubt intelligent, inspiring and a great political orator….but i’d really like to see him have at least 4 years of “seasoning” as VP. (and this way we get 16 yrs of smart fresh Democratic rule :)(& which is what i feel it’ll take to clean up the messes of Geo Jr’s horrendous tenure)

I agree that Hillary went shrill—which showed her true colours. She keeps trying to portray herself as this cool & poised person, but actually has a tempermental, sarcastic essence. She is a great strategist tho, and would better serve this country by continuing in the senate and strengthing the democratic coalition (kennedy cant last forever)

I will admit that Edwards hasnt as yet been as Kinetic as he was in 2004; his wife’s terminal illness has understandably taken him back abit. But i found him hitting his stride again last night, demonstrating his powers of analysis, detailed practical aspects to issues, yet with the optimistic possibities of change, and how to get there…

Edwards will carry the south, and Obama will bring along the newly inspired voters. This is the combination we need in this country. Especially against a Huckabee-McCain ticket (what i see as being the Republican nominees). I like Huckabee very much, even if i dont agree with many of his positions. He is the best at communicating complex issues, will appeal to the Republicans evangelical base, yet will be a fresh face without baggage for his party. And McCain will bring a needed gravitas & reasoned experience (but he’s a little too burned out to carry the nomination himself)

Edwards-Obama is the only team that can truly heal this fractured country and our estranged relation to the rest of the world, solve the enormous problems that face the next presidency, and deal with the critical issues that have too long been ignored by the previous administration.

I’m heading to New Hampshire on Dec 28! Got plane tickets, hotel room and car all set up.

(from the Politics-Culture blog Diondega 412)

“As the latest round of Presidential contenders and pretenders gear up, I am becoming convinced that the Democrats dream ticket for 2008 is former North Carolina Senator John Edwards and the junior Senator from Illinois Barack Obama.

“Both Edwards, the son of a North Carolina mill-worker and Obama, the son of a Kenyan college student, have life stories that re-enforce the feel good ideals of “America the Land of Opportunity”. I believe it will help them relate to working class and poor voters who have felt disconnected from the Democratic Party’s middle-class mainstream messaging over the last 10 to 15 years. “He’s (John Edwards) low-key, down-to-earth, a nice guy.” says David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register

“Edwards-Obama or Obama-Edwards can excite the base of the party (unions, people of color, the working poor, young people and students) that have given unenthusiastic support for the last two Democratic nominees. Instead of campaigning against Bush, they’ll have someone to campaign for. Their progressive populist positive message of hope is grounded by a down home, common sense perspective that eludes many of the Democrats elite. Vision, innovation and reform in plain talk for the people, with a dose of charisma, poetry and theater.

“I know it’s real early and Hilary is still the one to beat, I still think she’s too 90’s. “You hear a lot of ‘I like Hillary, But...’ talk out here,”, says David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register…”

this must, and will be….

_{(and Oh, the grief we could have avoided if we’d made him the nominee in 2004…)}

...i bought this bumpersticker the day after the 2004 election. For me, this is THE team, the only team that can bring back America from the ruination of the Bush years.

For those who say, but what of Hilary? i say she just wont win. I truly fear that if she does get the nomination, there will be such a surge of anti-votes against her, that this country will wind up with another empty-headed republican in the White House. And we as a country are on a critical edge, and cannot afford another political misstep….

stuff he said.. and especially because he’s from NC.

But the $400 haircut makes me sick. So I don’t know who to support :( I like Kucinich the most of all.

i will do this when the time is right