Congress, Fox News, News
Plus his bumper stickers are made in the USA with the union label
It’s early for endorsements outside of Iowa and New Hampshire, but for what it’s worth, mine goes to John Edwards.
It’s not just about being turned utterly off by Hillary Clinton’s business as usual blather, or that Barack Obama’s fresh-faced, can-do optimism doesn’t make up for debate missteps, excessive reliance on star power, and simplistic arguments. I think Obama would make a great vice president and Clinton a great senior senator from New York.
But Edwards is saying stuff that matters. He gets it. And he has the air of a man who would like you to come along, but either way he’s going there.
No doubt part of this is due to his wife’s fight with cancer, the loss of his son, and finding out in 2004 what pulling your punches gets you. But it’s this very history that makes me think he’d be a good leader. Obama’s life, while inspiring, has been pretty sweet. And Hillary’s seems based on a combination of ambition, parsing the truth, and pretending things that hurt don’t. Those are good survival skills but I think they lead her to do stupid things like vote to authorize Bush to invade Iraq and distasteful things like having surrogates slam the competition. And as Tom Tomorrow points out so clearly in This Modern World, she has “high negatives and excessive baggage.”
Fellow Pensito Review editor, Jon, worries that Edwards’ decision to accept public funding, and therefore limit private fund raising, will hamper his ability to compete. I’m not, although I am saying, “Thank you Supreme Court, for refusing to restrict ‘issues advertising’ earlier this year.”
You’ll notice I didn’t discuss platforms here. That’s because, unlike the Republicans whose stands differ on things like abortion, immigration, and the role of religion in government, all the Democrats are headed in the right direction. The exception, of course, is Clinton’s willingness to play nice with the powers who run the status quo and Edwards’ battle cry against them. Edwards also is the only Democrat I’ve heard besides Al Gore who verbalizes the importance of saving the planet.
The big differences, just like with job applicants, mates, and American Idol contestants, come down to personal qualities. I think John Edwards has what it takes in that department, and I plan to support him in 2008.
Bravo! I am supporting Edwards too. You didn’t mention one thing I really consider important. Edwards spent a lot of his adult life fighting for average families against insurance companies. I think he understands how venal they can be and won’t be afraid to fight back. IMO we really need someone who will fight those buggers over healthcare. And I’m just not sure that Hillary or Obama is prepared to do that.
But whatever your reasons are…I’m tickled you’re supporting him.
John Edwards can win the middle class votes for Democrats in ‘08. He isn’t afraid to stand up to big business interests. Edwards is the only major Presidential candidate talking about protecting American jobs lost by “free trade” agreements. With his charisma and populist appeal, Edwards is the choice for Democrats.
I will gladly support Edwards if he should win the nomination, because he has finally adopted several of Dennis Kucinich’s positions. Dennis has my heart, money and vote, but if it doesn’t pan out for him, then Edwards is my man. I won’t lose any sleep worrying about selling out my principles. At least until it’s discovered that he belongs to the Hair Club For Men.
Edwards is a fake. Compare his positions now vs ‘04. It is total makeover by changing his support for healthcare and other issues.
Ppl are so naive. Edwards is a fake.
[...] Pensito Review – Why I’m Endorsing John Edwards for President by Trish. [...]
Senator Clinton was either serious, and meant it, with her vote to make war on Iraq or she wasn’t. She was either serious, and meant it, with her flag burning amendment. If she was, I can’t support her in the primary. If she wasn’t then how do I tell when she is serious and means it?
This doing things with “nod and a wink” implying, “Oh, you know I had to take this position, but I don’t really mean it” I find, in this time of deep civil strife in the US unacceptable. If you can’t tell where she is, how can you trust to know where she’s going. Expediency, thy name is Hilary [but in fairness she picked a fair amount of it up from her spouse].
I agree Trish. I’ve been in Edwards camp for awhile now. And, should the election look like it might be stolen again, I have no doubt that Edward’s will raise 100 different kinds of hell to make sure each vote is counted.
Edwards should have been in ‘04….
Edwards is THE ONLY ONE in ‘08!
Count me in ALL THE WAY!