Reply #25: He represented a red state [View All]

[jackson_dem]

That can't be forgotten. There are also parochial issues in each state, such as the textile industry in North Carolina as PurityofEssence outlined in his posts. He had to vote the way the people back home wanted him to on some things. So did Hillary, Obama and every other member of Congress. The difference is the people in their states were already progressive so they weren't pressured to deviate from the script as often as someone like Edwards from a Republican state. I don't think it is wrong that red state Democratic senators vote different on some issues unless they go to extremes like Ben Nelson or Lieberman. On the big issues, especially relating to economic issues Edwards was good. Edwards has always been an economic populist, not a social issues crusader. On that he has not changed a lick since his days in Washington.