I'm sorry to see all the attacks aimed at Obama in this support group [View All]

[LiveLiberally]

Although they are NOTHING compared to GD-P, the often ugly attacks on Obama's character has made me hesitate to post here, even though I lurked in this forum for months before joining DU. I take the allegations very seriously (I'm a researcher and professor by profession) and thus far I have found little or no evidence to support the more extreme accusations of corruptness, cheating, extortion, voter tampering etc... If anyone would like to provide links to solid, verifiable proof, I'd be happy to read them.

As a supporter of Edwards since 2004, one of things I've most admired about him is his ability to grow, both as an individual and a politician. From my point of view, both Clinton and Obama have revealed at times what Edwards once referred to (in a self-deprecating reference to himself as a young senator) as a lack of "seasoning." More positively, however, my own research hasn't exposed either candidate as fraudulent or fundamentally lacking character, although both have had (and maintain) personal and professional associations that I find suspect.

As a lifelong democrat, however, I ultimately put my party above any individual politician because it will be the democratic nominee who must win this election. It is simply too important for the millions of ordinary Americans whose lives can be fundamentally bettered by implementing simple democratic values such as a minimum wage that is indexed to inflation. I don't see how I can support and seek to move forward John and Elizabeth's fight against poverty and socio-economic inequality and not support whomever wins the nomination. I can thus only hope that the ultimate nominee can mobilize the support of all democrats. And yes, if necessary, gain (or regain) the trust of those who have become disillusioned by the muck of this primary season.

Finally, I completely agree that partisan politics has gone completely overboard on DU. Which is why I very much hope the Edwards Support Group can be a haven for all of us who share progressive, democratic principles, irrespective of our different opinions regarding the remaining candidates.