I'm a N.C. Democrat, Edwards Disappoints

[in_cog_ni_to]

This is a blog post on Clark04...I thought "someone in the know" from N.C. is a good judge of Edwards. There's three other opinions of Edwards from people who live in N.C. or know someone there. He's apparently been a horrible Senator. I'll just let you read what he/she wrote and the following responses.


By Raleighite
Posted to North Carolina on Mon Jan 26th, 2004 at 08:28:37 PM EST

I voted for John Edwards to be my Senator--NOT to run for president. I live in his home town and I can tell you he has been a HUGE disappointment, and would not win N.C. if he ran again here
--let alone the south!
When Hurricane Isabel devastated the eastern section of the state last year--he abandoned us--he spent his time at fundraisers in California and campaigning for Grey Davis. He did not show up to debate and vote against the bill for off-shore oil exploration off the coast of N.C. (We had to depend on Liddy Dole, of all people!) Now I see that he did not show up to vote against that OMNIBUS Bill denying workers overtime pay. No wonder that the only bumper stickers I see in his hometown are Clark stickers.

I hope the voters of N.H. will not be fooled by this overly ambitious man who has so greatly let down the people of North Carolina!



I'm a N.C. Democrat, Edwards Disappoints | 4 comments | Strict chronological order | Post A Comment

(#1) (Rated 5.00/1)

by El in New York on 01/26/2004 08:35:40 PM EST
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Thanks for posting your comments. I hope you will be able to help out with the Clark campaign when it focuses down South.


from a friend (#2) (Rated 5.00/1)

by Anonymous on 01/26/2004 08:38:45 PM EST
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A good friend of mine lived in Winston-Salem for 3 years recently. He's a devout Democrat. I asked him his opinion of Edwards, and he pretty much said the exact same thing, and added, "his job was to convince a jury, that's why he's doing well. I could see him as VP, but Bush would destory him in a run for President. I would maybe vote for him as Pres. after 4 years experience as a VP but a lot of people in NC would kick him out of the senate for a 2nd term. That's why he's not even running for a 2nd term in NC. He knows he can't win again."


(#3) (Rated 5.00/1)

by El in New York on 01/26/2004 08:48:25 PM EST
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I had a friend visiting from Greensboro last week and though he told me he likes Edwards, he doesn't think he's presidential material. He supports Clark over Edwards too.


Me, too! (#4) (No rating)

by armymom (armymom at forclark dot com) on 01/26/2004 09:03:09 PM EST
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As a NC resident, as well as a lawyer, professor, veteran, army mom, and someone who voted for Sen Edwards, I, too am disappointed in him for not doing his job for NC for the past two years while he has been running for President - he at least should have resigned and let our Governor appoint his replacement, so in addition to missing critical votes and not representing his constituents, he has made it more possible for the Dems to lose a valuable seat in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Edwards also voted for the Iraq war resolution and made hawkish speeches on the Senate floor. Everyday, we find out more and more about how the war decision was made, confirming the things that General Clark has been saying all along.

While Sen. Edwards might be able to claim in good faith that he was duped into his vote for the war resolution, neither he nor Lieberman nor Kerry have demonstrated an ounce of responsibility for the troops in Iraq - a true leader always accepts responsbility for the outcomes of his or her decisions, be they right or wrong, based on complete or faulty intelligence. Kerry, Edwards, and Lieberman seems to me to suffer the same sort of personal disconnect the Shrub and the others who support the war have. It's just an issue to them, something they can complain about after the fact - they don't treat it as a real issue with real people...nor have they apologized to our troops and their families or done anything constructive to help solve the problem NOW!

General Clark, on the other hand, expresses true empathy for the soldiers and their families - he gets it! Not only is the General a war hero, veteran, and former commanding officer - he too was an army parent!

[Lex]

1. Did you think everyone from NC

would like Edwards? If Clark actually held office, I'm sure we could find just as many disgrunted people in his constintuency too.

Please.

[mmonk]

2. Thanks for that

I'm from North Carolina and have been trying to express similar things but nobody seems to care to listen. I get the impression some people really aren't compatible with his positions, but are supporting him now with his late surge. And of course, I'm sure some agree with him and have no problems with him. But some things need to be said anyway.

[Toucano]

3. I don't know about that...

I think Edwards may be a great guy with a lot of potential.

I am just concerned that he hasn't come under close scrutiny that others have, has no military experience (I know the chimp doesn't either, but that doesn't fit the "image" of him voters have), nor does he have any substantial foreign policy experience.

Of course, if he's the nominee, I'll support the hell out of him. But I'm afraid we'll be looking at Bush doing what daddy couldn't yet again...win a second term.

Edwards supporters expect me to believe that a candidate who hasn't had any executive or leadership experience can beat Bush, and I'm not convinced yet. It would be unprecedented for someone to go from private attorney to U.S. Senator to POTUS in such a short time.

Not a slam or attack on Edwards, just expressing my doubts.

[spooky3]

9. I believe most of us would agree that running a successful law firm

as well as partnering a prior one, in addition to Senate service on key committes, qualifies as executive or leadership experience.

[Toucano]

13. Well, thank you.

I appreciate that contribution, but I disagree.

Running a successful law firm is not enough. The manager of a Wal-Mart oversees more people and activities.

Serving on key committees hardly qualifies as leadership either. If it did, it would be called leading key committees.

[spooky3]

20. I'm sure you are aware that * has more relevant experience than

do any of our candidates, because he has served 3 years as pResident. Does that make him more qualified?

You seem to have a very narrow view about what qualifies as "leadership" or "executive" experience. Has it occurred to you that others who wish to redefine it narrowly (or with rather tortured boundaries), will raise equally compelling questions about the relevance of Gen. Clark's experience?

Serving as a general is quite different from working with others who have power to get things done. All of our other candidates have more experience as an elected official than Clark and Sharpton.

Despite this, I will gladly vote for Clark if he is the nominee, as he is a zillion times better than *, and will surround himself with people who will have the types of experience he needs. Same with Edwards. And I would be delighted if they would team up to take on *. They would be unbeatable.

[Toucano]

37. We're agreed that we'll support the nominee.

I already said I can support Edwards.

And you've nailed the problem with a Bush v. Edwards contest. The incumbent already has the job description on his resume. That's why we have to offer the best we can for voters to compare.

I take issue with your characterization of my view of executive experience and leadership as narrow, however. I think you might not have noticed the magnitude of the situation. I don't mean that to sound condescending, but I can't think of another way to put it - that's my fault not yours. Pardon me.

Let's compare and contrast Clark's and Edwards' leadership experience.

As Supreme Allied Commander, Clark worked directly with heads of state commanding a multi-national operation.

As partner and head of a law firm, Edwards directed the ordering of pens and legal pads.

Clark helped negotiate the Dayton Peace Accord.

Edwards negotiated disputes over who gets the office with the window.

Clark had to send his subordinates on dangerous, life or death missions.

Edwards had to send his subordinates to the copier.


"Serving as a general is quite different from working with others who have power to get things done. All of our other candidates have more experience as an elected official than Clark and Sharpton."

The voters aren't going to be looking at who has experience as an elected official. Why would they? That just means the candidate can win elections.

They're going to be looking at who has the tested ability to make important decisions that affect millions of people. Clark has done that. Dean has done that (well, maybe not millions). Bush has done that. Edwards has not.

You realize how rare it is for a sitting senator to be elected president, don't you? Why do you think that is? Senator's don't have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, unless they've been there awhile. By then, they have often had to compromise so often to be effective, that they seem weak.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mmonk]

7. call it

product labeling for those that don't know.

[Democrats unite]

14. This statement is going to come back at you tomorrow.

eom

[digno dave]

25. edwards

His wife sure looks cute....

[MoonRiver]

5. So we'd have another presidential candidate who can't win his own state

How depressing.

[AP]

21. Ark: 4 EVs. NC: 15 EVs. I'd rather have a good chance at 15

than a lock on 4.

Furthermore, you'd have to be comatose not to see that Edwards stands the best chance of all the candidates of winning everyhwere outside of the coasts, and just as any democrat running, he's a lock on the coasts.

[maxr4clark]

50. I'm sorry but I see no reason why you think Edwards is so electable.

It isn't even clear that he would win reelection for his Senate seat, which is very Republican. He couldn't beat Kerry in Iowa, despite Iowa being far from both coasts.

Edwards may be charismatic, but he has yet to prove he can win one state against other Democrats, let alone Red states against Bush.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, people!

[spooky3]

42. "Edwards' standing is better than that of some of his rivals in their home

states. A poll late last year, for example, showed Dean and Kerry to be in a statistical dead heat among likely Democratic voters in Massachusetts. A similar poll in Connecticut showed Lieberman with a five-point lead over Dean."

See my post #34 for the link to the full article.

[Edwards4President]

51. Good Point

Howard Dean lost support in each election he ran in as governor and in his last race, barely got 50%, narrowly avoiding a runoff. Given the trend, he probably would have lost had he run for a sixth term.

So, I'm not sure if home state viability is all that telling, is it?

[leyton]

6. Nice try.

While Edwards might not carry NC, he would be able to pick off southern states.

EDIT: Clark is the only one can 'win' his home state. Any Democrat will win Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont.

And there are plenty of North Carolinians who like him. I'm sure the Clark blog isn't a representative sample.

[YNGW]

8. NC Resident Here

I, too, have made the point that Edwards has abandoned the state. If he were to run for Senate, I really doubt he would win. If there was a primary and we could choose either Edwards or Harvey Gantt, I'd vote for Gantt in a heartbeat.

Thank goodness he's not running for NC Senate again. Maybe we can get someone who cares more about the people of the State of NC than they do about themselves and their own political career.

[spooky3]

10. Better to have someone who can win the GE than someone who can

win his home state and lose the majority.

[mmonk]

11. meet the new boss

same as the old boss

[YNGW]

12. Edwards could do neither.

nc

[Lex]

15. Got a crystal ball?

Sounds like it.

Suddenly the Clark supporters turn on Edwards. Predictable.

[jenk]

23. it's pretty obvious

inevitable 4th place finish and a press conference wednesday at 2pm.

[mmonk]

27. I've been posting similar things

about Edwards, his foreign policy positions, and his lack of support from average North Carolinians when Edwards was at 6% and there was only scant support for him here at DU. No "turning on Edwards" here.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Thank you for your input.

It's very difficult to get a real read on his leadership abilities when you don't live in the state he represents. Thanks for your opinion.

Go Wes!

[Edwards4President]

36. Did you know that Harvey Gantt is Edwards' National Co-Chair?

Maybe he knows something you don't. :-)

[Rooktoven]

43. Harvey Gantt was an awful, timid campaigner

I voted for him twice, but his structure was unorganized for folks who wanted to vote for him, and when Helms said he wouldn't debate Gantt, Gantt let it go.

Edwards is a fighter and has represented NC well He'll be a great president.

[KoKo]

49. NC chiming in and yes most of you know that I feel about Edwards the way

his other critics from NC in the post and here feel. He's an excellent schmoozer, and I supported him and donated to him. Many folks felt betrayed by him. He was never here for us. And with Liddy Dole as our other Senator...we Dems really had little voice. Although NC Dems could be seen as closer to Lieberman wing of the party, still....many of us more to the left thought Edwards wouldb be wonderful as our new Senator.. After suffering with Jesse Helms to have this attractive man as our Senator was a hope come true.

Ha! What a disappointment. I won't repeat my personal experiences with him.....because most here have heard them. But, not everyone feels the way we do. Some NC DU'ers actually do still like him.

[tryanhas]

16. Well, everyone has an opinion

If they didn't they'd be dead.

You have your opinion. I'm from NC as well, and I don't share yours or theirs, so who's right?

Most Democrats from NC support Edwards' campaign for the nomination, so like I said, you have your opinion, but it's not conclusive. It's pretty much closer to the opinion of Republicans in this state who spread the false dogma of "ABANDONMENT" when it comes to John Edwards and people from NC buy into that crap. Most of the people complainig about Edwards buy into the "TOO GREEN" argument, but still, they are the MINORITY, because most North Carolinians support his run for the White House.

Continue drinking the GOP's juice.

So, let me post a post from someone else from NC about Edwards because everyone has an opinion:

Sen. John Edwards and his job as a Senator from NC
( This is a reply message to this page's main story )

(Anonymous) at Friday October 10, @08:06PM

As a person who has seen that Sen. John Edwards is dedicated to moving America forward, long before he decided to run for President; I needed his help with Social Security. I had been unable to work for 10 years due to mulitple disabilities. Several Doctors had suggested that I could not medically continue to work as a teacher in N.C., and suggested I seek SSI. After being turned down for 5 years my former Superintendent contacted Sen. Edwards' office. I was about to lose everything I owned in this world, my self esteem and hope was gone. I was ready to give up. Sen. Edward's contacted me via letter, and phone and directed his staff to help me get through the SSI maze. He and his staff "saved my life" and my dignity. They followed my case and even helped me get the correct paper work to file for SSI. When Sen. Edwards says he cares about the regular working class people he is sincere. The people in N.C. will miss him but our loss will be a great step forward for America. He is an advocate for real people who need real leadership. Our country is now in need of a real person to solve real problems. We need Sen. Edwards in Washington, as our president.

Sincerely,
John Evers, Lexington, N.C.

I have heard many similar stories on Edwards' blog over the months, so I will refute the crap that you just posted.

John Edwards has done a great job according to most that I have heard from, and he is killing others in NC polls, so quit trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill...

[citizen snips]

35. I agree.

Most of North Carolina supports Edwards run for President. Even our governor supports Edwards.

[AP]

17. People saying nasty things anonymously at a Clark blog.

I think I read that 93% of NC'ians approve of his run for President.

He's closer to Bush in NC than Clinton was to Bush pere in '92 (and both those states have identical Presidential-voting records since 68 -- republican sweeps, unless voting for the home town boy).

Furthermore, the things these posts are aluding to are uninformed, which probably explains why so few fellow NC'ians share their opinion.

[Lex]

22. Exactly!

Things to consider about JE taking NC:

1. NC has lost LOTS and LOTS of jobs under the Bush Admin. JE will hammer this.

2. Lots of NC military folks are PISSED about the way they were lied to about the Iraq War and the way it has been poorly executed. JE will hammer this.

3. There will be a groundswell of support for a senator from NC to win the Presidency. Sheer bragging rights.


He'll take NC if he gets the nomination, imho.

[citizen snips]

26. I use to support Clark.

But I changed to Edwards because we need someone who runs a positive campaign.

[spooky3]

34. In early January 2004, 93% of NC Democrats approve Edwards' run for Pres

This is PRE-Iowa.

http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/polls/story/3207866p-2878099c.html

"The poll, taken less than two weeks before Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus, found that a majority of North Carolinians -- 55 percent -- approve of Edwards' White House bid, compared with 39 percent when he launched his candidacy a year ago.

The wider acceptance is due in large part to warmer feelings among fellow Tar Heel Democrats: 93 percent now approve of Edwards' run, compared with 67 percent a year ago, according to the survey by Research 2000 of Rockville, Md.

snip

The poll also showed Edwards continuing to hold a comfortable lead in a hypothetical Democratic presidential primary in North Carolina. Edwards drew the support of 40 percent, while Dean drew 26 percent. The other candidates were in the single digits.

Edwards' standing is better than that of some of his rivals in their home states. A poll late last year, for example, showed Dean and Kerry to be in a statistical dead heat among likely Democratic voters in Massachusetts. A similar poll in Connecticut showed Lieberman with a five-point lead over Dean."

[Toucano]

44. You missed this part, I think.

"If the election were held today, Bush would prevail in the Tar Heel state, 53 percent to Edwards' 40 percent."

From your link.

On Edit:

Approving of him running for president isn't the same as approving of him being president.

[spooky3]

46. Look, I'm not interested in a spitting contest with you.

Find a bored 6 year old.

[Toucano]

47. You selectively quoted an article to favor your candidate!

What do you expect? It's intellectual dishonesty.

Support Edwards, but don't be blind to his warts. All the candidates have them.

"Find a bored 6 year old."

This statement could be interpreted to suggest that I already have.

[dae]

18. When he made his decision to run, part of it was based on the polls

showing a very difficult reelection race.

[Edwards4President]

38. Edwards is not universally popular in NC

But that's because he has stood up for things that many very conservative North Carolinians object to. He has fought against bad judges and bad legislation over the objections of many in his home state. That takes courage.

[saltpoint]

19. I'm from the Birch Bayh wing of the party --

-- and I think we have to be careful not to sell Senator Edwards short. I can't speak as a constituent from North Carolina, but the U.S. Senate is a national and even international post, in many respects. On the roster of Southern Democrats, I think I'd take John Edwards hands down over Zell Miller.

I think the three people quoted in the original post here sound sincere in their misgivings, but again, I'll take Edwards over Zell the Traitorous (who might have been named a VP this year if he had been faithful to the party). I like the demographics Edwards could bring to our national campaign. If he is on the ticket, he can roll into many southern congressional districts and put Democrats in tight races over the top.

He oo'd and awe'd 'em in Iowa, folks. They wanted to elect him THEIR Senator, they wanted to cut his grass, they wanted to ADOPT the boy. He's a plus for our side against Bush.

[citizen snips]

24. SO WHAT.

Four people say something bad about Edwards on the Clark blog does not mean all of the North Carolina feels like that. These attacks are so stupid.

[tryanhas]

30. See #16

My post...

[glarius]

28. I saw a picture of Edwards very different from the charmer he portrays

now, when he was interviewed on CBC by Evan Soloman early on in the presidential campaign...He was quite imperious and haughty in his answers to Soloman's questions, I thought...He no doubt thought no one in the States would see him so he didn't have to be charming....I'm sorry, but I wouldn't trust him....

[Lex]

40. If he's the nominee, you'd rather

have W?

[glarius]

45. Of course not.....Anyone is better than Bush n/t

[TheDonkey]

53. He gives off a slimy lawyer presence..

something about him really doesn't click with me.

He's more qualified than Bush, but I don' thtink he's as electable as Kerry or Clark and definetly not as experienced.

[dweller]

29. I'm a lifelong NC constituent, so take John Edwards

please.

dp

[KoKo]

52. lol's that's why his polling for pres is high. Take him away! VP Maybe..

He needs to grow.

[Dr Fate]

31. I'm for Clark, but I dont like any of this candidate smearing...

...I dont care who is doing it- and they ALL are doing it- it's a huge turn off...

[mmonk]

32. The truth is

it's not only repubs that are not satisfied. It's independents and dems as well. The party bosses support him in NC, but not necessarily the rank and file. There are plenty of Clark and Dean supporters in N.C. as well though he'll win the dem support here if he happens to be doing well by the time of the NC primary. But he will not win here in the general election IMO. Try a random sample of North Carolinians yourself (however you choose to do it). Anyway, I can't support him except only if he became the nominee. I want change in this country's foreign policy for one thing. All I say is, ignore these warnings at your own peril unless you think he'll definitely beat bush and/or you know and agree with his positions.

[abburdlen]

39. Another NC voter here

full disclosure I voted for Edwards in 2000 for senate and support Clark for the nomination.

data is dated but read for yourself
http://research2000.us/in_the_news/20030527_poll_nc_not_enamored_of_edwards.php

[spooky3]

41. This is May 2003. Please see my post #34 for a Jan. 2004 article

showing widespread support for his running for President, particularly among Democrats.

I am not surprised that in a conservative state he was not universally supported.

Further, North Carolina has not supported a Democrat for President since 1976.

[mmonk]

48. But they vote dems to congress

and other races. It says that support even for another senate run would not be there. Ignore it if you like, but don't say we're feeding you any false info.