What was up with Edwards getting booed at the candidates forum?

[ALago1]

Edwards is my second choice, and I thought it was unfair for a substantial portion of the audience to boo him when the moderator asked him how can he justify both being a millionaire and claiming he identifies with ordinary Americans.

His reply was thoughtful, logical and (in my opinion) correct. He in essense said that he had opportunites that people today don't b/c of Bush. Additionally, he commented that who he was before he made it big is always with him and he will never forget where he came from.

The negative response was fairly disturbing to me. Do people perceive him as being inauthentic and phony? I never did, and still don't. Yet, I'm wondering if there are certain people that don't buy his message of being an ordinary American because of his huge amount of wealth.

[displacedtexan]

1. That's terrible!

That negates the good work that Edwards, Dean, Kerry, Kennedy et al have done for this country.
How ignorant!

[bearfartinthewoods]

10. the poster tell only half the story........

when Edwards finished answering the question, the audienced roared it's approval.

"I come from where you come and i will never forget you!"

[Dark Star]

15. I agree.

I perceived the audience as catching on to the fact that the moderator was full of sh**. Edwards was applauded. He did start from modest means and did earn a great deal; but he and his wife did earn it! And they earned it as attorneys fighting corporate greed.

It seemed to me the audience appreciated that fact and appreciated Edwards.

:shrug:


:kick:

[Ivote]

2. I think the boos

were in response to the Moderator citing
that Edwards had purchased 2
million dollar homes in DC.
Remember that forum was taking place
in SC, which has the largest unemployment
rate per capita in the country

on edit:
I'm not sure if it was one home
for two million, or 2 homes for 1 million each.

[spooky3]

4. He bought 1 home, sold it, bought a different one.

[mhr]

3. If Edwards Is Booed For Wealth, Then Kerry Should be Heckled As Well.

He is married to the heir of the Heinz fortune.

One understands that she is rolling in dough.

Of the two, one suspects that Edwards has not forgotten where he comes from.

Kerry strikes one as someone that would rather forget his past and identify with the wealthy.

No flames please, just opinions based on observation.

[ALago1]

5. Kerry is aware of his wealth

All of the candidates (except Kucinich and Sharpton) are very well off and can be considered wealthy. What the audience was reacting negatively to was their perception of Edwards trying to act like he wasn't a multi-millionaire and just "one of them".

One of Kerry's best moments, in my opinion, was when he was in some town hall forum and was extremely candid about his wealth and upbringing. He mentioned that he went to the best schools and had the best education, but from there expressed his desire to give all people the same opportunites he had because he realizes himself that there are vast inequities in America.

[spooky3]

9. what evidence do you have of that? did you interview the attendees?

Why did they cheer MORE loudly after Edwards ANSWERED the question, then?

[ALago1]

12. Did you take a survey of who applauded before and after the question?

Sure, one may argue that the decibel level of applause after the answer was greater. However, do you conclusively know that such noise wasn't made by a fervent handful of supporters and thus only the perception of a greater response was experienced?

If we're gonna nitpick, might as well to it to absurdity...

[spooky3]

16. no, but I am not the one claiming to know what is inside their heads.

[ALago1]

17. Ok, fair enough

My interpretation of the audience reaction was solely my individual opinion. I feel it is the most obvious explanation so if someone else interpreted it differently please share your thoughts.

[spooky3]

7. He got huge applause & cheers AFTER he answered the question.

On NPR, unfortunately, they played the entire moderator question, but only the first sentence of his answer.

I believe this question gets raised a lot with him, which is why

1) he is ready for it with a home run answer and
2) he gives his son-of-a-millworker speech before it comes up, to preempt it.

His policy proposals, by the way, are consistent with the idea of trying to give more people the opportunity to reach the American Dream as he has, and he refuses to demonize those who have succeeded by their own hard work, and those who have not succeeded, through no fault of their own.

[JI7]

11. Kerry acknowledges his priveledge and doesn't forget the past

kerry acknowledges he had priveledges that many didn't. and he doesn't forget the past. he has been fighting for those who he served with in the military ever since he came back. most of those he served with didn't have the advantages he had and he never forgot them.

and i think edwards did a good job with that question. the question seemed unfair but i thought edwards did a good job of turning it around into an advantage for himself.

[TacticalPeek]

6. Maybe they were booing the moderator?

For his trenchant and enlightening question?

[ALago1]

8. I dunno

There was a mix of booing and cheering during and after the question was asked.
The booing came mostly mid question after it was revealed Edwards had purchased million dollar homes in D.C. So, the booing could have been a reaction to the question or genuine negative feelings. The clapping most likely were people who agreed with the point the moderator was making.

[spooky3]

14. self-deleted

I misunderstood what you said here. Sorry!

[spooky3]

13. I think we need to remember that for many Americans, including

Republicans and independents as well as Democrats, there is no shame at all in making a fortune honestly, and through your own ability and hard work. They believe that is what make America great. And many people find it very honorable to put the wealth one has made or inherited or married into, to work in charitable organizations and to devote oneself to a life of public service. I do NOT believe that Kerry or Edwards (or any of our candidates has anything to be ashamed of), and it won't hurt them at all in the general election.

[TacticalPeek]

18. Please wire me a fortune and I'll test whether I'm ashamed or not.

Thank God for George Soros and any similar who join that cause.

Anyone trying to start a class war against Edwards will envy George Pickett.

[tryanhas]

19. HE DIDN'T GET BOOED!

The moderator asked him how can he talk about "TWO AMERICAS" when he lives in the very america that he is criticizing (the wealthy america).

THE IGNORANT CROWD decided to pump up the question like it was a "GOTCHA" occasion.

They weren't booing, they were like, "OHHHHHH....YEAH....OOOOOOOOH."

Stuff like that.

Bottom line is, it was an ignorant question, considering the fact that Edwards grew up in the same situations that most people in this country do, and that's how he explained it, TO CHEERS.

No one booed anyone.

Get your facts straight, and understand the situation.

People in the audience were obviously pretty DUMB not to know the answer to that question before Edwards even gave it, and the moderator was dumb to think he had a "GOTCHA" question...

[ALago1]

20. Yes

There is no explanation to the situation other than saying it was the poor, dumb, mostly black South Carolina population showing their ignorance.

Your post is thinly veiled racism.

And how dare they not know everything about a candidate before attending a candidate forum! Someone should get this ridiculous notion out of their heads that forums are places to learn more about candidates, hence that is why you go!

It's always the people's fault...

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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

[ALago1]

22. If you define mixed as 90% minority 10% white...

Then fine, the crowd was mixed

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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

[ALago1]

24. Oh! I love hypothetical games!!!

Well, how do you know I'm not black!? You don't!!!

So, for you to call me foolish for calling you racist when I don't know your not black when you yourself don't know if I'm black is (c'mon take a guess!!!)

FOOLISH IN AND OF ITSELF ACCORDING TO YOUR DEFINITION!!!

One can be a self-hating member of a race and project racist sentiments onto his or her own member race. So, back in reality, my knowledge of whether or not you or black is totally irrelevant.

[tryanhas]

33. I know for a fact that you are.

You started it.

Duh.

And as for New England voters, yes, pretty much MOST AMERICANS ARE DUMB!

If they weren't then Kerry wouldn't be up by over 30% in Missouri and leading everywhere EXCEPT SC just because he won Iowa, and OOOH, A NEW ENGLANDER WON NH.

That is the peak of dumbness when you throw your support behind someone just because they won somewhere else without analyzing each candidate and making a decision based on what you know about the candidate!

I hate the bandwagoning nature of people, and it alone makes them DUMB!

[ALago1]

34. Worst Logic Ever

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am indeed not black.

But your method of reasoning to conclude so is astounding. Let's analyze it shall we??

You say that you know for a fact that I'm black because I questioned a potential racist statement made previously (in your words, I "started it").

So, in your mind, anyone who brings up racial questions must be black. Brilliant, air tight reasoning.

You must also conclude from such premises that white people are incapable of expressing racial concerns (because if they did, that would mean they're black). Don't you agree?

Someone who thinks in such a convoluted manner should not be making intelligence judgements on fellow citizens.

Or, to put it in your words...

Duh.

[bicentennial_baby]

28. Ignorant and dumb like New England voters?

Are there any voters that you do like?

[Edwards4President]

25. The whole story . . .

The audience booed when the question was asked - it's not clear whether they were booing the question or booing Edwards. Edwards began to answer the question and then a minute later, the moderator tried to cut him off, saying his time was up. Edwards turned to the moderator and said, rather emphatically, "You asked me the question, now let me answer it!" The audience cheered. Then Edwards continued his answer and, when he finished, the audienced whooped and clapped for him.

Even if the audience wasn't with him when the question was asked, they were obviously completely on his side when he was done.

[Ivote]

26. PAX? OK?

For anyone that hasn't heard or watched it, it is being repeated today at 5:00 pm est on c-span.
If you cant watch it, then go to www.c-span.org and watch it, or listen to it and make up your own minds.

[Sean Reynolds]

27. They were sayin' Boo-Urns!

;-)

[ALago1]

29. LOL

Best response of the thread :yourock:

[ecstatic]

30. How did they react to Kerry

I didn't get to see that part but I wonder how they reacted to Kerry who was born and raised wealthy. Kerry's silverspoon is way too similar to Bush's. At least Edwards "pulled himself up by his bootstraps:" a mantra that is typically praised by repubs and gives inspiration to people from humble backgrounds.

[ALago1]

32. Kerry had an average performance

Nothing spectacular, yet nothing damaging.

[DjTj]

31. Transcript:

MODERATOR: Senator, next question is this: You made millions of dollars as a trial lawyer. According to published reports, you and your wife recently purchased two multimillion-dollar homes in the Washington area. You talk about two Americas. Is it reasonable to think that you can relate to those who are less fortunate, to those who don't have insurance or a roof over their heads?

(APPLAUSE)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANIDIDATE: Yes, it is. The answer is, the life that I have lived is the dream that's being shut off for so many Americans every single day.

* * *

EDWARDS: I grew up the way you grew up.

MODERATOR: You need to wrap up.

EDWARDS: I come from the South. You have to let me finish. You asked me the question.

I grew up the way you grew up, I come from the same place. I spent 20 years in courtrooms fighting for you against big corporate America, against big insurance companies. I will never forget where I come from, and you can take that to the bank.


You all can judge for yourselves by going to http://www.cspan.org

To me, there was definitely booing where the trascript says (APPLAUSE) but after he finished his remarks there was a lot of cheering, which started mostly when he told the moderator, "You have to let me finish."

With the question there was a little bit of, "ooh...damn, he got him good!" - so maybe that is what you're hearing.

Looking at the panel on the stage, I seem to remember them looking rather pleased with the answer.