John Edwards in Iowa last night...I was there!

[pstans]

I attended an event with John Edwards last night in Ames, Iowa. I wrote a review for my blog. Check it out at http://commoniowan.blogspot.com/2006/08/yesterdays-edwards-event-in-ames.html.

Here's part of the it, follow the link for the rest.

Despite this being John Edwards' 12th trip to Iowa since the 2004 election, this was my first time hearing him speak. I was most interested in what he would say about Iraq. After hearing Tom Harkin speak earlier in the week, I kept asking myself how Harkin could have voted for the war everytime Harkin brought up Iraq (which was often). Even though Harkin has been outspoken against he war, the fact that he voted for it cut at his credibility on the topic.

Edwards tackled Iraq and his vote for it head on. Right after thanking everyone, Edwards came out saying awhile back he made a tough decision. After careful thought, his vote on the Iraq War was a mistake and he must take reponsibility for it. Edwards got a big ovation when he said, "the path is clear. We must start getting out of Iraq now and the best way to show the world we are getting out is to start getting out." Edwards said he would redeploy 40,000 troops out of Iraq initially with the goal of having all troops out of there in 12-18 months.

http://commoniowan.blogspot.com

[Protagoras]

1. His populism and his new Iraqi War record

sure start to make him look like a serious candidate. But I think he's still about 6 years of political experience short and I really really need him to be able to vary his "I came from humble roots" story up a lot more.

Love him for the second spot still and think if he had a 4 year stint as gov etc he'd be an almost perfect candidate on paper.

But for some reason I still feel like he needs some kinda seasoning.

[pstans]

4. Feingold is my 1st choice, but Edwards is right behind him

I have another Iowa for Feingold, so I am pretty firmly behind Russ. However, I was impressed with Edwards.

http://iowafeingold.blogspot.com

[Radical Activist]

7. He still has more experience than Bush had in 2000.

Most of the public just doesn't care that much about experience in politics. It helps him gain votes with a lot of people.

[Protagoras]

13. Comparing ANY of our candidates experience

to Bush's is kinda of meaningless to me. The only lesson I've learned from Bush's previous experience is to NEVER let a silverspooned son who buys a governship anywhere near the oval office.

[Auntie Bush]

8. Until the world is more peaceful

I can't see how he could be elected as president and Commander-in-Chief.

Without some direct Foreign policy experience I can't see him as VP either. If this world ever becomes more peaceful and we can concentrate on the country's problems and needs...he could be a great candidate for President.

However, as long as Wes Clark is in the picture...he has him beat on all fronts and he'll continue getting my support.

I could really support a Clark/Edwards ticket; but, Clark must have presidency as this global war on terrorism continues. He has a better understanding on the war and must call the shots. Edwards would make a good VP and stress the peoples/domestic issues. They would make a good pair but, I assume they have too many personal hard feelings at this point to be running mates.

[Catchawave]

9. Ahhh, ya want some good ole "Bush Experience" ?

:rofl:

Who's your choice for the top spot?

[Protagoras]

14. Currently I'd accept a number of potentials

Gore and Feingold first, Kerry probably...and a number beyond that...but we're speaking of Edwards and nothing in Bush's experience merits a comparison. On the other hand we do know that inexperience hasn't been helping us much.

Why does Bush's "experience" get tied to anything that's going on with ANY of our candiates? Lets talk about his LIFE and compare that to our candidates...he was a spoiled rich asshole who ran companies his friends bought for him into the ground. He was a dimwit who chugged his way through college and then engaged in a hedonistic life till he was 40 then joined something that seems a lot like a cult to me.

Any democrats start to look like that and I'll avoid them too.

[ruggerson]

15. Most Presidents

are elected with one or two terms as senator or governor behind them.

The longer one serves as senator or governor, the less chance of being elected President.

Edwards' one term in the Senate fits right in with the patterns of the last fifty years.

[Protagoras]

17. A more thorough examination might be in order

Eisenhower 1953-1961
Was General and Allied commander/Supreme Commander during WW2/President of Columbia University/Supreme Commander of NATO then President...Ok not a lot of elected office but some amazing military, leadership, and administrative experience.

JFK 1961-1963
Navy/Congress 1946-1952 then Senate 1957-1961/Won Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage. etc.

Johnson 1963-1969
Congressman from 1937-1949/Was first Congressman to enlist for WW2, won silver star/Elected to senate at 40/senate leader 1953/VP 1960

Nixon 1969-1974
Lawyer for 5 years, joined navy 1942/Congressman 1946/Senate 1950/VP 193-1961/R-Pres nominee 1960 barely lost to JFK/

Ford 1974-1977
Navy 1942/13 terms in Congress 1948-/served on the Warren Commission/1973 appointed VP to replace Agnew (ok he wasn't elected)

Carter 1977-1981
Naval officer on Nuclear sub/1 term Georgia senate/1970 Governor of Georgia

Reagan 1981-1989
TV/Movie fame (erp)1937-1966/President of the Screen Actors Guild/Governor of CA 1966-1975/

Bush Sr. 1989-1993
Navy 1942-1945 (real experience unlike his son)/2x congress from Tx/Delagate to UN under Nixon/RNC Chairman/Director of the CIA/VP under Reagan 8 years

Clinton 1993-2001
1976 AK Attorney General/1979-81 Youngest Governor in the US/1983-92 Governor of AK/

Bush Jr. 2001- Sad Present
Terrible business past/ then 2x Governor of TX 1994-2001

When I look at those histories it seems to me that we are a bit off the mark assuming a term as senator is enough. Everyone seems to have at least 2 offices and or terms OR a spectacular military record.

I am not saying I dislike Edwards. But he hasn't won a pulitzer, he hasn't made movies, he didn't win any military ribbons and he hasn't held two offices or had two terms in anything. He's a smart guy. He's a charismatic guy. But his Resume seems a bit shallow compared to any of the actual winners above which covers the last 50 years nicely.

He is a good man with a great wife and I wish he had 4 years of something else significant either appointed or elected on his resume. Lawyer/1 term senate/loss as VP just doesn't seem enough to spark the publics imagination. He's real...but he isn't larger than life and that appears to be much of what people vote for.

[saltpoint]

2. I have a top-tier group of about 6-7 Democrats I could vote for

With Glad Emphasis, and another dozen or so who'd get my vote and my volunteer time With Respect.

Edwards is in the first group.

When I look at the line-up of Democrats who are interested in the top job, I'm struck with how intelligent and genuine compassionate they are compared to the would-be bunch of Republicans.

Our team looks real, real good in and of itself, and even better next to the GOP.

[jazzjunkysue]

3. Go, Johnny, Go Go Go! All the way!

[citizen snips]

5. I am gald you were able to go to the event.

I have been to two JRE events at Raleigh NC.

[bobbolink]

6. Given that Edwards is the only one speaking up clearly for poverty issues,

He's the only one I'm interested in hearing from now.

Come on, Dems, poverty is a traditional Democratic issue!

[BeatleBoot]

10. I am going to see him tomorrow in Michigan

Thanks for the post!

And I'll report back tomorrow afternoon.

[Catchawave]

11. Very nice, thanks for sharing !

:hi:

[pstans]

19. Your welcome

One of the advantages of living in Iowa is the ability to see a bunch of candidates.

[jwirr]

12. I am not for this war and was not at the very beginning but I do

somewhat understand the vote for the war. The people of this nation were still in hysteria regarding 9/11 and I think the Congress was to. However it was a political move on the part of Congress because they were afraid to go against the national mood. No one was thinking of the future. This should teach us never to act in haste again. Especially when we are emotionally upset.

[annabanana]

16. plus...

It was supposed to be just used as "leverage" at the UN, remember? He was given permission to use force so that the UN resolution would have "teeth"..People said it was just to scare Saddam into agreeing to whatever was being demanded at the time..

[chimpymustgo]

18. K & R - and thanks for posting!

Iowa loves him!

[mnhtnbb]

20. BIG front page article about Edwards today in hometown newspaper

The Raleigh News & Observer ran this article on the front page of today's (Sunday) paper.

http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/470503.html


Although Kerry/Edwards lost in NC by about 13%, I think there were ballot box shenanigans. I was watching the race very closely, and in the opinion polls Kerry/Edwards had pulled within the margin of error during the last week of the race. Then, all of a sudden, the final vote came in at precisely the same percentage difference between the candidates in 2000. Very suspicious.

Edwards was roundly criticized in NC by Republicans who had supported him for Senator when he started in with his presidential bid. Our Dem governor never once showed up at any campaign rallies when Edwards was touring on the ticket. Kerry never showed up at all. I think if Kerry had done a big rally in Fayetteville--home of Ft. Bragg--you might have seen a different result here.

I can tell you that I'd much rather vote for Edwards than Hillary. And I think Edwards could win, whereas Hillary will be soundly beaten. It just is not smart to run a candidate for President who is lacking the likeability factor. Edwards has it in spades. He's articulate, smart, seasoned by the last campaign, and I think he's picked a good issue with his poverty work. The only other person I'd support in a heartbeat, over Edwards, is Gore.

And I was a HUGE Dean supporter.