DailyKos: Edwards Breaks Free (by David Mizner)

[Catchawave]

Edwards Breaks Free
by david mizner
Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:01:20 PM EDT

It will be difficult for John Edwards to win the nomination. No one should be deluded about that; I don't think anyone is. But Edwards supporters (I'll presume to speak for all of us) are more excited than ever. We like the positions he's taking, the rhetoric he's using, the way he's running. If he loses, it will be on his own terms. Last week, he hired the leaders of the "Wake Up, Wal-Mart"campaign. Next week he'll take a break from campaigning in early primary states to focus on poverty in the South and Midwest.

And if amid our excitement you discern confidence, that's because we know his message will resonate with voters as they compare the candidates. Also because we sense in Edwards a freedom that's rare for a top-tier presidential candidate. He's relatively free from the ties that normally bind candidates. Conventional wisdom, the approval of the Establishment, pressure from big donors: none of this is constraining him.

He's a liberated poltician, and a liberated politician, dear Kossacks, is a beautiful and dangerous thing.

Diary continued at: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/7/12/12120/2180

[napi21]

1. I'm moving toward Edwards too! It's still a LONG way until Feb. 08

and based on history, it's very rare that the early front runners get the nomination!

[Catchawave]

3. I think only about 1 % of the electorate is paying attention

right now. Things should start really cooking after Labor Day :patriot:

[Divine Discontent]

18. GO GO EDWARDS!

I'm always excited and hopeful for him. There's a reason (a tiny secret I cannot relay, sorry) that I'm confident he'll either win this whole thing or come close and only be one of the final 2 left...


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<--- top '08 items & antib*sh stickers!

[waiting for hope]

2. I thought that diary was most excellent -

Thanks Catchawave! Great find... ;)

K&R!!

[Catchawave]

5. I like to bring balance to DU :)))

The circular firing squad is working the threads today.....ready...fire...aim !!!

:hi:

[waiting for hope]

10. I'll bring the Kevlar!

:hi:

[benny05]

4. K & R

The diary rocks, along with the DU'er who posted it.

:kick: :hi: :dem:

[melody]

6. I totally agree, if Gore doesn't run, I'm with Edwards n/t

[CTD]

7. I was just about to post the same thing.

I'm holding out for Gore. But if he truly doesn't get in, Edwards is the obvious choice (and the most electable).

[melody]

8. Precisely n/t

[cascadiance]

14. I gotta believe that Gore won't keep us waiting too much longer if he ISN'T going to run!

Because the longer he waits, if he really isn't going to get in the race, that damages Edwards' chances that much more. On the other hand, if Gore waits longer, AND runs, that probably helps Gore a lot in the end. So, I'm torn on whether to hope for a long wait or not for Gore to announce. I'd like to believe the longer we wait for a firm commitment, the more likely he's going to be running.

If Gore is sure that he's not going to get in, and says so now, that gives Edwards some decent amount of time to pick up a lot of the support Gore "hangers on" would probably give to him. I'm another in the category that if I don't have Gore running, I'll send my money/support to Edwards.

[Catchawave]

17. I think Gore is the only one who has the luxury

of jumping in late and doing well. :hi:

[NoFederales]

9. Media/CorpoDems has chosen Clinton and Obama for "us" spectators

Edwards may be "liberated", but he has to overcome the public noise against him and I don't know if there is a widespread progressive base for him. I can hope, though. What I cannot stomach is the stuffing of a Hillary candidacy down my throat--that bird can't fly, sing, or lay golden eggs.

NoFederales

[rndmprsn]

11. agreed...edwards just might be the dark horse

i really like what i've been hearing and seeing out of the edwards camp...as a couple other posters have stated, if al gore does not run, i am starting to heavily lean towards edwards, he is a good man...knows how to effectively use the language of populism as he is from the working class, has a REAL thought out progressive agenda...i feel edwards will end up being the dark horse candidate this election

[ludwigb]

12. Agreed

Policy-wise, Edwards is firing on all cylinders lately.

The reward for this is of course smears and hit pieces from the mainstream media.

Strategically speaking, Edwards still has a chance if he can keep building in Iowa and get a win there. After that, the media will have to designate him a "front-runner".

[Joe Chi Minh]

15. In your dreams Mizner. The others don't have a snowball's chance in Hell.

[jsamuel]

13. That is a great diary.

[pioneer111]

16. Edwards is a true progressive

He seems to have found his voice in this primary and he is not backing down, but going forward with the clearest message about what we need to do to make a better America for everyone, not just the superwealthy. Great diary. Go Edwards!!!

[Laelth]

19. Welcome to DU!

And I agree. I've been leaning heavily toward Edwards since he announced. He's saying all the right things these days. He's the more electable of the two true liberals running, imho.

-Laelth

[draft_mario_cuomo]

20. Thanks for posting that nt