I hope Howard Dean endorses John Edwards.

[robsul82]

Hey people. If Howard drops out before Edwards, I should really hope he'd endorse Edwards and pledge his support and supporters to him. And I think we'd as a group follow. I think Dean's our best shot at taking back the White House, but if not, Edwards IS our second-best option. Why? For four reasons that are my four S's. Most are shallow, but who said politics was anything but.

1. Slogans. "Two Americas" v. "The Real Deal." One focuses on the COUNTRY, one focuses on the CANDIDATE. Which is better for influencing voters?

2. Speechifying. John Edwards is a trial lawyer. He knows EXACTLY what buttons to press to rally a group of people to his side. Well, Kerry...as Jon Stewart said a few nights ago, "I HAVE WON THIS PRIMARY, MY NAME IS JOHN KERRY, I AM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AT THE *BEEP*."

3. Southern appeal. This is no contest. Here in Louisiana, even the little old ladies who are DEFINITELY voting Bush are saying about Edwards, "Awwwww, he looks just like my grandson __________!" Point is, EVERYONE'S grandson looks "exactly" like John Edwards, wink wink. Kerry is a Yankee liberal, and hey - only the Democratic Party would think, "Hmmm, the governor couldn't beat the father, maybe the lieutenant governor can beat the son!"

4. Slinging mud. OK. What can be said by Republicans to reflect poorly on these two candidates? Edwards is - a pretty boy, an ambulance chaser, has had half a term in the Senate. Kerry is - a guy who went with Bush all the way on the worst votes possible, ugly, boring, an adulterer, and a Yankee liberal with the stench of Dukasis all over him. Sorry, but Edwards wins out on this competition as well.

When John Edwards says, "You give me the nomination, I'll give you the White House," I smile. A big, stupid smile comes over my face, and I haven't the faintest idea why. Actually, I do. John Edwards is contagious. And we need a big contagious fever to sweep over this country to beat George W. Bush. Edwards can get it done. Please, Howard, if this dream must end, end it with your hand held high with John Edwards. At least, have no "Permission to come aboard, sir?" moments...that'd be too humiliating for words.

Later.

RJS

[Padraig18]

1. I hope he does, too.

:)

[robsul82]

17. Good for us!

:)

Later.

RJS

[guajira]

2. WH Would Love to Have Edwards

No Vietnam War, no Silver Star or Purple Star, no 20 years experience in Senate, etc.

Their worst nightmares are Kerry and Clark!

[AP]

6. They'd love to have America think national security is the most important

issue and not to have people think about middle class opportunity. They'd love to play on their home field. They have a better chance running against Kerry with America thinking that the view of the world that terror is the most important issue is the right view of the world.

[spooky3]

8. Clinton didn't have those things either. He did just fine

in getting elected and in dealing with some very difficult issues abroad.

[AP]

10. ...because he was living, breathing emodiement of middle class opportunity

You couldn't look at Clinton without thinking about class and opportunity and the economy.

Just like Edwards.

THAT'S how Democrats win. They win by playing on home field, and NOT playing up national insecurity, and, especially, terror.

[AP]

3. On speechifying:

Edwards had a job once where HOW he explained something might mean the difference between 0 and 10 million dollars for someone who DESERVED 10 million dollars. Who else in America has a job like this. OF COURSE this guy learned how to explain complicated ideas in ways which people could understand. OF COURSE he learned how to persuade people.

Has Kerry ever had a job like that? Has he ever been in that position? I don't think so. The diffrence between the way the two speak to America is noticeable and I think this is a big reason why.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

4. If Dean drops out - and I don't think he should

I do hope he'd endorse Edwards. My list has changed somewhat to: Edwards, Kucinich, Dean.

[spooky3]

5. I'm with you, RJS.

[Renew Deal]

7. That would be funny. And it's possible.

And I think it's impossible.


Edited out a freudian slip.

[sallyseven]

9. It is going to be Kerry

The repuks would make mince meat of Edwards.

[AP]

11. If it's Kerry, the Republicans win.

[Renew Deal]

12. lol

I love the hyperbole. I am ready for an alternative to Kerry.

[AP]

13. Did you read DTH's post about ex-Clark supporters preferring Bush

to Kerry, because he's better onn race? They don't care about race. They're talking about class. They put Kerry next to Bush, and they're going with Bush because he seems more like an average guy.

These are Clark supporters. Remember. They guy who was supposed to be anti-Bush's war.

[robsul82]

18. Belee DAT.

;)

Later.

RJS

[ozone_man]

14. And Edwards should back Dean

if he drops out. We don't really know yet if the Kerry "news" will come out, so it's a bit early to be talking about dropping out, lest we wind up at the convention with no one.

[Paulie]

15. He should support Dennis

For the simple reason he kept saying "I am the ONLY one (except Dennis)." ;) ;) ;) :hug:

[funky_bug]

16. First, let me say, I hope Dean doesn't drop out

Why should he? What have we got now, around 75% of the primary votes cast? The rabid loyalty that Dean supporters have for their man reminds me only of the rabid loyalty that Kucinich and Clark supporters shared for their candidate. I understand how it feels to worry and wait, and I pray that your guy sticks it out. I know money could be an issue, but hell, I'VE donated to Dean twice (once before the eeeeyargh, and once after) so I know his inspired would continue to feed the need, if called upon.

BUT, if in the terrible event (and it will be a very sad day for me, as I love Howard, and loathe the powers than took his spirit from him), you'd be right on the money to transfer your support to Edwards. Now let me let you in on a big, big secret... that thought alone makes any Kerry supporter shudder in their boots. Take Dean's voter base and grassroots support, then add Dean's DELEGATES, and suddenly this annointed front-runner just saw the gap close a bit tightly around the testicles.

So, as you can see, my avatar has changed, and I'm supporting Kerry. Why on earth would I confess my secret fear? Simple. I like John Edwards, and I like Howard Dean, and I think they've been shafted by the media, by McAuliffe (who, by the way I'm told is referred to as "McAwful" by freepers), and undermined by the powers that be. So what... I cheer on the underdogs. The bottom line is, if Kerry is going to get this nod, I want him to have to FIGHT for it. So far, I feel it's been handed to him. That doesn't negate his efforts, or his platform. However, if Dean goes, and Edwards leaps, then I'll be happy for him as well, because he fought the good fight, and gave the media a punch in their nose.

Long post, I know... but confession is good for the soul. Note to Kucinich supporters - I wish his numbers were higher. If they were, I'd be rooting for Dean folk to jump on his bandwagon. That guy is so genuine, so sincere, and so full of fire, that he makes me swoon.