Edwards vs. Huckabee - The Match-Up Democrats Would Love To See

[EV_Ares]

Written by Jon Sobel - Published December 11, 2007

Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, would lose badly to any of the top three Democratic presidential candidates, according to the latest CNN poll. He'd lose to Hillary Clinton by 10 points, to Barack Obama by 15, and by a whopping 25 points to former Senator John Edwards.

The fact that Edwards often comes out on top in the electability horse race ought to be as big a story as Huckabee's ascendance in the Republican field. This is only the latest poll to show Edwards beating potential Republican opponents by larger margins than Clinton or Obama. But Edwards's populist passion on the stump, hardworking campaign organization (especially in Iowa), and excellent general election poll numbers aren't getting him into the mainstream media. Why? Mainly because he refuses to accept special-interest money, working instead within the system of federal matching funds that the other major candidates have declined. Hence he doesn't have the budget for as much nationwide exposure as Clinton or Obama.

Part of Edwards's high poll numbers may simply stem from his having fewer negatives than the other top-tier Democrats. A lot of people, including important swing voters, don't like Hillary Clinton, for reasons that are at root primarily sexist. Obama, despite his star quality, faces a racial barrier, and many consider him insufficiently experienced. Edwards, however, is a white male Southerner, just like the last two successful Democratic presidential candidates.

Edwards is the most progressive of the top three Democrats, and his positions have populist appeal, in line with Democratic America, which, confronted with an enormous health care crisis and disgusted with the persistence of widespread poverty, is swinging generally leftward. Importantly, Edwards also gets points for sincerity, and the American electorate is serious about sincerity, as Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton are finding out to their dismay. (On the Republican side, Rudolph Giuliani has benefitted from being forthcoming about his rather wretched personal life and his support for liberal positions on social issues.)

In sum, Edwards has two big things going for him, and no major negatives except the big one: not enough money. Something is wrong with this picture, but we all knew that.

Link: http://feeds.blogcritics.org/~r/bc/articles/~3/198897509/183650.php

[maximusveritas]

1. I would hate to see that

because Huckabee would destroy him and then we'd get an even worse President than Bush.
It's funny how many people can't see beyond their feet.
"Edwards also gets points for sincerity"
After the Republicans revive the haircut story and all the others go with it and point out how his current rhetoric doesn't match his Senate career or even his 2004 run, this statement will be a complete joke.

[asdjrocky]

3. So you base this on?

Because I think you're just running your mouth.

Our Candidate vs. Huckabee
Edwards WINS by 25%
Hillary WINS by 10%
Obama WINS by 15%

Nothing worse than someone that runs their mouth, just for the sake of running their mouth.

[maximusveritas]

16. I base it on my ability to use my brain

Just like I used it to predict Huckabee would rise in the polls and take the GOP nomination.

I'm sure you would have said at the time that I was just running my mouth and would have had the polling results to show me that Huckabee was doing horrible in the polls.

You see, the polls only show things as they stand now. But in order to predict, you've got to think about how it's going to be in the future. Simple concept, but difficult for many to understand.

[asdjrocky]

18. So you make these predictions-

based on your big giant brain? Hell, I thought Huck would rise, who wouldn't looking at the other pugs? That was easy enough for me to read. But the nation is just now starting to take a real look at Huck, and there are holes in there.

I just looked at the number of religious nuts in Iowa, (sorry to anyone in Iowa who is not a religious nut, but if you're here you're not one of those anyway)and I figured that would add up to the numbers he would get. Now he's there, frankly, I'd love to see him run against Edwards, it's the race of my dreams.

And I'm tired of people being rude here, so when you post like that, I'll come back at you. But I'm sure you feel how we conduct ourselves here has nothing to do with "discussion." For you I'm sure it's more about winning and losing.

[maximusveritas]

19. People always say that when they lose

By the way, what was rude about what I posted? I was talking about the article, not whoever posted the OP.

Hopefully the Democrats will be smart enough this time not to fall for that bogus electability stuff and this scenario won't come true.

[asdjrocky]

22. Good luck to ya. nt

[ddeclue]

4. Edwards would crush Huckabee like an empty tin can...

[EV_Ares]

8. LOL, what an idiot stmt. Look at the news. nt.

[ddeclue]

11. NOT an idiot statement... Edwards is a Southerner and Democrat

which is the only kind of Democrat elected to the White House since 1964... it's a fact...

Doug D.

[FrenchieCat]

12. How many dems elected to the White House since 1964? n/t

[ddeclue]

15. Johnson, Carter, Clinton, Clinton... all Southern Democrats...

Johnson 1964- TX crushed Goldwater
Carter 1976 - GA defeated Ford but not overwhelmingly
Clinton 1992, 1996 - Arkansas beat Bush Sr., and Dole although not overwhelmingly.

That's 3 more Democratic Presidents to be elected since the Civil Rights and Voting Rights act from the South than from any other area of the country (0 from North East, 0 from Mid West, 0 from Far West, 0 from South West, 0 from North West.)

Doug D.

[FrenchieCat]

24. I don't count Johnson because he was the VP during the Kennedy admin....

and was already the President when he ran.

So that leaves 2.

I don't believe that this is enough of a proven historical track record for us to be so assured.

[EV_Ares]

20. Hey, my apolgies, meant to put that somewhere else. I agree on

Edwards. Sorry for that.

[asdjrocky]

6. ...

[EV_Ares]

7. Man you must not be up to date on todays news programs and polls

as he beats him far, far more than any other candidate. You are embarrassing yourself with that stmt showing you are just saying it.

[asdjrocky]

9. Have you noticed?

People like that seem to say the darnedest things, then just evaporate into thin air?

[EV_Ares]

10. LOL, I could not believe how bad Edwards showed beating Huckabee.

They had it on Hardball and on CNN tonight. They were showing how all the matchups came out and Edwards is the only one that would win against every republican candidate.

[Andy823]

23. Only an idiot

Would let the "haircut" story affect their vote for Edwards, and that's a fact!

You sadly underestimate the dems in this country, and the American people in general. I know many republicans that "will" votef for Edwards, do you know any who will vote for say "Hillary"? Obama may get a few, but not many. Edwards stands out to the people who hear him, and the more they hear him the more they like him, and that goes for dems, republicans and indpendants. He is our chance to take back the whitehouse!

If you have a better choice then tell the world about them. Explain their stand on all of the issues. Edwards has a plan, and he is not afraid to tell the people what that plan is. Now if "all" the candidates would do that, then we would have a pretty easy choice, wouldn't we?:applause:

[GreenTea]

29. Edwards would kick "Huckleberry's" stupid lying repubulican ass in a heartbeat.-only a fool belives

otherwise....Well, speak of the fool and he appears!
:rofl:

[gmudem]

31. Let's put this into perspective

Republicans would talk about Edwards' expensive haircut.

Democrats could talk about Huckabee wanting to quarantine people with AIDS, releasing a rapist from jail, saying gays are dangerous to public health, and that wives should be subservient to their husbands.

Hmmmmm

[Olney Blue]

2. Edwards would crush Huckabee. That would be fun to see.

[frogmarch]

5. Huck's a wiley one, but

Edwards would clobber him.

Thanks for posting this, EV_ares.

[FrenchieCat]

14. That's what we thought about John Kerry and what he would do to Bush.......

before the real general elections started.

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in these polls. The media hasn't weight in yet. And based on the past, nothing is as sure as one might think.

[Awsi Dooger]

32. Only a moron thought Kerry would clobber Bush

Bush was a wartime incumbent with his party in power only one term, and approval ratings that were not abysmal, generally in the 45-48% range. That's hardly a blueprint for a big win by the challenger. I thought Kerry had a chance to win a squeaker but the undecideds didn't come through for him.

Oh, I almost forgot, the Clark contingent still hasn't given up on its desperate attempt to knock Edwards at every opportunity.

Positive poll news for Edwards = familiar posts on DU.

Don't worry, he's not going to get the nomination. Democrats are lousy handicappers who thrill to make things difficult.

[Nutmegger]

13. Edwards would rip him to shreds

Then spit out his bones. It would be lovely!

Edwards 2008!

[bobbolink]

17. Edwards: Most Progressive, and a winner against ALL of the RWers!

Finally, an election I could really look forward to, when John Edwards gets the nomination!

:bounce: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :bounce:

[proudmoddemo]

21. Do not underestimate Huckabee

He could be a very formidable opponent in the general election.

[cascadiance]

25. And the corporations would have the MOST to lose with that matchup...

Even if Huckabee were to overcome that lead by Edwards, he is perhaps even less beholden to the corporations than Hillary is.

[FrenchieCat]

26. My understanding is that the experience of a Governor

over a senator can be played up as huge. So I wouldn't underestimate any candidate, including those served to us by the GOP.

[gristy]

27. That would be a, how do they say it...

Landslide!!!!!!!! :bounce:

[BenDavid]

28. edwards running 3rd in all polls but beats huck by 25. LMAO

[FrenchieCat]

30. Bigtime "massaging"........

and that poll came out for a reason.


The media is currently in overdrive.....they only have 2.5 weeks.....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3823244

[radfringe]

33. dream, nightmare or nailbiter -- your picks?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2454050

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. I Tend To Agree Edwards Might Be Our Strongest Candidate With A Small Caveat

Edwards and McCain benefit from the fact that while they are both well known they aren't front runners and thus spared the negative attention of the press...


That being said , The Huckster's out of the mainstream views make him political roadkill...