Why is Obama a better choice than Edwards?

[begin_within]

I support Edwards, so I'd just like to hear arguments why Obama is a better choice for President than Edwards.

[TwilightGardener]

1. For me, it's because I think Obama's more genuine, and I like his style better--

I'm also not much of a populist, a rarity on DU.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. He isn't. Edwards is better. But Edwards has Oprah and more money.....

I still hope Edwards gets the nomination. He's nothing short of wonderful. I agree with absolutely everything the man says. Still, I don't entirely dismiss Obama either if that's what is happening. But we'll have to wait and see, you know?

I just don't want a centrist (H. Clinton).

However, my #1 most important, MOST vital goal in this is getting the Nazis out of OUR govt. Our country is hurting financially, the people in our country are suffering and have been, from Reagan on down. Never have they been so down as now. We CANNOT and MUST NOT allow a Repuke into the White House again, and must remove as many as possible from Congress. To that end, I will donate money, and to that end I will help campaign. LET'S GET RID OF THE FASCISTS IN THIS COUNTRY!

[frogmarch]

3. er, I think you meant to say Obama has Oprah and more money.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. Oops! Yes. :) Thanks for the correction. Edwards is my man. I don't dislike Obama tho! nt

My donations go to Edwards, not Obama. But I don't dismiss Obama. If that's where the country is headed. However, I hope the country is headed to Edwards, and tonight I'm donating to the Edwards campaign AGAIN! Which reminds me, I should post a plea for donations to the Edwards campaign.

[rucky]

5. They both want to bring power back to the people.

And they both have different approaches in doing that. Edwards wants to take the fight straight to them, Obama wants to build a movement and use that to push through his agenda.

We need both of them on the ticket, but to build the numbers and level of support needed to defeat entrenched interests, I think we may need Obama at the top of the ticket. My fear with Edwards is that the middle class he's fighting for will let him do just that - fight FOR THEM.

I am firmly committed in this belief for at least the next five minutes.

[begin_within]

8. Thanks

[BadgerKid]

14. Good points

but I can't reconcile Edward's populism/push for change with taking the more silent role as VP. But if it goes Edwards/Obama, those entrenched interest groups might not lend their support as willingly??? I dunno ... any thoughts?

[rucky]

15. Edwards as AG would scare the pants off of 'em, too.

Then a respected insider as VP to keep the Senate on-task?

:shrug:

[BadgerKid]

18. That would rock

Also since Richardson in the NH debate referred to knowing what it's like as a state to have to make up for what the federal doesn't provide, that would seem to make him ready for something higher, maybe VP or some congressional leadership role.

[robbedvoter]

6. To quote DK: more sincere ( believable that is). Obama doesn't run against hos own

record. That makes a difference to me. Still not voting for him in the primaries - but much easier in the general.
Also, the fact that I didn't vote for Obama in a past election and he totally ignores my stolen vote is a factor too.

[Cant trust em]

7. They're pretty close, in my opinion

Last night's debate highlighted that. They seemed almost like a one/two punch. On issues, Edwards' talk of being anti-corporatist, anti-lobbyist is right up my alley. That being said, I do feel like Obama is more electable right now and has a better shot of winning. Obama's positions are good, Edwards' are slightly better.

[Crunchy Frog]

9. Please watch this youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4x_KnWEDjs

There's a real difference in judgement there.

[XemaSab]

12. SmackDown!

:o

[robbedvoter]

16. Sweet! A POTUS not starting wars without reason - that would be nice!

And it doesn't even include "reformed" Edwards speech on Iran!

Edwards: 'Iran must know world won't back down'

Ron Brynaert
Published: Tuesday January 23, 2007

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Edwards_Iran_must_know_world_wont_0123.html

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. To Be Pragmatic About It

The main stream media likes him more...

[RoadRage]

11. Edwards isn't able to draw in the voters...

that are needed to win this election. He doesn't have the excitement.. he doesn't rally up Independents and Middle of the road Republicans.

I really hate to say it - but Edwards comes across (to those who only pay limited attention - like many American Voters) as another middle age democratic white guy who wants to be President. And in any other election year that is perfectly OK, but this year he's like a guy who's 6'5 inches tall standing between two people who are 6'9.. he just doesn't stand out as much this year as he normally would.

[DrFunkenstein]

13. Obama Makes Liberalism Seem Like Common Sense

Which, of course, it is. Edwards has more or less the same ideas with a more embattled rhetoric that I personally love, but makes many people fidgety.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Anger ultimately doesn't sell. People don't want a fight--

they don't want a fight with corporations, they don't want a fight with Republicans, they don't want a fight with the Establishment--they want honesty and progress and healing after 8 years of lying and division and gridlock. DUers think everybody is up in arms over corporate greed, but they're not. Nowhere in recent polls is corporate greed and Washington lobbyists mentioned as top concerns--it's Iraq and housing prices and health care and our standing in the world that concerns ordinary people. Obama appeals because he's a cool, pragmatic guy who doesn't make class-warfare the centerpiece of his campaign. That's why he'll win.

[THUNDER HANDS]

19. edwards is running the wrong style campaign

He's running as an angry populist. people have had enough of angry. They've had enough of "fighting" and want some "doing".

He should have run this type of campaign in 2004, when he could have channeled his anger at Bush. But then again, in 2004 Edwards was a completely different candidiate.

Strategically, it's no contest. Obama is presenting what people want to hear, raise the level of discourse and bring something new. Edwards is presenting a case against corporations.

Realistically, if both were elected present in parralel worlds, Obama would be much more effective. Being willing to work with others is a good strategy to get things done. Saying you're going to fight is only a smart strategy if you have congress on yoru side, and right now, we don't have a large enough majority to get what we want just on the strength of fighting alone.

[begin_within]

22. Thanks - but

Edwards is saying exactly the things I want to hear.

[Joe the Revelator]

20. Edwards can't afford the run in the GE. He gets the nomination, we all lose

because he won't even be able to pay a staff over the summer.

[TwilightGardener]

21. Yep--that too.