After much time on the fence, I have decided to support Edwards.

[Bonobo]

I believe his "transformation/conversion" (or "getting it", if you like) most likely was completed as a result of his wife's cancer experience. Clearly class issues, blue collar vs. white collar, labor vs. the bosses was something he has felt for a long time. He has consistently talked about his father's experience working his whole life, etc. but I believe him now when he talks about fixing the health care situation which is so emblematic of the growing unfairness and divide between the "haves" and "have-nots".

I had some concerns about the "snake-oil salesman" factor for a long time. His delivery is so incredibly smooth and practiced from his years of lawyering. He is a highly intelligent and empathetic man who can use it to gain the trust of his listeners in a way that can seem close to manipulative, but I now believe he is sincere and the only one capable of the FDR-like transformation this country will need to make if we are all to survive this huge bump in the road that Bush threw into all our futures.

I don't want to knock any other candidates in this post, so I won't. Unless you ask.

[Beausoir]

1. A wise choice. And you have thought it through. Congrats on arriving at your choice.

As for me...I know who I am voting against. I don't quite yet know who to vote for.

[silverojo]

2. Welcome to the fold!

Go, Johnny, Go! :patriot:

[K Gardner]

3. Welcome to the gang ! Thanks for posting :-)

[Egnever]

4. Grats on deciding

[Armstead]

5. I went through the same process

The more I've seen of him the more I think he honestly does feel what he says in his gut.

[ihavenobias]

6. The fact is

I know anti-Edwards types bring up JE's record senate record, but the fact is ALL three of them have a questionable senate record in some respects.

Edwards gets unfairly bashed because he's currently putting forward the most progressive agenda and rhetoric so people single out *his* Senate record (which has the most dust on it and is therefore less relevant IMO) in an attempt to dismiss the idea that he can be progressive now (or going forward).

PS---I hate when people say lawyers are behind Edwards so therefore he's just as beholden to special interests as anyone else. Not because it isn't true, but because lawyers are SO low down the list of special interest groups we should fear.

Does anyone *really* fear undue lawyer influence compared to the influence of Big Oil, Big Pharma, The Telecom Industry, The Defense Industry or Health care Industry (to name some obvious examples)?

Finally, it's important to point out that the idea that Edwards would have just a much "bad money" if he were the front-runner isn't necessarily true. My evidence? Look at the *percentages* of where he gets his money. Much more of Hillary's money (I picked her because she is the fundraising front runner) comes from business interests vs labor interests for Edwards.

[NastyRiffraff]

7. Excellent choice!

And I'm glad you didn't knock other candidates (Democrats, that is...feel free to knock Republicans!)

[BattyDem]

8. I had the same feelings about him, which left me undecided until last night.

I narrowed it down to Obama and Edwards, but after watching the debate, I knew John Edwards was who I wanted as our President. I felt like he was talking to me and that he really understood my problems and the issues I face. He convinced me that he'll fight as hard as he can to make things better for all of us. :-)

Welcome aboard! :hi:

[frogmarch]

9. Bonobo, I too am glad you've decided on Edwards.

And you are right. He is sincere.

[Triana]

10. I agree Bonobo...

..Edwards is the only one who can transform this country back to what it was meant to be after the damage bu$hit has done. The other candidates are OK but they will too much continue in the same way bu$h did - with corporations far far too involved in the gov't (and the media).

JRE is the only one who has the guts, experience and the REAL will to undo this.

[saracat]

11. Yay! Welcome to the club.Edwards is the Peoples President!