If Edwards had given Obama's speeches and had Obama's record,

[dailykoff]

he'd probably be the nominee. For example, they both spoke at the '04 Dem convention. I heard Edwards' speech, which wasn't bad, but not one for the record books, as Obama's apparently was.

More importantly, Edwards co-sponsored the AUMF bill, and was still giving shamelessly red meat bomb-Iran speeches last year, like this one in Herzliya on January 23, 2007:

Edwards' Herzliya speech: http://www.herzliyaconference.org/Eng/_Articles/Article.asp?ArticleID=1728&CategoryID=223

THAT is why Obama will be the candidate, not his race, or his gender either. If Hillary had fought for impeachment or against so much as one Bush-Cheney crime, she might be the nominee. But she didn't.

Sorry if that's already been pointed out twenty times. :blush:

[Pirate Smile]

1. Dumbass Buchanan keeps saying Obama got the keynote speech at the 2004

convention because he is black. :eyes:

Has no one noticed that the guy can give a pretty good speech and just maybe that is why he was picked to GIVE A SPEECH, and, just maybe, that is one reason why he is winning? Naaawwww, it must just be because he is black.

[dailykoff]

2. It must be tough for Pat and Bay

to figure out which one they hate most. :shrug:

[hedgehog]

3. Well, Obama was the only black Democrat in existance..........

[karynnj]

7. That really is so patronizing

It is actually by far one of the best keynote speeches I've heard. (Clinton's for Dukakis was the worst.) His eloquence and that fact that in many ways he was a great "fit" for the message that Kerry wanted - those similarities are why I was totally unsurprised when Kerry endorsed him. I can't think of anyone - that I've heard speak in the Democratic party who is either as close in world view to Kerry or as eloquent as Obama - so I bet that it was an easy choice.

[dailykoff]

9. It looks like Kerry recognized his talent early on

and wanted to help him get ahead. I don't think Obama had even won his US Senate race at that point, had he? That speech must have helped if he hadn't.

[karynnj]

12. No, but by then the Republican had to drop out due to a sex scandal

and was replaced by Alan Keyes. So, he had a super easy race. I never read who (if anyone) suggested him to Kerry - I assume people in campaigns do - but he was an excellent choice. The speech fit nicely with the message of that convention - which I still think was a great convention. Had he gone negative, the race would have been over then.

[ossman]

4. Edwards is a twinkee. That is why he lost.

Play video of him fluffing his hair for 8 minutes. No man does that. Barak is a man.

[chimpymustgo]

5. Fuck you.

[dailykoff]

6. I think his problem was his record.

His message was fine and he's as telegenic as any of them. But his voting record is like Hillary's, and that's what sunk them both.

[BlueStater]

18. Take your homophobic bullshit to Freak Republic please n/t

[Jim Sagle]

19. You're a piece of shit.

[Inspired]

22. Come out of your basement and quit yanking off to it already.

Jeez. Life is passing you by.

[dflprincess]

8. True, if Edward's was giving Obama's speeches he might be the nominee

because then he wouldn't have been perceived as threat and the MSM might actually have covered his campaign.

[Jim Sagle]

20. You listen too close.

:headbang:

[saracat]

10. Obama's record ? What record?????????

[dailykoff]

11. Very similar to Hillary's, except where it really counts:

Hi saracat, here's a pretty good comparison:

Hillary:
- NO on Amendment No. 4882 that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.
- YES on Bankruptcy bill (S.256) which stripped protections for people in debt.
- YES on Kyle/Lieberman bill that sets the stage for the US to take military action against Iran.
- YES on the Iraq War Resolution.
- Hillary refused to sign the AFC Anti-Torture Pledge.

Obama:
- YES on Amendment No. 4882 that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.
- NO on Bankruptcy bill (S.256) which stripped protections for people in debt.
- In response to the Kyle/Lieberman bill that sets the stage for the US to take military action against Iran Obama drafted legislation stating that Congress did not grant President Bush the authority to attack Iran, either through the Kyl-Lieberman amendment or any resolution previously adopted.
- Not then in the Senate, but took a strong public stand against the Iraq War Resolution.
- OBAMA signed the AFC Anti-Torture Pledge.

McCain:
- NO on Amendment No. 4882 that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.
- YES on Bankruptcy bill (S.256) which stripped protections for people in debt.
- YES on Kyle/Lieberman bill that sets the stage for the US to take military action against Iran.
- YES on the Iraq War Resolution.
- McCain refused to sign the AFC Anti-Torture Pledge.

from original post by grassfed: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4990975&mesg_id=4990975

[saracat]

16. For 2 years. Whoop.

[dailykoff]

17. His Iraq speech was 6 years ago, and his 8-year Ill. state senate record

is also impressive. There's a graphic showing some of his Illinois legislation which I'll post as soon as I find it.

Here's a copy of it:

[Iceburg]

25. That's a pretty record ...

Notice how many of the bills in the prop didn't even pass? 40? If his record had substance he wouldn't be buffing it up with fluff bills and bills that didn't pass. He wasn't persuasive enough to even get a stem research bill, or a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, passed at the state level. What's he going to do if he gets to the oval office ...rule by decree/vetoe like brother Bush?

[cali]

24. Actually, he's been in the U.S. Senate for

over three years now, and he spent 8 years in the Illinois State Senate- and no he didn't often vote present. He has a clear record- like it or not.

[emilyg]

13. What record???

[NYCGirl]

15. The one you obviously haven't bothered to look up yet. NT

[annie1]

14. i think obama would still be where he was if he were white, but would not get the black...

vote 9:10 like he is, so would probably be a few delegate points less.

[karmicglee]

21. You mean the media wouldn\'t talk about trivial haircuts if Edwards were a good orator?

For some reason, I don\'t buy that theory.

[Inspired]

23. John Edwards is a terrific speaker.

I actually like his speeches better than Obama's. When he is on, he is ON.