Edwards ending college program

[XemaSab]

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards is pulling the plug on a scholarship program he started at an Eastern North Carolina high school -- a program he once promised would be a model for the nation under an Edwards presidency.

Edwards' presidential hopes have evaporated. And he recently informed Greene County officials that he would end the pilot program at Greene Central High School.

"We sent a communication out to upcoming seniors and their parents," said Randy Bledsoe, principal of Greene Central High. "Some are saddened that the opportunity is not going to be there for their children. But we've had a lot of positive reaction over the years."

Edwards started the "College for Everyone" pilot program at Greene Central High in 2005, shortly after he was the Democratic vice presidential nominee. It was a privately funded effort designed to increase the number of students at a rural high school who attend college.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/higher_education/story/1160097.html

[Diane R]

1. Speechless. I guess the program was simply something to help his political aspirations?

It feels like this is tied to little Frances Quinn. If he hasn't had an affair, and there is no love child, I can't imagine he would need to do this. Does this mean it wasn't a genuine effort in the first place, or was it just political theatre?

I feel very, very sorry for the students and parents who honestly believed they could be helped by this program. I find the whole thing very sad and disappointing.

[cyndensco]

2. In defense of Edwards, the article states it was always intended to be a 3-year pilot program.

Still, I too wonder if his political aspirations played a role in its establishment. Oh well, 190 students reaped the benefits of the scholarship and it appeared to be a successful program. Maybe, hopefully, someone will continue it.

[Occam Bandage]

6. Do you really think he'd have closed it if he were the nominee right now? Unlikely.

This, like everything else he has ever done in his entire career, was only about John Edwards.

[Colobo]

16. Sadly, you're right.

[cyndensco]

23. No I'd bet the program would be going strong if he was still in the race.

In fact, he probably would have expanded it to other markets. I was just citing what the article stated.

It will be interesting to see what happens to his war on poverty.

[Occam Bandage]

24. It will, indeed, be interesting to see what happens. I'm sure he'll continue to take

paid speaking engagements, for one...

[KoKo]

7. To be fair...it was a Three Year Pilot Program...due to end. It was on P. 2

of the article I read in my "Raleigh News & Observer" this a.m. Article was written by local Dem Hater Rob Christiansen (who hates the Edwards) so the part about this being a "Pilot Program" was on Page 2.

Since most of us here on DU don't have time to read "Whole Thing" then many might miss that the article is by a known Edwards hater reporter...who had to put the "real facts" on P.2 buried after the "inflammatory headlines." (and, yes...Rob does know about the "National Enquirer" and he never fails to find something to trash Edwards with)...whether the NE article has any truth or not...Rob had to do a story with the facts waiting until last paragraph to be revealed...knowing folks don't read that far in articles past the screaming headlines. :-( Just saying since I'm NC, here.

[ecstatic]

20. I see your point... but it just looks BAD

It confirms some of the doubts many people have had and continue to have about him.

He's a mega millionaire and could easily make a few phone calls to keep the program going...

[Gabi Hayes]

22. I was just there for about 10 days....did you read the column about Jesse Helms by

guy with the bow tie?

he said that we lost two Jesse's when Helms died: the Senator and Jesse Jackson.
it was pretty damn funny

I read another one by him when I was there that cracked me up, too

do you know who I mean?

[Olney Blue]

3. This is sad. It made a huge difference in the community.

[Danger Mouse]

4. I'm disappointed. He should've continued it.

[Occam Bandage]

5. John Edwards? Abandoning his principles once they're no longer politically advantageous?

Gee, I'm shocked. Thank God most Democrats saw through his cheap hucksterism better than DU did.

[depakid]

27. You do realize the irony of an Obama stalwart saying that, don't you?

[Occam Bandage]

28. Not at all. I never believed he was a starry-eyed idealist; I actually paid attention

to what he said and wrote.

[depakid]

32. Apparently you didn't pay much attention

or you'd have considered that selling out FISA and the constitution- which as an attorney he swore to uphold and as a Senator and primay candidate he expressly promised to defend through a filibuster is every bit as craven as anything Edwards may have done here.

[tritsofme]

8. I guess he learned all he needed to about poverty at that hedge fund.

He really is a phony.

[Peregrine Took]

9. I have to say with 100% honesty that my "phony-dar" went off, wildly, the

first time I saw him in person.

This year I liked what he said a lot more but I just could never get past him.

I don't know if it was that hair combing thing (it was telling) or the time when I saw him step out of that huge, air conditioned black bus right next to the stage while we, the vast unwashed herd, had stood out in a sunny field for hours to see him.

He was band box perfect with every hair in place - gave a "phoned in" speech and was gone.

Never once came out and met with the people who waited for him.

[Inspired]

13. Really? I've seen him dozens of times and he always met with the people.

Always....never an exception. It sounds to me like you just didn't care for him but still, you really should try to be a little more objective.

[Peregrine Took]

10. And on another note - how will he dodge the "boo's" at the DNC in August?

You know there will be some altho I'm sure they will try to moderate them with cheering.

If he drags Elizabeth out there with him to assuage the public I will absolutely puke.

Its an old trick if someone is going to get the raspberry treatment from the crowd.

[Inspired]

12. Why would he get boo's?

[XemaSab]

26. Why would he get an unpopular reception?

:shrug:

[my3boyz]

11. Has he been campaigning for Obama? I remember reading that Elizabeth was doing something

but that it.

[Inspired]

15. He is campaigning to end poverty and always promotes Obama as the best candidate for this cause.

[Inspired]

14. I've supported John for years but I will say that the timing of this announcement is puzzling.

I understand that this was to be a 3 year program but he really should have stuck with this for longer. The timing just sucks.

[Colobo]

17. Well, it's actually telling... VERY telling...

[KoKo]

18. See Post #7 on this thread..........n/t

[Inspired]

19. Yes, but it's all about perception. The timing stinks.

[grantcart]

21. Telling

Christ why doesn't he just give the NE a blank check.

Either he is up to his neck in scandal or he can't figure out how to manage a relatively small problem.

Either way . . .

Wish I could get my money back and give it to Obama

[BeyondGeography]

25. He sent 190 kids to college with this program

I say leave him alone.

[Colobo]

29. He has the money and power to keep that program running, don't you think?

[AP]

30. Maybe it'd be better if people just never even tried to start something.

So they won't be criticized when it comes to a (scheduled!) end...

[depakid]

33. What do you know about the program?

Probably nothing beyond what you read in a blog snippet. You have no idea how it was set up, what its legal sources of funding are or what it would take to continue to operate it, while meeting its obligations.

[Frank Booth]

31. This is good. If he's not going to be President anyway, why waste the money?

:shrug: