What do people find appealing about Edwards ?

[jaysunb]

I remember liking him a lot back in 01 & 02, but quickly turned to Gov Dean in Jan,03, and now I can't seem to remember what it was I liked about him, or why people are behind him now.
Sometimes I think it might be the anti Clinton thing, other times it seems people are caught up in the spoils of 04, but for the life of me I can't find one good reason to back this seemingly nice man.

I've looked at his web site and tried to find some new idea or compelling vision his that would help me understand his appeal to many people, but can't.

People here are very smart and articulate, so help me out.Please.

[movonne]

1. For me he is the most progressive of the bunch....I will be voting for

him unless Gore runs..

[yourout]

2. He can win.

I like him well enough but the big thing I see is he stands the best chance of winning.

[marylanddem]

4. Totally agree.

He's smart, witty, progressive, and - let's admit it - quite handsome.
What's not to like?

[Why Syzygy]

3. He USED to talk

a lot about the two Americas and how disparate they are (rich and poor). I haven't heard him recently. He was a good debater, if I recall. But, Howard was my man too.

[DU9598]

5. Always fought for the underdog

He is smart and didn't sell out. He has always been on the right side of progressive issues and held mega-corporations accountable.

[Clark2008]

14. No he hasn't.

He wrote legislation as a senator to allow big banks more leadway to pursue predatory lending. He never wrote one piece of legislation to aid the poor and disenfranchised and he's always been well more conservative than progressive in his support of the Iraqi War and the PATRIOT Act.

You're buying into his media too much. Please check it out. You don't have to believe me - Google is your friend.

[Blackhatjack]

28. I have read your posts of this info before, give us a link to the banking bill he wrote....

I have checked and cannot find any banking bill 'he wrote' which 'allow(s) big banks more leadway to pursue predatory lending.' Are you sure that he did not offer amendments to a bill that was sponsored and written by others? IF you check his website he is calling for limits on predatory lending. Does not sound like he is in bed with the Banking industry as you imply.

He has spent his life standing up to businesses and corporations, and he has donated his own money and time to help the poor and disenfranchised. He is a self-made man, and knows what it is like not to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

For the life of me I cannot understand why some Clark Supporters think it is important to tear down Edwards in order to make Clark look more palatable(which BTW Clark is not yet an announced Candidate).

If you are going to continue to smear Edwards and his record, then do us all a favor and start posting links to the proof of what you say. (And linking to opinionated pundits is not proof, only an echo chamber). Give us proof that Edwards wrote the Big Banking Bill that allows predatory lending, name the bill, and the sponsor, and co-sponsors.

If you can't prove it, be prepared to be challenged on it.

He did write substantial portions of and did co-sponsor the Patients' Bill of Rights legislation, and was directly involved in many other bills of importance to the rights of individuals.

[LisaM]

6. LOL, well THAT'S a loaded question

I like him because he actually addresses poverty issues and sees the legal profession as a way to help consumers against corporations. I also think he's strong on the enivronment. But the way you worded your question will, I think, put people on the defensive. The only thing I don't like about him is his accent, but most people would not see that as a drawback.

[jaysunb]

33. My inquiry is sincere...

and I hope people will realize the importance of exploring why one candidate or another would be a better leader.
And btw, I'm not candidate shopping, just trying to find what seems to be inspiring others.

[Double T]

7. Edwards is.......

very smart
articulate
rational and reasonable
objective
experienced life as regular middle class in youth
understands the plight of today's USA middle class

[Kolesar]

8. Who do you think would be best to advocate for the kind of issues that you are concerned about?

That is how I evaluate a candidate.

I am looking forward to a rousing 2008 electoral season where real issues get addressed instead of values-bullshit or another season of 9/11 fear mongering.

What issues concern you most? Mine are expressed in the links in my sig line.

[jhrobbins]

9. My response is - What's not to like? The other posters have

delineated many of the things that I like about him, but, of course, I will support the Democratic nominee!!



(Unless Larry BIrkhead throws his hat in the ring - what a guy!)

[zippy890]

10. He's the only candidate that actually talks about

the problems low-income people face.

The big phrase these days of politicians is the Middle Class. Fine, address that. meanwhile our federal government has been systematically dismantling programs to aid those most vulnerable people in our country: low income elderly, disabled and families.

Edwards actually talks out loud (imagine) about these forgotten people, the homeless, those that go without what the rest of have: a decent life.

Edwards is my choice for president, he has a vision for what we can be as a country, if we tap into the better human qualities we possess.

[sandnsea]

11. He Was Born In A Small Town

Seriously, I think people hoped he would be the one that would be able to talk some economic common sense to the white rural Republican. He's helped, but not as successful as we'd hoped I think.

[Kolesar]

12. Mr. Post-n-run

What happened? Got a phone call and had to leave for 20 minutes??

[jaysunb]

36. A visitor AND a phone call...

n/t

[Clark2008]

13. I have no idea.

I think he panders too much, myself.

He never supported the poor when he was senator. He DID support the war, the PATRIOT Act and big banking and, now he says "oops" to all of that? Sorry, I don't buy it.

Edited to add: And he can't win. He may be Southern, but he doesn't have that "macho" or whatever that Southern and mid-Western white males look for. I mean, look at the difference in him and Clinton. Clinton was, for lack of a better word, a "bubba." Edwards isn't.

I fear none of our front runners will pick up any red/purple states because they won't attract the swing-Bubba (white, male) vote. That's a problem if we want to flip a few states to win.

[Blackhatjack]

30. In all seriousness, Are You A Republican? Or are you just misinformed?

Shall we make a list of the Democrats that voted in support of the IWR? You completely ignored the false intelligence and lies that got us into this war, and you give Edwards no credit for admitting his vote was a mistake and apologizing. Is honesty important, or would you rather be fooled to 'buy it'??

Still waiting for you to post the link to proof of the Big Banking Bill you keep running on about.

Edwards can and will win if he gets the DEmocratic Nomination. But so will other Democratic Candidates if they get the nomination. You are just dead wrong thinking none of the 'front runners will pick up any red/purple states.' The polls show the public has already turned against Bush and the Republicans in many of those states.

The crack about Edwards not having "that 'macho' or whatever that Southern and mid-Western white males look for" is very close to the Republican smear attack on Edwards attempting to characterize him as a 'Breck girl.'

Your 'concerns' about Edwards, and now other Democratic candidates, sure sounds a lot like they came from the Republican talking points handbook.

[Snotcicles]

15. Delete.

[chefgirl]

16. What they all said..lol

For all those reasons and more.

What first attracted me to him, ironically, was reading about the car accident that killed his son, and how he handled that situation. It spoke a lot about his character.

I think he's a brilliantly intelligent man, truly progressive though not too far left to be viable in the general election, truthful, clever enough to defeat the monster corporations in the courtroom, genuinely cares about all of us 'regular' people, has worked hard to ready himself for this position, hes the only one of the candidates out there speaking in specifics about health care, economic equality, a thoughtful approach to the problems in the middle east, and he CARES.

Most recently, being the first (twice) to refuse to particpate in a Fox News sponsored Democratic debate. Shows me he's got a handle on 'the game'.

Plus, hes cute! (sorry, my inner twit escaped for a minute there)

-chef-

[waiting for hope]

17. He's genuine -

and doesn't need 3-4 spin doctors on stand by to fill in the words for him. I trust him and I think that's how most Edwards supporters feel.

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Me? His wife. I love Elizabeth. I wish she could run for prez. n/t

[stray cat]

19. He has worked for a living and been competent at a job

that puts him well ahead of Bush. He is an advocate for Americans who work for a living and even in 2004 preached wages should be valued ahead of inheritance and dividends - ie less tax on paychecks more on wealth derived independent of work. Besides if Elizabeth married him that speaks well of him as well.

[paparush]

20. He reminds us of Bobby Kennedy...with better teeth

[Virginia Dare]

21. I like his pro-union anti-corporate greed rhetoric...n/t

[SoCalifer]

22. Labor Issues

n/t

[patrice]

23. I'm still shopping, but . . .

Thom Hartmann, on Air America Radio, (doesn't push his choice on his listeners, but) says he likes Edwards best and I respect Hartmann's comprehensive grasp of the issues.

[SoCalifer]

24. I'm still shopping too, but

I have to say that Dennis Kucinich is my favorite.

[patrice]

31. I'm leaning hard in that direction. Largely because he's the only

one talking seriously about the necessity of campaign finance and election reform.

Will probably make a decision soon and direct my modest resources accordingly.

[mnhtnbb]

25. Here's what appeals to me

He's a self-made man. No fancy pedigrees from Ivy League schools.
No family connections. He took his law degree and used it to hold
corporations (insurance and otherwise) accountable for their actions.
He's been married and faithful to his first wife. Elizabeth is a down-to earth,
intelligent, empathic woman who has turned the sorrows in her life into
ways of helping others.

In terms of issues, I like his focus on poverty and the fact he started
the UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity. I like the fact
that he's developed a health care plan with specifics. I like his focus on
the need to address energy resources and use in the country. I admire
him for being able to say he was wrong about Iraq. I like the fact
that he wants to take on the distribution of wealth--the ever-widening
gap between the haves and have-nots in America. I adore the fact that he's stood up to FOX News, twice. He seems to be willing to go for broke this time around, and not be managed by political consultants. I admire the way he and Elizabeth handled the announcement about the recurrence of her cancer and that they were going to continue the campaign.

I was not an Edwards fan the first time around. I was a confirmed Deaniac
from early 03. As a resident of Chapel Hill, I've been aware of his
activities since the last election, and I admire him for working to broaden
his knowledge of the world.

I get the sense that Edwards is less beholden to private, corporate interests and more concerned that there is value in government being run
to benefit everyone, not just the few who can buy access to power. I think
that Edwards would not fill government positions with cronies who have no knowledge or skills specific to the function of their office. I don't think
you'd see Edwards hiding everything, keeping everything secret, not wanting
to allow government to be held accountable to the people.

[Blackhatjack]

32. You made an excellent point I have been trying to distill on my own about Edwards...

You posted:

"I don't think you'd see Edwards hiding everything, keeping everything secret, not wanting
to allow government to be held accountable to the people."

That is exactly the impression I get, and the contrast between an Edwards Administration and the present Bush Administration would be stark. People would begin to believe again that government does belong to all of us, and not to just the corporations and super-rich acting behind closed doors.

In short, I believe Edwards could go a long way to restoring faith of the people in their government again, and help us to come together as a people to address our very serious problems.

[NI4NI]

26. After, both the '04 election lost,

and Mrs. Edwards cancer diagnosis, he kept working hard as a private citizen for what he believes in without media publicity. I've heard it said that many poor people do not vote, and if that's a fact, then I consider his motives for fighting poverty genuine. Plus, this guy wasn't born with a golden spoon in his mouth.

[jaysunb]

37. What exactly has that "hard work " been?

That's what I've been looking for. What are his passions ??? What exactly has he done to promote those passions ?

[Felix Mala]

27. He's progressive and dedicated to moving forward. I think his

vision extends beyond politics and the daily headlines. He's also thoughtful and well-spoken, a really decent guy.

[Pastiche423]

29. Not. A. Thing.

[buddinganarchist]

34. Kuchich all the way!

Shame of you all for not going for the underdog.

[butterfly77]

35. I have always wondered about this...

he may be nice but he is not my choice...

[David Zephyr]

38. I think that like Senator Obama, Americans see someone who will stand up for them.

Really, at this late point in the presidential primaries, there are two candidates with a realistic chance who understand working class Americans and who would stand up without hesitation for the underpriviledged and fight for them: Senator Obama and Senator John Edwards.

I am enjoying watching these two sterling gentlemen as they continue to draw larger and larger crowds and, most of all, speaking to their hopes and dreams.

General Wes Clark had a shot to also be there, but it is now too late. I only pray that he is not in Hillary's camp now, but I must admit that I fear it to be so.

Go Obama!

Go Edwards!

[SoCalDem]

39. It's a subliminal thing.. He's Kennedyesque..

A person of a certain age still remembers the era, and every so often a candidate comes along with good looks, a young family, some good ideas, and the public gets wistful and longs to go back to "when things seemed hopeful"..

[jaysunb]

41. Yes...it seems YOU, may have rung the bell.

:hi:

[Czolgosz]

40. I like his work on eliminating poverty, his substantive universal health care plan, his protection

of the working family's jobs and fair wages, and - generally - his willingness to fight for the middle class and less fortunate.

While I lean toward Edwards, I also like Obama (who's very good but seems to emphasize slightly less progressive issues than Edwards), Kucinich (who's great but may be less electable than Edwards), Dodd (who has a very good record as a Senator but who seems to be having some difficulty breaking out of the second tier pack), Clark (if he runs), and Gore (if he runs).

In sum, I'd be happy with the majority of the field other than Hillary, Richardson, and Biden who are all running to the right of the other candidates, but I will vote for the nominee no matter who it is.

[Beaverhausen]

42. So, which candidate do you think has a "new idea" or "compelling vision?"

[jaysunb]

43. I like Obama for freshness...

I like Gore as the complete package.