John Edwards' Populist Appeal

I think John Edwards raises some important points in a very passionate way that keeps issues on the table. Whether this will take him to the White House or not is still to be determined. In some ways, he may be a better advocate for this issues outside the White House as it takes more than just the presidential office to get things done.

I am still undecided -- part of an election is voting for someone who has the mandate to lead ... my state's primary is a ways off so I'll keep watching which candidates remain strong enough AND speak to my views, and decide then.

I don't think we can afford to say he could do more for the country outside the White House. It seems that's the chant for anyone who could beat the Republican candidates. Al Gore, same same. I'm a realist. The best and possibly only real chance of putting a Democrat in the White House is Edwards.

I am all out FOR a John Edwards presidency. He is the only candidate that has the guts to say that the time for compromising with corporate America is over. We've BEEN compromising with these guys for decades and what has it got us? Two America's like Edwards has said. For the wealthy, our corporate friendly economic policies has created great times resulting in the wealthy becoming wealthier than anytime in history. But for the OTHER America, the middle class, wages that have lost ground, seriously fewer numbers of descent jobs, and overwhelming health care costs. We absolutely MUST elect John Edwards to the White House.

I think he's a big phoney.

I'm still on the fence over so many issues and candidates...but thanks for your insight! I appreciate it!

I was on the fence between Clinton & Obama (leaning more toward Clinton) and then I took a quiz to see how my views aligned with the candidates' and Edwards came up # 1. So, now I'm paying more attention to what is really being said and by whom.

Phoney??

Our government has become the laughing stock of the world. Well coached candidates appealing to their target demographics. Slicing and dicing and dividing like the Popeil Pocket Slicer. Like sheep to the slaughter we blindly follow the talking heads on the major news networks, to the utter destruction of the nation.

This is reality!

Twice the SCHIPS program, the health care bill for the working poor, has been vetoed. The total cost of this bill, 35 billion dollars. Within the same week, Bush was proposing 30 billion to fight AIDS in Africa, asking for 100 billion to continue the war in Irag. Bridges to nowhere. No royalties paid by oil companies, for oil pumped off federal land, that land belongs to the American people, not Exxon Mobile. BTW, that same quarter XOM reported the highest profit ever reported by any company, in any sector in the history of written history. Medicare Part D is not allowed to negotiate drug prices, while our Canadian friends pay 85% less for prescription drugs.

Let's move on. What about that important document the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights Attached. They have been spit on and disgraced by the current political machine in Washington. Freedom of Speech, Association, Press, Religion, and even the right to peaceful assembly, a trial by a jury of your peers, unreasonable search and seizure, and what about, unless your with us, your against us, whoever us is?

This candidate has at least stood up and expressed the problem, every single other candidate sticks with the devisive corporate line.

Regardless, of who you vote for, make sure your not voting your kids out of health care. A good education, but most of all make sure you not voting them into corporate slavery.

Edwards is for real, and no phony. He's been harping on the same general subjects for eight years, if you've been listening. I have. He's rich, he's been slandered, incessantly, that that makes him no spokesman for the middle and poor classes, but then, FDR was rich, the only thing they haven't accused him of is the important one, he hasn't forgotten where he comes from, and how he got where he is. He's the real deal alright, but with the media thumping him all the way, over stupid things like haircuts and houses, you'd never know it, unless, of course, you listen at one of his campaign stops. Unless you see him interact with someone who needs his voice to speak for them. Unless you just listen, and remember that this is the same guy, the same message, and the same sincerity he has always shown. John Edwards is the only one that gets it. The mess we are in is due to undue influence for the corporate and wealthy, bought by lobbyists and enacted into law by hired shills in our government. Till that changes, we're flushing our way of life down the drain, for their benefit, and to our detriment.

We say we want someone decisive, someone who won't bow to special interests or the changing mood of the country, but when we get a man like that, we complain that he's a cowboy and ignores the wishes of the people.

Another fun election year ahead of us.

Who the hell are you talking about? Not Bush, I hope. Won't bow to special interests? How about grovels? How about licks corporate boots? How about .....I can't say that without getting this article flagged, but it has to do with his lying mouth, and where it resides when it isn't lying. If I misunderstood, pardon the hell out of me, but if I didn't, you sir, are seriously blindered. As for ignoring the will of the people, he doesn't even consider their will, and you don't have to ignore something you never even considered in the first place. And who said we wanted him? As we now know enough to say it with confidence, he stole two elections, that's hardly an endorsement.

Edwards certainly does have a lot of appeal. I suspect that he will have to strengthen the presentation of his character if he hopes to win. There is steel inside his character, he just needs to find a better way to present that.

I may be alone in this, but John Edwards always makes me think of John Kennedy; and that's a plus. He may well pass up Obama as the primaries unfold.

How does the Edward campaign do financially? Earlier in the year, it seemed we got more frequent information on how much money was being raised. If I remember correctly, Edwards was considerably behind Clinton and Obama. I realize this has nothing to do with qualifications to be president. But until we have real campaign finance reform, money still wins.

In the 30 minutes or so that he was talking all Edwards did was to pander to everyone. Health Care is a great example, You can pick either Private or Public health plan (that just about covers all the choices) and it will be cheaper because we will set a 15% limit on profits (not even sure that it is possible to tell a private company how much profit they can make) and the health plan will cover every thing! "Gee that's great John and can we get puppies too!"
Not exactly taking any chance here is he?
We need a leader not some one who decides issues based on which way the wind blows.

Phoney covers it.

"(not even sure that it is possible to tell a private company how much profit they can make)"
If you can't we just imagined all the wage and price controls the government has imposed in the past. How old are you, if you don't remember those? Your comments are unjustified. Edwards has had his program out front and center far longer than anyone of the top three, as part of a platform published from the start. Long before health was an issue anyone else was considering much. If it appears to you to be pandering, it's been pandering a long time, and hasn't suddenly appeared to pander to any which way the wind blows.

John Edwards is a hypocrite - his record and personal dealings show that. he does pander - to anyone that might through a buck or a vote his way. The fact that he has been harping on this two Americas bit for a long time doesn't make him sincere - it makes him a slick politician. I thought we had enough of that with slick willy and hope we are wise enough to avoid more of the same with Hillary and Edwards.

He's doing reasonably well in Iowa but one state does not a President make especially when he is doing so poorly in the national polls. If he does pull off a miracle and beat Hillary in Iowa, there is no question that it will give him some momentum in New Hampshire and South Carolina but i doubt it will be enough to carry him through Florida and Super Tuesday.

There is some potential in Edwards, but he doesn't really seem able to galvanize and take command of the stage as well as his opponents. Not sure if he could hold his own as President. Regarding whether he's a hypocrite or not, at this level of politics, all politicians are hypocrites - for voters, it's a matter of voting for the hypocrite most capable of getting the job done. You can be a hypocrite and still be an effective leader.

C.T. Said "We need a leader not some one who decides issues based on which way the wind blows.".

What we really need is a leader that at least makes the right decision sometimes. Respects Liberty, and those who have defended it. The fact is Edwards couldn't be wrong concerning health care. Because right now, there is no Health care Policy in this country, except send them home to die, or dump them on skid row. So I'm open to anything that limits or eliminates Corporate America from health care. Facts are facts, and people are dying because of the bottom line. Not only because of a lack of leadership on the health care issue, but for greed and corruption in an illegal war in Iraq.

Nanci Said, "John Edwards is a hypocrite - his record and personal dealings show that. he does pander "

If Pandering means following the will of the people? What a refreshing change.

Ron said: "If it appears to you to be pandering, it's been pandering a long time, and hasn't suddenly appeared to pander to any which way the wind blows."

Ok I concede the point he has been pandering for a long time now.

I think health care needs to be addressed but to say every one in the US is going to be able to get any kind of health care they want at a reduced price doesn't sound honest to me....

C.T.

Chronic illness is a terrible thing. It's not like a trip to Disneyland. I've been around and watched family and friends die. Some with inadequate care. In most cases death is a slow process. The organs shut down systematically. In many cases, fluids and food are withheld. This speeds the dying process, but causes incredible suffering. This is because the liver ceases to function, and can't even metabolize pain medication. The screaming starts and no amount of medication can stop it. All of the good things about the person are forgotten for years. Just the screams, the agony, the deification, the urine.

The really sad part is, in many cases, death did not have to even occur at that moment in time. It was decided by insurance companies and the state. Medical resources are not in short supply. We will never pay fewer taxes. We do however have a choice on how our taxes and the FICA/Medicare dollars are spent. It's not about smaller government. It's about fewer crooks stealing the money. Health care is not optional. It is mandatory. No parent should have to take their child home to die, when resources are available to save them. No family should be left without a mother or farther. No candidate should be elected without a comprehensive health care plan.

comprehensive health care plan - yes but it has to be doable. In other words no one is walking into the white house and saying here is my plan and you congress *will* do it, period. not going to happen. Edwards knows that hence the pandering. He tells you what you want to hear gets your vote then may be he tries but congress blocks the effort and health care goes on unchanged. It's the evil corporations, evil republicans what ever but nothing changes. Like it or not in our republic we need to get consensus.

This is interesting -- It's about fewer crooks stealing the money. -- how does Edwards plan address this?

Edwards may well be the best choice of the Democratic candidates. But remember that we are choosing between puppies with worms and a puppy with fleas.

In the last debate, Edwards said part of the solution was to remove corporations and lobbyist from the equation. That is how you stop the thieving. I would add one provision that is to charge any politician with treason, that violates the public trust, by accepting bribes or kowtowing to corporations. A few public hangings might slow down the inside the beltway crowd.

You are right, that it takes more than the President. It takes, We the People. It's time for the people to take back the government. You do that through your vote, and yes you're voting for the person who delivers the message you want to hear, and sometimes people lie to get what they want. Take GW as an example. Compassionate Conservationism? I hope no one will say that was even close to the truth. In fact every time he moves his lips, chances are he's lying.

He's lined his pockets and the pockets of his friends with blood money from Iraq. May I add an illegal war, based on lies? He awarded no bid contracts to his VPs company, and 30 billion in cash went missing. He then provides inadequate care for the vets. Most of the vets are from middle and lower classes, so they're coming back to low paying jobs, and stagflation.

He's vetoed SCHIPS twice, health care for the children of the working poor. BTW, the missing 30 billion would have funded the program. Don't even get me started on his disgraceful treatment of the constitution and the attached Bill of Rights. So a good start is to deport Bush once he leaves office.


I would like to challenge you to go to the death ward at your local charity hospital or VA Hospital and just listen. Just stay there overnight. Then come back and tell us what you've learned.

Delete me once , delete all .

Edwards has my vote. I'm hoping his momentum in Iowa takes off.

Edwards is hardly pandering. He does have a comprehensive plan, yes it does have to get the support of congress behind it, just as any other candidate's plans do. We have a lot to do with that, and if you don't believe that, reference the recent grassroots upheavls that defeated amnesty for illegals, that was all us. The fact is, many out here oppose socialized medicine period, and I assume that has a lot to do with the adversarial positions taken here. I suggest anyone that has determined socialized medicine is bad, based on the present arguments being foisted upon us, take a look at SICKO. The debate is not near as negative as the insurance lobby wants you to believe. It works, and it works well, and there are a lot fewer Nataline Sarkysians in a not for profit system. It might be different, were insurance companies not denying care to keep their bottom line more profitable. Killing people for profit is what it comes down to, or at least not giving them the chance to live that premium paying, human beings deserve, regardless of economic status. Of course, that's something conservatives seem inclined to do, kill non elite people for money, reference IRAQ.

You bet it is a populist appeal. Edwards is a populist he seeks not only the office of President but the office of Tribune. The office of protector of the plebeian against the machinations of the elite.

I want to quote J.S. Knowles as he put these words into the character of Caius Graccus, on his return from war.

"Ye men of Rome, there is no favor, now For justice! Grudgingly her dues are granted! Your great men boast no more the love of country. They count their talents (coins); measure their domains; Enlarge their palaces; dress forth their banquets; Awake their lyes and timbrels; and with their floods Of ripe Falerian drown the little left Of Virtue! -- Romans, I would be your Tribune. Fear not Censors! I would raise no tumult; This hand's the first to arm against the man, Whoe'er he be, that favors civil discord.

I have no gust for blood, nor for oppression! I sacrifice to Justice and to Mercy!
The laws! The laws! Of common right the guard -- The wealth, the happiness, the freedom of The Nation! Who has hidden them, defaced them, Sold them, corrupted them from the pure letter?

Why do they guard the rich man's cloak from a rent, And tear the poor man's garment from his back?

Why are they, in the proud man's grasp a sword, And in the hand of the humble man, a reed? The laws! The laws! I ask you for the laws! Demand them in my country's sacred name! Still silent? Reckless still of my appeal? Romans, I ask the office of your Tribune!