John Edwards and the great divide

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa -- While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were tussling elsewhere over Obama's PAC and whether a childhood essay signaled early -- and lied about -- ambitions (blame the polls), John Edwards was busy driving around north-central Iowa trying to win over the uncommitteds and make sure his supporters get out to the caucus sites on Jan. 3.

He declined to weigh in on the PAC "fracas," as he called it, but made light of the essay spat. ''It's fine to talk about our records and about issues,'' he said. ''But we probably ought to stop at age 14.''

But later in the same talk, Edwards offered a revealing choice of words that signaled he might perceive of himself as something a little different from the voters he's wooing with his populist themes of returning government to the people. It was somewhat jarring, too, coming from a candidate who is remarkably consistent on the stump.

Speaking to about 70 in the library of a Clear Lake high school on a night when the temperature outside hovered in the teens, Edwards talked about his family's encounter with health care insurance from his wife's battle with breast cancer. "I have first-class, real-life experience with this, with what people go through," Edwards said. He talked about going with Elizabeth for doctors' visits and chemotherapy treatments, then getting the insurance company statements in the mail.

"We had good insurance. And we get the statements from the insurance company -- I had no idea what those statements mean. And we're both lawyers. I ran for president and vice president of the United States. And one month they'd cover something and the next month, the same thing, they wouldn't cover. It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. And I just felt to myself, I can't imagine what these insurance companies are doing to regular people out there."

The "regular people" nodded as Edwards cited that as a reason the nation needs universal health care. But even wearing jeans and talking about the nation's growing class divide, the choice of words signaled that Edwards' self-perception has moved a long way from the blue-collar kid from the Carolina mill towns.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Ardner Cheshire]

"But even wearing jeans and talking about the nation's growing class divide, the choice of words signaled that Edwards' self-perception has moved a long way from the blue-collar kid from the Carolina mill towns."

Say what?? I fail to see the logical connection between Edward's speech & Martelle's conclusion.

[Lura]

There is no inconsistency here. What a strange article. Actually, Edwards is making it very clear he knows what it must be like for us to deal with the insurance companies. He remembers where he came from. For Edwards to deny that he has worked and been successful, and afforded many privileges as a result, would be ludicrous. The whole point of Edwards message and campaign is that he wants to pass on more of those priviliges that he enjoys to the rest of us, the "regular" people. Edwards gives me great hope. Let's all get behind him, and stop nitpickiing.

[Patty Morlan]

Oh, Good Grief!

Will it never end. I am so sick of self important media types looking for anything they can possible twist to use against Edwards. A week or so ago the Boston Globe was dogging Edwards for being tardy to campaign events. And now this nonsense. What is wrong with you people? Can you not cover this guy fairly? For months now you guys have been copying each other calling Edwards the "angry" candidate when everyone could see that he wasn't. You made fun of his two Americas by calling him the two Edwards. You haven't covered the real candiate since this race started, you've covered a candidate that you made up in your own columns. You've tried everything you can to knock this guy down including no coverage and negative made up coverage and yet he is still tied for first in Iowa. What you've done and continue to do is unforgivable. The American people deserve to have accurate, non biased coverage of ALL of the candidates not just the ones you favor. When you cross the line to manufacturing news you are no longer journalists you are mere hacks. Shame on you.

[Oscar]

Edwards is not an "ordinary man." His IQ and education are above average. He was making the point that if he, with those advantages, cannot make sense of the details used by health insurance companies, then how would people who lacked those advantages be able to understand and advocate for themselves.

If Edwards was an "ordinary man" then he has no business running for president. The president needs to be above average in intelligence and education.

Any questions?

Edwards will make a great president!

[Will]

Talk about scraping for news. This is pretty weak stuff, Mr. Martelle.

Edwards has never once suggested he isn't lucky or fortunate financially. What he's saying is that if he can't understand health insurance billing - as a distinguished lawyer who's been blessed for his hard work with wealth and political power - then how the hell is anyone else supposed to?

Tell you one thing for sure: those people nodding and listening in Iowa didn't feel like his statement was "jarring." Despite what media-driven "controversies" might seek to prove - and your post here is the latest in a long line - Edwards connects, and you can't take that away from him.

[Ali Cooper]

A very typical article published by big media looking to sink the only candidate in this race who has the courage to speak truth to power. For months now, big powerful media and other corporate interest have attempted to marginalize Sen. Edwards... you can't Kucinich Edwards. The people are smarter that your propaganda would like to suggest.

[Paul Luchter]

This may be a need, but the last 7 years it hasn't been a requirement.

[vak]

Edwards reference to "regular people" - in context - appears to refer to the distinction between a seasoned attorney and folks who don't have legal training. Edwards point was that even a seasoned attorney has trouble figuring out the byzantine rules of health insurance company. The writer's conclusion that this reflects some sort of elitist slip on Edwards part seems altogether fanciful.
vk

[Gregg Moscoe]

One important point: Edwards made his career representing plaintiffs against insurance companies.

If he - with his considerable experience navigating the bizarre world of insurance - can't figure out what's going on with their medical claims, it's a good bet you and I can't.

Edwards is being treated like a fluff candidate: he is a smart guy who understands what a populist agenda should be.

Forget about haircuts, stick with the issues and the messages.

[Whippy]

Of course, if Edwards referred to himself as still being a "regular" person, some pundits -- possibly including Mr. Martelle -- would mock Edwards for it.

But hey, it's easier than meaningfully commenting on issues and ideas.

[J]

This type of article is what we get when people skip from privileged upbringing, to fancy college, to the news desk, and who've never worked a real job, or what most Americans would consider a real job,for a day in their lives. At least John Edwards is standing up for real working people, that's more than any other candidate has done, not to mention that since molly Ivins died, you journalists have been doing very little of it.

[Joe Ryan]

This article makes little sense. Grasping at straws seems to generous. The advent of blogs at all the corporate owned media has given exposure to writers who aren't worth paying attention to. When Edwards joined this race he didn't ever pretend to be a average person. He was just pointing out that he happens to be very highly educated in the art of contract law, and even he was baffled. He didn't say he was better than a farmer, accountant, or any other laborer; he was just pointing out that reading that type of thing was his specialty, and he couldn't even do it effectively. It's like a corn farmer saying, 'I've been growing corn for 20 years and even I couldn't get those old seeds they sell to the public at the hardware to grow much'. It doesn't follow that he is declaring himself to be a better all around person than anyone else, he's just saying, this is my gig, and I understand why you are frustrated because I was frustrated by the same thing. No need to twist that into an article that basically says, 'Edwards is a fraud'. This is not the LA Times I used to know and care to read.

[decider]

Yes. Edwards is indeed special. He deserves $400.00 haircuts, unlike the regular people. He has a high IQ and nailed physician and malparactice insurance companies for millions. He certainly was good at it and will definitely be able to bring healthcare for all by putting blame on everybody else
for the healthcare crisis. I hope and pray for his wife to get better, and I hope he will get a better insight into the healthcare crisis and understand the both the problems of American medicine as well as what makes it great.

[Arbite]

Edwards is my second choice (to Obama) but this is a ridiculous parsing of language. What he clearly meant was that if expensive insurers feel confident enough to do this to nationally recognized lawyers (who, by the way, have close friends with the power to regulate their industry), then clearly they have the temerity to abuse the less connected, less famous, less educated, the "regular people." The use of the phrase was germane to the point.

Perhaps some of the energy spent on this post could be used to explain what Hillary means when she says she has "provided" universal health care coverage by mandating it. That seems more relevant to the issue of Health Care than weather John Edwards' jeans go with his poltical point.

[Jen Q]

Is this REALLY the best you can do? Really? Really?!

I'm sorry for the writer's block that MUST have prompted this nonsense.

[Deborah S]

Bravo fellow Americans,
Call foul when you see it! The media has attempted to demonize this fine man from the gitgo.
John Edwards is the champion of the people, that the corporate owned media fear the most, hence their attempt to silence or marginalize him!

He has a proven track record of taking these special interests on..... and winning, time after time
His voice WILL be heard, because truth will prevail! He is the champion "We the People" have been waiting for + he is the most electable Dem in the General. I know many Republican voting for him in the General. He appeals accross the boards.

Edwards 2008 The Peoples President
Taking back the Peoples government
C
Go John Go

[Terre]

The Great Divide = Scott Martelle. Your left and right hemispheres are incapable of understanding words in the appropriate context.

[Louis Nardozi]

Frankly, I think the Democrats would rather run against ANYONE but Dr. Ron Paul. Much as we'd like politics to be positive, it is in fact ruled almost entirely by negatives. For instance, what's the biggest negative the Republican Party is facing in 2008? Iraq - a staggering 70% of people favor IMMEDIATE withdrawl from Iraq. Who is the only candidate that doesn't have that negative? Dr. Paul, who advocates using those trillions of dollars to secure our border (perhaps against Saudis who were 20 of the 24 terrorists in 9/11) and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure which is far more worrying than the loss of Social Security. Hm, full employment, withdrawl from Iraq and a huge boost to our economy from rebuilding our infrastructure - what Democrat wants to run against that? They'd look like the Republican in the group! Republican party used to be real good once upon a time - Dr. Paul wants to return it to its roots!

[DemsRising]

Ummm, Louis N? This commentary was about Martelle's take on John Edwards words. What the heck does Ron Paul have to do with it?

Anyway, Paul is a Republican, and as far as I'm concerned, Republicans have caused enough damage in the last 7 years to last the lifetime I have left.

[edgery]

Amazing, absolutely amazing -- though unfortunately not surprising. Mr. Martelle is simply showing his allegience to the traditional media method of non-reporting and sensationalism.

By taking a meaningful exchange between a serious presidential candidate and members of the voting public and turning it into a put-down of that candidate, Martelle demonstrates his lack of interest in serious journalism and reporting on real issues and his desire to placement on the Celebrity desk.

[Bill Bradley]

Until QUITE recently, this site was extolling the "inevitable" Hillary.

It's fun to monitor ...

[Charlotte]

Unbelievable distortion!!
At least commenters are proving they're intelligent. Well - except for the commenter who's obsessed with Edwards expensive haircuts received in a TV studio prior to an on air appearance and NOT routine costs for his haircuts.

[anne]

Dr. Ron Paul doesn't even have a health care plan!
But his constituents with NO health care are paying his health care costs.
No thanks!!

John Edwards has the best health care plan - AND a FAITHFUL wife of 30 years!
Go Edwards!

[Cliff]

Really, you can't be serious. Edwards prefaced the statement you criticized with "we're both lawyers" and "I ran for president and vice president of the United States". Aren't those relatively uncommon experiences in America? And more importantly, shouldn't someone having gone through those experiences have at least a better than average (or regular) capability to understand their medical/insurance bills? Is it really so taboo to suggest that (eep!) his lifestyle might be in ways different than an average American. Or that he may be smarter than the average American? If so, tell me which of the major contenders lives a life in any way resembling that of the average American. The 70-odd listeners in the crowd that day didn't seem to think that his statement was at all offensive, as evidently they were nodding along in agreement. It was clear what he meant.

This piece was really not worthy of exposure on a blog sponsored by the LA Times. Especially with this title: "John Edwards and the great divide". What is most disturbing is that the it appears that the author feels that the Edwards' wealth is not the problem. The problem instead is that if you are not "regular", you are not permitted to advocate for the "regular". Unless you can consistently affect a false authenticity, that is. That should go uncriticized. Am I totally off the mark?

[HealthVotR]

The only good thing about this "article" is reading the many articulate and well reasoned posts in response to it.

[finance guy]

$$$$$$ $$$$$$$ $$$$$$

Obviously, most of the comments regarding this post are absolutely accurate with the assessment that the media is disgustingly unfair to John Edwards, who is definitely America's best hope. However, I believe everyone has failed to mention that since the media is discriminating against John Edwards, it is imperative that everyone who "gets it" make a donation to his campaign. John Edwards can not do this by himself--only "we the people" who understand how important John Edwards is to the future of this country can make the difference!

$$$$$$ $$$$$$ $$$$$$$

[Dems]

I was just skimming all the LA Times articles on John Edwards and it appears most seem to have a strange bias against the candidate. Glad to know that I don't have to read the LA Times as my local hometown paper.

A few weeks ago the Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University released a study showing that the media's coverage of the campaign has been highly skewed to favor Clinton and Obama. This non-partisan, independent study demonstrated that while both Clinton and Obama received extensive and generally favorable coverage, Edwards' issues-based campaign was largely ignored. More recently, the New York Times' own public editor found this same bias in their coverage of the race.