Edwards goes where pundits fear to tread

Throughout the summer and into the fall, there was one consensus among the Republican presidential contenders when they met to debate -- Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, and the GOP needed to judge which of its candidates could best carry the party's flag against her.

The anointing of Clinton by the Republicans began to fade even before Barack Obama's win in the Iowa caucuses (which, though it may seem like ancient history, occurred less than three weeks ago). And tonight, a bit of role reversal occurred -- the Democrats offered a prediction (albeit a tentative one) on the outcome of the scrambled GOP contest.

John Edwards broached the matter at his party's feisty debate in South Carolina, saying, "It's becoming increasingly likely, I think, that John McCain is going to be the Republican candidate."

That no doubt took aback Mitt Romney and his aides (if they were listening). Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani also would quibble with the call. But Edwards had a self-interested rationale for ignoring those other Republicans.

With conventional wisdom holding that McCain would run the GOP's strongest race in the fall -- and threaten to topple assumptions that this is going to be a Democratic year -- Edwards wanted to press the case ...

that he is the Democrat best able to take him on.

The odds against Edwards emerging as his party's standard-bearer are increasingly long (indeed, realistically his chances have slipped to the proverbial slim and none). But intriguingly, Clinton and Barack Obama -- one of whom will be the nominee, barring an unforeseeable turn of events -- accepted Edwards' comment about McCain. And each engaged him on why he or she would run the strongest race against the Arizonan.

Edwards marshaled his arguments somewhat gingerly. His key line was this: "I grew up in the rural South, in small towns all across the rural South, and I think I can go everywhere and compete head to head with John McCain."

He insisted, before making that assertion, that what he sees as his advantage in a contest with McCain "has nothing to do with race and gender, let me be really clear about that."

But, of course, it does, as he seemed to tacitly acknowledge in his very next line: "It's amazing now being the white male" among the remaining Democratic candidates.

Obama, sensing the awkwardness Edwards was feeling, sought to offer some empathy. He interjected: "Feeling all defensive about it? John, it's all right, man."

It was an exchange that not too long ago would have been hard to imagine in American politics.

-- Don Frederick   

Comments

[John]

Edwards was the best thing about tonight's debate. Clear, concise and no spin. What a relief from the other two. Obama talks in an endless circle of lofty rhetoric, evading every questions put to him. Hillary, unfortunately, carries the burden of her husbands rancorous tenure.

[Marks]

Edwards spoke to South Carolina folks in code words. He fails to realize rural areas in most states are near the same. Obama won the whole state of rural Iowa.

He tied Hillary in overly white New Hampshire in delegates. He won in rural areas of Nevada that hasn't ever elected a Democrat to represent them.
Obama's campaign argues he won more delegates than Hillary in Nevada.

Edwards might not totally believe Obama is actually there on the Presidential stage with him. It was only a year ago, people thought this was an impossibility. The last Presidential Election in 2004 had no fore- telling this was going to occur. Obama gave a good speech, introducing himself then.

Edwards was on the big stage as a Vice President Candidate, has more experience there than Hillary and Obama. John Kerry and he got 59 Million votes. He can't believe few are choosing him for President.

Surely in South Carolina he can win a primary. If he doesn't, I hope he takes that hint.

There have been too many white male candidates and suddenly that demographic has real competition.

Edwards is caught in a vortex of change, that people seem to want.

He can blame Republicans. Redistricting by Republican majorities in states has lessened the political viability of ethnic candidates. If a candidate represents inner city views and beliefs, that area was swallowed by larger white communities from the suburbs. Inner City candidates have less chance to win a general election. More white males won elections.

Senator Hillary is a well known person, former First Lady. If any lady has a chance for President it's her. That's what Edwards thinks.

He can't believe Obama has achieved the Presidential consideration stage so soon.

Folks are tired of white male candidates if there is a real alternative. They might be tired in South Carolina, Edwards is about to find out.

He can' t believe his looks, that $400 hair cut with southern charm isn't a package people want in a President. He always imagined his image is what the White House should have.

When did John Edwards have evidence, a white guy wouldn' t win the Presidency?

Obama isn't defined by inner city views, but he's passionate to change those circumstances. He's leaping over many political hurdles really fast and easy. Obama is really attracting a large cross section of voters in Democrats, Independents and Republicans.

Obama's weird name is still shocking some, he's so successful regardless!

Edwards has the All America name and the background, son of a struggling father in factories in a financially depressed town. His corporate image makes that story like he's pandering. He' s very rich today.

Obama's life story is still somewhat fresh, because he's not that old. Obama is the poorest of all the candidates. If being a Millionaire is poor. He's not as rich!

Edwards knows Hillary has the woman's vote and fans of Bill voting for her. He can't believe Obama's story is better than his. He was a Vice President candidate with 59 Million votes why doesn't anyone remember!

[Christina]

Edwards was the clear winner in tonight's debate with Obama following. Edwards was very direct in answering every question, and several times was responsible for reeling Obama and Clinton in from their endless bickering about non issues. I had been undecided between Edwards and Obama -- I'm female -- but I'm voting Edwards!

[Rob]

I was really concerned when Hillary Clinton mentioned that she believed that a core Democratic belief was Universal Healthcare. Never in the history of this nation has someone tied such a liberal agenda to this country. Although it is ideal give everyone in this country health coverage, we cannot afford it for the following reasons:
1. In order to pay for it, we would need to raise taxes.
2. If we did not raise taxes, then the government will have to undergo deficit spending and therefore increase our national debt. Then we can have even more fun with higher grocery, gas, and other prices (don't worry, your grandchildren will face this).
3. Not everyone will be "covered." People will have to purchase supplemental insurance because the government won't cover everything.

So if you are interested in another big government spending project larger than Social Security then vote Hillary. Unfortunately, she has not come up with an idea that will save Social Security and what makes everyone think that if she can't handle that single issue that she will be successful with healthcare this time around.

[MagickMuffin]

Rob,

John Edwards explained how he will pay for it by repealing Bushes TAX CUTS to the wealthy.

Also when the Democratic Party has to clean up this mess in Iraq, ......
$251 MILLION A DAY..........$488 BILLION A YEAR budgeted till September 08, we'll have a little extra money that can be used for domestic programs, like healthcare, education, infrastructure, security among other programs.
That should HELP as well, don't ya think?.?.?

I for one WANT the exact same healthcare our representatives, and their staffs receive.

My health and healthcare shouldn't be considered as less important as anyone's in congress.

But hey, that's just me.

[Vee]

Obama is black muslim and joined a radical black church, where Rev Wright
spews racial hatred and bigotry against white people and the government.
Obama was born into an Islamic home,his father is a radical black muslim, his mother is a radical far left white. He was raised as a muslim, went to a muslim radicial school for many years.
The christian bit is just a sham, as president how would he deal with the world- wide muslim terrorist? He would have muslims coming into this country by the boat and plane load. You would have muslims placed in high, places in
our government. Anyone who said anything against it would immediately be
targeted by the government agencies as a racist bigot.
There would be an upsurge in illegal aliens like you would not believe.
Oprah thinks that she is doing good by supporting a black man, not a muslim for president.
I don't think she understands what's coming should he become president.
Wake up people.
This country is in a hell of mess and this man would make it worse.

[jw]

Would someone please explain to me what the urgency is about deciding on the candidate before the convention? I don't get it. Is it about money (to tv? to candidates?)? Some kind of entertainment value? Why should there be eliminations of candidacies so soon?

I have been alive during years in which the convention was still about WHO would be the candidate. The tension was exciting. Now all the convention is is an expensive circus performance--a total bore; and all the polling in advance of the convention(s) is a total bore, too. But I guess it makes reporters' jobs easier (I guess I should have put "reporters" in quotes)--no need to understand issues.

[Robert Levy]

I like Edwards. I think he'll make a great attorney general in the Obama administration. Obama will beat Romney in November, and then we'll see.

[Pauly]

According to the Global Strategy Group Edwards beats all the Republicans in head to head polling - that is asking: "If X Dem ran against Y GOP candidate who would you vote for?"

For months, looking at all the major polls polls, Edwards was the only Democrat to consistently beat all GOP contenders. And did so with better numbers than either Clinton or Obama. Sadly, people will also come out of the woodwork to vote against Hillary or a black man who otherwise may not vote at all. Edwards has also been heads and shoulders above the other two in terms of specific policies he would enact as president. He was the only one, as late as last fall with a road map describing who he plans to govern when most of what we got from HRC and BHO was happy talk.

And since he is the only one stating that without getting the influence of money out of Washington there will be no substantial change, he is our best choice.

[Mark]

John Edwards would be the strongest candidate the Democrats could put up against the Republicans. As of right now Obama and Hillary would not beat John McCain. Someone stated that Edwards lost in rural Iowa. If the truth is ever told or reported, Obama ship in non residents to Iowa to vote in the caucus. They don't require to show I. D. 's In their caucus in Iowa. Everyone is on the honor system. The truth is that Edwards really did win rural Iowa. I can say this, because I was in Iowa and I saw what went on. Obama and Hillary will not carry a single state from Missouri southward. A lot could change between now and November, but if I had to bet today, I WOULD BET bet on McCain beating Obama or Hillary but not John Edwards.

[UnconditionalPeace]

Why should gender or race even be considerations in determining the appropriate candidate for voters? During the recent CNN debate, Barack made a comment about Hillary going after women voters, he was going after black voters, and John was going after white male voters. This mentality is not helpful, evolved, or Presidential.

John quickly pointed out that he also was interested in securing votes from women, Arican Americans... regardless of sex or race. To me this was the most evolved, unconditional, and Presidential statement made by ANY candidate this entire election. Edwards is a true leader and he is a person who clearly knows, understands, and defines his stance on every issue. No circular rhetoric, or ambiguous positions made from plagiarized ideas.

It is time to get a leader who can actually embrace all people, all genders, and every ethnicity. It is primitive, offensive, and divisive to vote with the conditional associations based solely or primarily upon race and/or gender. I would vote for John Edwards based on his positions supporting and providing a voice for the voiceless, and his promotion of fundamental Democratic priciples before ever considering any such extraneous, superfluous, and irrelevant factors.

[Karen]

Thank God some people are actually listening to the debates and message of John Edwards and not the rhetoric and platitiudes of the other candidates and corporate media. I believe he is going to be on David Letterman tonight so set your DVRs. Please go to John's website and sign up for his emails. They are inspiring. Contribute if you can since John's campaign is grass roots. He is not taking money from lobbyists like Hillary and Obama so he needs American people to back him.
The big war profiteers, big oil, big media (4-7 corporations own 80% of media), big insurance and drug companies are who run this country. Edwards has fought them and won in the courtroom and he's running to take back our Country from these moneyed interests. Who doesn't like that?
Pay attention to what the candidates say and don't say, read their policies and voting records and don't vote for gender, race, celebrity status, religion, party or biases based on past perceptions (yours or anyone else's). I think you'll find John Edwards comes out far ahead and way above any of the other candidates when you make an informed decision.