Obama Ramps Up Populist Message As Edwards Gains Momentum

Los Angeles Times:

He knocks CEOs who "dump" employee pensions while "pocketing bonuses." He laments Maytag workers who "labored all their lives only to see their jobs shipped overseas." He recalls humble beginnings and says his experience is "rooted in the lives of the people."

That kind of hard-driving populism has formed the core of John Edwards' campaign for president. But those words have come this week from Barack Obama -- one of Edwards' chief rivals for the Democratic nomination -- who has recalibrated his campaign to appeal to working-class voters before Thursday's caucuses.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Upcoming]

Can Edwards say "National Health Care" without government payout to private insurance companies? Not so far. When does he think the troops should come home and when did he start thinking it? OK great, NOW he is mentioning income disparity.

Kucinich has been the only politician with the balls to say these things all along and when they were unpopular to say.

The reason things stay the same is the media and "pundits" focus on "electability" instead of issues. Unless we actually vote for what is right instead of who can win we will get more of the same. Edwards won't do shit to change the country in a positive way. He's just talking pretty.

Ralph Nader was correct. We should (and still might)elect another republican and keep doing it until even southern Baptists, Catholics, and Mormons decide that the pain is not worth the lip service to conservative "values". Then perhaps the nation would be ready for real change and favor a sensible, honest, candidate like Kucinich.

[truthyguy]

Come on Iowa - you can do it!

Dump Hillary!!!!

[godlessclif]

Obama? a populist! ROFLMAO.

Yessiree, The William Jennings Bryan of the 21st Century.

Obama is the wizard of OZ. What about Toto too?

Is Obama going for the prohibitionist vote, like Bryan?

[MAX1]

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When Obama votes to NOT FUND the continued occupation of a nation that NEVER posed an imminent threat to America that continues to result in the NEEDLESS MURDER of over a million people, then he'll have a platform to stand on.

When Edwards commits to an immediate withdraw and change of course of those very troops he voted to place into harms way AND fund the ILLEGAL INVASION and subsequent occupation of a Nation that NEVER posed an imminent threat to America, then he'll have a platform to speak from.

Until then, they both are attempting to provide cover for their inability to become fully informed.

WHO WANTS ANOTHER PRESIDENT WHO CAN'T MAKE INFORMED AND WISE DECISIONS BASED ON SOUND REASON AND JUDGEMENT?

.

[MAX1]

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I still have a hard time figuring out a man who has been correct on key issues can be ruled out by CORPORATE MEDIA as being wrong, while that same CORPORATE MEDIA contends that a bunch of men and a woman who have been wrong on these same key issues, some remaining resolutely in the wrong, can somehow be more right for America than that lone man who's stood in his right decisions from the start.

WHY THE BLCAK OUT OF KUCINICH and the PROPAGATION of others who change their stance so that they can appear more agreeable to the populace?

WHY is the media propagating these candidates waving stances/positions as being somehow correct for America while ignoring the unwavering stance of the one man who's been correct AND resolute?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNdQUVA5JHs

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[HumeSkeptic]

From the article:

"With Iowa's first-in-the-nation nominating event looming, Obama has shifted away from his almost singular emphasis on transcending Washington's partisan divisions -- a message that appeals to upper-income and independent voters who form a minority of caucus-goers. Instead, he is aiming for the working-class voters who are the party's core, and who have been moving to Edwards in growing numbers over the last few weeks."

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That tells me that the so-called "populist" message that Obama has now is just a gimmick to attract certain voters. Edwards has had this message consitently.

It also tells me that Obama people have found out that Edwards is gaining.

[HumeSkeptic]

Obama is good, of course. But, to this voter, Edwards is just too damn impressive to ignore.

Edwards has exactly the right message and the right approach.

Corporatism is the root of many major problems in our country:

-Healthcare
-Unnecessary wars (for oil)
-Lack of good environmental policies
-Lack of a comprehensive energy policy

You get rid of excessive corporate influence on our government, you attack all the above problems at once.

This is the scientific approach to problem solving.

And Edwards is the only one among top tier candidates to have voiced this consistently. Of course, Kucinich always has.

[LeftLeaner]

Barack, you can't be all things to all people.

What a phony. Now that John Edwards (the ONLY candidate of the working class) is gaining traction on HIS TRUE message, you think you can use it for your convenience.

I hope the people of Iowa see your Phoniness.

After all, YOU as well as HILLARY voted for NAFTA in PERU - an ANTI-AMERICAN WORKER STATEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you also decide to vote "PRESENT" when the votes are too controversial. That is NOT the sign of a STRONG LEADER.

JOHN EDWARDS IS "THE MAN" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DBlake]

Can a Presidential Candidate win an Election with a Radical Anti-Corporate Picth?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1395
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[andyboy]

John Edwards is coming on like a freight train! Does he have a cowlick? John is sort of like the Clay Aiken of the 2008 race for the Democratic nomination.

"Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what the corporation can do for you."

I know I got a chill up my spine. I bet he'll be as exciting as Kerry was. Batten down the hatches!

[andyboy]

Edwards/Biden in 2008.

All the way baby. Whew!

I'm not ready for a black guy or a woman.

[WilliamWallace]

Go get 'em, Senator Edwards.

[fromthecheapseats]

Obama is a corporate shill.

Edwards is a corporate shill's worst enemy.

Get a clue, Dems! The corporate welfare candidates are Hillary and Obama, no difference between their backers.

Edwards in 2008 is the real deal, folks.

[Qbear]

"John Edwards got some good news today. Q-Notes - the “leading gay news source of the Carolinas” - decided to endorse the controversially coiffed candidate. From Out For Edwards:

After a series of meetings between the editors, the staff and the publisher, Q-Notes has endorsed John Edwards for President. His concrete, progressive policy positions (including steadfast support for pro-LGBT issues), his commitment to returning power to the people from moneyed special interests, his outstanding polling strength against the Republicans and his positive impact for down-ticket candidates nationwide combine to make him the best candidate in the race.

Q-Notes encourages all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters to support John Edwards in the primaries and beyond.
We’re not sure we’re going to take you up on that offer, Q-Notes. We’re still undecided, but rest assured we’ll be taking a stand soon enough."
http://www.queerty.com/

[CalculatedRiskTaker]

Edwards/Clinton 1 & 2
Biden 3
Obama 4

Huffington Post support for Obama- Priceless