John Edwards' One Million Consultants

As part of his effort to limit the influence of corporate lobbyists and other big money scoundrels, John Edwards announced this weekend that, as president, he will invite one million people every two years to participate in a deliberative democracy forum to hatch and debate policy ideas as a way to put ordinary people front and center in the governing process. It's like having one million consultants, but instead of the consultants being hacks providing self-serving and often false advice, they're ordinary people finally getting a bit of access to the governing process. I'd caution that this kind of effort is a great incubator of ideas but doesn't substitute for developing the raw political power necessary to get laws passed - though it can help if the million participants act as ambassadors for the ideas they come up with.

Nevertheless, this kind of idea reflects something truly exciting about the prospect of Edwards as president: he really sees the presidency as a movement-building opportunity, believing that good government flows not so much from the quality of the people in government but from the competing strengths of the movements that put them there. He's constantly looking for ways to bring new people into the process and into the progressive movement. This is in such contrast to the more common Hillary Clinton transactional model of leadership: you elect me, a really smart person, and I'll deliver for you. It largely leaves the non-elite out of it (except when they're invited to participate in artificial "conversations" where they're not really listened to). Edwards's message, in contrast, is much more: elect me, and we'll work side by side for common goals - and build our movement all along so that we'll be stronger for future battles. It would be unique in the history of modern Democratic presidents; it's almost unique in the history of prominent national Democrats - and it's making me giddy just contemplating it.

Comments

[Kakie]

Edwards walks the talk...his history as a trial attorney standing up to corporate abuse, his refusal to take WA lobbyists' money as a senator and now, and his willingness to call his own party on the carpet all speak to his integrity...

America needs John Edwards!

[monstabunny]

I think John Edwards is the most electable candidate we have, bottom line. I like that the corporations are scared to death of him. I see more courage coming from him than any of the others, to stake out a position that has the business community, which has bought and powered our government for far too long, snarling the likes of "faggot."

[SensibleAmerican]

Yep! He is so "electable" that he will not even win the Senate race in his own State! He is so "electable" that only 11-12% of people believe that! A lot of rhetoric does not "courage" make ...

[mkam39]

I like John Edwards because he thinks outside the box. He offers a fresh approach to governing, and deserves to be respected more for his efforts and ideals. He is definitely not the "same old candidate" that the others represent.

[SensibleAmerican]

Yep! ANd he will stay "outside the box" while Hillary moves into the White House ...

[laurenc]

Readers: Help John Edwards become the Democratic candidate. We owe it to ourselves and our country. Go to www.johnedwards.com to see how you can help. Let's not reproach ourselves in 2008 for being tricked into yet another disastrous Democratic candidate!!

[SensibleAmerican]

Yep! We owe it to ourselves to elect Hillary ...

[Average]

If you actually believe Edwards cares what these people say, I've got some ocean front property in Arizona you might be interested in buying.

[MizLee]

Wow! Guess you have the power to see into the souls of your fellow humans! That's a talent I would love to have. Until I develop that power, I guess I'll have to go on what candidates say they will do. No other candidate's policies... on the environment, on health care, on education... come close to Edwards.

[SensibleAmerican]

Forget the "ocean front property in AZ" Average, I have already invested in his hedge funds specializing in sub-prime loans that screwed our middle class!

[marylizz]

I support John Edwards. I think he is the candidate on fire and has what it takes to lead the country in an honest fashion and with integrity.
I wish more people would listen to what he has to say. He speaks well on his tours and answers questions fully and with sincerity.

[JudyGee]

John Edwards would be our President, if There was any way for him to win in our newly totalitarian ethos. Soon enough, he will be targeted for some sort of lie and smear by the media. I am surprised he is able to communicate with us at all, having been pushed to the margins by the same media. Look at what was done to John Kerry. Now, suddenly he is being derided as a "bad" candidate by the Democrats. Corporate scum own everything, and not surprisingly, our "frontrunners", as well.

[MrLion]

Edwards's proposal is the polar opposite of how the Clintons view policymaking: a top-down approach with fat-wallet donors, Beltway pundits, and lifer consultants calling the shots.

[EvereaderinSC]

I feel the same way, Glenn. I just wish more people would actually listen to what the man is saying & how he's saying it. He is about the most sincere and honest of the candidates from what I can see.
If you have some time, read or listen to the CDs of the excellent book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, "Team of Rivals." I hear echoes of Lincoln's unique strategy in what Edwards is asking for.
Lincoln truly listened to those all around him, including the people - long before the internet. It didn't matter how much of a rival or opponent you were he did take note of everything. BUT he was also a master at using the good ideas in good time. John Fremont issued something of his own "emancipation proclaimation" when he was a general in MO. Lincoln was very upset with this & relieved him of his duties.
Lincoln knew the time and circumstance weren't quite right, YET he turned around and did exactly the same thing when times & the tide of the war had changed. They didn't call him shrewd for nothing.
Perhaps if we can get past the haircut issue & other slime they drag out on Edwards, we can elect this very decent man, one who like Lincoln knows where he's from. When you think about it, though Lincoln was the "log cabin" president, he'd also grown quite wealthy as a lawyer, just like Edwards...but he still did the right thing for us. We got such a gift when we elected him. We need to think in those terms today...who out there can do the most good for the most people in our country - I repeat OUR country...

[SensibleAmerican]

John McCain has to use commercial flights to get around and relies on public events to get something to eat. Is it because he a "man of the masses" or just that his campaign is a bust!

Edwards is toast and this is just some jam on it. Try not to spin it as something cathartic!!!

[CaseyBabes]

Check any reference to learn the meaning of "tap dancing, smooth talking hustler" and you'll see a picture of Edwards. Remember, watch the other hand, as they say.............

[twohearts]

Well, maybe this particular idea can't work in a practical way, but I've always liked Edwards a lot. I was really disillusioned about his "issue" with gay & lesbian relationships, but I'm favoring him more & more.
Any Democrat will bring out the sharp blades, but HIllary especially will be Swift-boated like mad.......

[FogBelter]

Mr. Hurowitz, It would be nice to have a President who views the American People as partners as opposed to thinking of them as Children, Cattle or Pets.

[jvarga]

Oh man, I like the spirit and the thought behind this. But good god, think about the nightmare that is comment sections on news and blog posts on various political websites (even mine). Now imagine a million of us.

It would be something like: 400,000 people say you should do x. 400,000 people say you should do negative x. 200,000 people say it is a corporate conspiracy and you need to do the square root of negative x.

[jvarga]

"Even mine" meaning even my comments, as opposed to my political website, which does not exist :P

[JoAnnCr]

jvarga, With technology, it will be easy.

Awhile back, some internet junkies recommended the bills Congress has in the works be posted for all to review. Think of how wonderful and productive it would be to review all the pork barrel spending. That would clean up the government fast!

Also, some of the online activist organizations have crafted great technology to hone ideas. This is a start of something great!

Leave it to John Edwards to continually lead the pack. Congratulations to him for his neverending ingenuity!

[jvarga]

I don't mean "imagine how hard it would be". I mean "imagine how terrible it will be" :p