Edwards: Too Soon for Political Obituary

So, maybe the media has timed out on John Edwards. Maybe the pay for view press has decided to shrink the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination to two candidates, but this would be premature evacuation. Every contender with the stomach for it has the right to remain in the race for as long as he or she wants without the benefit of primetime postmortems.

Isn't it bad enough that we try, and convict, those who are only suspected of committing a crime on our TV newscasts? Is this any way to run a democracy? Yeah, into the ground, I think.

If we, in this country, weren't so insistent upon novelty, and looked instead to competency, John Edwards would be, by far, the clear leader as the nominee of the Democratic Party. Yet, in keeping with their time-honored tradition, the Democrats will instead show their uncanny ability to foul it up all just when a victory is most needed, and instead of delivering an end to a war which has lasted longer than Vietnam, we will, yet again, deliver a nominee who is guaranteed to pull an LBJ and keep fanning the flames of war in the name of bringing the boys home. The lies are the same; the only thing that's changed is the calendar.

While it's true that any Democrat nominated must secure as many crossover Republican votes as possible, if we think of government as a large ship, what happens when all the weight is in the center?

As long as any candidate places his, or her tonnage solely in the middle, the ship of state must sink. That was John Kerry's problem; not willing to go out on a limb, sticking with the tried and true -- is this what it means to be experienced? But, even more daunting for him, Kerry wasn't a fighter. If Kerry were a fighter, he'd have held out for every last vote to be counted, in Ohio, and we would not have had a second term of George W. Bush who didn't even deserve a first term.

It would be ingenuous to think, even for a minute, that only the experienced stick with the tried and true. No one who is unprepared, or unwilling, to take a risk belongs in the Oval Office, in the first place. George Washington took risks; John Adams, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy -- even Richard Nixon took risks; not all risks are created equal, after all.

Make no mistake, whether one likes Hillary Clinton is beside the point just as whether one likes Barack Obama is also beside the point, the only candidate who has stated emphatically that he will withdraw all troops from Iraq is John Edwards. The only candidate not beating the war drums with respect to Iran or Pakistan is John Edwards.

Moreover, the only Democratic contender not luxuriating in generalities and abstractions is John Edwards. And, ultimately, the candidate, besides Dennis Kucinich, who poses the greatest risk to the corporate lobbies, and big business in Washington, is John Edwards. Edwards is a fighter which is what the Democratic Party needs if it's to win the presidency in 2008. Edwards will fight for economic equity, he will fight for the working man and woman in this country at the expense of the corporate elite. He will see to it that more of our sons and daughters are in college than on the front lines of battle.

Yes, and go figure, John Edwards just happens to be the guy the corporate media machine is intent on writing off, trying to figure out how to siphon off his votes while they're ratcheting up John McCain. Well, guess what, winning one or two primaries doesn't make a presidential candidate anymore than losing one or two breaks one.

For remembering this, one needs to thank former President Bill Clinton who, throughout his wife's campaign, has often reminded us how he lost the first five primaries, and still won the presidency to go on to become one of the most accomplished presidents in recent history until Gingrich and Co. got their teeth into him. No doubt, Romney and Huckabee are sharpening their fangs, and salivating at the thought of a Clinton redux. What makes anyone naive enough to think Hillary has a chance when she comes up against the evangelical lobby that brought down Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush before him?

Well, then, as the mainstream media would have us believe -- that leaves Barack Obama. Senator Obama needs to learn a lot more from John Edwards about articulating a clear, and straightforward position on domestic and foreign policy before anyone can take him seriously enough to vote for him behind closed doors. We've already had seven years of abstractions like "war on terror," and "axis of evil." If Obama doesn't step forward in real time, and with plan talk, tell us his position, in vivid detail, on all the contentious issues like gun control, and health insurance, you can bet your bottom dollar his Republican counterpart will if he gets the nomination.

Further, were Obama to get the nomination, by the time the Republican spin masters got through with him, he'd make Noam Chomsky look like Mike Huckabee.

As for Hillary Clinton, I think this country has had enough of political dynasties, with the possible exception of the Kennedys, and apart from an important thumbs up from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Kennedy clan is conspicuously silent.

Ultimately, Edwards and Obama have one thing in common: they both need to broaden their base. Edwards has to appeal to those who drive a Lexus, as well as the middle class; Obama has to appeal to everyone over 40.

More importantly, it's time for the pundits, and the press, to hold off on the eulogies, as well as divvying up any candidate's estate, or declaring anyone down for the count until many more voices are heard, and votes counted.

Comments

[JoAnnCr]

It's the Plans, stupid! No. Not you. I'm just reminding everyone that the candidate's plans should count big time in this race. Why?

1. Plans that are good should be voted for.

2. Plans get modified once in office. If you start out with soft plans, they are likely to get even weaker. Go for the guy who has BOLD plans. (Did I say that would be Edwards?)

3. When you keep the candidate with Bold, Comprehensive plans that we all would Love to have in place, the milque toast candidates wise up and change THEIR plans. (And who has Bold, Comprehensive plans? Edwards, of course. Don't take my word for it. READ his web site.)

This may take a little research to compare the candidate's plans but if you say you want change, put your action where your mouth is.

[sarge]

This is like deja vu all over again. Didn't I read this a few days ago? Nevertheless, great post (except for the Obama digs).

I'm watching the debate right now. Edwards is doing very well, again. But I fear Chris Rock has it figured out: "Bush has made it very difficult for a white male to run for president".

Obama/Edwards 2008
Edwards/Obama 2008

I can go either way.

[MamaBear2008]

Spot on, Jayne! A voice of reason in a mainstream media sea of silence and disdain.

****JOHN EDWARDS '08 for a better future!****

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrd_EIFukjg&feature=user

[MrsHaskell]

It bears repeating:

"Further, were Obama to get the nomination, by the time the Republican spin masters got through with him, he'd make Noam Chomsky look like Mike Huckabee."

If the idea is for us Dems to win the election in November, we can't put forth an untested, unknown, AND inexperienced candidate. On the other hand, Edwards/Obama would be unbeatable.

[teamsterwife]

We won't let them dictate, Edwards 08!

[jr9657]

Jayne, nothing could be further from the truth from the following excerpt from your article:

"If we, in this country, weren't so insistent upon novelty, and looked instead to competency, John Edwards would be, by far, the clear leader as the nominee of the Democratic Party. Yet, in keeping with their time-honored tradition, the Democrats will instead show their uncanny ability to foul it up all..."

This is EXACTLY what I have been saying ever since this election cycle began. If left up to those Democrats looking thru rose-colored glasses, they will, once again, snatch defeat from the jaws of victory if they nominate either Hillary or Barack. Mark my words, this election is ours for the taking, as long as we nominate Edwards.

[batguano]

The control & manipulation of our electoral process & candidates by the MSM, pundits, the rich & powerful has reached astonishing proportions in this arguably most important election of our time. TWO states dictate who will be anointed as candidate? John Edwards is essentially "blacklisted"; his REAL message of change is silenced & the other "Dem" candidates eat each other.
John Edwards is the ONLY one articulating who our REAL enemies are; who is keeping us and our children in servitude as "wage slaves" and prey for the greedy rich corrupting our electoral process. The concept of NATIONHOOD; of "providing for the common good" and "promoting the general welfare" has been eliminated in favor of unbridled greedy inhumane "capitalism" with "everyman for themselves" and "Devil take the hindmost" as the operative.
John Edwards sees this clearly and is NOT just another Corporate whore, he IS THE REAL DEAL! He is the ONE really advocating REAL CHANGE and deserves our support and enthusiasm.
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/govt-reform/
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/global-poverty/
EDWARDS/Obama '08!

One small point; you write that Bill Clinton had "become one of the most accomplished presidents in recent history". I believe that Bill contributed in large degree to the last 7 years of nightmare for our nation and the world by his capitulation to the Repub/Neocon thug traitors in the false name of "bi-partisanship" and "seeking consensus"; he FAILED to build a strong progressive base for REAL Dems and thus betrayed us all! He empowered instead Quisling "Dems" like "Holy Joe" Lieberman. His pardon of Marc Rich tells the story of Bills integrity; I doubt that Hillary was out of that loop. Hillary is cast in the same "middle of the road" corporate mold that further empowers the rich and greedy who look out for themselves & their crony's ONLY at the expense of all the rest of us.
We desperately need the integrity of John Edwards to begin the healing and restoration of our National Honor and end the corrupting power of corporate money deciding our leaders.

[beef33]

Yeah this is spot on. But as mentioned the "media" has been smearing Edwards from the get go plus not covering him. This is because of his message but also that he has the best chance to win in November. Hillary and Obama never will win a countrywide election(no southern states) so as you say the corporate elite and evangelicals are salivating. The defense contractors, oil companies, tobacco industry, insurance companies, credit card companies, banks etc. etc. have a stranglehold on the economy. They will not let go easily as a ton of money is involved. they are scared of Edwards and are trying to get him out. God help us if he goes as the rest are just corporate shills awash in soft money.

[laurenc]

Janie, I should have known that a poet and writer (as am I) would finally get the message out! Bless you a thousand fold...I'm going to look up your work...and readers should know there's a push to raise a huge amount of money online on Friday in order to force the MSM to cover Edwards--see
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/13/171722/549/52/436243 or the diary by "King One Eye."

[Clinton]

Excellent work. Edwards is the best candidate for president, the best hope for the US. And the biggest threat to the status quo. Which is why the corporate media is trying to pretend he can't win.
Maybe after we run our democracy into the ground he'll still be around to help us rebuild it. Who could blame him if he declined, as Al Gore has apparently done, deeming it all too silly. God knows he has plenty of other things on his plate.

[sonofloud]

I'm sick of Edwards attacking Hillary and sucking up to Obama for the last few months.
I for one will be glad to see him go.

[patb]

Clear as a bell from the repugs

DIVIDE AND CONQUEROR
We must not let the repugs do this to us. If we are to survive we must come together. It will be a hard job for anyone to put this Country back together after Bush has torn it apart. The rich want us to be slaves to them and have the plan to make it happen. Google in US Global Domination and New World Order. We are behind now but we can do this. PNAC started in 1997 and put Bush in office in 2000.
No matter who gets the nomination let's help them fight the 527's that are sure to come.

[RosyBaldwin]

John Edwards speaks to millions and has exciting ideas for REAL change (since when has politics been exciting?) :-) He inspires Americans because his own story is one from rags to riches and he has never forgotten his past, nor does he want to. He wants to give everyone the same chances in life that he got.

Blocking this candidate out of the mainstream is a serious mistake and I hope the 99% of voters who have not yet cast their ballots see that before it is too late! But don't just take my word for it, read his booklet detailing his plans for our country:

http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/
After reading this, you will notice that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are basically siphoning ideas directly from John Edwards in many cases!

Hillary and Obama may be the "news of the day" but John Edwards is the man of the hour.

[earlyearlyearly]

DITTO!

JOHN EDWARDS '08

[DonkeySerenade]

Barack Obama HAS learned to emulate John Edwards. He just waits a couple of days after Edwards makes a statement on policy and echos it almost verbatim. This has been going on for months and it has gotten old.

Recently I have heard "Edwards Speak" being echoed by Clinton as well.

On virtually every issue Edwards has been ahead of the pack and has the best defined policies. This has been noted by many reporters. It really gets old watching others take his plans and spin them as their own.