Edwards, Not Obama, is Mr. Africa

I hate to be the skunk at the ball. I also am happy that the junior Senator from Illinois and his young-at-heart acolytes bested the junior Senator from New York and her Rasputin Mark Penn.

But now that Mr. Obama has a victory under his belt, surely it's appropriate to give his positions on issues some closer scrutiny.

Should he get a free pass just because he's tall and dances with Ellen?

Africa Action doesn't think so. They gave Obama a B for his commitment to providing universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS.

That's "B" as in, "Better study harder for the next exam."

Edwards, Richardson, and Clinton got an A. Their report cards are here.

It seems that unlike his Democratic rivals, Senator Obama would not commit to $50 billion in new funding in coming years to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis & malaria. He also would not to commit to the goal of universal access to treatment.

Reading the candidates' statements on the issues one can't escape the feeling that Obama's answers are (Bill) Clintonian. He feels their pain. Where the other candidates make specific commitments, Obama offers vague phrases. All hat, no cattle, as Jim Hightower used to say.

Africa Action says Obama's plan "does not go far enough, for instance, instead of debt cancellation, he talks of reducing debt, instead of universal access to treatment, he talks of increasing the numbers; does not commit enough money."

In contrast, Governor Richardson, in addition to supporting $50 billion, has a specific plan that includes 100% IMF debt cancellation and trade policies that support access to generic drugs.

Senator Clinton, in addition to supporting $50 billion, says she will ensure "universal access to treatment and care" and champion "universal basic education."

What about Senator Edwards? In addition to supporting $50 billion, universal access to treatment, and reforming trade policy, he has pledged to lead a global jihad for universal education. This is from his website:

Edwards will endorse the goal of universal basic education by 2015 and commit $3 billion a year to this cause--enough to enroll 23 million children--and encourage our allies to provide the remaining $7 billion needed. Edwards will invest in effective public education where available and community-based schools in other areas. Countries and schools receiving aid will be required to eliminate fees for attendance, books, and uniforms that bar millions of students from enrolling [my emphasis.]

Sign me up.

Other candidates have talked about universal access to education, but only Edwards, as far as I know, has pledged as part of his campaign to work for the abolition of school fees, a brutal legacy of IMF and World Bank bureaucrats indoctrinated with economic dogmas that they don't understand. Without abolition of school fees, there cannot be universal access to education. I searched the campaign websites of the other candidates and could find no reference to this issue - even on the campaign website of Representative Kucinich, which is very surprising because his office gave key leadership to Congressional efforts to compel the US Treasury Department to stop supporting IMF and World Bank policies that endorsed school fees.

There is popular but unexamined notion that in terms of policy, Mr. Obama is Mr. Africa. It's time for the free pass to expire.

Comments

[Abram]

Edwards is the candidate most feared by the corporate unregulated capitalists and he is the only one tough enough to fight them. They know it and voters should realize that this is the most important quality needed to begin to regenerate America and reclaim Government of the people for and by the people.

[batguano]

"Empty Suit", "All hat, no cattle", long on rhetoric, but short on actual proposals and plans; specifics.­.......hop­efully that is not Barack Obama. If his advisers and many millions from corporations and the powerful are any indication we may be looking at a new face controlled by the same old bosses. We have been down this road before....­7 years of lies and deceit from the "compassionate Conservative" who spoke the same non-specific deceit of promises but only catered to the greedy rich and sold the rest of America out..... when we are sold a mumble of words, and lacy jargon in place of actual policy proposals.­....If ya can't dazzle 'em with brilliance­.......baf­fle 'em with feel good promises. This is NOT about black face-white face, it is about POLICY and who pulls the strings! The Ticket of Edwards/Obama would serve America best, IMO.
John Edwards IS the Real Deal, and has solid plans, like his proposals to combat disease, illiteracy and poverty not only in Africa, but GLOBALLY, SPELLED OUT in the link Robert provided..­..well worth the read! http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/global-poverty/ Those are policy goals that will TRULY make us strong, not just a bloated military and an enemies list!
Here are some other specific Edwards proposals for ending gov/political corruption and the power of corporations to stymie change. http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/govt-reform/
Powerful words and specific proposals from Edwards! The lobbyists, corporations and special interests will fight to keep their obscene profits no matter how many are hurt or sold into economic slavery. John Edwards will fight to end their free ride at the expense of so many Americans and he is the ONLY ONE not stuffing himself at the corporate trough!
READ both candidates proposals for YOURSELF here
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
.....liste­n to their words and see for yourself who among them REALLY lays it on the line and who is blowing smoke! John Edwards words and policies ring true!

[unchainthedogs]

"They thought this day would never come."

What day is he talking about? That a black man wouldn't win Iowa? What exactly was Obama referring to in this statment?

The armed forces like young people because they are easier to brain wash...Oba­ma has an inspiring message. The young don't know the difference in deliverd words vs. action. That explains the "youth vote."

[nolalily]

I read you Activisit Africa link and didn't see any ratings of the candidates. What I did see is specific positions the candidates have taken.

Maybe you'd like to provide a better link?

[JimR]

"Mr. Africa"??? OK...

I have a few problems with this.

First, I support aid to Africa. However, I do not consider it one of the most pressing issues facing the United States at this time. But your column sure seems to treat it as if it is.

Second, Africa Action seems to acknowledge Obama would send aid to Africa, they just criticize him for not committing to more.

Third, why is $50 billion the magic number? Do the problems facing Africa magically start to disappear at that threshold?

Fourth, any presidential candidate can promise $50 billion, or $60 billion, or $500 gajillion dollars. But Congress needs to approve the spending. Kudos to Obama for not spewing out what by definition is an empty promise.

Fifth, a "global jihad for universal education"? You have got to be kidding me. How about we fix the deplorable public education in our own country first?

Just curious, who is "Mr. Asia"?

[Dansden]

Edwards is THE POPULIST candidate with credentials to prove it-
just because he built his wife her dream home because he loves her is NO REASON to dis his
message and mission to restore the middle class families to jobs, growth and leadership in America...­..

EDWARDS is NOT out of this because HE IS THE ONE CANDIDATE- actually, Obama would be a good VEEP to learn from Edwards-
all Americans can get behind....­.

REPUBLICANS:
who sell off our national resources to multi-national crooks,
who INVADE foreign nations to steal their OIL,
who shred the U.S. Constitution to institute TORTURE, GRAFT and CORPORATE COLLUSION,
whose corporate officers move to Dubai to escape American law and
who force our American troops to 'referee' a civil war in Iraq......­.......
REPUBLICANS
ARE NOT AMERICAN
IN SPIRIT,
IN POLICY,
IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
and IN DEED!

[Edmonsky]

Robert Naiman:
President George Bush has done more in funding Aid’s program that his predecessor, President William Clinton. At different occasions, Senator Obama has praised Bush’s commitment to funding Aid’s in African. That tells you that Obama transcends petty partisan politics of slash and burn.

Senator Obama is a pragmatic politician that does not earn his trade as veracious pandering bear of the type who can say any thing, promise any thing in order to win election. Senator Obama does not easily succumb to primordial baits calculated to undermine his politics.

Senator Obama is a rare type of politician, who knows not to box himself into a corner without any possibility of an escape route by saying, or promising things, whose solution or resolution, are not contingent on his independent power alone but many discrete power structures. What Obama does always is provide global roadmap on his policies, without breaking them down in specificities, which may not contend with what will be the unforeseen future prevailing conditions. That is being smart. You can only give to another from what you have rather than imaginary resources.

[texanna]

This is an interesting post and only confirms my perception that Obama is an empty suit -- a good-looking empty suit, but empty nonetheless. I can't find anything specific about any of his policy positions beyond "hope" and "change". I am reminded of the line in "The American President" where Michael Douglas talks about why the American people follow certain politicians -- because they are so thirsty for any leader that they will follow the first one that tells them he/she is, or something like that. Maybe now that Edwards doesn't have to prove he deserves attention, he can challenge Obama on some of these things.

[6PercentIsUpperClass]

Edwards is a GREAT candidate! I love his populist message against corporate greed and Washington corruption. If it wasn't for Obama I'd definately be behind Edwards. My hope is that I'll be able to vote for both come the general election. I get excited just thinking about an Obama/Edwards ticket! As perverse as it may sound I urge Edwards supporters not to stick to their principals for too long, as admirable as they are. Let's not forget where Nader supporters' principals got us in 2000. Would you rather have Hillary?

[TheKiddy]

Ok, first, as an Edwards supporter, thanks for the post.

Second, why now and not before?

Third, Edwards really is the real deal. He could change the world.

There seems to be a prejudice out there that Barack, as a biracial man with African roots, is by definition going to be more progressive and proactive on Africa. That's prejudice pure and simple. Edwards, on the other hand, in spite of being a white Southern male, has extremely sophisticated and well thought out ideas on the full range of domestic and international (including third world) economic challenges and approaches to meeting those challenges.

And, fourth: thanks again for the post.

[burntbeans]

First, please site where Senator Obama has been given the title, "Mr. Africa." I am unfamiliar with this disctinction and can't help but find the comment to be racist.

Second, while I acknowledge that the challenges in Africa and with the IMF/World Banks handling of the situation are enormous, why is this suddenly an emergency situation for the federal government of the United States? Perhaps Mr. Obama recognizes that there are a LOT of problems out there, and there is only so much money to go around when our country is quickly approaching $10 TRILLION in national debt. Perhaps Senators Clinton and Edwards and Governor Richardson are not being practical in the amount of money that can actually be committed to this situation. Maybe Senator Obama would rather keep his campaign promises instead of wooing support from interest groups with empty rhetoric.

Just a thought...

[jmpurser]

Obama's win was a clear victory for "Let's not be stupid". Change tied with "Okay, it' stupid but I know the name!"

I hope people review his record and what he's actually saying and then consider Edwards and/or Richardson.