So what do people seriously see in Edwards

[XemaSab]

other than a BIG smile, nice hair, and a decent stump speech?

I know he has a devoted following, but "he's charismatic" doesn't cut it for me. Hey, Reagan was charismatic too. And I've dated enough guys to know that handsome is as handsome does.

Also, are there any straight men out there who think Edwards was our best choice in the last election, and who think Edwards is our best choice in the coming election?

:shrug:

[tatertop]

1. No way. He will not win.

We need a Gore calibre candidate.

[iamjoy]

2. What Touched Me About Edwards

Was the way he talked about poverty and our moral obligation to help people out of it.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's cute.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. He is appealing because

he is selling hope. And that is something many Americans no longer have.

This is not a reflection on him or his candidacy. Just my observation of the interrelationship between his message and those it seems to appeal to most.

[XemaSab]

5. Fair enough...

Sort of a Clinton-esque "Light at the end of the tunnel?"

[givemebackmycountry]

4. Not a chance

Yes, he's a nice guy with a nice wife and a nice family.
So?
That and fifty cents will get you on the subway as my mom used to say.

If Kerry runs again, and he doesn't pick Edwards as his running mate, or if Edwards runs against Kerry, how's that going to work out?

Plus...like it or not, that whole trial lawyer thing is going to be pounded on by the Re-pukes.
The sheeple will nod their empty furry heads and say, "See, HE'S the problem, damn trial lawyers".

Edwards and Kerry both need to go away.

They are pussies who refused to fight for us when we needed them the most.

Go away. Please.

[mzteris]

10. I'm sorry, but

why do you think referring to people as a slang word for women's genitalia an insult?

[win_in_06]

6. He can't even deliver his own state.

[DianeG5385]

7. I admire him as a person but as far as experience he is light

He'd be a great Veep becasue he's bright and could learn on the job from an experienced president. The LAST thing this country needs is a president that needs on the job training! Bush "sold" the American people with the notion that he would hire experienced people around him and look where that got us! He's a good man with alot of potential. He's good looking but if you listen to him carefully does not yet have the gravitas to be president. I think Veep for him would be a good role or possibly another role in the administration.

[adwon]

8. I'm one

Straight man who vastly preferred Edwards to the rest of the field. Of course, considering my icon, I may be biased.

He talks about issues that interest me. I've hoped for years to see a candidate talk about poverty as a primary subject and not in passing. Edwards sounded to me what I imagine FDR or LBJ sounded like when they spoke on the subject. I figure it's been 40 years, time to do some more work.

[XemaSab]

15. As president

what do you think Edwards' anti-poverty platform would have looked like?

What made you believe that not only did he care deeply about poverty, but he would be able to bring people out of poverty?

[adwon]

20. Honestly

I was impressed enough to hear him talking about it. It had been 16 years since a Democratic candidate had made the subject more than a peripheral part of his platform (Jesse Jackson being the last, as I recall). I figure that if Democrats start talking economics again, rather than get caught up the incessant abortion/gay debate, there'd be quite a change in electoral success. After all, Lee Atwater himself realized back in 1984 that talking economics was a losing proposition for the GOP.

Would he have succeeded?

Not likely with the current Congress. The feel I got from Edwards was a willingness to experiment, which appeals to me greatly. It was reminiscent of FDR's pragmatic style (what I've read of it) and pragmatism tends to win the day with me. Edwards might not have had a chance in hell of pushing through a Great Society type of program, but he'd put the GOP on record as opposing it.

Oh, I was a big fan of the $1000 bond for each child at birth. It's not a terribly expensive proposition and it ties into an actual concept of an 'ownership society' as opposed to W's undefined vision. It wouldn't be a silver bullet by any means, but I think it would definitely give people a greater stake in their government. Though, you'd have thought Social Security would have done that as well.

[tularetom]

9. As a senator

he was a little too accomodating to the repubs on Iraq war issues for my taste. He was even more spineless than Kerry in this regard. I think it's that reluctance to say anything that could be seen as critical of the military thing that seems to be present in a lot of bible belt politicians but we're talking about him in the context of a pres candidate and I think he's too much of an invertebrate to stand up to the big brass. I don't get the charismatic part either. I don't care what he looks like but I do care about what he does and he hasn't shown me anything. Screw him.

[Erika]

11. Edwards CAN win and win big

He's got a star quality to him. He is humble and extremely uplifting in his optimism. The GOP has appointed so many of their bad lawyers to important positions that they can't talk much about bad lawyers.

People are drawn to Edwards.

[XemaSab]

16. Like I said

what is there about him other than this "star quality"?

Arnold and Reagan were movie stars, and look where that got us.

[Trajan]

12. Edwards is a humanitarian ....

He is a champion of the poor and middle class ... He is a populist at heart, with strong support for the FDR/LBJ New Deal/Great Society programs ....

You apparently havent read what he has been saying much ... eh ? ...

BTW: .. WTF is the reference to 'straight men' ? ...

You object to GAY men having an opinion on this ? ..

Does Mr. Edwards affect you by making you fear homosexuals ? .... just what is welling up inside your soul ... eh ? ..

[XemaSab]

17. LOL!!!!!

I asked about straight men, because it seems like a lot of his supporters have a bit of a crush on the guy, and sexual attraction can be very blinding.

"Oh, he's hot and he's going to make all my dreams come true."

As I asked an above poster, what specifically were his plans for bringing people out of poverty?

Educate me. ;)

[Inspired]

22. Visit his website

OneAmericaCommittee.com

You might find some of the answers you are looking for. While you are there...be sure to visit the book club page. We are now discussing God's Politics by Jim Wallis.

[XemaSab]

25. That was a good book

We read that in my church book group.

I like the part where he calls W a heretic. :D

[Tab]

13. Looks aside

and though he comes off as a bit too "nice", I wouldn't underestimate him.

I live in NH, where, of course, the first primary is, and so everyone comes through the state campaigning.

Most of the candidates will end up giving interviews on our local NPR station.

I listened to Kerry, Kucinich, Edwards, Dean, and others, and paid attention to how they answered the questions.

Dean would often answer the question, but use it to bring up some other point he wanted to get across and thus somewhat changing the subject.

Kucinich was pretty coherent, and much more interesting than I thought he would be. That said, I didn't think he could win, but he was interesting to listen to.

Kerry was annoying. Often he wouldn't really answer the question, but try to bring up some other point about his platform. I was underwhelmed.

Edwards was the one I liked the best. He answered the questions, and restricted his answer to the question. He didn't ignore the question to make some other point. He didn't ramble on on something unrelated. He kept it focused on the business (question) at hand.

Not only that, but he also made a point to see both sides of the question - a quality I really like but don't often see in people. I don't remember the question at this point, but it was something along the lines of what he thought about the people who were advocating something or other or critical of something.

Whereas any of the other candidates would have just gone on about their own opinion, Edwards started off with a "Well, I can see where they're coming from" and went into a decently thoughtful review of what was probably driving them and how they felt about it. It was only then that he proceded to lay out why he thought they were mistaken, but he STARTED by giving a considered review of why they felt the way they did.

I have NEVER heard a politician do that before. It showed me that Edwards would take all sides into account before making his decision. I can't see Bush doing anything like that.

So, as prepared as I was to dismiss Edwards before the interview, I ended up finding him the most compelling of all the candidates, and if he could manage to get elected, he'd probably do the best job.

[XemaSab]

19. I talked to some Edwards supporters in Portsmouth

who said they'd seen all the candidates when they'd come to town the previous summer, and they liked Edwards the best because all the other candidates took a few questions after the speech and that was it, but Edwards stood up before a big crowd and said "I'm going to answer any questions you have" and he stayed there half the night to do it.

Your comments seem in line with this.

Why so many Kerry supporters in NH???

[Tab]

30. Before the convention or after?

Before the convention, I'm not sure that there were. But Kerry eventually became the front runner, so everyone ultimately voted, not so much Kerry, but just for a Democrat.

For the primary, I think Edwards was a bit unknown, despite how well he was received by those who got to see or hear him - I don't think he just had enough exposure.

Unlike people down south, who took to Edwards because Kerry was a "massachusetts liberal", in NH, that didn't scare anyone off - in fact, Kerry was very familiar - remember that NH is a small state, and the largest population centers are in the southern half of the state, barely an hour from Boston, which is where Kerry is from.

Actually, Wes Clark was pretty well received here, and I think that's who I voted for in the primary. But come election day, I just went with Kerry because it was, at that point, ABB.

[cally]

14. I think his good looks hurt him somewhat because too many

dismissed him as another lightweight. He's not. He's very agressive, smart, and informed. He uses his charm to win arguments.

I was attracted to Edwards when I saw him appear at a house party years ago on C-Span. This was before he stayed on his message and used the same stump speech over and over again. Edwards came across as sincere, caring, and open to new ideas. He also showed his incredible intelligence and compassion. I liked that he is talking about poverty and the middle class. I also am impressed by his political skills. I think he has the best political skills of any candidate that I've seen in decades.

I ultimately supported Clark in the primaries because I wanted a candidate who did not support the Iraq war early and a stronger environmentalist. I've always liked Edwards, though.

[Inspired]

18. Real Solutions....

Around December 2003 I started paying very close attention to the candidates. I knew who was running...how could I not living in Iowa...but I hadn't decided who the ONE was that I was going to support.

Initially I was psyched about Kerry. After all, what purple heart recipient (times 3 even) could lose against Bush? I was also psyched about Clark. Unfortunately, we never got to know Wes Clark because he decided not to campaign much in Iowa.

The first time I heard of John Edwards I laughed him off. I drove past many of his campaign stops in my state. I thought to myself..."Who does he think he is?" His experience, his age, his looks turned me off.

One Sunday afternoon a nice guy knocked on my door. He was a John Edwards supporter. He talked to me a little bit about Senator Edwards. I told him I needed to know more. He said he would return. He did return with a booklet titled Real Solutions. This was a detailed outline of John Edwards' vision of America. IT BLEW ME AWAY. It wasn't just a little pamphlet. It was long...it was detailed...it listed every issue imaginable. The best part was that all of his solutions to these issues were spot on.

I started paying attention to the one candidate who I initially ignored. I realized that this was a man with a clear vision of the America that I want. The America that values its workers, its middle class. The America that lifts people up and doesn't tear them down. I found the candidate that I could support 100%. I still support him 100%.

There are many reasons why. Have you paid attention to what he is doing right now? This is not some post Katrina, we have to start talking about poverty, jump on the bandwagon man. He is out there...he is trying to make a difference. This is his passion.

Say anything you want about John Edwards, just don't dismiss him or his supporters. This is a man with convictions.

[XemaSab]

21. Thanks for your answer!!!

:hi:

I honestly haven't heard much about what he's been up to lately.

Can you tell me more?

[frogmarch]

24. For updates on what John Edwards is doing

here is a link to the News Archive on the One America Website:

http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/news/


Here's a link to Elizabeth Edwards' Speak out for Cindy Sheehan letter (includes a link to send it to friends.)

http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/speakout/

Dear Friend,

I thought you might be interested in signing a letter of support for Cindy Sheehan, the mother of Casey Sheehan, who died in Iraq on April 4, 2004. She is asking to meet with President Bush. Read this message from Elizabeth Edwards:

"And the President says he knows enough, doesn't need to hear from Casey's mother, doesn't need to assure her that Casey's is not one small death in a long and seemingly never-ending drip of deaths, that there is a plan here that will bring our sons and daughters home. He doesn't need to hear from her, he says. He claims he understands how some people feel about the deaths in Iraq.

The President is wrong.

Whether you agree or disagree with every part, or any part, of what Cindy wants to say, you know it is better that the President hear different opinions, particularly from those with such a deep and personal interest in the decisions of our government. Today, another voice would be helpful."

Please stand up with the thousands who have signed this letter!

~~

[Darkamber]

23. When I supported him I had no ideal what he looked like...

I heard him on an radio interview. He just blew me away. Every answer he had to every question was like listening to someone expressing my view on all issues. He didn't have vague ideals, but solid plans. He didn't speak like "vote for me because the other guys is so awful". He explained his views and how he could offer a change.

He looks had nothing to do with it. He was a man, with the same kind of background as myself. Someone who went to a State University and worked to help get himself through college. He actually lived with his grandmother one semester because he couldn't afford to live on campus.

And then there is the big plus of Elizabeth. I've never listened to such an amazing woman. Her posts to the Blog on Edwards site brought me to tears at times. They are people who care...really care...about the poor and middle america.

And if all people can see are his good looks and that he was Personal Injury Lawyer...I can only feel sorry for them.

Next time you hear Edwards, try to listen to his words. You might like what you hear.

[frogmarch]

26. I liked what I heard

Edwards say from the very beginning.

I think John Edwards would be a fine president, and so does my heterosexual husband.

[Inspired]

28. More importantly

so does my heterosexual REPUBLICAN husband.

That is the best talking point for John Edwards. Republicans like and trust him. We must convert a few these types to win back the White House. With Edwards we can.

[XemaSab]

27. Ok

I'll go look at his website. :hi:

[IndianaGreen]

29. Does he drink Merlot or beer?

I just want to know if Edwards is part of that mythical base that the DNC has labeled as Merlot Democrats.

I suspect Edwards prefers beer.

[Thirtieschild]

31. Style over substance

He talks a good game and I liked him better than I thought I would, but was left with a hollow feeling. I wanted more depth and more experience.

[frogmarch]

32. John Edwards' website

www.oneamericacommittee.com has a link to DU.

I wonder if he reads here.

[butterfly77]

33. I couldn't see it in the last election

I didn't understand why people wanted him. Looks was the only reason I could see, I liked his speech but, I got tired of hearing it I seemed to me he could have said the same thing but changed the delivery and talk about other things. He also did not have enough experience. I also believed Wes clark would have won if he wasn't in the race. I knew the repugs had a problem with him when Bob Dole would show up on every show if it had something to do with Clark and I could see how much he didn't like him and I knew he was a threat to them.