A peek into an Edwards Administration......

[Catchawave]

JEFFERSON, Iowa (CNN) — At a stop on his "Fighting for One America" bus tour Monday, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was asked whether, if chosen to be the nominee, he would consider tapping Democratic opponent Barack Obama as his vice presidential running mate.

"I am open minded about it, to answer your question," said the former senator from North Carolina. "I have made what, at least for now, would be a short list for me of people to consider, just as I've done the same thing for each cabinet position."

So who would Edwards pick? Well, when it comes to selecting people for an administration, he says they wouldn't necessarily have to align with his political party.

"I know this is not the greatest thing to say in front of Iowa Democratic caucus-goers, but they don't have to be a Democrat. I'm looking for the best people I can find."

Edwards went on to say that he's not looking for "'yes people' like George Bush has around him."

From the article: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/13/edwardsobama-ticket/

[saltpoint]

1. I frankly don't see how John Edwards can be as wise in Cabinet picks as

George W. Bush.

Edwards wouldn't even consider Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, for example. He'd likely fall back on the old paradigm of choosing highly qualified nominees for the bench. A huge disappointment.

And a trial lawyer himself, you could expect an equally disappointing pick to run the justice department, and frankly there just isn't anybody out there with the creds of Alberto Gonzales. Again, Edwards would predictably and disappointingly choose the old school type of DoJ person -- qualified, experienced, fair-minded, just. The same ol' bullcrap, and a sharp regression from the pristine insights of the Bush administration.

I've also heard -- and this can't be confirmed of course -- that Edwards plans to use complete sentences -- in ENGLISH -- if he becomes president. Don't ask me to sit through a press conference with a U.S. president dishing out coherent, well-formed sentences in my native language. That's too much to ask.

Damn that John Edwards, anyway.

[Catchawave]

4. : )

:hi:

[waiting for hope]

13. OC - your sarcasm knows

no bounds!

Fantastic snark!

:hi:

[Catchawave]

15. ain't he great !

:hi:

[waiting for hope]

21. Yes he is!

:hi:

[ChiciB1]

Super Reply! All I Can Add Is... Give Me Some EDWARDS!!

I'm SICK of hearing THE HILLARY, HILLARY, HILLARY band! We've done BUSH/CLINTON so now let's give some other family a chance!!

Go, Johnny, Go!

[saltpoint]

33. ChiciB1, waiting for hope, and catchawave, howdy to you good

people and thanks for the comments.

Edwards is holding steady and true in the mid-teens in most polls, although he is in high contention or has the lead outright in Iowa, and that would be an important headline.

The race is way too volatile to make hard predictions on, but my instinct says that a John Edwards White House would be a damned refreshing jolt of decency and vision, something the Oval Office has distinctly lacked for the last 6-8 years under the supervision of some very mean-spirited lizard-souled Republicans.

I flee in terror every time Bush has a State-of-the-Union address.

It would be a calendar-clearing event to have the privilege of looking forwrd to a John Edwards State-of-the-Union address.

[zehnkatzen]

2. Let's play this like a fantasy casting game

You know the ones...the ones where if you had your way, who would you cast in the ideal movie version of your favorite book?

I got nothing right now myself. But who would you guys appoint as secretaries under a President Edwards?

[saltpoint]

5. How about Mario Cuomo at the Dpt. of Justice?

Richard Clarke for CIA chief.

Max Cleland -- Veterans Affairs.

Al Gore - EPA head.

[Catchawave]

9. Gore and the EPA my pick too.....

That vibration you feel are the corporations quaking in their boots :) Plus, Al can continue his fine Global work by helping make us set the international standard.

And Cleland too! Wow, what a concept, a real veteran in charge :)

[saltpoint]

10. Good mornin' to ya, Catchawave. Yep. We're on board with

Al and Max.

[Catchawave]

6. Secretary of State - Wesley Clark

His speech blew me away at Yearly Kos as he truly understands the diplomacy game, which is not at all like Bush's "my way or I'll blow your head off" international policy.

Then I stayed for his VoteVets forum which followed and he clearly understands when to use the military (ok, d'oh, he is a General), but it was still nice to listen to a straight talking intelligent person.

So, whoever our new Democratic President will be, Clark is my pick for SOS !

[saltpoint]

8. Ha! How quickly you libruls would abandon the gleaming example

of Condoleezza Rice.

Now THERE'S a woman who knows how to do international diplomacy. She's out shopping all the time. When she's in the office at all, she's ignoring key memos.

Name me one time when Wes Clark was out shopping for shoes.

Go on. Just one time!

[Catchawave]

11. That's very true.....

Combat boots are issued :D

[saltpoint]

12. LOL!

:dem: :hi:

[liberal N proud]

3. What? - No cronies in all the positions?

What a change from the status quo

[AnotherGreenWorld]

35. I guess he gets the nepotism out of the way during the campaign.

Of course, Edwards is known to make sudden, drastic changes inconsistent with his record, so you never really know with him.

[Dawgs]

7. I'm an Obama supporter, so sounds good to me. (If Edwards wins the nom)

[waiting for hope]

14. A real person - Finally,

someone who appreciates what it means to earn a paycheck, hard work, dedication and the ability to do a job well.

K&R - off to the GP with yea!

[yodermon]

16. "Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald"

I don't care who gets the nom, that's the phrase I wanna hear.
:)

[Catchawave]

18. YES....good one :)

My #2 is RFK, Jr. for AG, or EPA if Gore turns it down :)

I love team building :hi:

[waiting for hope]

20. AG: Sheldon Whitehouse

That's my pick - I watched most of the Senate Hearings with Gonzo and Whitehouse tore him at least 50 new ones....

:evilgrin:

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. You've got to hand it to him, he's already thinking beyond the primaries.

What a better way to snare the moderate Republican vote, but to promise to select capable people. For instance, isn't Patrick Fitzgerald a Republican? There are Republicans out there who DID put their jobs before their party. THOSE are the people we need.

However, he needs to analyze the mistakes that Clinton made in order to avoid them. Louis Freeh was a huge mistake. Tenet, I think was Clinton's mistake. And the Director of the CIA in the early 90s, was also a Clinton mistake. Paul W- something or other.

[Catchawave]

19. Country before Party :)

But how are you going to thank the "heckuva job Brownies" ? :evilgrin:

[ChiciB1]

28. No Brownies, Please! Just A Little Help From The People! n/t

[jazzjunkysue]

22. Yep. Been sayin' this from the beginning. Put all their votes together

and we might be able to take the helm. I also think it would be nice to groom Barach for 8 years.

Sounds like a healthy, strong country to me.
Go! Johnny, Go Go GO!
:patriot:

[Catchawave]

23. I'm kicking my thread because.....

it's much nicer than the *dupe* :eyes:

Thank you all for your civility :hi:

[LSK]

24. if Edwards doesnt get the nom, I hope he is in someones cabinet

Attorney General maybe?

[ChiciB1]

26. We Are HIS People... We Need To Keep Pushing HIS Message...

Because of the CONSTANT Hillary/Obama hype the other candidates are completely left out! Day after day you'd think their were only two candidates running in the Democratic Party! I'm so fed up with it and can only imagine what other candidates must be thinking.

I know others feel great loyalty to the candidate of their choice, but for me Edwards has been so very very impressive, especially this past year. I'm especially proud to see how much he's grown and learned since his 2nd banana status in 2004! Gotta keep the drum beat going!

And who would make a better FIRST LADY? It's Elizabeth all the way, what a class act!

[zulchzulu]

41. Amen to that

I'm sure Obama will need him around.

:thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

25. Article on Edwards' foreign policy advisors- per the Atlantic, a progressive publication

on Foreign Policy:His chief foreign policy guru continues to be his longtime advisor Derek Chollet, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. Edwards also said that his views have also been shaped more recently by a reading list that includes Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security by Kurt Campbell of CSIS and Michael O'Hanlon of Brookings, and and The Good Fight: Why Liberals---and Only Liberals---Can Win the War on Terror and Make America Great Again by Peter Beinart.
http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/05/my_john_edwards_problem_and_at.php

That will give you a hint of who Edwards' planning for his Foreign Policy cabinet.......and it ain't those mentioned at DU in this here thread.

[Catchawave]

30. There you go again FC.....

charming the socks off JE supporters :evilgrin:

[FrenchieCat]

31. Is the Atlantic Monthly not allowed here? Last I checked it's a very credible source.

and do you know the "whos" that are advising John Edwards on Foreign policy?

And if you don't.....do you care? :shrug:

I'm talking about his actual real life foreign policy advisors, while you talk about a "dream" cabinet of your own choosing, not his. I think that my post is appropriate, even if not endearing me to the Edwards' crew (cause this election ain't about me, and neither should your post be).

[Catchawave]

36. I have respect for the Atlantic Monthly, big difference :) n/t

[ChiciB1]

27. I Just Posted On Another Thread That Even KEITH Seems To Be

on the Hillary band-wagon, and just how SICK and TIRED I am of hearing this stuff over and over.

Having "everything Hillary" shoved at us continually is just making it more and more difficult for me to even VOTE for her is she DOES get the nod!

I had just decorated my car with all kinds of Edwards stuff, then a squirrel ran in front of me and I tried to stop too quickly and my car got smashed up!

[Catchawave]

29. Are you sure you don't mean Chris Matthews ? LOL, he's obsessed with her..

I watch Keith, but haven't noticed any particular push for any candidate, unless they actually make news.

In fact KO defended JE last night by naming Bill O'Reilly Worst Person in the World for calling JE a liar.

Here ya go:

from the transcript:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20263364/

But our winner, who else? Responding to Senator John Edwards, who said, succinctly and aptly, quote, Fox News I think has a long history of bias against Democrats. We have to stand up to them. It's time to put a stop to this. You know what Fox Noise does to its critics, it lies about them.

Bill-O replies, John Edwards has been on the Fox News Channel 33 times, 33 times. Not once could I find anything insulting, demeaning or disrespectful to the senator. So he's actually lying, is he not?

No, you are lying, Billy. May 24th, John Edwards is called the, quote, "$400 haircut man" by Sean Hannity on Fox Noise. August 3rd, John Edwards is called, quote, "the Breck Girl," and, quote, "the biggest fraud running for president," quote, by John Gibson on Fixed News Radio.

June 4th, John Edwards is called, quote, "dopey," by Bill O'Reilly on Fox Noise. June 8th, John Edwards is called, quote, "the biggest phony in the world" by Bill O'Reilly on Fixed News. Not once could I find anything insulting, demeaning or disrespectful to the senator. You would probably have a much more successful search, Bill, if you took your head out of your heiny.

Bill O'Reilly, today's Worst Person in the World.


Sorry about your car :hug:

[ChiciB1]

34. Thanks For The Link... Makes Me Feel Better... But The Lead-In

last night WAS about Hillary while he was talking to O'Donnell. They were talking about her high negatives and how she overcame them when she ran for Senator in NY. The consensus was that she IS capable of overcoming them.

It didn't make me feel very comfortable at the time. But I DO agree with you about TWEETY!

Yeah, the car thing... got a ticket too! I will have to say that the Highway Patrolman was one of the nicest officers I have EVER encountered. Said he HAD to give me the ticket, because if he didn't his Supervisor would. That IS saying something too given the County I live in! Told me I should have hit the squirrel, but OMG I've raised so many of them from tiny babies and then release them. I buy at least 25 lbs of peanuts a month or so for them AND I got myself a tattoo on my lower leg of a squirrel too! At least the squirrel lived!!

The patrolman DID understand WHY and said he and his wife also had raised them too and wasn't sure if he wouldn't have done the same thing. Good thing I "had" Safe Driver on my license! Guess I'll lose it now, but then again I don't renew again til 2011!

Thanks for the sentiment!
:loveya:

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Perry Logan]

37. I don't know anyone who favors Edwards.

And I've checked nearby planets as well.

[saltpoint]

38. Now Perry. You know that isn't true.

[zulchzulu]

40. I've run into people who are Edwards fans

John Nichols at the Nation has been a fan since 2004. He's not sure about where it's going, but he certainly is a fan. The mayor of Madison, Dave Cieslewicz, or as we call him, Mayor Dave, is for Edwards. So is David Obey. So is a woman I know whose husband (who recently passed away) and another couple who were for Kucinich in 2004.

There are always supporters for Edwards around...many also like Obama as well.

[saltpoint]

42. Hi, zulchzulu. I think that's an accurate read. There were people in

Iowa in 2004 who were very drawn to John Edwards.

He finished a respectable second in that caucus with 32% to Kerry's 38%.

I didn't know about Obey's leaning -- thanks for that update. Madison's mayor -- even if I can't pronounce the guy's name -- is really impressive.

And not many U.S. congressional districts are represented by an out lesbian.

Madison rocks. And it rocks blue.

[zulchzulu]

43. Tears to my eyes, brother

I've lived all over the country and sometimes I forget what a gem Madison is. If you ever need to visit, there's always a spot here in the cozy lakeside home. We'll burn some candles watching the sun set and talk about this crazy virtual place and chuckle.

[saltpoint]

44. I like it that you are practicing democracy there in the Lake-City-Lake.

Thank you for the generosity, but also for the booth. Senator Obama is a wonder. I'm not in favor of the voter ID cards but do believe that voters should be required to listen to a dozen or so historical speeches before they cast a vote in any election. Lincoln's Address at Gettysburg, the first Kerry-Bush debate, Mario Cuomo's convention addresses, and not least, Senator Obama's keynote address in Boston in 04. That one was a very high water mark as far as I'm concerned. C-Span or the History Channel will run it every now and then. I guess we can't force voters to listen to these addresses, but the outcome of a lot of elections would change if they did.

You keep on keepin' on, good person.

[zulchzulu]

39. Some bad news for Edwards fans at Madison's Farmers Market

I and a few others have an Obama table at the busiest Farmers Market in the country. The only other table (besides a guy who wants to draft Feingold in 08) focused on the 08 election was a student who set up an Edwards table. He sold the spot to a dog adoption group a month ago.

You'd think he would have found someone else to carry on... no other candidates are represented. I've even thought about having other candidate literature at the Obama table just to show people that there is a choice and they need to get involved.