The Last Stand of John Edwards (Brent Budowsky)

[liberalla]

The Last Stand of John Edwards (Brent Budowsky)

http://pundits.thehill.com/2008/01/11/the-last-stand-of-john-edwards/

Turn on Randi Rhodes NOW.

Brent soon to be a guest discussing his new column on Edwards!

She just read most of the article and it sounds good.

Onwards, Upwards, Edwards. 2008

[liberalla]

1. he really slams all the cable news political pundits too

in the article. I'll drink to that! :toast:

[liberalla]

2. Brent, the anti-pundit, makes some predictions:

"Before suggesting how John Edwards might revive his candidacy, let me emphasize the most important predictions I am making here:

that the nomination of neither party will be decided on Super Tuesday;

that Edwards has a chance to break out in upcoming debates;

and that the mainstream punditry, from the insider class to the contrary, is, in my view, flat-out wrong, as usual.

First I want to thank The Hill for formally naming me as a regular columnist with a column that will run every Tuesday, plus my postings on this Pundits Blog and perhaps the occasional additional op-ed if issues demand and space permits.

I consider myself not a pundit, but a counter-pundit or anti-pundit and write for the record here that I am appalled by what passes for political commentary today and hope to give some voice to an alternative point of view.

My insider credentials are as strong as any, but my natural habitat involves the large-audience progressive radio shows such as Randi Rhodes on Air America, and the large-audience Internet, because I neither am, nor ever will be, the kind of inside baseball team player who inhabits the cable news."

[redqueen]

3. Surely you jest! The know-it-alls on DU have it all figured out...

Edwards is done and dusted... time to bail!

:sarcasm:



Thanks for this post. :thumbsup:

[liberalla]

4. ok, I'll just turn off my computer now, and go home...

:cry:

:sarcasm:

[redqueen]

5. Kick!

:)


And FWIW I sure agree with this:

Edwards can win the upcoming debates, and win them big, but to do so, must reconnect with the broader Middle America — which he has not done in 2008. In 2004 he argued populism with optimism; in 2008 he argues populism with anger. He was right the first time, and just as John McCain adjusted back towards his message of 2000, Edwards should adjust back towards his message of 2004.

[liberalla]

8. me too!

I got chills when I read it. I hope the Edwards people see it and give it real consideration.

I'm not giving up until John Edwards does !

:kick:

[surfermaw]

6. We will just have to wait for the investigations start

all three of them will be investigated by every news station in the nation,we are going to have to wait and see how the towel shakes out.

[liberalla]

7. RE: Edwards

"Now we are probably in the closing act of the last stand of John Edwards, who now has three options. If he withdraws and supports Barack Obama, he might become the kingmaker, if not the king. Second, if he continues on the current course, he probably runs out of money and flames out without any chance.

Edwards has a third option, and I predict this, which you have not yet heard on the cable talkies, but soon will: If Edwards slightly retools his message back towards his “two Americas” of 2004, he has a chance to win the upcoming debate so decisively that he will be able to take his case to an Alamo-like stand in Texas and Ohio.

You heard it here first: John Edwards has a chance to thoroughly win the upcoming debates with a smaller number of candidates and a greater chance to get out his message, but he must retool the message. Angry populism alone does not win presidential campaigns, and he had every chance in Iowa, where he virtually lived for six years, and it did not happen."

... followed by 7 points for Edwards to retool his message for much broader support.