Elizabeth Edwards accuses supporters of Hillary and Obama as Suffering from Cult of Personality

[illinoisprogressive]

Get this. E. Edwards thinks those that support Senator Barack Obama or Senator Clinton as suffering from Cult of Personality.
What, prey tell, does she think her husband's supporters are like???
Maybe stepford supporters???
If she wants the campaign to be about issues then quit looking to start fights with other candidates and their supporters.

Elizabeth Edwards said she's comfortable with the campaign to date, saying the huge crowds Clinton and Obama are drawing are caused by "the cult of personality which seems to have happened on both sides this time."

"Maybe this is the warm-up period where we allow ourselves a little fluff and frivolity," she said.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070412/D8OF95MO0.html

[and-justice-for-all]

1. BooHooing isnt going to help her husband any. nt

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. "Accuses" rather than "states".

MKJ

edited because illinoisprogressive posted a headline that provided kindling for my slow burn about the corporomedia's blatant, not even putting a lame facade on it, "reporting" over the past few days.

Sorry, ip. MKJ

[BuyingThyme]

3. She's right. So what?

[EFerrari]

22. If she did say this, how is this news to anyone?

[ruggerson]

4. illinoisprogressive falsely accuses Elizabeth Edwards of being accusatory

n/t

[havocmom]

27. could be a cult thing

;)

[Catchawave]

56. Elizabeth posted this comment on MyDD

to correct the misinformation:

No, I did not (3.00 / 15)

I spoke earlier today to Mike Glover of the AP. He asked about the public interest in my cancer. I said that in entertainment the cult of personality was fine and harmless but in politics it interferred with the real discussion of issues. I said the campaigns were all going through this process of concentration on personality, and even when the process involved people saying nice things about me, I didn't think it was useful. I never mentioned Senators Clinton or Obama at all directly or indirectly, and when I saw what Mike had written, I asked our press people to speak to him about correcting it.
Just so you know.


by ElizabethEdwards on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 12:11:36 AM EST

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/4/12/223822/066#commenttop

[JNelson6563]

63. Why are you bringing clarification into this?

;-)

Funny how quick the OP was to dash off this nasty (misleading) headline about EE. Shameful.

Julie

[jbnow]

67. Thanks. I'd gone to the article

to see how direct the quote was or if the reporter was paraphrasing. I noticed the part about the other candidates wasn't in the quotes but didn't think they'd have the gall to put together what she did not.

It would trouble and surprise me if she said that. Not if she thought it really, I'm sure she thinks her husband is the best and strongest. But it would be crude and rude to say and she is neither of those.

Wonder if it will spread like the paraphrasing of Obama did recently. The press likes to give things a controversial spin, make trouble even when it isn't there.

[Hobarticus]

68. HEY! None of them there facts when I'm nurturing my sense of outrage!

:crazy:

[MonkeyFunk]

70. good

that's nice to read. It didn't sound like something she would say.

[NormanYorkstein]

5. Is that because Edwards talks policy?

While others speak in glittering generalities?

[madmunchie]

32. Which Edward's has honed from seeing other's views and now claims

as his own......remember his --idea and judgement was to- Vote for the Patriot Act
Co Sponsor the IWR
Support going to Iraq until is was "safe"
to change his mind..

His voting record, while he briefly and only partially served the people as a Senator, had him on the wrong side of too many important votes.

So for the last 2 - 3 years, being fully unemployed (unlike Obama and Hillary), He has had an enormous amount of time that he has used....campaigning endlessly in Iowa, NH and other places and putting together plans on policies, while others are working - for the people, not JUST for thier own future.

[Clark2008]

59. Thank you.

You just saved me from having to type the same thing.

:hi:

[madmunchie]

83. No problem! I still love Clark and Gore and Fiengold....

There are so many out there that actually were on the right side of Iraq AND made other correct judgements as well WHILE still working and serving the people.

[Stephanie]

6. Hillary Clinton has a personality?

.

[EFerrari]

18. lol

[senseandsensibility]

25. funny

Sorry, but it is.

[SaveElmer]

Wait...a person with an Al Gore picture...

Is making fun of Hillary's personality...

Irony is not dead...

[ElizabethDC]

40. Haha . . . spot on! n/t

[Stephanie]

80. Edwards is actually my candidate. Or Obama. Or Gore. Anyone but Clinton.

I prefer a candidate with principles. Shouldn't you?

[Stephanie]

75. Give my regards to Peter Dauo, Elmer.

Mrs. Clinton will never, ever in her life give a speech like this one >

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1076457909353476276&q=al+gore+constitution+hall&hl=en

[SaveElmer]

88. Huh?...nt

[Oilwellian]

46. ROFL

Is it a dynasty yet?

[buff2]

7. I've never heard her say a derogatory thing about ANYONE.

Elizabeth is one of the nicest,thoughtful,intelligent and most caring person in this race besides her husband.How DARE you to cut her to pieces like this! Cut her some slack for Christ's sake. Isn't it enough she is DYING FROM CANCER? God dammit......this thread pisses me off more than any other thread I've seen so far.:argh: :grr: :thumbsdown:

[Connie_Corleone]

10. Illinoisprogressive is commenting on her statements about the other candidates.

What does her cancer have to do with it? Because she has cancer, no one can criticize her statements about the presidential race?

You act like Illinoisprogressive called her a bunch of names or pushed her in front of a bus.

[MadBadger]

11. I agree

If she is going to put herself in the public spotlight and make speeches like this about other candidates, then she should have to deal with criticism.

[buff2]

14. Where's the PROOF?

Did you hear her say those things? Do you believe EVERYTHING you read??? :eyes:

[MadBadger]

17. Heres the proof

Not only was it an AP report in that she told this to the AP, but here is another newspaper that is reporting it.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070412-1301-elizabethedwards.html

This is the san Diego Tribune.

[EFerrari]

19. Well, if Authorized Propaganda reported it, it must be true. n/t

[Snotcicles]

54. Getting a little testy since a real candidate emerges and his wife

dulls their ROCK STAR status a bit.

[JNelson6563]

65. That too is an AP report

it's called a "wire service" that many newspapers run the same story by AP. Citing different places that use the same AP source doesn't make it more sources. It's just more outlets of the same source.

Also, doesn't change the fact that the AP reported this inaccurately.

Oy.

Julie

PS In case you are interested in facts and missed this upthread, here's what EE says about this AP story:

No, I did not (3.00 / 17)

I spoke earlier today to Mike Glover of the AP. He asked about the public interest in my cancer. I said that in entertainment the cult of personality was fine and harmless but in politics it interferred with the real discussion of issues. I said the campaigns were all going through this process of concentration on personality, and even when the process involved people saying nice things about me, I didn't think it was useful. I never mentioned Senators Clinton or Obama at all directly or indirectly, and when I saw what Mike had written, I asked our press people to speak to him about correcting it.
Just so you know.


by ElizabethEdwards on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 12:11:36 AM EST

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/4/12/223822/066#commenttop

[Catchawave]

81. See post #56 n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

26. Hello, hnmnf. I saw another one of your posts. Cogent argument is your bailiwick.

MKJ

[MadBadger]

55. No clue

what you just said. Maybe I am dumb, but could u explain?
/

[SammyWinstonJack]

58. See post #56. That should clear this up. Seems that she didn't mention ANY OTHER candidates.

:shrug:

[JNelson6563]

64. Actually

the OP has posted a knee-jerk reactionary post that is inaccurate.

But hey, if you think that's defensible, have at it.

Julie

[Connie_Corleone]

96. Oh please! The new information didn't come out until later.

The OP was responding to the article that initially came out. No one knew about the correction last night until later. I read it this morning.

Get over yourself.

:eyes:

And I stand by what I wrote since it was posted YESTERDAY and is about the article in the OP.

[Catchawave]

82. See post #56 n/t

[Connie_Corleone]

97. I already know about it. Read it first thing this morning.

I still stand by what I wrote because it was written LAST NIGHT and it's about the article the OP posted.

I know Edwards' supporters will blame the OP for reacting to the original article.

[Catchawave]

98. I was updating the article n/t

[sandnsea]

39. She has a little meow in her

I said that a week or two before we found out her cancer returned. I haven't said it since, but this is the second time in a week that she's thrown one of her zingers. Opposing campaigns cannot just let it slide because she's DYING FROM CANCER. She wants to campaign, it has to be a campaign.

[Adelante]

69. Is she dying of cancer?

I thought I read she had a type that is treatable with hormones. Is that not correct? But even if she were dying of cancer, and I hope she is not, she's either in or out of the primary campaign. She has decided to be in it. You cannot shut people up with her cancer.

[jbnow]

71. She is LIVING with cancer.

We are all dying, she just knows what could get her if something else doesn't get her first. She is a living woman who has cancer. I spent some time reading on forums for people with stage 4 breast cancer and there are many still going strong after 10+ years especially with the type that she has that is hormone responsive.

I agreed with your statement that "Elizabeth is one of the nicest, thoughtful, intelligent and most caring person". The statement didn't sound like her and it turns out she did not say it as the reporter put it, he twisted it. (The reporter, not the poster)

But if she had said it, it would be fine to criticize her for it. It would be a rude thing for her to say, which is why it didn't sound true. And it isn't. But since it was reported that way I can see why people were troubled.

[MODemocrat]

8. I must plead ignorance, what does Elizabeth mean

Seriously, is this something she's imagining? Pray tell me what does it mean to suffer from Cult of
Personalty? :eyes: :shrug:

[BuyingThyme]

12. It's like going to a concert as opposed to a debate.

But the band is not necessarily Living Colour or the Cult.

[MODemocrat]

90. Thanks for the clarification BT

I think my age has gotten the best of me; it's hard to discipher things sometimes, as hard as I try. :hi: :blush:

[MadBadger]

9. I didnt expect

Her to go negative. So basically she sounds like Faux saying Obama is so well liked because of his personality, and that is it.

[Connie_Corleone]

13. What a way for her to insult supporters of Clinton and Obama.

[Fresh_Start]

15. Does Hillary have a personality?

I've not seen any evidence of that

[Stephanie]

29. jinx!

you owe me a coke! :hi:

[Fresh_Start]

44. I'm sorry I didn't see yours until after I posted

you won braggin rights

[supernova]

16. Are they running a good gop/bad cop act?

John gets to be the candiate talking about issues and connecting with voters. Elizabeth does the attack dog stuff? :shrug:

Disclaimer: I am partial to no candidate yet and I bear no particular antipathy toward the Edwardses

[smalll]

20. Plus, those supporters are suffering on purpose, just to spite her!

Slummy!

[EFerrari]

21. At least she didn't say outright that the White House is up for sale.

That would have been ugly.

lol

[Adelante]

77. I wish *somebody* would say that ugly thing

It would be the truest words of all.

Hey you :hi:

[EFerrari]

84. TGIF, WesDem.

:hi:

[Adelante]

85. Viernes está aquí!!

:beer:

[EFerrari]

89. Al fin!

:toast:

[eleny]

23. Title of the piece "Edwards Sees Shift in Campaign"

I didn't find the word "accuses" anywhere. This is going to be a long campaign. I'd develop a thick skin. The Edwards camp certainly has. Frankly, I think Elizabeth Edwards deserves to say to her detractors - "Bit me".

[Erika]

24. You chose to misinterpret her

and immediately jumped on her. Low class.

[bobthedrummer]

28. Mike Glover's AP article you linked to is quite different from your subject line

and Elizabeth Edwards comments in it, when taken in context are spot on-but you knew this.

It reminds me of the fact that Senator Obama's Communication Director is Robert Gibbs, the perception management mercenary wunderkind that was involved in the Kerry campaign (I voted for Kerry/Edwards) and produced the "work" that alternated flashes of Osama bin Laden with Howard Dean-plus whatever subliminals and other goodies were added to that.

It reminds me of the perception management professionals The Rendon Group handling the Democratic National Convention where Senator Obama gave such a stirring performance before a national audience and Mr. Bush remained installed as POTUS, but you already know my position on perception management professionals like Robert Gibbs and The Rendon Group.

"Reality vs. perception mangement: the tinfoil controversy" from 1-6-2006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x71919

[EFerrari]

30. Thank you, bob.

/oops

[bobthedrummer]

31. Wow-you are quick!

:hi:

[EFerrari]

43. I saw what they did to Dean and I wasn't even a Deaniac.

:shrug:

[Connie_Corleone]

33. You get all that from DU member posting their own headline on a message board?

People post their own headlines to articles in General Discussion all the time. If the OP was posted in Latest Breaking News, then the article headline would be used.

[bobthedrummer]

35. I value the truth CC, the reality. eom

[SaveElmer]

37. His subject line is more sinister than the tone of the article...but...

He did not quote her out of context...

[bobthedrummer]

45. You have a different perception than I do. I understand information warfare n/t

[jbnow]

73. Elizabeth didn't say

what the article reports. I'm glad because it is so unlike her.

But if the article was true then the title of this thread would also be true. If she said they drew crowds because of the cult of personality then she was accusing their supporters of it. Accuse is a strong word but wouldn't be far off base. People don't have to say "I accuse you" to accuse you.

Are you also accusing them of it when you say "Elizabeth Edwards comments in it, when taken in context are spot on"

If she had said that it would not clearly be spot on. Perhaps a lot of people go because they want the chance to hear what the candidates say. They might want to learn more about the candidates, they might support them or still be trying to decide.

[AtomicKitten]

34. Quite frankly, I like the contenders' spouses better than the contenders

I wonder what that means.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

36. Hill's rightwing, Obama's vague

it only makes sense that progressives go to the top tier candidate that backs their positions
she's right. of the top 3, i'm solidly with edwards.

[AtomicKitten]

51. "rightwing" ... "vague" ?????

wow

[KoKo]

38. Thanks for the link...interesting and good to keep in mind...

We need to be very careful what we read when there are teams of "Ops" out there for all the front running candidates. Things are not always what they appear...it's good to dig.

[Mass]

41. I thought she was talking about a cult of personality about herself...

when I read the title. I assumed that she was bothered by the excessive reaction of people who were there more because she has become a star than because of any true political reason.

If this is not the case, she should look at her own case rather than talking about others.

[jbnow]

74. Good for you! You were right

As the clarification Elizabeth made said, quoted in an earlier post, she did not mention Hillary and Obama in the quote, she was talking about herself.

The reporter put the cult part in quotes and said it was about the crowds the others drew.

It so didn't sound like her to say that and the reporter should be ashamed to twist it into that. (I am prone to believe Elizabeth's clarification that she did not say that because it sounded so unlike her but I didn't jump to the right assumption that you did)

[Kerrytravelers]

42. So? And?

This makes me neither love them more nor hate them more.

[Neecy]

47. perhaps it's not artfully said...

But I understand what she was trying to say...and it's true in the Republican race as well. It's all about surface flash and style and substance takes a back seat. That explains the Rudy campaign in a nutshell.

I'm tempted to support Obama but not because of his 'rock star aura' but because I've read some of his positions and I tend to agree. I'm still open to Edwards, though.

[aquart]

48. Yes, but don't say so, Elizabeth.

It offends their adherents so much they'll never vote for your man.

[mmonk]

49. Bwahahaha

A comment that can bring Obama and Clinton supporters together.

[Colobo]

50. I like the Edwardses, but

my cult of Obama's personality doesn't allow me to vote for John. :)

[bonito]

52. After looking into the meaning

A cult of personality or personality cult arises when a country's leader uses mass media to create a larger-than-life public image through unquestioning flattery and praise.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality
Yep, I have to agree with her.

[Catchawave]

53. She talked about it with Larry King tonight

about the media being personality driven (Britany! Brangelina!), it certainly didn't sound insulting as Hillary and Obama are certainly interesting personalities (first woman! first black! history being made!)...as it goes.

[mmonk]

57. I agree with her.

It's not so much a critique of the candidates mentioned as it is the personas created.

[Catchawave]

60. See my post #56, I added her correction to the story

as she posted on MyDD. She never mentioned Hillary and Obama in the interview and asked Mike Glover to correct that.

[karynnj]

62. But she ignores that it is true of Edwards as well

His runs, both in 2004 and 2008, have been based on the fact that he is an attractive, articulate person who was described by his supporters as charismatic. He does not have a long distinguished career in public service that shows in actions what he is saying in words. (Even Obama has a longer record on this.)

Stated in a positive way, mentioning charisma, eloquence, and inspiration, it is also the strongest reason given for John Edwards' campaign. He, in fact, is the one who is MOST a beneficiary of this.

Though I don't support her, Senator Clinton has a record going back to work she did on education in Arkansas. Ultimately, that record is what Hillary will run on.

[The Count]

79. First cancer wife, first candidate attacked by Coulter - anyone but them!

I can tell you this much - she's certainly the better lawyer in that family!

[jsamuel]

61. I agree with her.

but she apparently never said what you said she said

[dysfunctional press]

66. elizabeth edwards needs to shut the fuck up.

if she wants her hubby to have a shot at the nomination.

between these comments, and the ones about her neighbor- she's coming off looking like a full-fledged elitist.

[Catchawave]

78. See post #56 n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

72. I think you are skewing what she said. She never said "suffering". She was inferring

that people are being drawn because Clinton and Obama are personalities, and people are drawn to that within our culture.

[The Count]

76. So far, all Edwards campaign has been all about personal issues!

Ann Coulter insulted me! Quick - get LGBT to endorse!
Katie Couric was insensitive to me - nooo, we'll vote for you, we love ya!
Let's not talk about that pesky Iraq resolution he sponsored!(oops - voted, I mean voted - he said "sorry - STFU about that!)
I have no candidate in the race - but this is amazingly rich!
It has gotten to the point where Anus defenders defer to Edwards wisdom on it: Edwards said he believes in forgiveness - so you HAVE to forgive ANUS now!

[Colobo]

91. Very true.

[piedmont]

86. dupe

[piedmont]

87. Since the other candidates can't find anything bad to say about John Edwards...

their plan is to go after his cancer-stricken wife? If this is how the "mainstream" Dems think hardball is played, I'd bet the strategists on the dark side will eat them for breakfast come general election season.

[Blackhatjack]

92. Doesn't take much(just a lie by AP) to bring out the anti-Edwards posters here...

Elizabeth Edwards never even mentioned Obama or Hillary in the interview she did with the AP.

The attribution was made up.

But you can be sure that some 'Clarkies' will show up and attack Edwards. (I wish they would not do that since I like Wes Clark, but they are really creating a negative view of Clark's supporters)

[BeyondGeography]

93. The Edwards makeover is complete...He is now Mr. Substance

:boring:

[Blackhatjack]

94. I guess if you have nothing substantial to raise with him, an unsupported allegation will have to do

it is going to be interesting to see how differently Edwards is attacked from the attacks that Repubs will wage against Obama and Hillary.

I think we already see that the attacks against Edwards will be personal in nature, since he already weathered the opposition research during the last election and they have nothing substantial to use against him.

[jsamuel]

95. nail head {----- HAMMER

[earth mom]

99. The corporate media aka big business is afraid of Edwards...

it is VERY obvious by the nonstep smear fest and twisted words that is going on! Disgusting Bastards! :puke: