Reply #16: I agree that he doesn't get nearly the attention he deserves. [View All]

[RichM]

I definitely see him as a (perhaps "future?") shining star, & like him a lot. He's not quite left enough for me, especially on Iraq, but I've been impressed with him anyway. If I compare my impressions of the Dem field now with those I had 6 months ago, Edwards is the one who's risen the most in my estimation.

At first, I saw him as just someone who could be marketed because he's good-looking & has a Southern accent. But I've come to see that there's far more to him than that. He has a lot of quiet dignity and a great earnestness & decency. When he does his shtick about his working class roots, he really means it. It's not an act. (I agree with your comment about his true appeal to the working class.)

In an earlier debate, he had to follow Sharpton, right after Sharpton had brought the house down with one of his incredibly witty zingers. This was an unenviable position for ANYONE to be in, and I admired how Edwards handled it. He smiled ruefully and said, "Oh, no, you mean I've gotta follow THAT?!" and there was something terribly appealing about how he said that. He was giving Al full credit for his wit, and at the same time, was reacting with grace & humor re the difficult situation it placed HIM in.

A little thing, perhaps - but it revealed some very admirable inner qualities, IMO.