Edwards in Rare Form - Newsday

[question everything]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uscamp0203,0,2372216.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines


Columbia, S.C. -- John Edwards, battling to keep his presidential hopes alive in Tuesday's South Carolina primary, launched a rare multi-pronged attack on Democratic front-runner John Kerry Monday over Kerry's support for free trade, campaign contributions from lobbyists and long Washington experience.

(snip)

Kerry also fired back at Edwards by suggesting that the North Carolina senator's lack of political experience would handicap him in a race against President George W. Bush -- and questioning Edwards' claim that he alone could beat Bush in the South.

(snip)

Edwards responded through a spokeswoman that he was the only Democratic contender with a proven record of winning in a southern state, and that his party must win something in the South in order to recapture the White House.

(snip)

Edwards, who has previously eschewed negative campaigning and rarely refers to his rivals by name, mentioned Kerry's five times within a span of several minutes in comments to reporters during a campaign stop in Charleston, outlining what he said were the "clear differences" between them. "I think if we want real change in Washington, we need somebody who hasn't been there for 15 or 20 years to bring about that change," he said. Kerry has spent nearly 20 years in the Senate, while Edwards is in his first term.

(snip)

[BeyondGeography]

1. Kerry says Edwards can't win his own state

alludes in this article to polls showing Bush beating Edwards in NC.

Interesting, in that it may suggest Kerry doesn't see Edwards as a productive choice for VP.

Or it may suggest nothing more than the usual sniper fire.

[GreenArrow]

3. Clark a better VP choice, IMO

Military Experience.
From the South.
Arguably took an anti-war position.

Just for starters.

[dolstein]

4. Well how does Kerry fare in North Carolina?

I'm not surprised to find Edwards trailing Bush in North Carolina. After all, Clinton was trailing Bush Sr. in Arkansas. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that John Edwards is probably the only Democrat who even has a prayer of carrying North Carolina in the general election.

[GreenArrow]

2. There are differences allright

Kerry is far more liberal, has a longer record of supporting liberal causes, has considerably more experience. The IWR votes on both sides were disgusting, but all things taken into account, there is no way I'd choose Edwards over Kerry. Kerry should question Edwards' ability to get elected in the South--it's doubtful that Edwards would be re-elected in his own state. If Edwards is serious about bringing an outsider into the game, then he and we should all vote for Al Sharpton.

[Moderator]

5. Locking

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