Dayton Daily News: Govern-ability is issue, not electability

[displacedtexan]

Govern-ability is issue, not electability

Dayton Daily News Editorial

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS IS TAKING A PAGE FROM the playbook of Sen. John McCain. In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, the McCain campaign argued that he would be a stronger candidate in the fall election than then-Gov. George W. Bush. <snip> The gambit didn't work. It probably backfired. The more clearly that George W. Bush emerged as the genuinely Republican choice, the better he seemed to do among Republicans, who, after all, predominate in Republican primaries.
snip
Best to move on to the question of who would be the best president. The Democratic debate Thursday strengthened Sen. Kerry's case on that score. He discussed foreign policy with more sophistication. <snip> On Haiti, Sen. Kerry offered an actual discussion of what American policy has been, unlike Sen. Edwards. He, thus, underlined that he is the one who actually knows about foreign policy. <snip>

Now the voters of Ohio and other big, diverse states get a chance to confirm or reject the decision of people in smaller states. It is an opportunity to be seized, potentially a crucial role in a chapter of American democracy.


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http://www.daytondailynews.com/opinion/content/opinion/daily/0229edwards.html

[patricia92243]

1. If not elected = cannot govern.

[katieforeman]

2. Duh! Dayton Daily News

This is the second really bone-headed editorial they have written this week.

Besides there's a lot more to governing than experience. Leadership is about articulating a vision for the future and persuading others to buy into that vision. Edwards has a dream of turning "two Americas" into "one America" and very specific policy plans to do just that. He can make effective use of the bully pulpit to push his agenda through Congress.

Unfortunatley, Kerry seems more interested in debating the past than the future. His 'bring it on' attitude is not leadership. He's letting the Republicans set the agenda and playing defense responding to their attacks. How many people really want the debate about Vietnam records that Kerry has called for with George Bush?

Furthermore, Edwards has more foreign policy experience than Reagan, Clinton, Carter or Bush 1 when they were elected. Integrity, judgement,and intellect are the qualities that make a good commander-in-cheif. Afterall, has George Bush gotten better with experience? he could be President for 10 years and he would still be a disaster.

[katieforeman]

3. Dayton daily news irresponsible

In its editorial endorsing Kerry, the DDN claimed Kerry is the "responsible" choice. Hwoever, the DDN irresponsibly mischaracterized Edwards record.

The editorial claimed that Edwards' showed littel interest in foreign policyduring his time in the Senate. Actually, JE was on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He was one of the first Senators to travel to Afghanistan. He met with General Musharif and other leaders in this dangerous region of the world. Remember Bushh couldn't even name the leader of pakistan in the 2000 election.

Edwards has more foreign policy experience than Reagan, Clinton, or Carter when they were elected President.

Editors went on to compare Edwards with GW Bush, claiming that the country couldn't afford to elect another inexperienced Presidentdependent on advisors for foreign policy expertise. The problem with GW Bush has never been his reliance on advisors. Afterall, has Bush gotten better with experience? Part of the problem with GW Bush and foreign policy is that he appointed some unwise advisors and ignored the advice of his wise advisors. But W's larger problem is his unilateralism and the. arrogance with which he approaches the rest of the world. His arrogance has nothing to do with inexperience. John Edwards is certainly no George Bush.