So Edwards' decision just...isn't newsworthy, huh? Hmmm...

[PurityOfEssence]

Feelings, affiliations and baggage aside, shouldn't this be a fairly big story? Okay, after a major presidential speech, it shouldn't be the lead, but it should be in there SOMEWHERE, wouldn't you think?

My point here is just to underline the vacuum of coverage this guy gets.

A U.S. Senator--a first-termer who's a bit of a rising star--decides to not run for re-election in order to concentrate on his presidential bid even when he's in the middle of the pack by polling; that SHOULD raise an eyebrow or two, shouldn't it?

What's my point? Oh, a little emotional hyponchondria, to be sure, and a greasy slight bit of rabble rousing for the guy, but more than anything, it's just to bring up yet another example of favoritism of the media and fear of this guy. It's actually quite clever to uniformly greet him with silence.

[mlawson]

1. I wonder what his angle is???

He MUST have some info that we don't have. Otherwise, why in hell give up his Senate seat next year, when there doesn't SEEM to be much hope for him in the prez primaries. Has he been promised something by the Party???

BTW, I have been an Edwards supporter from Day One. But this is weirding me out. And to beat it all, he CAN run for Senate and Prez at the same time.

:shrug:

[Emboldened Chimp]

2. He probably won't win a second term

That's the info he has. I think the pukes are going to pick up a couple seats with Hollings and Edwards out of the picture. Not good news.

[mlawson]

3. There that one is again.

I live in NC, and have heard nothing about him 'being in trouble here'. I think some Edwards haters started that about a year ago here, and it caught on. The last poll I saw had John leading the nearest repuke by at least 15 points.

[spooky3]

5. If he was a savvy attorney

he made a lot more money in private practice than while in the Senate and might have enjoyed the greater control he had. Maybe he'd rather go back to it than to the Senate, if he doesn't win the Presidency.

[AP]

7. There was an article describing his last civil trial.

They interviewed his client. The family said that Edwards told them that it would be his last trial, that he had achieved beyond his wildest dreams as an attorney, and that he was interested in politics because he could help more people that way.

I doubt he'd happily return to private practice. This guy is obviously on a mission. Why else would he subject himself to this?

[PurityOfEssence]

23. That just smacks of the truth

With age, I trust my instincts more, and this passes the sniff test; I can almost hear him saying it. That's why I got so defensive with one particular poster who was adamant about hating Edwards for allegedly not caring about the disabled: it just felt deeply wrong.

He's either a truly warm and caring kind of person or he's the greatest actor alive.

[AP]

6. Actually, I'm sure he'd win if he ran. They must have data

giving Bowles the win, and putting Edwards on the right trajectory to get the nomination.

I'm also wondering what his back-up plan is if he doesn't get the nom. I think Kerry would obviously pick him as the VP, but he can't count 100% on Kerry winning.

I asked this before: when's the next NC governor's race, and how long are the terms?

[mlawson]

8. Gov Easley has to run again next year.

I *assume* he will win, and he should. 4 years, can only sit twice.

[AP]

10. I guess that removes that option.

[mlawson]

9. You're right, AP. He MUST have data on this.

He has a lot of detractors here, but I don't think anyone has ever accused him of stupidity. He has an angle.

[RichV]

11. Really?

"I think Kerry would obviously pick him as the VP, but he can't count 100% on Kerry winning."

You think that's "obviously" the case? I have little against either man, but seems to me it's way, way too soon to make assumptions like that. Even if he is a southerner.

[AP]

12. I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that Kerry would pick Edwards

Kerry needs a little something to get the everyman, and he's got the national security thing down.

I guess Edwards doesn't emphasize any of the themes Kerry is hitting now, but I think Kerry is going to hit on some themes in the Gerneral Election (if he's the nominee) which Edwards would reinforce really well.

[mlawson]

14. I believe you are onto something, AP.

Now, it's starting to make sense. Why didn't I think of this? I fully expect Kerry to get the nomination, even though I support Edwards and/or Dean.

After all, Edwards was at the top of Gore short list in 2000. Would Gore be in the WH now, had he picked John???

[AP]

17. For emphasis, I should note that, if Edwards isn't at the top

of the ticket and sending this message himself, the person at the top of the ticket will need him as a symbol of the message that we're trying to make an America in which MORE people can have a life like Edwards -- public schools, union parents, opportunities, and rewards in proportion to the efforts you make (rather than in proportion to the Republicans who are gaming the system on your behalf).

It's a very powerful message, and it's why Edwards should be the nominee. But if he isn't, the nominee will desperately need to send this message (and it's going to be hard for anyone with a Yale degree and rich parents).

[Bombtrack]

13. not vp, attourney general for Kerry

Edwards is the only candidate to present a dramatic plan for reforming the DOJ

Office of civil liberties and civil rights, and the rearrangement of the FBI and creation of DHS intelligence agency under the DHS.

So, if Edwards doesn't win the nom and Kerry does, I believe Kerry will chose Graham as his veep and Edwards, if he wins as his Atty general.

We all know the list of Kerry's JFK similarities, having his "good friend" Edwards as his atty general and implementing Edwards plan for reform would seem like a good move. Both political and policy-wise.

The RFK similarity, I belive going beyond RFK's and Edwards haircuts, I think it would have a similar feel. Edwards being the thorn in Ashcrofts side. And RFK being one in Hoover's

[AP]

15. Edwards isn't really the ATTY GEN kind of atty

He has never done criminal law, and he was never a DA. Jennifer Granholm is an atty general kind of attorney.

I think a Dem president would throw Edwards a big bone if he were made Secretary of State, but he probably wouldn't like that much travelling.

Personally, I hope that someday a Clinton and Edwards are sitting on the Supreme Court.

[Rooktoven]

22. Bill C on the court?

Heh heh. Didn't Taft end upon the SCOTUS? Hilary would be good too (if not better), but she is going to probably prove to be one of the most effective senators, ever.

[RichV]

30. Sure, but...

Taft's ambition was to be Chief Justice, not president.

[Rooktoven]

32. who knows what Bill C's ambitions are now?

Better yet-- Gore on the court. (Revenge is sweet?)

[Bombtrack]

24. But he has served on the judiciary committee, and authored

judicial legislation.

He would not be a prudent choice for Kerry's veep at all.

Kerry would never come close to being able to win any part of Dixie or most of rural america, at least the parts of it al gore didn't win.

NH, OH, AZ, NV, even FL. But those are the only Bush states that could possibly go for Kerry. Not the carolinas, VA, TN, AR, or GA. The states Edwards would make competative(in addition to the previously mentioned ones) on the top of the ticket

[PurityOfEssence]

16. It's a dramatic act of leadership; that's certainly an element

I think he's trying to be a team player with his party, too. Whether he's just deluded with his "luck" in life so far, or he's got a messianic complex to ascend to the highest earthly throne, or he truly believes he can help the world in a trying time, he definitely wants to go for it. He may well be thoroughly wrong, but hell: he has the right to dream.

Certainly by announcing now, he is doing precisely what Clark isn't, trying to have his dream in the way that will least hurt the rest of the team.

It's also a splashy and showy move, so I'll give him some points for panache.

More than anything, it's an EXECUTIVE type of move. There's a difference in temperament and personality between legislators and executives; it's not just an accident that governors tend to become presidents. This element of leadership is evident in the great generals, captains of industry and statesmen; some great politicians are truly legislators and collaborators (not in the bad sense, but the artistic one) and some are leaders.

[topdog08]

45. It's his style, bold and decisive, or so people say

That's basically what I've heard.

That it's exciting to work with him because once he has reviewed all of the facts completely and made up his mind, he makes these kind of decisions that might go against conventional wisdom. I think the 100 town hall tours promise was a similar AND RELATED decision.
Hard to do all of those while keeping home state detractors at bay.

I think a main reason for the decision NOW was to make it a non story when he officially announces his candidacy. Almost all anyone was talking about is whether he risks losing his Senate seat or not.
Now the press might actually have to start taking him seriously as a candidate, unless they can come up with some other new excuse.

It's also important to remember that he is not a career politician, so the thought of not being in the Senate is not devastating to him.
I think he believes he can do much more as President and his odds of being taken seriously as a candidate went way up after this decision.
If nothing else, people know he is committed to see this to the end.

Almost makes you feel bad if you did not take him seriously, right?

[KoKo]

18. mlawson......what have you heard locally about his "re-election" ability

here in NC........that was the "key," I think.........The NC Dem "powers that be" got worried that either he would be VP or cabinet material......or that he's spent so much time campaigning since he was elected as "OUR" Senator (DEM) to replace Faircloth.....that the voters probably wouldn't elect him a second time if he didn't make it as Pres/VP/ or in a Cabinet of ne Dem Admn.

There were some candidates "chafing" to get in and they were pressuring Edwards to decide....That's what I heard here, anyway.......

[AP]

20. I said this before -- I haven't heard this anywhere, and I read

everything on Edwards.

Something like this definitely would have leaked into the media.

[AP]

4. It certainly was a big deal for Republicans when they were trying to

make an issue of him not dropping out.

The RW media is too busy trying to figure out a back-up smear to be able to comment on this.

[_Wayne_]

19. Most people don't care, and those who do, are upset

He has zero, zip, no chance of the nomination, and now he's forfeiting his seat, for God knows what. He should fire his advisors.
More Senate seats for the Republicans is the only thing that will come of this.

[Rooktoven]

25. No chance?

God, if only I were a betting man. Though I wish he would have stayed w/ the seat and let Easley appoint his successor.

[Rooktoven]

21. I wonder how many super-delegate endorsements he has lined up

or how many have told him he's their second choice.

Strange. And I'm still (leaning, anyway) an Edwards guy-- strictly for the contrast against Bush-- I think he would be by far the best in a head to head debate.

[Bombtrack]

26. He's got more than most candidates

a superdelagate is a house member correct?

Obviously Gephardts got the most from the house, and I think Kerry has quite a few. But I believe Edwards has more than Leiberman, Dean, Graham, or Kucinich

[Rooktoven]

28. I should have added state officials too,

that's a big chunk. *Not that he has anymore than anyone else, just wondering)

[PurityOfEssence]

27. Much as I hate Junior, it'd almost be inhuman to see him debate Edwards

Even with a rabies infected rat, you have the humanity of killing it quickly, rather than keeping it alive for 90 minutes of utter humiliation and public torture.

What I would love is to see is the firm, yet warm Edwards bring out the vicious, smirking, privileged rage of the little Caesar.

[Rooktoven]

31. It would be 90 minutes of pure malevolent joy.

I'm thinking, some stumbling AND some meanness. Also, you can BET Edwards would be making a debate message #1-- He did against Faircloth.

[Lindsay]

29. I think it was Candy Crowley(sp?)

on CNN who said that NC state dems were pressuring Edwards to decide one way or the other. If he wanted to keep running for president, they wanted to line up other candidates for his senate seat.

[DemBones DemBones]

33. It IS a big deal and I am also sick of the media not paying

attention to anyone but Dean (and, occasionally, Lieberman or Kerry) when there is a field of good candidates out there doing things, including campaigning. They ignore Kucinich's efforts in the House to stop this war, to force Cheney to turn over his energy council notes, etc. It makes you wonder what their agenda is and what else they are ignoring, doesn't it?

I read a post earlier oulining a possible scenario that would give Edwards the nomination and it seemed entirely possible to me. Of course, I continue to support Kucinich, but some serious competition among the Dems would be good for the party. This is the first "open" primary since 1990 (no sitting president or VP to take the Dem nomination) so I don't want the nomination "belonging" to anyone too soon. I could go for a decision at the convention myself, the way it used to be done.

Best of luck to Edwards!

[mvd]

34. Same here, and I'm still mad about..

how little coverage they gave our last debate. Meanwhile, it seems every Schwarzenegger speech is covered.

[KoKo]

35. Dem Bones.....I was in all today and had Cables on....they mentioned it

during the day.....and MSNBC's "Embed" Edwards reporter announced it....they spent a little time on it...but didn't go so far as to do a big feature talking to anyone in NC about Edwards resignation from his Senate seat.......but, it was covered.

And, not in a bad way.....They did it more as a news clip about a "minor' candidate saying he made a choice and seemed to be relieved that he could focus.

MSNBC had an extensive clip of Edwards on his "bus tour" with interview and pictures of his older daughter and younger children and how much he enjoyed having his family with him.

Just so you know......:-)'s I had that damn tube on all day......it's driven me to distraction.....but I wanted to see what the spin on Bush would be so I turned it on.........

I have a bad headache from it right now. I don't know how folks live in homes where a TV is on 24/7.....I couldn't stand it.....

[PurityOfEssence]

37. So true; you make me very happy with this post.

Your guy is starved of attention too, because he's so absolutely dangerous to the monarchist greedheads that to even mention him is tantamount to admitting that he really exists.

Kucinich is a truly honorable guy, and there's an ethical through-line to his positions. To have been religious, anti death penalty, and pro-life is consistent and based on ethical grounds. He has adjusted his views--like the one on the latter--as he recognizes things and grows, and he's truly ethical.

It makes perfect sense that he and Edwards really like each other on a personal level, and it makes perfect sense that their supporters are tolerant and friendly. You fit the personal conceit of that characterization, as do most other Kucinich and Edwards supporters.

You have to look hard and wide to hear recriminations and attacks from a supporter of either, and to my chagrin, I'm responsible for many.

Something in me still holds out the hope that Junior's so hated that we could have an anti-republican replay of 1976, but on a grander scale; in that case, Kucinich could have a shot. (Um...I still like Edwards more, but I really like Dennis; he's a titan.)

[Demobrat]

36. Why is it newsworthy that he's going on with his presidential campaign?

Wasn't he expected to?

[PurityOfEssence]

38. Here's why:

He's cutting his safety net to concentrate on a somewhat dicey campaign. If he was the front-runner, it wouldn't be so significant.

He's a senator who's giving up his seat to take a shot at the top; that is by nature a very significant story. That should rate some kind of coverage in a reasonable fantasy world.

Many had also speculated that he was wavering, so it's news from that standpoint too.

This is bold. No matter how you slice it, it warrants mention. Even if it's perceived as some grand folly, it should have some jaw-dropping "what the hell is he thinking" kind of coverage, shouldn't it? Where's that? Obviously, it's not such a joke to the nazis, is it?

This kind of thing rarely happens, for that alone, it's news. Many people can't conceive of risking rank and prominence for a glorious gamble; hell, it's a story. If it was the enemy camp doing this, I'd be covering it just for the "story" value alone; it's a big damn deal.

[robcon]

39. I think the coverage was right.

Edwards hasn't a chance of getting the presidential nomination, and his announcement that he's not running for the Senate in NC is news only for North Carolinians.

He might be in the running for VP - depending on who the nominee is.

[Rooktoven]

40. Again. I wish I were a betting man...

Hasn't a chance? I'd say he has a better chance than Lieberman, Kucinich, MB, Sharpton, and Graham-- and perhaps Gephardt. This thing is just now getting rolling.

Not to denigrate anyone (I'm ABB) but don't underestimate this guy.

[chimpymustgo]

41. It's a big story. Rising star Senator NOT running for re-election.

Excuse me? What bigger political story was there today? This was news and perfect for discussion and analysis. But shhhh....can't talk about "he who cannot be named"!

[demnan]

42. I wanted to respond before I read the rest of the posts

Look, I like Edwards, I think he's sincere. I'm sorry he decided to not run for his Senate seat. I think that's a big mistake. I don't think he will make it to the end of the Presidential primary. I don't really think he's ready to be President either, based on what he says. Still I hold him in the best esteem and I hope he reconsiders - wish he would - we need a caring Senator in his state.

[Rooktoven]

43. What is it he says that disqualifies him?

just curious...

[w4rma]

44. It's pretty obvious he did *not* want media attention on this announcement

otherwise he would have picked a day (any other day) other than the day of Bush's $87 Bbbbbbbbillion dollar speech. In fact, I think he may have made this announcement *during* Bush's speech.

I don't know why he didn't want coverage of this.