Edwards and Clark as Southerners

[maxr4clark]

Edwards raised the question of whether Edwards or Clark was a better advocate for Southerners today, stating that he had lived in the South and represented Southerners as a Senator this term (since 1998). He was asked whether he meant Clark wasn't a real Southerner, and stopped short of saying that.

Edwards supporters, help me out. I've heard Edwards was born in South Carolina, and has lived in Georgia and currently is from North Carolina. Any relevant details would be appreciated, particularly if he went to college out of state or has spent a significant amount of time anywhere else--I guess that includes the last 5 years, spending most of his time in the Washington D.C. area in the Senate.

According to the career highlights on www.clark04.com, Clark grew up in Arkansas, then went to West Point and has lived at West Point in New York (4 yrs), earned a Masters at Oxford (England, 2 yrs), as a soldier in Viet Nam (2 yrs), then taught at West Point (3 yrs), got a Masters at the Army War College in Leavenworth Kansas (2 yrs), spent a year at the White House as an advisor to the Office of Management and Budget, served at various places around the world (13 years, including directing the Battle Command Training Program, I think in Georgia), then was Commanding General of the National Training Center in California (2 yrs), commanded the 1st Division at Fort Hood Texas (3 yrs), commanded the US Southern Command in Panama (2 yrs), then led the negotiations for the Bosnia-Herzogovenia peace accord at Dayton, Ohio (< 1 yr), and lived in France as NATO's SAC Europe (3 yrs). I believe he has lived in Little Rock, Arkansas since (3 yrs).

Two questions:

(1) Especially for you southerners out there: which do you think gives the candidate more claim as a southerner, Edwards' background or Clark's--or do you think they both qualify as southerners? I'm from Virginia but my parents were Yankees, so I don't count.

(2) Which do you think prepares a man more for being a President, Clark's history of where he has lived or Edwards'?

I'm not asking for vitriol, I'm asking for a comparison of the two candidates and their background, as it relates to becoming President, electability in the south and preparation for the job.

Thanks in advance for keeping this thread clean.

[QC]

1. This seems a particularly silly thing to have a pissing match over.

Both of them have roots in the South and have spent a lot of time there, and both of them claim to be Southerners. That's enough for me.

[arewethereyet]

2. Native Virginian here

Edwards has stayed "home" Went to North Carolina St and practiced in the south. He clearly retains the southern-ness. No accent, not southern.

Where he has lived as preparation ? Makes no difference from a strictly geographic standpoint. America has become cosmopolitan that its not that significant. However living "on base" as it were does matter. It insulates and limits.

Some southerners may appreciate Clark's vetern status but hewon't be seen as a native son.

[wyldwolf]

6. Native Georgian here...

Everyone I know sees him as a native son.

[leyton]

3. Edwards went to NC State, I think.

Perhaps it was another one, but I'm certain it was an NC university. He got an undergraduate degree in textiles and then got his law degree. He then clerked either in Virginia or North Carolina, (although I think it was his wife who clerked in Virginia) and worked briefly IIRC in Tennessee before opening a practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina is the only state he's ever represented in the Senate :D

1) I think Edwards has more credibility as a Southerner. I wouldn't say Clark isn't a Southerner (although technically he was born in Chicago) but I think Edwards has the real claim to that heritage.

2) I think Clark's history would prepare him on foreign policy issues, but I don't know that working in the military will make him a better executive, especially when it comes to domestic affairs. Looking at the two candidates (the full packages) I think Edwards would make the better President overall, (Kerry, Clark, and Edwards beat out the other Democrats on this for me) but Clark would do a better job in foreign affairs because he has that sort of hands-on experience that even the incumbent doesn't have, and Clark has an edge on security as well, I think.

They're both so good, really. It's a shame they're running against each other.

[mmonk]

12. and UNC law school

[AP]

4. In addition to the states you mention, he also lived in TN

He moved around a lot while his father tried to find better and better jobs.

He got into Clemson (his high school-graduate father's favorite school, because that's where his father grew up, and he loved the football team). He thought he'd make his father proud by playing football there.

He was a walk-on, but didn't get a scholarship for the second year, so he had to leave. He went to NC state, graduated in three years, and was accepted at Duke Law school. He couldn't afford to go there either, so eh went to UNC law school instead. His first job was as a federal clerk in NC. First job was in Nashville (I think), and then went back to NC to work in Raleigh.

Does this make him a southerner and Clark not a southerner? I think more southerners can relate to that kind of background -- economic migration, reaching for the sky, not having all the means, having to make concessions due to economics, never letting it hold you back, and earning everything you ever got.

Does that make him a better candidate for president than Clark?

I say yes. I know many people would think that Clark's life is a better resume and I appreciate that. But I think Edwards's experiences are exactly what we need in the white house.

It's a powerful symbol. More powerful and useful to America than a man in a uniform.

[DjTj]

15. Edwards started his law career in Tennessee...

...in Nashville for three years before going to Raleigh.

Edwards was born in Seneca, SC and moved to Union, SC, Rutherfordton, NC, Thompson, GA, and Robbins, NC.

[kayleybeth]

5. I'm a Southerner

I was born and raised in the south and have lived here all of my life. I think Edwards and Clark both qualify as good Southerners. I am a Clark supporter but I like Edwards too. I think they both have a great chance to win some of the southern states.

[movonne]

7. Why do we have to have a southerner for President...How long does this go

on having a southerner for President....I think it should be the man who will make the best Prsident.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I live in Arkansas

As a transplanted Illinoisan, I'm disgusted with the local Democrats. They have already stated that they don't plan to support ANY of the Democratic candidates because they are all pro-choice, want some form of gun control, or are pro-civil unions.

Frankly, I think whoever is nominated should bypass such local Democratic committees and set up independent groups that are serious about electing a Democrat to the White House.

[NoMoreRedInk]

9. Starteded as an undergrad at Clemson (SC), then transferred....

to NC State when he couldn't get a football scholarship. Graduated law school from the UNC-Chapel Hill, where he currently sits on the law school's Board of Governors (or something like that).

[maxr4clark]

10. Thanks to all of you for your replies.

I have enjoyed learning a bit more about Edwards' background. If any of you would like to recommend an article or a site that discusses his history as a trial lawyer, I'd enjoy reading that too.

I'm still supporting Clark, but Edwards has done well and I'd like to be able to talk about him with my coworkers and such. I care more that people come out and vote Democrat than that Clark is the nominee, so I figure the more candidates I can say good things about, the better.

[AP]

11. Read Four Trials...

https://secure.ga3.org/03/fourtrials

[mmonk]

13. I'm southern, from North Carolina,

lived here all my life (though I've travelled all over the world). I support Wes Clark for president. Any questions?

[Qutzupalotl]

14. Both are considered southerners

as far as I know. I'm a Virginia native now in Oregon.

Edwards has the more recognizable accent. Clark is down to earth. Both will do well on Feb. 3.

Put them together, and you have a 16 year ticket to peace, sanity, and prosperity.