The Politico gives Edwards First Place in debate

[Adelante]

FIRST PLACE: John Edwards

Analysis: John Edwards has found a theme: He is angry and he is on your side. He is bold and he will use his boldness for you.

Here was his key response, his voice rising as he went along:

“Do you believe that compromise, triangulation will bring about big change? I don't. I think the people who are powerful in Washington -- big insurance companies, big drug companies, big oil companies -- they are not going to negotiate. They are not going to give away their power! The only way that they are going to give away their power is if we take it away from them!”

The triangulation line was a not so subtle whack at Bill Clinton and, presumably, Hillary Clinton. Edwards was not able to sustain his outrage for a full two hours, but he scored enough points throughout the debate.

We were forced to deduct 3.5 points, however, for his dumb attack on Hillary Clinton’s suit jacket. We like her suit jacket -- we thought it was a vision in coral -- but that is not why it was a stupid attack. Write this down, guys: Attack her policies, attack her past votes, attack her personality if you want to, but don’t attack what she is wearing. It looks sexist and cheap.

More...

http://www.politico.com/rogersimon/

[PresidentObama]

1. Bold and on our side.

Yep, that pretty much explains it :)

[rhombus]

2. No way Joe Biden came in fifth. Impossible

Every thing I've read about the debate placed Biden definitely in the top three performers. He was great last night.


I don't know what debate Roger Simon was watching.

[NCarolinawoman]

8. It's best to make one's decision on who won before reading what the pundits say.

After all, our own opinions are just as valid, if not more so.

I think that Joe Biden was best because he came across (to me) as the most honest, strait-forward, and the most knowledgeable.

I always project ahead to who would do the best in a debate in the general election against a Republican. I think he would do quite well; particularly in the red states.

[Adelante]

14. If Biden hangs on through the fall

We may see him rising well in the polls. He's got a very American guy kind of thing going that works in all different areas and on several levels. Once people get really serious about the race after the summer's over, Biden could surprise a lot of people. I don't know if he would get the nom, but he will appeal to a good chunk of the voting public.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

20. I agree. Too many people are underestimating Biden nt

[emulatorloo]

3. Didn't we decide Politico was right-wing??????

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/search_results?qstring=POLITICO

[William769]

6. I hope so because trwo Obama supporters from here

Always use that site for quotes.

But then again Obama and his suppoters have been invoking Reagans name alot lately.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. The right-wingers are promoting Edwards because they are afraid of Kucinich

:tinfoilhat:

[NoFederales]

4. I think politico is spot on. Unless you a corporate political misanthrope,

how could you not appreciate Edward's forceful words?

(Corporate Political Misanthrope--a hater of progressive, grass-roots, politics being more concerned with elitist notions that power, wealth, and station are exceptional and extraordinary, worthies of adulation; delusional, being susceptible to sycophants....)

NoFederales

[Dragonbreathp9d]

5. I thought he was up there

but I even thought Dodd did better than he, but I thought Kucinich did the best once again. And oddly once again I was disappointed by Bill Richardson. I love Bill, but he just ain't cuttin it in the debates. Oh, and I love Gravel, I'd have him in my cabinet.

[William769]

7. I don't like Politico.

But last last was the best I have seen of Edwards. He did very well.

[jsamuel]

9. Edwards did win imho

One reason why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T0BztvhVpU&mode=user&search=

[RedEarth]

10. I agree, I thought he won also...........

[polichick]

12. JE definitely did himself some good last night...

Being angry and on our side is not a bad tack to take ~ and he's finally using his experience going up against corporations in court to his advantage.

[question everything]

13. What suit jacket?

What did I miss? I did watch the debate until the last minute, or so, when we switched to TNT The Closer.

I am a bit apprehensive about describing Edwards as "angry." This is how Howard Dean started and it scared many voters away. Myself included.

And, isn't the politico a Bush cheerleader?

[jillan]

15. I have a confession to make. Up until last nite

I swore that if Edwards became our nominee I would never vote for him.

Last nite, he got to me. I saw an honest and passionate man standing there.
I was impressed.

He was my surprise of the night.

And his video - that was brilliant.

[Adelante]

17. There was a short space of time following the video with

the Alzheimers victim, where I too saw something honest and true - I remember saying to myself, this is what's been missing, the genuine article, he needs to keep this up. His video was good, late but good.

[jillan]

19. To me it was his answer on gay marriage.

I know it was the 'wrong answer' but I would rather see a politician talk from their heart, than to say what will win them votes.
It was a rare opportunity to see inside of his soul - how he thinks - and how he did that in front of millions of people.

[gnvresident]

16. Edward won

John Edwards makes the strongest arguements for his beliefs. We need someone strong who is not afraid to declare with conviction what he belives in. I think he was also probably the only one that had a follow-up session where he answered more questions. He puts himself out there. He will answer your questions.

[Broke Dad]

18. You saw what we are seeing in Iowa . . .

Edwards is for real.

For me it comes down to who will really be on my side when I need medical care, safe food, equal protection and due process under the law? A trial lawyer like John Edwards who battled for people like me or a lawyer like Hillary Clinton who represented the most powerful in Arkansas and who has taken millions of dollars from the powerful in New York and Washington? The bible says you cannot have two masters. It says that you will love one and despise the other. If you get millions of dollars from Wall Street, who is your master? I believe John Edwards. His actions tell me that he identifies more with me and my rights. The powerful have ran America since 1981. Bill Clinton talked like a populist in 1991 and 1992, but that is NOT how he governed. Now we need a President who runs America for the rest of us for a while.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

21. I agree, JE won, and kudos to WesDem for posting this

;)

[Adelante]

22. Y'all say The Politico hates Edwards

I guess it's not the case, after all. You're welcome :hi:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

23. I don't read Politico often enough to really comment on any slant they may have against a candidate