John Edwards a modern day RFK?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

==But Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards argues that we've ignored poverty far too long in this country. And, as he's stated many times in recent months, he hopes that by making it a major focus of his campaign -- much like Robert Kennedy did 40 years ago -- Americans will understand we have a moral obligation to address the needs of the 37 million citizens who live beneath the poverty line and whose lives are a daily struggle.==

=="My impression now is that he's very sincere -- almost to the point of endangering his own candidacy," she says. "Because there just doesn't seem to be much benefit in promoting the poverty issue, in terms of winning the elections."==

==However, Kennedy took the same risk 40 years ago, Walsh points out. "So in that respect, the comparison's a fair one," she says. Like RFK, "Edwards is sticking his neck out on an issue that he truly seems to believe in."==

=="We're such a hypocritical public in that we so strongly believe that if people work hard and make the right choices, they can become wealthy -- and that's a good thing," she says. "And yet, here we have a person who's wealthy and wants to talk about the poor and we immediately demonize that."==

=="If Edwards makes waves in Iowa," she says, "he could change the race overnight."==

Read the rest at http://www.madison.com/tct/news/203340

[BridgeTheGap]

1. Big difference in class background

Bobby grew up rich - John came from a poor background.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

21. I thought Edwards grew up middle-class

[benny05]

23. When he was very young

His family struggled. His dad had to borrow fifty dollars to bring John and Bobbie home from the hospital.

[aquart]

2. I can't stand this comparison.

I wish people would stop themselves before they babble it.

First, all Edwards' money is earned, not inherited. It was earned by actually going after people that RFK mostly talked about going after.

Second, RFK never got to fulfill his goals because he was stopped by a bullet. I would prefer not to give idiots ideas.

[RFKJrNews]

3. RFK Jr. gave Edwards the nod last week

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was touring the impoverished areas of West Virginia and Kentucky at about the same time as Edwards. RFK Jr. was there to address the issue of mountaintop removal mining, which has had a devastating economic impact on rural communities in Appalachia.

Kennedy was also asked his thoughts on John Edwards’ poverty tour of the south last week, so reminiscent of Robert Kennedy’s efforts there 40 years ago. “I commend him for it.” RFK Jr. replied. “I think he’s running a great campaign, and he’s appealing to the intrinsic populism that is part of the American experience.”

While this blogger is pleased that RFK Jr. graciously gave John Edwards a much-deserved pat on the back, I feel that no one could carry on the anti-poverty campaign his father started than Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ****himself****.

And he should do it himself, as a candidate for President in 2008.

A Kennedy/Edwards ticket sounds REAL GOOD to me. Or Edwards/Kennedy, whichever you prefer.

If you agree, please take a moment and SIGN THE PETITION - join the growing movement to Draft RFK Jr. - and let’s put him in the White House where he belongs!

Read the full story about RFK Jr.'s trip through the mining states:
http://rfkin2008.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/rfk-jr-if-the-press-reported-whats-really-going-on-there-would-be-a-revolution-in-this-country/

Everybody should hear this interview Bobby gave West Virginia Public Radio - it’s one of the best I’ve ever heard from him: http://www.wvpubcast.org/av/0719wvm2.mp3

[argyl]

9. He'd be savaged if he ran. A heroin arrest in 1983 would assure that.

He's doing important work as a private citizen and if he chose to run for the US House or Senate in a liberal state he would be a tremendous asset there.

But the smear he'd be subjected to as a national candidate would be vicious in the extreme.I've no doubt that Bush has used cocaine in the past and has probably had a conviction buried and erased but RFK Jr.'s arrest and conviction is a matter of public record.

In a more tolerant society he'd be a viable and formidable candidate but in this country he'd be buried in the shitstorm the GOP hired gunthugs would rain down on him.

FWIW, I'd proudly cast my vote for him as President on a Democratic ticket.

[RFKJrNews]

38. About RFK Jr.'s drug bust

...it was 25 years ago. The fact that he's been clean and sober ever since will probably be viewed as a strength in character, not a flaw.

Overcoming addiction is not something a candidate should have to hide, IMHO. Or lie about ("I smoked but I didn't inhale" yadda, yadda), or be subject to attack for, though no doubt his enemies will attempt to use his prior drug arrest against him.

The thing to do is just get it all out in the open to voters now, so please read the following contemporary New York times account and make up your own mind about whether or not it would cost him your vote:

Kennedy Son Given Probation in Drug Case

Published: March 17, 1984

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who pleaded guilty in September to possessing heroin, today began two years of probation.

Presiding Judge Marshall P. Young of Seventh Circuit Court ordered the 30- year-old Mr. Kennedy to take periodic tests for drug use, treatment, join Narcotics Anonymous and perform 1,500 hours of community service.

The son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy will remain in New York during the probation. If he meets the conditions, the felony conviction will be sealed and his court record legally erased.

If he violates probation, he will face two years in the penitentiary, the judge said. He added that the sentence ''has nothing to do with your name or anything else.''

Mr. Kennedy was arrested on an airline flight from Minneapolis to Rapid City Sept. 11, 1983. A search of his flight bag uncovered 183 milligrams of heroin, the authorities said. Two days later he voluntarily entered a drug treatment center in New Jersey.
___________________________________________________________________

Remember, because RFK Jr. met the conditions of his probation, the felony conviction was *legally erased from the record*.

So anyone who says he is a convicted felon is either misinformed or trying to smear him.

Incidentally, this is the same deal a California judge just gave the Gore kid who got busted for posession of pot and a rather potent brew of RX drugs while speeding down the highway at 110 mph. If Al Gore's son completes the community service/rehab program, his conviction will be erased eventually, too...thus freeing him up to run for President in 2020...


Please SIGN THE PETITION TO DRAFT RFK JR. INTO THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE! http://RFKin2008.com

[argyl]

40. AFAIC,a past drug problem should be no more stigmatizing than alcohol recovery.

That said,heroin is the ultimate drug boogeyman of the general US public. And any Swift Boat style smear campaign would have a field day with it.Since when does misinformation stop this gang?

I signed your petition but I'd be surprised if he ran.He's done,is doing,and will continue to do important work in his present capacity.

[RFKJrNews]

42. Let the candidate who is without sin cast the first stone

Thanks for signing the petition and for your support of RFK Jr.!!

I think people would respect him more for just admitting it all upfront and perhaps framing the debate in terms of the "war on drugs." He should raise the question of whether `tis nobler to treat non-violent addicts as criminals and lock them up in prison, or if community service and rehab for them does our society more good in the long run.

RFK Jr.'s life since his 1984 arrest has been a shining example that a commitment to sobriety and community works a hell of a lot better than jail time. His track record since then has been A+.

I've never felt that voters would judge any candidate today by what he or she did 25 years ago - unless that prior action indicated some inherent dishonesty in the person's character.

If you want to learn more about Bobby Jr.'s troubled youth and drug problems, you might want to read our blog's top feature story today. This will help you draw your own conclusions on how these events shaped his character:
http://rfkin2008.wordpress.com/2007/07/31/jfks-best-friend-saw-a-future-president-in-rfk-jr/

And yes, I would LOVE an Edwards/RFK Jr. ticket. They would be a very compatible team...not to mention a boatload of handsome!:)



*Please SIGN THE PETITION TO DRAFT RFK JR. FOR PRESIDENT:
http://RFKin2008.com

[draft_mario_cuomo]

12. That is great to hear! I am a fan of RFK Jr. too

Because of his gracious comment to Edwards, although I am committed to Edwards regardless of who enters the race, I will sign the petition. :)

[emilyg]

4. Nah I don't think so.

[saracat]

7. But RFK Jr does and his opinion counts!

[Inspired]

37. Why? n/t

[dogman]

5. If it were an outside observation it might have credibility.

It seems to come more from the campaign itself. The tour being patterned after the RFK outreach seems contrived. The use of poverty as a campaign tool seems to lend substance to some of the criticisms. Gore champions environmental causes, Clark lobbies national security. Both would lose effectiveness and credibility if they used these issues to campaign for the Presidency. Edwards did not need to start the '08 campaign as early as he did, but may have feared what has been referred to as the "Clark" effect, jumping in too late. If Edwards had fought the poverty war outside the campaign, the "house and haircut" issues would have had a very limited shelf life. The "haircut" would never have been raised without having been listed as a campaign expense. If the anti-poverty issue becomes a national debate it would be a great result no matter what his intentions.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

11. He did

==If Edwards had fought the poverty war outside the campaign==

Months after Kerry-Edwards lost he founded a poverty center at the University of North Carolina. Here is the mission of the center:

==

Mission

Introduction

For over two centuries, the University of North Carolina has educated North Carolina's leaders and improved the lives of its citizens. It has long been a place where scholars expanded the horizons of thought and knowledge and students received a world-class education regardless of their ability to pay. In recent years, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill established the groundbreaking Carolina Covenant, enabling low-income students to receive a debt-free college education. The UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity joins this proud tradition to bring together scholars, policymakers, lawyers, community leaders and students in a mission of public service and public outreach to the state of North Carolina and the nation.

The Vision and Goals of the UNC Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity

The UNC Center for Poverty, Work and Opportunity will create a forum for the best minds in the state and the nation to work on issues of poverty, work and opportunity. The Center has four goals: first, to address the pressing needs of those currently living at or below the poverty level; second, to provide a non-partisan interdisciplinary forum to examine innovative and practical ideas to move more Americans out of poverty; third, to raise public awareness of issues related to work and poverty; and fourth to train a new generation to combat the causes and effects of poverty and to improve the circumstances of working people.

1. Address the needs of persons living at or below the poverty level.

Insufficient incomes to meet daily needs and lack of financial resources to achieve long-term goals have adverse consequences in every aspect of life.The Center will seek solutions to the problems plaguing the poor, as it strives to break the cycle of poverty.To accomplish this first goal, the Center will analyze and devise solutions for a wide range of issues affecting low-income Americans. These include:

(1) The lack of job opportunities for Americans living in poverty who seek to work their way out of the poverty cycle;

(2) The circumstances facing millions of Americans who work full time but have inadequate savings or insurance against misfortune;

(3) The persistent deficiencies in the delivery of high-quality education to students in low-income areas;

(4) The unavailability of affordable health care coverage and the disparities in access to and quality of medical services and health outcomes;

(5) The shortage of quality and affordable housing, particularly in areas close to job markets;

(6) The plight of low-income Americans forced to borrow and bank with abusive lenders due to lack of access to mainstream financial institutions; and

(7) The particular challenges facing low-income communities affected by high-levels of crime and drug use.

2. Provide an interdisciplinary forum for examining poverty, work and opportunity issues.

The cause of poverty is multi-faceted. Alleviating its effects will call for interdisciplinary solutions to create opportunities for work and to address problems in the workplace. To accomplish this second goal, the Center will establish an advisory committee of senior faculty representing the best thinkers across a wide range of academic fields. In addition, the Center will create opportunities for collaboration among experts in economics, public health, law, and governmental policy from around the country and the world to explore questions on poverty and work opportunity.

3. Raise awareness of work and poverty issues.

Inequities in labor markets and poverty in America are not attention-grabbing headlines.Yet, they sap the human capital of our communities and cause suffering among an alarmingly high number of individuals and families. We, as Americans, have a moral responsibility to address the structure of labor markets and the effects of poverty in our country and to explore the relationship among meaningful work, a living wage, and a vibrant participatory democracy. To accomplish this third goal, the Center will seek to bring attention to work and poverty issues in innovative ways. To sharpen the state and national focus on these issues, the Center will host conferences and lecture series to educate community and thought leaders on poverty, work and opportunity issues and to increase public awareness of the grave difficulties facing their neighbors.

4. Train the next generation of community leaders.

Fighting poverty and improving conditions of work in the United States are not the tasks of any single generation, however brilliant or inspired. To accomplish this fourth goal, the Center will be a central locus to prepare a new generation of leaders to take innovative approaches to disrupt the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of working people. For those called to devote their professional lives to these issues, it will facilitate a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary education. Talented students drawn to UNC-Chapel Hill by the work of the Center will receive here unparalleled legal and social science training. They will have opportunities to be directly involved in community development projects and the creation of state and federal policies, under the direction of experienced teachers, policymakers and lawyers dedicated to public service. The Center will work closely with the School of Law's civil clinic, Center for Civil Rights and Community Development Clinic, as well as with other disciplines across the campus - including the Schools of Education, Public Health, Social Work, Business and Journalism, and the graduate departments in city and regional planning, economics, geography, public policy, sociology and related disciplines - to ensure that the next generation has the knowledge and skills necessary to solve tomorrow's hard problems.==

http://www.law.unc.edu/centers/poverty/mission.aspx

The center's work led to the book Ending Poverty in America. http://www.amazon.com/Ending-Poverty-America-Restore-American/dp/1595581766 He could have written a self-promoting book that would have sold a ton more copies than a wonky book on an issue that was not on the political radar screen before Edwards. Such a book would have been a much better launching pad to a presidential victory. Instead his book offered solutions to the issue of poverty thanks the the work done by his center.

[dogman]

13. He's been running for President since 2003 at least.

As I wrote, it's a great subject to bring to the public attention. The poverty tour tracing the RFK route was recent however. That is what makes the comparison appear somewhat contrived. The OP was about the RFK comparison. RFK did not tout his credentials, he just did it. It just might have worked better if Edwards had been able to bring the poverty issue to the national attention before announcing his candidacy. Hopefully the issue will remain even after his candidacy is over, whether he wins or loses. It would be another blow to this issue if it is passed off as a political gimmick. The reason, I believe, most don't really address it in the same manner as Edwards is because we had a war on poverty that has been characterized as a failure and was likely one of the leading factors in the Reagan political success. The Clinton era was the surrender of the USA in the war on poverty.

[mahina]

6. I love John Edwards

and would work my butt off for his presidency. Or vice presidency.

[BigDDem]

8. John Edwards a modern day RFK?

No.

[saracat]

10. but apparently those who knew RFK best disagree!

[Cameron27]

14. I didn't see that comparison,

unless I missed it. RFK Jr. commended Edwards for highlighting poverty in his campaign, but there's nothing to suggest he thinks he's another RFK.

[madmunchie]

15. Laugh. laugh.......this is a joke, right????

RFK had tons of.....EXPERIENCE.....in politics (you know that dirty word that doesn't seem to count for JE supporters..(EXPERIENCE) RFK actually had a record of sorts to judge him by, unlike JE. JE was an ambulance chaser and made millions, RFK was in public service going after the mob.....totally different focus in their lifetimes. RFK was the real deal, JE is a salesman wannabe with nothing to really show that he is even qualified to be POTUS.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

17. When did Edwards chase ambulances?

==JE was an ambulance chaser==

That is illegal. In Edwards' case people came to him from around NC. Even jurors would ask him for his card. He did not need to seek clients.

==made millions, RFK was in public service going after the mob.....totally different focus in their lifetimes.==

Well, one was born with millions and to a politically-connected family so he could easily go straight into high-level public service. The other was born into a working family that did not even have the money to pay for the hospital bills caused by his birth.

[madmunchie]

18. When exactly did JE stop being poor???? AND how long did he spend

being rich and staying rich and accumulating more wealth?????? Then when he decided to be a public servant how long did it take for him to decide that he was deserving of the #1 job in U.S. Government???? Did he even bother to complete 1 term before taking the leap????? How did he vote on the IWR bill, who cosponsored the IWR bill, How did he vote on the Patriot Act? Bankruptcy Bill? He co-sponsored a massive increase in H-1b Visas.... Although Edwards has criticized the war in Iraq, and has urged bringing the troops home, the former senator firmly declared that "all options must remain on the table," in regards to dealing with Iran, whose nuclear ambition "threatens the security of Israel and the entire world."

"Let me be clear: Under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons," Edwards said. "For years, the US hasn't done enough to deal with what I have seen as a threat from Iran. As my country stayed on the sidelines, these problems got worse." Sounds to me like he didn't learn too much from his horrendous votes on Iraq. I judge him by what he has DONE....not what he SAYS in pretty speeches.

RFK was a hands on kind of a guy that was a serious idealist person in Government, RFK's shadow shouldn't be spoiled by anyone like JE. I mean how arrogant is it to want to be POTUS with no real experience and a horrendous voting record???? JE's voting record on life and death and freedom issues is HORRENDOUS!!!!It takes more ego than I can even fathom.


Ambulance Chaser" is a phrase for type of law that JE practiced.....like it or not that is the correct term since JE only practiced that type of law....

[draft_mario_cuomo]

19. Reply

Edwards' father was promoted to mill supervisor in his teens and he made solid money doing that. However, Edwards still had to work his way through college and law school.

==Then when he decided to be a public servant how long did it take for him to decide that he was deserving of the #1 job in U.S. Government???? Did he even bother to complete 1 term before taking the leap?????==

And? Look at Obama. He decided to run even quicker than Edwards. You know the quote, every senator looks in the mirror and sees a future president in it.

We know about all this bills. What does that have to do with RFK?

He has the same position on Iran as Clinton and is similar to Obama (as far as I know, Edwards has never said missile strikes against Iran should be "considered" like Obama did).

[DemBones DemBones]

24. What kind of work did Edwards do when he was in school?

I always like to know if candidates have any personal experience in working class jobs; it's one of the many things I like about Dennis Kucinich. I think it does everybody good to have to go through that sort of experience. It was quite an education for me.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

33. Edwards once worked in a mill, alongside his father

I am not sure what exactly he did while in college but I do know that Edwards did work in a mill.

I agree, that is just one reason I like Kucinich. He is a great candidate. It is a shame the corporate media shuts him out.

[DemBones DemBones]

35. I think I'd heard that before, now that you mention it. It's logical.

I wish the media would treat all the candidates equally. It's disrespectful to treat experienced Senators and Congressmen like nobodies.

[madmunchie]

27. If you must

"And? Look at Obama. He decided to run even quicker than Edwards. You know the quote, every senator looks in the mirror and sees a future president in it."

Ugh, Obama was in the state Senate for YEARS before he went to Washington, POLITICAL experience. Besides who said I was for Obama?????

"We know about all this bills." Yeah, and his record is something that JE supporters are great at ignoring and dismissing. All of this evidence of terrible judgement .... while actually in office..... "What does that have to do with RFK?" RFK doesn't have the same terrible record of judgements..... ANOTHER DIFFERENCE

"He has the same position on Iran as Clinton and is similar to Obama (as far as I know, Edwards has never said missile strikes against Iran should be "considered" like Obama did)."
Who said I agree with any of them....or support any of them, besides what does Obama and Clinton have to do with comparing RFK and JE???????

[draft_mario_cuomo]

34. Reply

I cited Obama as an example of someone who ran with even less experience. The vast majority of Americans do not think experience in the state senate qualifies you to be president. When people talk about his experience they look at his 2 1/2 years in the senate.

We can discuss Edwards' record, if you wish in a thread about his record. Clearly, his record was adequate enough to many voters in 2004 and again is this time.

I simply pointed out that everyone else has the same position he does on Iran, aside from possibly one candidate who may be a bit more hawkish.

What does Iran have to do with comparing RFK and JE? :)

[madmunchie]

39. AND

"I cited Obama as an example of someone who ran with even less experience. The vast majority of Americans do not think experience in the state senate qualifies you to be president. When people talk about his experience they look at his 2 1/2 years in the senate."

Obama has been in Government doing public service for years before Washington, Public Service ALL counts. Being in a political position is definetly more qualified experience than being a trial attorney.

"We can discuss Edwards' record, if you wish in a thread about his record. Clearly, his record was adequate enough to many voters in 2004 and again is this time."

A lot of people liked Bush's record to and voted for him in 04', 2 wrongs don't make a right.

"I simply pointed out that everyone else has the same position he does on Iran, aside from possibly one candidate who may be a bit more hawkish" . . . No everyone does NOT have the same position on Iran, and the Iran rhetoric sounds eerily like the Iraq rhetoric...didn't JE learn from his first disasterous mistake??? Yet????

"What does Iran have to do with comparing RFK and JE?" RFK didn't try to run for POTUS with no real experience, a bad...no disasterous voting record..and evidence that he didn't learn about the consequences about taking military action in the ME again! RFK never displayed that appalling lack of judgment in 7 short years of being a public figure....NO, only W and a few others have.

[AnotherGreenWorld]

22. As far as I'm concerned JE was doing a public service

when he was a lawyer. Doctors kill over 100,000 people each year, and they ruin countless other lives as well. There aren't too many malpractice suits. There is too much medical malpractice.

[DemBones DemBones]

25. I agree there is too much medical malpractice, don't think

the government has any business trying to limit the settlements.

[madmunchie]

28. Since when does Public Service = Accumulating Great Wealth????

Where do you think the award money came from that JE won?, at least in part from insurance companies which translates to US!!!! paying for insurance premiums.....

[NCarolinawoman]

16. Nowadays RFK would have been touted as a National Security Candidate.

His being a Vet was the least of it.

He was an Attorney General who went after the mob and had the reputation as being "ruthless".

He was his brother's chief counsel during The Cuban Missal Crises and there are poignant photos to prove it.

By the time he went on his tour to raise awareness of the poor, he had no worries about being talked of as inexperienced or weak on National Security.

[SoxFan]

20. A modern day Fred Harris

His presidential campaign will be about as successful as Fred's in 1976.

[DemBones DemBones]

26. One thing's for sure, Edwards's hair is as nice as RFK's, or JFK's.

I liked the "Hair" video he used in the debate, that was smart thinking on someone's part.

[Cameron27]

29. I remember Bobby's hair was forever tussled and

he was always pushing off his face lol, while Edwards' hairstyle seems to be the opposite, with never a single hair out of place.

[DemBones DemBones]

30. Yes, and Bobby's hair was also curlier than

his brother's or JE's. JFK also pushed his hair back a lot. I guess guys weren't using hairspray in those days.

Did you see Colbert the other night, about the Dem senator whose hair (and toupee) magically changed from silver to brown before he appeared on the show?

I can't remember who it was, but then they showed photos of how Fred Thompson would look with a brown toupee and how Rudy would look with "an improved comb-over." Thompson looked like he had an animal on his head but they only gave Rudy about three more hairs.

[Cameron27]

31. No I missed it,

I can't even think of who that Dem senator is? ROFL, Fred & Rudy improved comb-overs! That I can imagine.

[DemBones DemBones]

32. It was funny. The last one they

"did" was Romney and Stephen said since he already has so much hair, adding any would make him look like a wolfman, then they switched to a photo of Romney that looked like a kid had drawn a beard and mustache, hair coming out of his ears, etc. :rofl: Rudy was the funniest, though, because they barely changed his photo at all.

[AdHocSolver]

36. This is an irrelevant and misleading comparison.

There is an underlying assumption here that wealthy people can't speak on behalf of poor people, or support laws or programs that help poor people. If that were valid, then the programs that millionaire Franklin D. Roosevelt put in place to get the economy going during the depression of the 1930's would never have happened. It was millionaire Teddy Roosevelt who championed antitrust actions and promoted conservation programs. It was millionaire Lyndon Johnson who promoted programs for the poor, and Richard Nixon who signed the EPA into law.

John Edwards championed the "underdog" against the big corporations. That means to be successful with a case, he had to at least understand his client's position and even sympathize with his client's situation. He would also have to understand and deal with all the dirty tricks that corporations and their lawyers play on their opponents.

This tells me that Edwards would be a formidable opponent to any Republican candidate. Since the MOST important qualification for me for any Democratic candidate is to be able to WIN the election, my preferred candidate is John Edwards. Clinton is not viable because she will bring out every right-wing leaning voter in droves against her, not to mention every "conservative religious" person, every antifeminist, many southerners, and so on.

Obama is likeable, but I don't think he has the staying power to beat out a Republican. Don't forget that the media will be on "their" side, not ours.

In these times, a populist message can't hurt. A soaring federal debt, huge trade deficit, large numbers of unemployed and underemployed, a shaky housing market, a populous overextended on debt, exorbitant health care costs, and a stock market that has been artificially buoyed for the last several years all add up to what is euphemistically called a coming "correction". Edwards is the only realistic player in the game.

[GreenTea]

41. Excellent comparison!!