Is John Edwards Setting the Agenda for the Democratic Nomination?

[marmar]

from the NY Observer, via AlterNet:


Is John Edwards Setting the Agenda for the Democratic Nomination?

By Jason Horowitz, New York Observer. Posted August 3, 2007.



He isn't raising the cash that Obama and Hillary are, but Edwards has been out front on cutting funding for Iraq and ditching Fox News-sponsored presidential debates, while the other contenders have followed.

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- John Edwards may not be leading in the polls. But, he would like to stress, he is leading on the issues.

"I don't need to read a poll, I don't need to see a focus group and I don't need to see what the other candidates are saying," said Mr. Edwards, sitting next to his wife in a blue van pulling away from Kitty's Fine Foods in Charleston. "I know exactly what I would do as president and that's why I have been leading on these issues. And it is exactly the kind of leadership I will provide as president."

Mr. Edwards and his campaign are rallying around the idea that he has demonstrated leadership by getting out front early on major issues, advocating "big change" and then almost daring his rivals to follow his example.

He rejects the notion that there's anything political about it.

"You describe it as if it is some kind of strategic maneuver," said Mr. Edwards, turning around in his seat to face his questioner. "I'm not waiting for anybody else's position. I know what my own views are and I'm going to lead on it."

But he certainly wants to make sure everyone knows it. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/story/58414/

[Demeter]

1. Oh, I HOPE SO!

'cause I sure don't want Hillary's agenda to prevail...

[LaPera]

2. But it obvious the republicans do - why else would so many republicans be donating to her

campaign - new hard-core republicans donating every day it seems, and the right-wing corporate media (controlled by the republicans) are making obvious efforts every day to push Hillary as the only candidate to nominate. What do the republican have up their sleeves, what is the republican game plan?

But we do KNOW the republicans despise and do not want to face Democratic candidate John Edwards.

[supernova]

3. I've wondered the same... if that's his real purpose

to pull the Dem party to the *genuine* left, not he DLC left. To inject genuine progressive discourse into this campaign.

It makes his appearances and policy proposals make sense. And I believe it is why Elizabeth wanted to stay in the race, despite her illness. It wouldn't have been just the pospect of living the high life in the White House alone that would have made her stay in, IMO. But the prospect of changing the political landscape and the substance of what we debate about, well that's definitely a fight worth having til the end.

If that's so, then we all really owe them a huge debt of gratitude, whether or not they win.

[ChiciB1]

4. Thanks So Much For This Thread... He HAS Taken On Some Issues

before Clinton & Obama lately. I think in time it will begin to dawn on a lot of people. I've been with him and Elizabeth for a long time and think they really do have HEART!!!!

[Hawkowl]

5. He is the only one leading

He truly is the one leading on traditional, old school dem issues. When he starts to get a little more press coverage, he is going to take off.

[RufusTFirefly]

6. This is precisely why primaries are important!

I am indebted to candidates like John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich, who are tugging the Democratic Party back to the part of the political spectrum where it belongs.

From a strategic standpoint, I think Edwards' position is a powerful one. It's quite likely that the two front-runners will cancel each other out and that when the dust clears Edwards will be ahead.

[cui bono]

7. He is winning me over....

[Colobo]

8. Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama are both such great tickets... dream tickets!

[indypaul]

9. I certainly hope so. n/t