Democratic Self-Appreciation Thread 2: What do you admire the most about John Edwards?

[Colobo]

Before leaving for Spain last month, I started a project in which a thread in support of each of our presidential candidates was going to be opened weekly, in order to bring some positive vibes back to the GDP forum, apart of showing love to ALL of our candidates- love they all deserve because they are the only hope America has at this time. The first one I did was about Hillary Clinton.

I came back and didn't follow up, but given the climate over here lately, I feel it's time to retake the project, and here is the second thread- Let's mention the things we admire the most about John Edwards. No flaming, no trash talking, no anything except for good things about our candidate. If you do not have anything positive to say about our candidates, please abstain from posting stuff over here, and if someone who just wants to talk trash posts something, I would ask the rest of the posters to simply ignore the attacks.

So, what do I admire the most about Edwards? His integrity and his passion. The man is truly a honest human being looking to make a difference in life- a man America and the World can and should trust. It's hard not to respect someone who could be doing something else with all the money he has but has decided to make social justice and public service his purpose in life. :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I think he really listens to people

and that he would be willing to change some of his plans if the people come up with new ideas that are better. But I also admire the fact that he has stood by his wife, Elizabeth Edwards-she is a big plus for him, I think.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. His hair.

The Devil made me do that.

Actually, I think he's a pretty good candidate. My choice among the top 3, for sure. I think I could suport him without too many misgivings. I don't see him as a DLC type.

[Name removed]

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[Spiffarino]

66. I like his shiny hair

Far less hagged out than Ann Coulter's, Karen Hanratty's or Bay Buchanan's. Also, he's positive, intelligent, articulate and attractive. Sorry girls.

[Lucinda]

3. Honestly?

Elizabeth.
And through Elizabeth, I've started LISTENING to John.

[Cameron27]

4. Ok, I'm probably one of his biggest critics here,

but I'll add something to your thread. I admire John and Elizabeth for rising above the very real tragedies in their lives and working for the things they believe in. I wish them both much happiness.

[jillan]

5. His passion. And his wife. n/t

[rodeodance]

6. That he sincerely cares about the common good.

[shireen]

7. he's made poverty a major issue in the '08 campaign

and i'll always be grateful to him for that.

[Colobo]

8. Good- keep participating and keeping a positive thread alive.

[alteredstate]

9. He's an honest and compassionate man

and a natural leader.

[spooky3]

10. He's provided lots of details about his plans

This makes it easier for critics, but it also more clearly spells out his thinking for potential voters.

He admits his mistakes and apologizes.

He chose and remains committed to an outstanding spouse.

He has been very successful in a very difficult business, in which having an Ivy League degree provides an pronounced advantage.

He is smart.

[bellasgrams]

11. His wife,n/t

[ChiciB1]

12. For Me, I Feel He Truly Truly DOES CARE & Has A Big Heart... AND

of course one of the very very best wives one could have! They have had to walk down some very painful paths in their lives and he still has no assurance that Elizabeth will be able to overcome her battle with cancer. I think when you've had to deal with these types of losses it forces you to understand what really matters.

He and Elizabeth simply show so much HEART and CARING each time I see them, and unlike what we are enduring now, I feel they understand true COMPASSION! I know Joe Biden has known the loss too, and should Edwards become our nominee, I think I would like Biden to be his running mate.

What many feel Edwards lacks in experience, Biden can more than make up for. I like Dodd too!

And it would be SO VERY NICE to see "little ones" in the WH AGAIN!!!!

[CTyankee]

70. The Edwardses press conference about Elizabeth's cancer returning

impressed me. The word I use is "graciousness," which is something you don't often see (never see with Repubs!). Elizabeth is a symbol of hope and fighting spirit to many, many women who are themselves cancer survivors. I think they will go in droves to the polls to get this remarkable couple in the White HOuse (after they clear out W's stash of whiskey bottles!).

[saltpoint]

13. I like most his instincts as a parent. When his late son Wade asked him to

go with him and Wade's friend up Mt. Kilimanjaro, Edwards agreed.

Most consider that the primary duty of a parent to a child is safety.

Adventure, too, is a primary duty, to instill a sense of wonder and awe in the aspects of the world that are far bigger and greater and more complex than our back yards alone.

Wade died a few years after that expedition up Kilimanjaro with his father and his friend.

My hunch is that John Edwards does not regret one step of that journey.

[flpoljunkie]

14. His stating that universal healthcare will not be cost free. Both he and Obama will raises taxes on

those making $200K and $250K, respectively, to help pay for their healthcare plans.

[Forkboy]

15. He's one of the only ones to actually give a damn about poverty.

He's the closest my own views will get to White House.

He has nice hair. ;)

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

20. Without the spectre of a food fight

Do you really think Dodd, Biden, Obama, and Hillary are kind of 'meh' on whether people go hungry?

[Forkboy]

23. Not really,but I don't think it's a driving motivation for them at all.

Obviously,any of them will be a step up.But being better than Bush is a damn low bar to set for ourselves.Poverty always gets put on the back burner,yet you can trace the origin of almost all the world's ills straight back to the crushing weight of it.

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

35. Sure

They'd all be better than Bush, but other than a rhetorical flourish now and then, I'm not getting where Edwards is taking it to the mat and everybody else is sipping tea. In fact, if Obama's work in poor, black neighborhoods, or Dodd's work in the Peace Corp (or insert warm and fuzzy example here) isn't some degree of indication of empathy and passion for fighting poverty, then I don't know what is.

I know I shouldn't ask others to do my homework, but can you point to some major, sweeping policy proposal that Edwards has set up that's going to be a complete game breaker? Like, not bombastic speeches, but words on a page, to be pushed through Congress, to make poor people not poor? Cuz I'm not getting it.

[Forkboy]

41. No.Honestly I can't. All speeches are bombastic to me.

I just think he means it more than the others,and it's my main issue.No one will ever make the poor not poor,but some are more willing to address it than others.

I don't want to give the impression that I think he's as pure as the driven snow.I don't feel that about anyone...even me,and I know me pretty well at this point. :) I do think it means more to him than any other candidate though.I've gone from not really liking him much to truly respecting his views on this.I can't point you to all things I've read and heard and seen.Even if I could it may not hit you like it hits me.And I'm the world's worst cheerleader.

I don't think Edwards is taking anyone to the mat on anything (Kooch is doing that ;) ),but I do think poverty is more on his mind than any of the others,Kucinich included,and that alone appeals to me in a huge way.Everyone talks about how great the Clinton years were,and I can understand that in a lot of ways.But while he was good to the middle class the poor just kept getting screwed.I think Edwards at least wants to do more than just pay lip service to the problem.I could be wrong and just be a sucker.

I think all around he offers more than Hillary or Obama.That's my own opinion,and yours may well differ,which is cool.But that's how I feel about it.No speeches,no rhetoric,just my honest take on things.

[AtomicKitten]

75. His proposals (health care, poverty issues) are quite good.

[bvar22]

50. Here is one:

Edwards will establish a NOT FOR PROFIT, government administered HealthCare program (like MediCare) that will be available to all Americans. Unlike the other top-tier candidates that are offering subsidies to the For Profit system, Edwards' program will actually reduce the cost of HealthCare, and that will be reflected in lower cost for everyone.

The For Profit systems will be free to compete.

Go Edwards. For Profit HealthCare is obscene!

[Qutzupalotl]

76. That IS a smart strategy.

It's making me warm up to him. He might have been listening to Kucinich :-) but he seems to be the only "top-tier" candidate who even allows for the possibility of not-for-profit healthcare. Unlike Kucinich's proposal, which (if I have this right) would amount to a government takeover of healthcare, putting tens of thousands of insurance workers out of a job--Edwards lets them compete. We all know that Kucinich is right to say that taking profits out of the equation will save a tremendous amount of money, so we know which program will eventually win. Rather than an abrupt layoff of those workers, they would get some time to migrate to other more necessary work, or even help with the national system.

[CTyankee]

16. He has a fighting spirit, and so does Elizabeth, and we need that going into yet another

election with despicable Republicans. I like his words on change, universal health care, reducing poverty.

I also feel he is electable. I am hoping he doesn't disappoint me over the next several months, but for now I am leaning towards supporting him in our primary.

[saltpoint]

17. I think this is a great idea, Katzankavalier. If you want to, maybe

include the links to the previous threads so that those who missed them the first time can read what others have had to say.

I think it would be a therapeutic lift and besides, one of these candidates is going to be the next leader of the free world.

[Meldread]

18. I believe that he puts his heart in the right place.

I like how he has committed himself to social justice, and I like how he shows compassion for others. He's a charismatic man and I believe, over all, a great and good man. He's made mistakes, but has risen above them, admitted that he was wrong, and asked forgiveness. That is more than many in his position have done, and therefore for that alone he deserves respect.

Many good things can be said about John Edwards but I will end it here.

[spooky3]

19. we need more K&R and more threads like this

[independentpiney]

21. k&r- great thread idea

For me it's the sincerity I see in his commitment to social and economic justice in this country. The man came from a middle class background and made his fortune fighting largely against the old boy network instead of based on making connections in it.

[dsc]

22. I like his commitment to anti poverty

I also like the fact he treats his wife so well. All politicians should be such great husbands. The contrast with Newt is very telling.

[Name removed]

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[Spiffarino]

28. Could you possibly be any more full of it?

I doubt it.

You think because he has money he can't speak for the poor and disenfranchised? You think because he's made himself wealthy he can't understand the plight of the middle class.

See Theodore Roosevelt. See FDR. Both were from an old, elite, wealthy family. They got it and they did something to fix it.


I smell something burning...pants maybe?

Edit: I've been to Dallas. It's not all that.

[Name removed]

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[Spiffarino]

38. So long

"Nice" knowing ya.


And yes, Dallas still sucks. Houston rocks.

[Progressivelynasty]

40. I like houston, but

Its Pothole City, the people have much better things to do than sit in traffic all day long, and Dallas is more of an inrternational sity than Houston ever thought of being. The drawback to Dallas is if you don't drive like Indianap-a-dallas, you don't survive the rush hours.

That and the airport sucks massively.

[Spiffarino]

49. Alright. You win on the airport. n/t

[CTyankee]

71. I don't think DFW is that bad. On my regular visits I could get out of Hertz car rental

and was on the LBJ Freeway in no time. A couple of right turns and I was in Farmers Branch. The drivers weren't that bad compared to some places in the NE, but I was fearful of people driving with guns, since they have that concealed weapon law there.

[independentpiney]

29. what an intelligent post!

wonder how long you're going to last?

[Spiffarino]

31. Doesn't pass the "hurrrrr" test

"ambulance chader cum polititian?"

:rofl:

[Progressivelynasty]

45. See the D next to the S?

How about you just look at your keyboard for a change and try and use that.. *cough* brain of yours to determine when a TYPO occurs than to just play spelling police. I just got a new keyboard (much tighter keyspacing than the last) and I'm still conditioning to it.

Are you just being a PITA or is this how all Noobs are treated here?

[Spiffarino]

64. Only noobs who call John Edwards an "ambulance chader" (sic)

I was the unlucky recipient of a botched surgery and didn't sue because I didn't like "ambulance chasers." The sonofabitch is still busy fucking up his patients and making money hand over fist. If I'd been a lot smarter at the time, he'd have had his license yanked and his ass run out of town.

So yeah, I'm being a pain in your ass. Get real, come clean, or get used to it.


Edit: Tombstoned? What a surprise.

[Name removed]

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[Laurab]

60. No gated club mentality that I've ever noticed

but, your nic fits you nicely, and most "noobs" don't come in arguing with everyone.

DU has a spellcheck unlike some other sites - you may want to check it out, new keyboard really sucks.

[independentpiney]

30. dupe n/t

[Inspired]

25. His loyalty to the working class. n/t

[Spiffarino]

27. He's a rich guy who gives a damn about working people

So was FDR. So was his cousin, Teddy. They lived inside of wealthy America and they understood the banality and greed that drives the most powerful moneyed elites. They held no awe or fear of them.

Edwards strikes me as that kind of leader and I'm leaning more and more in favor of him.

Edit: K&R

[Progressivelynasty]

42. You shoulsd be appreciative of

HRC instead of silky pony. Hillary's been trough the mill both personally and politicly, and she's born up quite well in my most humble of opinions. Edward is too inexperiencced in FP in my estimation. Granted, Hilly's not all THAT much more experienced, but on a level way about Edwards. I do like the guy as a person, but I also like Jimmy Carter as a a person and voted for him in my first Pres election. But Jimmy jjst didn't measure up (sad to say) and neither will Edwards. Also just my opinion.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

47. I look forward to your sober posts.

[The Backlash Cometh]

57. Hillary. You opened the door.

What has Hillary done lately to show that she even understands what people outside of New York City are going through, or that when there's a conflict between labor and corporations, she'll take labor's side?

Maybe you can PM me when the Hillary thread gets posted, because I'm willing to consider all the evidence.

[slick8790]

58. Ah, another HRC supporter.

How did i know? Take your shit to another thread if you wanna bash Edwards, did you even read the OP? If you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut.

Now, in response to your inane ramblings. I didn't realize someone had to be poor to work against poverty. Edwards was born in to a middle class family, and is as self made a man as you can be. As for him not "measuring up". He's doing better than hillary in many head to heads with repubs, handily beating all, while hillary usually squeaks out a win against Guiliani and does marginally better against others. Maybe before you start your next drunken screed you'll think and turn off the computer.


*edit* To HRC Supporters: I don't mean you're all halfwitted trolls like this guy. But it seems like a fair number of the halfwitted trolls around here are HRC supporters.

[JDPriestly]

32. He has spent his life fighting for what he believes in and winning.

He has shown throughout his career that he has the ability to prepare a plan to fight wrongs, to carry that plan through and to win.

He is an idealist, yet he speaks forcefully, with clarity and with passion to serve the people.

I like the other candidates too, but Edwards is my absolute favorite. I think he has the passion to win. He has been winning all his life -- and sometimes against great odds. We need someone like him. He probably has lots of experience brokering deals, but he is not one to compromise the important things.

[Spiffarino]

37. He has made a lot of money taking on bad doctors

The Reich loves to highlight his history of medical malpractice cases and deride him as an "ambulance chaser." The fact is, he's done much to get rid of shitty doctors that have no business practicing medicine.

I was the unlucky customer of a bad surgeon who has a long history of shoddy work. After a fairly routine operation, I lost 95% of the use of my left arm. Afterwards, I learned from other people that he had done the same to their friends and family members. Unfortunately, I had no way of knowing how bad he was because the laws have been written - with the help of the AMA - to protect bad doctors. Thankfully, I was able to regain most of the use of my arm by getting a prosthetic replacement from a great orthopedic surgeon.

I didn't sue the original doctor because, at that time, I didn't believe in suing. I now realize my mistake. This Doctor of Disaster...this Mutilating Medico still practices and regularly advertises on local radio. He is undoubtedly still ruining lives and I am powerless to stop him because I didn't find an "ambulance chaser" who would put him out of business.

To John Edwards and all you other honest malpractice attorneys out there...thanks for having our backs.

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. Let's see. I like the fact that he appears to have a solid foundation.

Meaning, that he's rich enough to be immune to all the networking crap that goes on in Washington and he and his wife are facing something that might keep them focused on using their time together to do important work.

He's also a trial lawyer who has experience battling the dark side of corporations and I think we need someone who will fight for us against these Goliaths.

[Name removed]

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[JANdad]

51. MY guess...

You'll be tombed in less than 24 hours...

Just go back to listening to Gregg Knapp and whacking off while doing so...

I mean you have three RW stations to choose from in the Metroplex...isn't it more fun for you to smear yourself with KY and listen to Rush podcasts all day...

What a monumental ass you are...

[The Backlash Cometh]

54. Oh! Thanks for reminding me.

And I like Edwards and his wife because they're both very gracious and genuine.

[Triana]

43. He says what needs to be said when it needs to be said and he does it brilliantly

....he says what I wish more of the other candidates would. He very much speaks for a government of, by and FOR the people and that is a message (and a President) we NEED right now - very badly.

Also, he has MADE his career fighting against big corprat interests and FOR the common citizen - and WINNING. He's GOOD at it. We need someone like that as President.

[juajen]

44. I love his smile, his voice, his family and his politics.

I love Hillary, but I could easily vote for Edwards if he becomes the nominee. He's a wonderful candidate!

[smoogatz]

46. He seems to be not altogether a complete idiot

unlike all of the Republican contenders. I guess we take what we can get.

[mopinko]

48. if he gets the nod, i wont have to hold my nose to work

for him. he is saying the right things, which is a start. i agree with others in this thread that the was the kind of lawyer we need more of. everyone likes to pick on lawyers, and they are easy targets. but more and more, our system needs them to keep things from completely tipping over.

[waiting for hope]

52. He speaks for me - every word.

So many times I have heard him either give a speech or talk with a group of people and his words resonant for me. I want a better future, and I'm not thinking of myself. I believe the plans and policies he will put into place and set in motion will benefit my children - I have a six year old and a two year old and their future is paramount to me. I want them to grow up in a place where they have access to health care, college, a cleaner environment, a country that's not so hated by others, a place where they can tap their potential and live their lives to the fullest. If we continue on this path we are on, with corporations and the media controlling everything, where the gap between the two Americas gets even bigger, we are screwed. All of us. I support Edwards because I believe that he does intend Big Change, and it is for the benefit of us all.

[ripple]

53. His policy initiatives are well-developed and specific

He definitely gets props from me for that! :)

[Liberty Belle]

55. He is anti-corporate and for the people. He listens and supports

what is best to help the poor, working families, and other underprivileged groups. As a lawyer, he sued corporations and insurance companies that caused harm to consumers. He's the candidate I'd most trust not to cave in to big-money interests if elected, and to do what is right, not what is politically expedient.

He has also shown willingness to change his opinion if enough facts are presented to persuade him.

He's also smart, personable, good-looking, has a nice family, has a good sense of humor and thinks fast on his feet (as I saw when I had the pleasure of attending one of his press conferences recently) -- all qualities that make him not only attractive as a candidate, but able to win over the hearts and minds of mainstream America if he could get equal air time to other candidates.

It's no accident that he won a straw poll of Yearly Kos attendees, won one of the MoveOn debates and took second in another, and has placed highly in other appearances where real people actually get to see and hear him in context (not just the dopey sound bites and silly haircut news that the mainstream media reports).

He has sincerity, passion, fire and commitment.

In short, if he wins the primary, he has all the right qualities needed to win in November -- and make the best, most progressive candidate we've had since JFK and maybe better!

[Diane R]

56. He's out in front on all the issues...unlike Hillary who checks the wind first.

[Like It Is]

59. It looks like you're set on Obama. So what's your point? n/t

[Colobo]

61. My point? To remind all of us that all of our candidates are good people

That they are part of OUR team, that whoever gets the nomination has the capacity and ability to make profound changes in DC and restore America's honor after 8 years of chaos...

That's my point- a point we can all share regardless of who we might be supporting in the primaries.

[Like It Is]

63. But some are better than others ! n/t

[Colobo]

65. And that is NOT the point of this thread.

[ngGale]

62. John Edwards IS...

the "American Dream." He worked his way up. It use to be that way, if you couldn't afford college...it was still possible to work your way up inside a company in NC. Make a better life for you and your family. John Edwards never forgot where he came from, or how he got there. I want my grandchildren to have a better life. For me, John and Elizabeth are an inspiration...both are passionate and determined about issues facing our country.
Above all...they give you HOPE!

[CTyankee]

73. Bill Clinton did the same thing. He certainly did not have a wealthy family so he

used his smarts and got a first class education at Georgetown and then Yale Law. Hillary's family was probably more middle to upper middle class, but she wasn't wealthy either and had to use her smarts to get into Wellesley and Yale Law.

Refreshing compared to what we have in the WH now...

[jsamuel]

67. he listens

[calteacherguy]

68. I admire him for overcoming personal tragedies. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

69. He's raising the issue of poverty and that does need to be raised

I have no doubt that the next Democratic President, no matter who he or she is, will address poverty because Edwards led the way.

[CTyankee]

72. The trick is to get people to vote on that issue and that can be difficult

I keep reading about how so many people who are actually poor think they are middle class, so they may not be particularly sympathetic to the guy talking about it in his campaign. I get so depressed hearing people trash the poor, when I know that you can be impoverished by one devastating disease in your family. Having said that, however, I'm sure his campaign would highlight his universal health care plans and of course getting out of Iraq.

[Maribelle]

74. John Edwards is truly a remarkable person.

I love his brain, his generous smile and compassionate nature. He is morally upright, and has an extremely high truth value. I love Elizabeth and his family.

If he wins the nomination he will make an historically fine president.

The best of his policies are, in my opinion:

Ending poverty within 30 years
Strengthening labor laws
Providing health care for all Americans, with migration to universal coverage
Repairing the Sacred Contract with Our Military and Veterans Community