Elizabeth Edwards: Can’t make John ‘black’ or a ‘woman’

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: August 7, 2007
Elizabeth Edwards: Can’t make John ‘black’ or a ‘woman’

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, is gaining attention for recent comments on why her husband may receive less attention from the media – and campaign cash — than the two leading Democratic candidates.

“We can’t make John black, we can’t make him a woman,” said Edwards, referring to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton during an interview with Ziff Davis Media about the Internet’s role in the 2008 presidential election. “Those things get you a certain amount of fundraising dollars.”

The interview was published Monday.

Considered a top tier presidential candidate, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards lags significantly behind Clinton and Obama in fundraising and in national polls....

***

Eric Schultz, a spokesman for Edwards’ campaign, told CNN Tuesday that Elizabeth Edwards was “noting what countless reporters and pundits have said for months, that Senators Clinton and Obama get a lot of media attention, and deservedly so, because of the potential ‘firsts’ of their candidacies.”

“But the reality is, with so many candidates in this race, we just have to work a little harder to get our message out and inform the people about John Edwards’ bold vision for America,” he added.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/07/elizabeth-edwards-cant-make-john-black-or-a-woman/

[polichick]

1. She didn't!

Yikes ~ that's pretty silly stuff.

[venable]

64. It's not 'silly' at all

she said race and gender are part of the story.

That is true.


That is all she said and what she said is true.


what's silly? what's 'Yikes'?

[polichick]

65. imo it's silly to claim JE would be getting more attention...

...if he was a black guy or a white chick ~ just made her sound petty and desperate.

[venable]

70. yes, I know that's what you were referring to...but tell me what's not true about it.

this is not dissing either candidate, it is an observation on the state of political hopes and aspirations.

A white male, priviledged and secure in this American culture, does not SEEM to be the one to inspire change. A woman and/or a person of color SEEMS to be the proper agent for change.

But look who is actually proposing real changes.

It all has to do with 'story' and a hope that we will find something new.

Elizabeth Edwards is probably the least petty person walking the planet today, IMO.

[JDPriestly]

75. Great post, venable

[polichick]

77. It's not that he's a white male...

...it's because he wants change that he's not getting the msm attention he wants ~ they are invested in the status quo.

I think Eliz. is much more politically sly than people think ~ and isn't above games to get the coverage she wants.

[Cameron27]

67. This is what's silly:

"“We can’t make John black, we can’t make him a woman,” ... “Those things get you a certain amount of fundraising."

It's never advantageous to raise money in America when you're black, or a woman, so trying to be paint Edwards as a victim is ludicrous. It's the fact that Obama is who he is as a black man, and Hillary is who she is, as a woman, that brought in the money.

I contend that every dollar donated to Obama simply because he's black, or to Clinton only because she's a woman, has been offset by dollars donated to Edwards simply because he's a white man.

[venable]

69. we disagree then

It is an obvious, indisputable fact that it is more difficult in this country to be a woman or to be African-American/ that is not what EE is talking about... she is talking about the issue is press coverage, the APPEARANCE of trailblazing, the search for the new, all of which get bundled into people's dreams: a new face at the table. Especially the table that has been shattered by bush/cheney.

We want someone new, someone who has a shot at winning. We want the rules rewritten, back in favor of the people.

We assume that it is the face of the less enfranchised - women, people of color - that will bring us this new face. It makes sense. It also makes for good fundraising. People want to dream, and the more visionary (on the surface) the more the dream is embraced.

It makes for good politics and it makes for good press. Hence the fact that when Edwards challenges HRC on lobbyist money, the MSM reports that : Obama challenges HRC.

You can see how this would frustrate Edwards.

This is not to slight either candidate, HRC or BO - though I am not alone in contending that the person really, truly looking to rewrite the rules is a southen white lawyer, at least this time around.

[NYCGirl]

74. Then that should've been the case when Carol Moseley-Braun ran in 2004. NT

[venable]

78. Carol Mosely-Braun did not have the legit shot that BO and HRC have

any more than did Sharpton or Jesse.

Obama has a real shot, so it feels like there is a real chance for change.

My problem is that I think he is not that good a campaigner, so I worry about the general election, and I also think that he has not embraced the full voice of the New (whatever that means, sorry for the rhetorical abstraction).


HRC is, to me, everything old and worn about our political system.

[NYCGirl]

80. Well then, maybe it's about the political talent of Obama and Clinton and NOT

about their race and gender.

Edited for typo

[venable]

99. of course it is ALSO about their talent

and I think EE would be the first to say so.

plus they are playing to the mainstream. Moseley-Braun, Jackson, Sharpton...they did not play to the mainstream. The sought to speak from and for the disenfranchised, much like, IMO, Edwards is doing now. It may cost him the nom.

[Cameron27]

76. Yes, we disagree. I can read, and don't need you

to parse EE's statements for me.

[venable]

79. excuse me, I thought parsing her statement is exactly what a thread like this is. nt

[BootinUp]

112. I would take your bet and raise you

for every dollar donated to Obama because he is black and to Hillary because she is a woman, 2 dollars were donated to Johnny because he is a white male.

[LSK]

84. yes, lets play up more meanlessly bullshit

Because we sure as hell dont want to discuss healthcare plans in detail.

Cant have that now can we MSM??????

:grr:

[polichick]

88. Seems Eliz. is the one playing up meaningless bullshit...

...in order to get some press. I'm not saying the msm is fair about coverage, but there must be a better way to get attention than to make such a silly assertion ~ reminds me of the call Elizabeth made to Ann Coulter, which also seemed like a ploy to get some air time. J&E Edwards can do better than that!

[LSK]

90. how?

:shrug:

[polichick]

91. By doing something positively outrageous...

...with the emphasis on "positive." Say, invite ten displaced poor families to move into the Edwards' mega-home until they get back on their feet, or offer to pay a year's worth of health insurance for that man who spoke so eloquently at the debate.

Of course, those examples are REALLY outrageous ~ but surely they could come up with something positive to get the attention they deserve.

[LSK]

92. or announcing your candidacy from the 9th Ward of Nola???

:shrug:

[polichick]

94. That did work pretty well...

...until President Ford's death grabbed the spotlight ~ bummer!

(Loved how JE wore jeans and looked like a regular guy for that announcement.)

[Connie_Corleone]

2. Didn't she say something similar before?

Didn't like it then, don't like it now.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Not a good thing to say. nt

[journalist3072]

4. The more I hear from Elizabeth Edwards lately, the more she turns me off

What the hell kind of comment was that?

That comment boarders on sexist and racist, IMO. She's saying the only reason Clinton is getting as much attention as she is, is due to her being a woman, and Barack, because he's black.

To say the least, that is highly insulting, and it sounds to me that Elizabeh is just a little salty because her husband is a 3rd tier candidate.

She really needs to grow up.

[saracat]

13. She is 100% accurate. The truth hurts doesn't it?

[journalist3072]

17. No, she is not accurate. Not at all.

[LBJDemocrat]

26. Face it

The media loves the idea because it makes for entertaining reporting ("Will America finally have a black/female president?"), and businesses love the idea because a minority president won't have to use policy to prove his/her progressive credentials to the same extent that a non-minority would.

[JI7]

44. that is very offensive, Obama is the one who is most attacked for lack of experience

while white guys like Bush get away with not having any. not just that but it's considered a positive for a white guy like Bush.

[karynnj]

20. How do you know it is true?

Do you think that every other junior Senator would be where Obama is if they were black? He offered something different - peace and seeing how people are alike rather than divisions.

I suppose she thinks Kerry beat him in 2004 just because he was taller.

Seriously, if one of the Republican wives said this about the Democrats, I would be furious.

[monmouth]

46. Agree. She's another one who would do well to quiet down, her opinions

matter little to anyone else... He just plain annoys me....

[venable]

72. you, friend, are in a minority, if you think people don't care what elizabeth thinks

so Edwards annoys you - does that mean that the world doesn't care about him or his wife?

that's called megalomania. it can be cured by taking your personal view less seriously.

[monmouth]

93. Whoa pal, just stating my opinion here since, Edwards does annoy me

and my personal view is just that...

[venable]

100. that's fair, but why does that mean nobody cares what Elizabeth says?

your view is your view, and you say.

it just seemed to me that you presented the case that few care about Elizabeth because John annoys you.

My point is that the two aren't related. That's all.

[monmouth]

108. Whatever....Much ado about nothing...

[Apollo11]

48. Please, calm down

Elizabeth Edwards did not say that their gender or color is "the only reason" that Clinton and Obama are getting attention.

But it is obviously the case that - since the start of this year - the mainstream media has paid more attention to Clinton and Obama than to the other candidates on the Democratic side.

Hillary Clinton is the first woman to have a realistic chance of becoming President.

Barack Obama is only the second black person to have a realistic chance of becoming President (if you think that Jesse Jackson had a realistic chance back in 1988).

I agree with Elizabeth Edwards that part of it is lazy journalism, reporting the race for the Democratic nomination as Clinton -v- Obama.

She is correct to identify that being another white guy is a weakness for her husband, when it comes to getting attention from the media.

Therefore John Edwards has to work harder to get his message across.

I love Elizabeth's direct approach to answering questions.

If you can't handle it - maybe you need to grow up? :eyes:

[spooky3]

58. I agree with your assessment, much as I wish this weren't true.

[venable]

60. yes.

people seem to like EE's honesty until it runs against something they want to think, then she is 'losing it'.

She's honest and smart, and she says exactly what she thinks. We need more Elizabeths in public life.

[journalist3072]

102. Being a white man is a weakness? Oh what planet?

We've had nothing but white men as President, thus far.

White men have always run this country.

And now all of a sudden, because her husband's campaign isn't going the way she'd want, he's supposed to be at some disadvantage running for President, because he's a White man?

Give me a break. Elizabeth Edwards needs to go back to Logic 101.

[JI7]

106. ALL Presidents plus Nominees have been White Men

[ripple]

83. Not to mention, she broad-brushes the rationale of their supporters

I like Elizabeth, but this was a dumb and insulting comment.

[rodeodance]

5. ha ha--------that's a good one!

[Superman Returns]

6. disagree a bit with her

There have been women and black candidates before, the reason Clinton and Obama are being covered is because of their political talent and skill. That shouldn't be taken away from them.

[venable]

61. Did she take it away from them?

I don't think she did.

Is theire race or their gender a part of the story?

If the answer is yes, then Elizabeth is correct.

[Cameron27]

7. Wow, not good at all.

[SaveElmer]

8. Bad thing to say...cause you know...

Blacks and Women have historically always had an advantage....

[ecstatic]

9. I've yet to hear an appropriate comment from Mrs. Edwards

It seems when she opens her mouth, she is almost always OUT OF LINE and offensive.

[journalist3072]

18. Exactly!!! It's really sad. She seems to have changed, and not for the better

I don't remember these type of inappropriate comments from her during the '04 campaign. But during this campaign season, she is constantly opening mouth and inserting foot.

It's like she's got some chip on her shoulder and she's bitter at everyone.

First, she says that she doen't believe Hillary is a happy person. That she believes HER life choices have made her more happier, than Hillary's choices have made her.

And now, this.

What's up with her? She seems desparate.

[dionysus]

22. it's called dying from cancer, slappy.

ugh

[journalist3072]

53. And you think her cancer gives her a right

To say whatever the hell she feels? You are sadly mistaking if you do.

Even more scarier, your comment, sadly, just validated something Ann Coulter has said about the Dems and the "doctrine of infallibility." (Proping up tragic figures so they can't be criticized)

[karynnj]

56. It doesn't give her the right but he/she may be correct that cancer

is the reason that she seems different from the way she was in 2004. It has to be extremely hard to come to terms with the awful diagnosis she received in the midst of a grueling extended campaign.

In 2004, the Edwards were in the fortunate position of having time on their side. If he made a good run, he could try again. There was far less pressure on both of them. She, like every other candidate's spouse, sees her spouse as uniquely better for 2008. Their decision to continue on was likely the only one they could make - as there would always be the regret of not going for it if they didn't. But, the intensity of all that likely does make her more outspoken. Here, had see not mentioned race or sex, she would be saying what many of us agree with here - that the corporate media pushes who are candidates are and they are not fair. (that said, it could also be said that it was media support of a telegenic first term NC Senator that made Edwards a top tier candidate in 2004. On paper, Dodd, Richardson or Biden have more reason to claim their records and abilities are not given a fair amount of coverage.)

[FrenchieCat]

10. Now, that ain't cool.......

Cause Obama and Clinton can't help who they are either. In fact, guess that Edwards can't help that he's the son of a mill worker who's wife currently is suffering from cancer. I mean, when does it end? :shrug:

[journalist3072]

19. Exactly!!!! eom

[dogman]

11. If they could, I believe they would.

Desperation.

[Peregrine Took]

12. What she said makes perfect sense. The MSM wants a non white male

candidate. It makes their job easier, the lazy asses.

[polichick]

15. The msm wants a pro-status quo candidate...

No matter what color or sex.

[surfermaw]

14. CNN at fault with Edwards not getting the attention

it is a fact that Wolf, wouldn't give Edwards air in a jug,and neither would Jack Cafferty, The only time Wolf Blitzer, has covered Edwards is if he does something wrong, it for sure he isn't going to give him favorable time.. Charlottte Observer want give him air in a jug either, is it because Bill Clinton was on a Committee that help them buy the paper from knight Ridder.

[polichick]

16. Ohhh, the negative attention thing...

Works I guess, but makes them seem a little desperate.

[Clark2008]

51. No - I think it's because he was a lousy Senator.

Face it, many North Carolinians, including many Democrats, think he got the office and then immediately began running for president (which is nearly true) and paid little attention to them.

That might be the Charlotte Observer's beef.

[IndyOp]

21. I value the truth. She is speaking truth - and, still, Hillary is getting $$

from corporate lobbyists and PACS not because she is a woman, but because she is the most corporate ass-kissing candidate.

Obama is getting $$ from small donors - by one estimate, 1 out of every 20 registered Democrats has donated to Obama - some because they are thrilled to see a smart, courageous, decent, black man running. Rev. Lowery introduced Obama when he spoke in Alabama last January on MLK Day -- and he spoke about the fact that Obama represented breaking the ultimate glass ceiling. An Obama presidency would lift the spirits of billions of red, brown, and black people around the world - in part because he is black. He is getting donations from all kinds of people who never, never thought of participating in politics before and that is all to the good. I'd be happy to see him in the Vice Presidency for 8 years and then move him right on into the Oval Office for 8 years. I'll need him to adjust his views on the military before I can stand wholeheartedly with him - but I think he is more than capable of so doing if the opinion of the populace shifts and gives him room.

Yes, some of the attention and money Hillary and Obama are getting is because they are "female" and "black"...

[venable]

23. honestly, tell me what's wrong with what she said

Did she say that this is the only reason either candidate is getting anywhere?

Did she say that it matters in many ways, including fundraising, and is this not true?

To pretend one is not African-American (and that that doesn't matter) and the other a woman (and that that doesn't matter) is a little like Steve Colbert saying he doesn't know if he's black or white because he doesn't see color.

what she said is true, and is not baiting.

[ecstatic]

25. Edwards has the advantage of being an attractive white male

Which all the other previously elected (and selected) Presidents have been. To act as if Edwards is a victim of reverse discrimination is laughable and insulting. Edwards will most likely win the whole thing, if history is any indicator.

[beaconess]

27. Hear hear!

It's pretty silly for anyone to claim that a white male candidate is at a disadvantage in a presidential race!

The problem seems to be the same problem we often see when blacks and women start to make hard-earned, long withheld gains - it threatens some white men's sense of entitlement. We hardly heard a peep out of white folks when nothing but white men had a shot at getting a presidential nomination (as recently as just four years ago, this was the case), even though it was grossly unfair that blacks and women have so long been denied our proper seat at the table. But the minute a woman or African-American comes anywhere close to looking like they might catch up, suddenly people claim that their gender or race are an ADVANTAGE, as if white men have not had a built in advantage for centuries and the fact that people who don't look like them might have a shot at a piece of the pie only means that the playing field might be evening out a little!

Amazing.

[Colobo]

24. What is wrong with her?

That's not a cool statement. Being black or a woman in this country is not easy- it is usually an obstacle. Hillary and Obama should be commended for their success- they are examples for millions of black children and little girls in general, examples of what can be achieved regardless of racism or sexism.

[venable]

33. she is not saying it is easy to be black or a woman, she is saying that the STORY

favors them, in some ways, for this reason. And this is true. How could it not be?

[Connie_Corleone]

28. It's hard out here for a white, southern lawyer.

[Colobo]

29. The white man is the most oppressed individual today

[venable]

42. you know that's not what she meant

or you don't know who she is.

[frazzled]

30. Poor white males: they can't get any money or attention

And their kids don't get into the best schools because all those girls and negro students who aren't even as talented get pushed to the front of the line. It's just not fair, and that's why the Supreme Court recently ruled that even voluntary efforts at desegregation are unconstitutional.

If only everyone knew how hard it is to be a white multi-millionaire male in today's society.

Lordy.

[Colobo]

31. LOL! Good one!

[venable]

32. She is right, and this is not even provocative

there is an excellent piece in Atlantic OnLine discussing this...it argues that she is pointing out why they have to raise money on the internet, because they don't get the press behind them. The reasons they don't get the press must have has something to do with HRC and BO's lead, but, then again, how did the lead come about: because its a good story, the first of each race/gender to challenge seriously for the Oval Office.

She did NOT say that is WHY they are leading, but that is why they are getting attention, which might, just might, have something to do with the leads they enjoy.

The piece points out that it was Edwards that challenged HRC on the lobbyists, yet virtually ALL of the press coverage attributes it to BO. This is a disadvantage that all other candidates must overcome.

If JE were not southern, he would also be less attractive. Just like his modest upbringing and his looks - they are part of the story, just not quite as appealing as the race/gender breakthroughs.

If Elizabeth talks, I think smart, honest things come out.

[Cameron27]

37. This really isn't complimentary:

Parsing Elizabeth Edwards: Reductio Ad Absurdum

"Her complaint reminds me of something I hear a lot of Democrats say: to wealthy donors and to the metropolitan press corps, Obama represents the great fulfillment of liberalism. But I've never heard anyone suggest that he is somehow advantaged in this process and a rich white guy in the South is oppressed by his race or gender.

Although, re-rereading Edwards, it seems that she's making a less incendiary (still debatable) point: that Obama (and Clinton) get too much press (unearned media) only because of their race and gender.

Per an Edwards aide, here is what drives Elizabeth Edwards's frustration: last weekend, you might not know, if you weren't there, that John Edwards forced Hillary Clinton to defend lobbyists, and not Barack Obama. Not some nobody. John Edwards. But the press (in Elizabeth Edwards's view) has apparently decided that it's a two person race, and that if someone else drives a storyline, it's irrelevant to the story. Hence, the campaign has turned to less traditional outlets.

Still, it is hard to see what Obama's race or Clinton's gender have to do with the perception that either has a better shot to win the nomination than Edwards.

Also: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are two different creatures of history. Clinton's gender and Obama's race (actually, he has a black father and a white mother, and what is race, anyway) are not identical in terms of their relevance to their campaigns.

Using Edwards's logic, one could easily say (just as reductively), that without his Southern accent, John Edwards would be just another wealthy trial lawyer.

Clearly, folks aren't supporting Obama because he's black or Clinton because she's a woman."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/08/elizabeth_edwards_reductio_ad.php

[karynnj]

39. Elizabeth has said some very smart things,

this was not among them. Edwards himself in the past has been the recipient of more press than his resume would indicate.

[Apollo11]

50. Well put!

:applause:

Please also see my post #48 above.

[zulchzulu]

34. What a pathetic thing to say... n/t

[FrenchieCat]

36. Guess that since a woman or a Black man have never been President

of the United States ever, ever, ever......that must mean that they now have the singular "advantage" of being Black or a woman in the 2008....Boy are they Lucky....those Ingrates! :mad:

[zulchzulu]

40. Edwards at one point purt recently said dat bein's a watt dude wud bay bitter dan...

..bein's a nagger er a chick. Dats whys he done runnin' an' cuds git dem nagger and chick haters ta vote fer haim. Yessir...dats wut he done be thankin'...

:sarcasm:

EDITED for correct "dialect"...

[Mass]

55. Obviously, they both think it is easy to be a woman or a black man!

May be that qualifies Edwards to be president! He understand the South :sarcasm:

[AnotherGreenWorld]

103. Ha ha.

[Ethelk2044]

35. She has a mental affliction called "blonditis"

She may not be blond, but she is a client. :woohoo:

[BluegrassDem]

38. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have run for president before

I don't recall them breaking any fundraising records. Obama is an exceptional talent and a U.S. Senator. It really insults his abilities to say he's only getting attention cause he's black. It's really absurd.

[venable]

41. yeah right

roll eyes

[JI7]

43. i don't understand why she is saying these things

do they think it will actually help Edwards ?

Carol Mosely Braun ran in 2004 and she didn't get any attention. and Sharpton never got the support Obama is getting.

[GreenArrow]

57. here's my theory

She's saying them -- perhaps on an unconscious level -- to get John out of the race, (even though she may indeed believe he would make a wonderful President), because part of her really doesn't want to spend what may be her last months running around on the campaign trail in pursuit of his dreams, in the process wearing herself out and disrupting her children's routines.

And I believe there is a significant number of voters who will look askance at John's persistence in continuing to campaign after Elizabeth's cancer recurred, and this Presidential run on his part will be perceived as self-servingly callous. He'll be/he already is being perceived as putting career ahead of family.

She wants out, and doesn't feel like she can quite tell John that directly.

An alternate theory would be that she just doesn't know any better/ has diarrhea of the mouth.

Theory 3 suggests that she is John's "hatchet man" sent out to say or represent the things that John himself does not wish to say or directly represent himself.

[karynnj]

66. Interesting observations

THe frst one should sound familar to must of us how committ to somehing we believe in - then find the committment overwhelming - but having gone this far retreat is hard.

The second one seems unlikely as she did not have that reputation in any of the bio stuff for 2004.

The third theory is possible - her book which was before her cancer was used to attack many people including Teresa Kerry, who had been kind to her.

[smalll]

101. I really buy into your first theory there. This kind of stuff is coming from below the surface.

Did Elizabeth Edwards have a tendency to go off the rails verbally like this in the 2004 campaign? I certainly don't remember that she used to be like this. There's this whopper, there was the weird "want to snake him" over-explanation of John's issues with gay people, there was calling her neighbor's property "slummy" etc. etc.

I feel a little sorry for her.

[venable]

63. Carol Mosley Braun and Al Sharpton did not have the mainstream appeal

that HRC and BO have.

[Cameron27]

68. And that's what's being argued here.

Obama and Hillary have mainstream appeal because of who they are, not because of sex or skin color as EE contends.

[venable]

81. she did NOT say that, and you know it.

she did not say their mainstream appeal is due to their sex or skin color.

she said it is an advantage. and in this political climate she is right. these two are skilled, legit candidates, and they offer something new for the WH.

If a great tennis player gets a new racket that works better for him, he is still a great player without the racket, but there might be some extra zing on his shots with the new.

but, you'll excuse me making this comparison because I'm not supposed to 'parse' the statement for you.

[Cameron27]

82. You're the one who brought up mainstream appeal,

which is what I was responding to.

“We can’t make John black, we can’t make him a woman.” … “Those things get you a certain amount of fundraising dollars.”

Those things, and that extra zing do not equal the amount of dollars that Edwards gets just for being a white male.

[venable]

98. I wonder

I think there are many things available to a white male in this culture, things not available to woman and persons of color...
but I wonder if in 2004, in the democratic party primary, that this is much of an advantage.

maybe it is, maybe it isn't: I don't know.

[fujiyama]

45. Stupid thing to say

I think I know what she was trying to get at - that Hillary and Obama being the first two viable female and black candidates, respectively, in history to have a shot at the nomination, does create a certain excitement.

But the way it sounds was just wrong. It's crass and inaccurate, considering neither Obama or Hillary are the first black or female candidates to have run. Black and female candidates that ran before didn't attract much money or media attention either.

I really admire Elizabeth Edwards, but some of these statements are not helping her husband's presidential aspirations. I did not find her statement about Hillary and happiness appropriate either.

[avrdream]

47. That's a shame, really.

I admire Elizabeth Edwards and have always thought she, herself, would be a good candidate for President, but this bothers me a lot. If you look at American history, the "winner" of presidential elections was always a white boy. This should allow John a great advantage. I believe we should all be overwhelmingly proud that this election is different. Not because we don't like John Edwards (I do like him as a candidate) but because this country has come far enough to accept a female candidate and a black candidate. This is something that should be celebrated but Elizabeth comes across as a whiner because her husband isn't getting the same support. And THAT bothers me.

[Mass]

49. She lost me forever, with that!!

[Apollo11]

52. Unfair

Looking back over the past 7 months as a whole, one would have to conclude that the mainstream media gives much more attention to Clinton and Obama than to Edwards or any of the other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination.

Part of the explanation for this is that it has become a "story" where the narrative is all about whether the Democrats will choose the first woman or the first black person to be at the top of a national ticket.

Elizabeth Edwards is right to point out that, in the context described above, John has to work harder to get his message across.

The fact that she makes her point in a direct way - some people might say that makes her "bitter" or "salty". I don't have a problem with it.

Elizabeth is a great Democrat and a great partner to John.

If anyone of the candidates' spouses has done something to "lose" our support - I guess the first prize would have to go to Bill's "misadvantures" with a certain Whitehouse intern.

[Mass]

54. Not a fan of Hillary, but her husband's indicretions with Monica have little to do with anything.

This said, would he attack Edwards and Obama the way she does, I would be in arms as well. But, we have been seeing an aspect of Elizabeth Edwards that is fairly unpleasant and prompts questions on whether Edwards is able to do his bidding himself!!

Also, media attention is not necessarily a good thing, as everything you say is scrutinized and distorted (see Obama's remarks about Pakistan), or because things are trivialized (she should know that as the media have focused way too much time on Edwards's haircuts, but they also have spent too much time on Obama-Osama or Hillary's cleavage).

So, no, the comment is tacky. If she wants to say the media does not report well, she should say so, but I happen to think that a woman or a black person in a position to win the presidency is a major event, and, while it does not make them necessarily worthy to be a president, it is a definitive sign that the US are slowly evolving! If she cannot see that or if this bothers her, she is the one who has a problem!

[BootinUp]

113. People don't go out to see a politician in person

or donate money just because of the media buzz. The media buzz gets them a look on tv sure. But Johnny boy has had plenty of looks going back to '04. Quite simply this is the lamest excuse from a Democrat I have ever fucking heard.

[BootinUp]

115. and additionally

most of the media buzz came after they had gotten big money and signs of support.

[spooky3]

59. from your other posts, I'd say the Edwards' lost you a long time ago

[venable]

I wouldn't get too dramatic here...

Is race or gender even part of the story? I think you have to answer yes. And if you do, then Elizabeth is correct.

[JVS]

97. Her phrasing sucks and this is a textbook example of why politician's spouses should STFU

If they were great at dealing with the public and making statements, they'd be the one running for office. Even IF (a point which is highly contestable) Elizabeth has a point, it might be better for her husbands campaign to either not acknowledge it, or to try to express it in the most delicate way possible.

Bill Clinton can probably get a pass on the rule since he's proven his ability to win the office of president and knows that Hillary will kill him if he fucks up her chances ;-) .

[venable]

62. I wouldn't get too dramatic here...

Is race or gender even part of the story? I think you have to answer yes. And if you do, then Elizabeth is correct.

[LoZoccolo]

71. I think I remember Rush Limbaugh saying something similar about Donovan McNabb.

That was inappropriate, and so is this.

[rinsd]

73. Ouch! Not sure I would go that far.

[incapsulated]

85. It's reverse discrimination, I tells ya!

:rofl:

Yeah, those women and blacks get everything, people love them and give them ALL the power and attention. Life is tough for a white man.

[Adelante]

86. He yearns to be a black woman

Me, too :shrug:

[incapsulated]

87. It's not all it's cracked up to be...

Constantly refusing money and press interviews gets tiring after a while.

:D

[smalll]

105. Especially money -

people just LOVE to give money to women, and if they love anything more, it's to give money to black people. That's why their salaries are so much higher than those of white men! :rofl:

[jenmito]

89. So if he wins it will be DESPITE his "white maleness"?

Awww. the ol' reverse discrimination card...

[Buck Rabbit]

95. That poor poor white man ...couldn't he at least convert to Judaism?

I think I'll write a book to illustrate his plight. I'll call it "Uncle John's Mansion".

(Note: I don't think this is a big deal, just couldn't resist the gag setup. As Bill Maher would say "I kid the candidate".)

[JVS]

96. Ooohhh, this is bad news for his candidacy

[smalll]

104. lol - anyone remember THIS?

Carroll, Iowa, June 17th: after saying that there are "three of us who are most likely to be the Democratic nominee" Edwards said:

"It's not just a question of who you like," Edwards said. "It's not just a question of whose vision you are impressed with. It's also a question of who is most likely to win the general election. It's a pretty simple thing. Who will be a stronger candidate in the general election here in the State of Iowa? Who can go to other parts of the country when we have swing candidates running for the Congress and the Senate? Is the candidate going to have to say, 'Don't come here. Don't come here and campaign with me. I can't win if you campaign with me.'"

He added later, "I think it's just a reality that I can campaign anyplace in America."

http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=373

So John thinks that he's more electable because he's a white man, while Elizabeth thinks being a white man is holding him back. Those two really need to start co-ordinating their gaffes! :rofl:

[ecstatic]

107. WTF... I can't believe Edwards was bold enough to say that

loL

[tammywammy]

109. I never saw that quote before

Wow, that's quite a statement he made. :wow:


I'm constantly amazed by what they say...and not in a good way.

[BootinUp]

110. I'm sorry but its a ridiculous premise

that poor Johnny is at a disadvantage because he is a white male.

He has so far been judged to be an inferior candidate for a variety of reasons, there is no single bullet. Frankly I am disgusted at the suggestion. Disclosure: I am a white male 44 yrs old.

[Colobo]

111. Johnny and Liz want the vote of the Good Ole Boys...

[tammywammy]

114. Indeed

See post 104

[BeyondGeography]

116. She's taking this whole losing thing pretty hard, isn't she?

[BootinUp]

117. Where have all the Edwards fans gone? n/t