Edwards calls tonight's debate "an important opportunity for both of us."

[Freddie Stubbs]

Both Edwards and Kerry hoping for strong debate performances


By TOM RAUM
The Associated Press
2/26/04 2:18 PM


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Democrat John Edwards, determined to cut into John Kerry's advantage, said he intends to use Thursday's televised debate to draw clear differences with the front-runner on trade and other issues.

Declaring that he was "very much in this for the long haul," Edwards told reporters that the debate -- the first since Howard Dean's withdrawal turned the battle into a two-way race among the major contenders -- was "an important opportunity for both of us."

Edwards hoped a strong debate performance might help fuel a late surge in support heading toward a 10-state Democratic presidential showdown, while Kerry was seeking to further solidify his dominance as front-runner.

But the North Carolina senator's advisers agreed that narrowing the gap with his Senate colleague from Massachusetts would be difficult, especially in California, where Kerry enjoys more than a 2-to-1 advantage in recent polls.

more: http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/newsflash/get_story.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?a0676_BC_Democrats&&news&election2004

[H2O Man]

1. It should be great!

I enjoy the debates. Both Kerry and Edwards are attractive candidates. It's good to be a democrat! What I think is most important at this point is unifying the party, and appealing to a broader base. My concern is that many of our friends who are more to the radical left, and especially the young Dean people who energized this party, and WOKE AMERICA UP TO THE POTENTIAL TO BEAT BUSH (!) will feel marginalized. Please remember that Bush attempted to appear as "moderate" in 2000, then went far to the extreme of the right-wing. I believe that Edwards has the potential to be the most extremely progressive president since JFK. Oh, I know, I know, many will say he wasn't actually a left-wing politician. But he actually was. He knew he had to play his cards right, in order to get things done. It is true that we were left with only a sense of that potential ..... but brothers and sisters, that potential is still there, waiting to be tapped. It is the power of ideas. Something that the republicans generally do not have, nor understand. Enjoy the debate, and I look forward to hearing your reactions!

[cherylmarie]

2. Can anyone tell me what channel it will be on???

Thanks!

[H2O Man]

4. CNN

at 9.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi cherylmarie!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[revcarol]

3. Way to piss off voters, Edwards!!

Someone really ought to clue him in: there are FOUR MEN still running, not just "both of us."

[H2O Man]

7. At risk of offending friends,

no, it is not a four-man race. People need to face reality. Rev. Sharpton and Dennis K. are wonderful men, doing something extremely valuable for our party, the country, and the world. But they can not be considered as possible nominees, if only because Bush would beat either one, hands down, come November. Dennis is a gentle soul, and if we lived in a country that, for example, would recognize Jesus were he alive, then DK would be the obvious choice. But we're not in that country -not yet- and Dennis would be crucified. Rev. Al is great in debates, but it is not possible for a man with his background to become president today. Sorry, the HBO film of him in his cowboy hat years ago, talking about a major drug deal, would not play well. These two have no more chance today than do Dean, Clark, or for that matter Hubert Humphrey does of winning in 2004.

[rucky]

9. How tough is it to acknowledge 2 people?

Southern courtesy, sir and ma'am, and all that shit.

Why go out of your way to explain why you're not mentioning someone's name, when it's 10 times easier & more productive just to mention their damn name?!

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. But when they are mentioned, their supporters whine

about the way they are covered, especially when thier lack of support is mentioned.

[dweller]

5. hope you and johnny

have a ripsnorter of a good time.


dp

[patricia92243]

6. I miss my guy!

[GreenArrow]

8. Not so fast, John Edwards!

There are two other candidates in the race, who just happen to be the only ones saying much of real substance. And after next Tuesday, the two of them will still be in the race and you won't.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. Being "in the race" is a subjective term

If you by being in the race, you mean campaigning and only picking up a handfull of delegates once in a while, then yes, they will still be in the race. But if you mean the pharse to mean having an even infinitesimal chance at winning the nomination, then Sharpton and Edwards have been out of this race for quite some time.