John Nichols: Edwards Primary: A Key Win For Obama

[marmar]

from The Nation:




BLOG | Posted 02/08/2008 @ 1:36pm
Edwards Primary: A Key Win For Obama



David Obey really did want to vote for John Edwards for president.

In fact, aside from the former candidate himself, there could be few better barometers than the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee for defining where "the Edwards vote" is headed now that his backers must choose between New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

And Obey has made that choice.

"For eight long years, in extreme partisanship, George W. Bush has governed this country by dividing it," the senior Democrat from Wisconsin explained in an email sent to this reporter after we spoke about the race Thursday. "(Bush) has pursued disastrous foreign and domestic policies and has stubbornly refused to listen to anyone's views except those who march in lockstep with him. America desperately needs a new president who can reach across old barriers to form new alliances that can produce a new era of optimism and a healthier respect for the needs of others. I had originally supported John Edwards for President, but with his withdrawal I am voting for Barack Obama."

Obey, who as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee is one of the most powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill, is an economic populist of the old school. No Democrat was angrier about the tax cuts for the rich and the free-trade deals that defined the economic policies of the Bush administration, and few were more frustrated with the compromises of the Clinton administration that came before it. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=282335

[thunder rising]

1. more frustrated with the compromises of the Clinton administration

just so that was seen :-)

[Cha]

2. Through this whole 8 years..

I've been on the same page as John Nicholsd(he was a Deanie, too) and like to read his analysis.

David Obey certainly stated this well...

"And Obey says, "People will, and should, make their own choices, but I believe that, while both remaining candidates would make outstanding presidents, Senator Obama has the best chance of giving this country the new beginning it so desperately needs."

[Kolesar]

4. Just a little more substance in his speeches would be nice

:)

[flyarm]

3. well the Obama people here have made me begin to look carefully at Hillary..and i thought that

was impossible..but you have done a great job pushing me away!! big time!!

fly

[NC_Nurse]

5. We're not all bad.

O8)

[waiting for hope]

7. Me too -

I thought the arrogance of the Clinton supporters here about six months ago was annoying, the arrogance of the Obama supporters now is just insufferable. I sure do miss Edwards, at least there was some quality of the posts, like issues and statements on current affairs and how he would deal with them. Now it poo flinging left and right, and it leaves me a bit cold.

[book_worm]

6. I'm from WI and Obey was big for Edwards, I'm glad to have him on board for Obama