Has Obama picked up the "Two Americas" thread from Edwards?

[question everything]

Apparently he has given a speech in Wisconsin along that theme (I do not have a link but, no doubt, others do).

While I supported Edwards unconditionally in 2004, I was having some doubts about his anger and what I saw as polarizing attitude in 2008, even though I did contribute to his campaign. And it was interesting that in his "suspending" speech he did talk about "One America" (my reaction was: what took you so long?)

If Obama is looking to the way Reagan won, he should look at the "Morning in America" 1984 campaign. And it is not as it the 80s were so great for average Americans. This was the decade of mergers and acquisitions accompanied by so many lost jobs while the investment bankers were getting their spoils - win or lose.

Certainly the Clinton 1996 campaign was positive, compared to the dower and sour Dole.

(Perhaps when one runs in a primary one has to mobilize the troops by pointing out the troubles, while when one runs for re-election the sunny, positive approach is better).

The reality is that most Americans - DU and other liberal blogs notwithstanding - do not hate the rich; they want to be rich. This is the "American Dream" that so many believe still exists.

And, apparently, this was the theme that Obama has been running, as a "uniter." But it appears that his recent speech is taking on an edge.

[islandmkl]

1. if the 'Two Americas' are not addressed...

how can one speak of 'Unity'? Obama knows he is on solid ground here. The only people who don't recognize two Americas are the power-structuralists who are fine with 'their America'.

[question everything]

9. It obviously did not work for Edwards, it just made him appear angry

and his "Two Americas" term was a contrast to Obama "one America, not a red one or a blue one..." (I don't have the exact quote.

I think that using the term Two Americas is divisive and in contrast with Obama's message of "hope and unity."

[machka]

12. But Edwards was focusing on One America as well.

Yes, his 2004 stump speech was about the "Two Americas" -- and how there should only be "one for all." And don't forget, his organization in 2005 and 2006 was called the "One America Committee." :shrug:

I don't think any one candidate has cornered the unity market, IOW. ;)

[Cleita]

2. Why not?

Edwards isn't running anymore and he did say he got the candidates to pick up where he left off in addressing poverty issues so it seems he gave them his blessing to use his campaign issues in their campaigns.

[jackson_dem]

5. Obama has been running for a year

Funny how he suddenly discovered trade and the like in the nick of time for working class states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and Texas...

[Cleita]

7. I'm glad he's on board with this even it it's late in the game.

It's better than not addressing it at all since there are no other candidates out there to do so.

[jackson_dem]

3. No. He is changing his rhetoric for Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsvylania, and Texas

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4585898

Obama's chief economic adviser (on CNBC) has admitted Obama is offering false hopes and "just campaigning". http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4597785&mesg_id=4597785

-snip-

Kudlow and Company as to why he was supporting Obama's liberal policies that would disrupt the free market.

he responded "obviously Obama wouldn't be able to deliver on most of his promises." He reassured the others "that nothing was set in stone and that Obama was just campaigning."

He seems not to believe half the stuff Obama says.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

8. That has already been debunked on the said thread(check post 17 there)

so you might want to change your "facts" on this post since its already been proven wrong

[demokatgurrl]

4. No but his wife has co-opted

some of Edwards' positions on working-class people and what the economy is doing to them. Not the candidate himself though, at least not as far as I've heard.

[progressoid]

6. I hope they BOTH pick up on it.

[Johnny__Motown]

10. No, he kinda backs into it, we are the United States Of America, not red and blue, or ,well you know

[K Gardner]

11. Ummm... Obama's WI speech was his same stump speech that he's been giving

for months now with a few improvisations. One of his most famous lines is the One America line, which everyone is familiar with. There was absolutely nothing in tonight's speech or any of his WI speeches that starts a new line of division. If you have a link, provide it. If you have a transcript, please post it so we can actually see what you're trying to get at.

Otherwise, you are posting nothing but heresay and speculation.. and I can most assuredly tell you, you are barking up the wrong tree.