Edwards Shows Deference To Kerry, But Doesn't Duck Obvious Question About Obama

[JABBS]

Click here for more.

This regards John Edwards' interview yesterday with MSNBC's Chris Matthews. The quick analysis: Edwards considers Obama -- and the hype surrounding his possible candidacy -- a greater threat than Kerry to grab the anti-Hillary Clinton vote in the 2008 primaries.

[Imagevision]

1. Obama is not hype, Edwards is not stupid.

[JABBS]

2. obama may not be all hype, but

he has been thrusted in the spotlight on a hype-wave, no? certainly, it's not because of his stance on any particular issue.

[Big Sky Boy]

5. Here Here

Can anyone tell me why this guy is a "Rock Star?"

Yes. he's handsome. Yes. He speaks with a little more enthusiasm than most. But really? He has not sponsored or co-sponsored a single piece of legislation, and when he speaks on the talk show circuit (off script), he's really not all that articulate.

On the issue of same-sex marriage, I read a snip that he said "he may be proven wrong, but..." basically he is strongly opposed to it because he cannot reconcile it with his Christian values.

I am not so concerned about his stance as I am by the statement. We don't need another conservative Christian in the White House -- unyielding in the decisions he makes based on Christian doctrine. We've had one of those for over five years now and look where it's gotten us.

[JABBS]

6. are you talking about obama or edwards?

[GreenArrow]

3. wasn't Bill Clinton the man from "Hope"?

The nerve of that Obama guy, talking about "hope" after Edwards had already brought it up.

[JABBS]

4. ah, sarcasm

yes. funny. good analysis. yes. hmm.

[GreenArrow]

7. well, there was an imbedded point within the sarcasm,

but to spell it out, I find it amusing that Edwards implied that Obama was stealing/co-opting his "hope" rhetoric, when Bill Clinton (and Reagan for that matter), mastered that game long ago. I also thought it was a bit disengenous for Edwards to make that implication in the face of his having said that the most important characteristic for a candidate was optimism, and then chiding Obama for speaking about "hope".

There is nothing that Edwards does well that Obama can't do as well or better, but Obama does have two distinct disadvantages: his race, and his name. Still, I'd say Edwards has to worry about Obama. If Obama runs, Edwards can forget the black vote. His aye vote on IWR is not likeley to help him either, if we're still in Iraq in '08. One of these guys is likely to be on the ticket in two years, so there's plenty of time for things to play out. I'm still hoping that some new names throw their hats into the ring.