"When pitted against Republican candidates in polls, he scores better than the other Democratic...

[Sapphire Blue]

... front-runners."

Man of the left
Jul 19th 2007 | TAMA AND MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA
From The Economist print edition



John Edwards trails in third place. But his policy ideas are shaping the Democratic presidential race

HE STRIDES into an Iowa primary school where more than a hundred people have skipped their lunch to hear him, wearing jeans and flashing a smile that could sell toothpaste. He begins, as always, by mentioning his wife, who was diagnosed with incurable cancer in March. “She's doing great.” But within seconds, John Edwards dives into the details of his health-care scheme. Then on to questions. The subjects range from high medical costs to the influence of Iran. “Here's what I think,” he answers, before launching into a detailed plan to fix the problem.

Mr Edwards is a man of big plans. No other presidential candidate, of either party, can match the sheer quantity, let alone the ambition, of his policy ideas. He has grand, progressive, goals—to end the war in Iraq (obviously), provide universal health care, address global warming, eliminate poverty in America within 30 years—and detailed blueprints of how to do it all.

(snip)

The transformation on Iraq is the most dramatic. Mr Edwards wants American soldiers out fast (an immediate reduction of 40,000-50,000, followed by an “orderly and complete” withdrawal of combat forces within a year). He excoriates Congress and his Democratic rivals for failing to force the president's hand by denying funding for the war. “Congress has a responsibility to force George Bush to end this war,” he intones in every speech. No serious Democratic candidate is more searing in his condemnation of America's present course. (The war on terror is a “bumper-sticker, not a plan”, he mocks.)

But far from turning inward to concentrate on domestic problems, he wants to “re-engage the world with the full weight of moral leadership”. That demands change at home, notably on global warming, but also commitments abroad. Enough troops should stay near Iraq to “prevent a genocide, deter a regional spillover of the civil war, and prevent an al-Qaeda safe haven”. He wants a big increase in foreign aid and a “Marshall Corps” of 10,000 bankers, political scientists and other experts to help failing states. There is a dissonance here. How can Mr Edwards pull out of Iraq while also forestalling the re-emergence of al-Qaeda? But for all his efforts to woo the anti-war wing, he is free of the isolationist flavour of most populist politicians.

Champion of the poor

(snip)

The Edwards campaign openly evokes RFK's 1968 presidential bid, which combined vocal opposition to an unpopular war with a telegenic focus on alleviating poverty. Mr Edwards launched his candidacy outside a wrecked house in New Orleans's ninth ward. This week he spent three days on an anti-poverty tour, one that finished, not uncoincidentally, in Prestonburg, Kentucky, where Kennedy ended his own poverty tour 40 years ago.

(snip)

Surprisingly, perhaps, Mr Edwards's brand of populism seems to appeal to Republicans. When pitted against Republican candidates in polls, he scores better than the other Democratic front-runners. But it is the primaries that matter, and there Mr Edwards must hope for one of the others to stumble. If Obamamania fades, or the Clinton machine stalls, an Edwards nomination is just possible. But even if the man himself does not make it, the Democrats' presidential platform will be shaped by Mr Edwards's plans.


http://www.economist.com/world/na/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=9514336

Transformational Change For America And The World - JOHN EDWARDS for PRESIDENT 2008

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
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A true revolution of values

"I'm proposing we set a national goal of eliminating poverty in the next 30 years." - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Building One America Starts in New Orleans - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Silence is Betrayal - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Moral Leadership - JOHN EDWARDS 08

Ending Poverty in America - edited by Senator John Edwards

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. You know I'm starting to warm up to JE....

I still haven't settled on a primary candidate yet, but if he does best in head-to-head matchups with the Repukes, and he's our best chance for an '08 victory, I'm behind him all the way.

I haven't said this before, but I do think there's some disparity between the media coverage of the two front-runners and John Edwards, and having a suspicious nature, I'm beginning to wonder if the M$M has decided that Edwards could really win this thing and if that scares the crap out of 'em? I will state here & now, that whomever wins the nomination, I'll do everything I can to get them elected. We've got a huge field of talented individuals in the running, but the more I see & hear of Edwards, the more I'm liking him.

After having read another JE thread, the possibility of an Edwards/Obama ticket would generate the kind of excitement we saw with JFK & Bill Clinton. JMHO.

[rodeodance]

3. I would like to see some passion/excitement--There is something

'there' now, but for some reason it is not excitement.

[Gregorian]

4. John Edwards is someone Republicans can get behind.

I have to say this because there is something about him I am not attracted to. He doesn't seem to share my rage about things.

BUT, I suddenly am realizing that it might be our best move to have someone in the White House who doesn't rile the opponents. You know? So he isn't a Kucinich. I actually think Gravel isn't as nuts as people claim. But this light is going off, and it's flashing like a neon sign saying "Don't piss off the repubs!".

It may just be the most important facet of our new president. Maybe we'd get more done that way. Maybe we'd mend the split in the country. It's easy as hell for me to detest most republicans, but think of how it would be if we had a candidate who brought us together.

Just off the top of my head on this half awake morning.

[FogerRox]

5. I'm still Hoping/wishing for Gore, but Edwards is best of the current pack. KnR

[Beaverhausen]

6. K&R - thanks for posting this article