Wow. Biden and Edwards deliver some smackdown. This is what we need.

[Faygo Kid]

Honestly, I post this only because I like it. I don't support Biden, Edwards, or anyone else yet (if Al runs, look out). But I am Sick and Tired of prevarication and weakness. And I like these quotes. What do you think, fellow DUers?

Biden:

"Rudy Giuliani just doesn't get it. Tough talk and cheap shots won't make America any safer or get mine resistant vehicles to our troops any faster. It is absurd for Rudy Giuliani to call Democrats ‘losers' after five years of failed Republican policies in Iraq."

http://www.observer.com/2007/biden-responds-rudy

Edwards:

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards says negotiating with insurers and pharmaceutical companies is not the best way to overhaul the health care system.

Those groups will not give up their power voluntarily, the former North Carolina senator said Sunday.

"I've been fighting these people my whole life and have beaten them my whole life," said Edwards, a former trial lawyer. "I think the time to talk to them is after you've beaten them."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291321,00.html
(yes, Faux News. They think this will hurt him. Hah.)

[saltpoint]

1. I'm on board with both these guys and both these quotes.

Giuliani? He's no match for Biden and Biden's point is powerful partly because it's true and partly also because he actually knows one country from another and can locate them on a map. Giuliani likely had to be told which end of that bullhorn to shout his sloganeering into after 9/11. Biden's the foreign policy champ; Rudy's a comprehensive chump.

John Edwards really has been on the front line against the people he points out in his quotation there. It's not grandstanding, either. He worked that work and he won those cases on behalf of people who were absolutely voiceless otherwise.

I think I'd like a president with that attitude.

It sure would be a change of pace from the current model.

[madokie]

7. Yes it would

bushco kind of remind me of the ole boy you have to work with that spends his whole shift getting out of work, who actually works harder than he would if he would just do his part, always working against ya. Yep that bush* for sure.

[butterfly77]

35. I'd love to see Biden go against..

Ghouliani.

[Blackhatjack]

2. Edwards is 100% right ... you have to stand up to them and beat them ...

As long as they have an almost unlimited amount of money to push there interests, negotiation which would weaken their present position is no possible.

Edwards is our best hope to change their power and influence.

[Faygo Kid]

10. This was indeed powerful. Not to make them happy - beat them. Yes.

I think this is the most powerful quote of the presidential campaign to date.

[xchrom]

3. yes -- i've enjoyed both of those comments.

and it's what i want to see much much more of.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Deer Fok Snooze,

You probly no how much us Amerricans like our helth care it is the best helthcare in the world know mater what Mikkal More says. So anytime a Dummykrat sas something bad about helth care and docters I thin you shold play the hole qote over an over so pepel can see what an idit they are.

[Faygo Kid]

6. Er, thanks. Wisconsin, eh?

What about dem Packers, yah sure?

Besides, you're only a lake away from Michael Moore in Bellaire, Michigan. And I am envious of wherever you are in the two states. Sigh.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. Yu no what Lena sez

"I only play with Ole's packer."

[Faygo Kid]

20. Yah sure. My Yuletide gift to you, by yumpin' yiminy.

Py damn, I'm tired of dese here United States, I tink I go home to Minnesooota.

[Jackpine Radical]

32. Yeesus, I put summa dat stoff unner da porch wun year

ta shase da skonks out. Da skonks day all left but den a buncha Norveejuns mooft in unner dere. I aint figgerd how ta git da Norveejuns out.

[Faygo Kid]

36. As a Norveejun myself, I understand

Oldie but still a goodie.

Maternal grandparents emigrated from Sweden, paternal from Norway, so it's Norse around my house at Christmastime.

When I was a kid, Mom would soak the lutefisk in the bathtub at Christmas, and my two uncles would come over and just pile it on boiled potatoes with cream sauce. I stuck with just the potatoes and cream sauce. They're all gone now, but the memories remain.

I do enjoy pickled herring, though. Yum.

[Jackpine Radical]

37. Jeg er dansk.

[Faygo Kid]

38. Here's a site you might enjoy.

I spent all my summers growing up here (1950s and 60s) - it was founded by Swedish immigrants in Detroit in 1925 (including my grandparents). It's just outside Lapeer, about 60 miles north of Detroit. You used to have to be Swedish to buy property, but that was done away with some years ago, and in fact I sold my family cottage when I moved out of state to my very close friend Tony, who has added a much-needed dose of Sicilian attitude to the club (his wife is of Scotch-Irish descent - yes, it's volatile. Very volatile.) I look forward to visiting for four days in August. Anyway, Danes are welcomed, if they bring coffee and cookies. http://www.vasacountryclub.com/

[JNelson6563]

5. K&R!!

I like to see our candidates go after the enemy instead of each other.

Julie

[saltpoint]

8. Hear, hear.

Yur durn tootin'.

[Captain Hilts]

11. I'm no fan of Biden, but I'm liking a lot of what he says. nt

[mentalsolstice]

12. Biden tickles me!

I just have to admit that. I love his verbosity, because, while it's long-winded, it's broken down in a language most of us can understand.

My former boss met Biden in a very small, day-long audience on domestic violence issues, and she said he was nothing but GREAT! She said he was un-coached, unrehearsed, un-aided, and so genuine on the issues. They were there to discuss VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), and from what she told me, he was totally educated to hold a day-long forum on the issues...and was very personable to boot.

[saltpoint]

13. Some county-level Dems I know have had the same experience.

Biden's genuine. And I think his poll numbers are going to rise going into the fall.

Iraq ain't gettin' any better. A foreign policy expert is going to have a say in the outcome of this next election cycle.

[mentalsolstice]

21. He may not get the nom

However, if a Dem gets elected in the general, he'll be a BIG staff member or cabinet member...he's multi-talented, and a multi-tasker. He's probably the most qualified on paper for the presidency...but for his personality (which I happen to love).

On edit: I'm holding out a faint chance for Gore...Biden would be my next choice, and the all the anti-Hillary rhetoric here is driving me towards her (I love an underdog, particularly if it's a mastiff (or a pug) . I need to also preface this edit with the fact I'm ultra-liberal on social issues such as health care and GLBT issues...

[saltpoint]

22. I don't blame you one bit.

Biden's wildly qualified for the executive office and could surge in autumn and early winter, just as the demands for withdrawal of U.S. troops grow even louder than they are now.

He's a good man who's been in public service a hell of a long time, and we would be foolish not to ask him to serve in one or another role in the next administratin.

[mentalsolstice]

24. I think he has a loud enough voice

...He may not be the Dem. nominee, yet he'll really have influence in the general election. I'm not sold on any one candidate, yet...but if he was on team with a candidacy, it would be more than my look...as well as many of my friends.

[saltpoint]

28. Good point on the influence. Bush and his cronies have shredded our

reputation worldwide and political influence, made up of respectful diplomacy, would be a huge help.

I think 08 is a Democratic year and I hope Joe Biden's intelligence in international affairs is called for. I am not ruling him out as the party's nominee at all. Or Secretary of State. But we need him on the team and the nation needs him as part of our recovery from the damage Bush et al have done.

[NCarolinawoman]

30. Biden has a very good and consistent environmental record.

One of the best of anybody out there.

Right now, I see him as having the best chance of carrying my own state.

We need some coat-tails!

[jillan]

34. I have heard that from several people, yet Biden's #s

seem to be going nowhere in SC.

I really want this to be true.

Please enlighten me on why you say that he has the best chance of
carrying your state, while there are no signs that he is going to do it.

[williesgirl]

14. I agree and off to the greatest page with this.

[Faygo Kid]

16. Thank you. Willie is a fortunate man.

As CCR said, maybe not a fortunate son - but a fortunate guy.

[yurbud]

15. Mine resistant vehicles would be great, but corporate suck ups like Biden need to

end the war not talk about how to do it better.

[ms liberty]

17. I'm re-watching the YouTube debate right now...

I think Biden and Edwards came out of that debate the winners. IMO, everyone did okay, but Biden and Edwards were really the only ones who met or exceeded my expectations.

I'm totally unaffiliated right now (I'm waiting on Al Gore...I could get stood up, I know!) and I'll vote for the nominee in the end anyway.

[Jillian]

26. I agree. They were the only 2 talking about the future and talking

with passion.

[Robbien]

18. YES! Reading the article earlier today made me smile

This is the discussion we should be having during elections. The only reason MSM is even printing an article about real healthcare issues is because two of the candidates are having a public argument about it.

Hope the argument between the two get louder and MSM keeps paying attention.

[OHdem10]

19. Biden is the only Candidate who shows passion

in this campaign. Edwards is starting to show passion.

Passion is required to convince American People you seriously
believe in what you are saying.

A Candidate with passion creates excitement.

I do not agree with Guilliani on anything, but his passion
for his position has kept him ahead in the polls.

I am going to use an example here. I liked Dukakis back
when he ran. His image was that of a technocrat. No passion.
Had he had been a more passionate personality, the people
would have been with him--the ride in the tank would have
been laughed off.

Passion is shown in different people in different ways.
Biden passion for the issues he cares about is expressed
differently than Guilianni and his issues. They both
convey they are real men who believe in real things.

Biden is showing the Democrats what to do. Show passion
and go after the Republicans. George Bush ain't running
and the people essentially consider him irrelavent.

Guilliani and Romney beat up on Democrats continuously.
They probably have the American People convinced we
do not give a darn about Terrorism .

Since Edwards has begun to show more passion, it will not
surprise me to see him move up a little. Edwards believes
in what he is doing .

Trying to look totally calm and cool and in control can come off as studied indifference.

Real people have real feelings.

[saltpoint]

40. Quite a hell of a good post. I admired Michael Dukakis also and

just couldn't understand why his voice wasn't connecting, but you've put your finger on it -- there was no passion.

Biden has passion and always has.

It's in his voice when he speaks, no matter the topic.

I'm now calling for Joe Biden to be a very strong contender for one of the top 3 spots in the Iowa caucus.

As the news from Iraq this fall grows increasingly miserable, foreign policy as an issue will become undeniably loud. And foreign policy is Biden's long suit.

[pacalo]

23. I always knew Biden had the gumption to put idiocy in its place,

but I have to say that Edwards is stepping up to the plate, too.

I just finished watching the CNN YouTube debate, btw, & I'm hopeful about all of the candidates after watching it. There wasn't one candidate with whom I wasn't impressed, but I've noticed that Edwards is getting quite good at speaking off the cuff & being "real". His remark about Hillary's jacket made me chuckle.

[Jillian]

25. This just confirms why I support these two.....

Biden is going after the Repub lies.

Edwards is going against the corporations.

All while Hil-bama are going after . . . EACH OTHER!

I support Biden, but I have to admit, Edwards is really growing on me.

[jillan]

27. I'm beginning to like the idea of a Biden/Edwards ticket.....

or vice versa.

They would be a great team.

Biden more conservative, excellent on foreign relations, Northerner (is that a word?) Would do great in the General Election.
Edwards more liberal, excellent on middle class issues. Southerner (now I know that is a word!) Would do great in the Primaries.

Both are passionate in their work. Both have proven they will go the extra mile to get things done.
Both are willing to stand up for their beliefs.

They would compliment each other well.... and the RW attack machine would not be able to get a word in edgewise:)

[murbley40]

31. NOT

Neither would accept the VP.

[saltpoint]

39. Right now I'm sure that's true but LBJ was by no means on John Kennedy's

short list for veep in 1960.

But it was a political strategy that likely saved Kennedy's chances, and LBJ knew that he could hold out for 8 years if need be.

Sadly for everyone he didn't have to wait but 3.

[cbear70]

29. I am on board with both as well

Saw Biden in person, he is the most genuine I have seen and living in Iowa I get to see all of them. I would love the idea of a joint ticket between the two. A member from Obama's team called me and said Biden doesn't have a chance, made me mad. I would love to see his numbers rise into the fall.

[Laurab]

33. My favorites are Obama and Biden

I doubt very much that Obama would appreciate what that member of his team said.

Biden isn't very well-liked here on DU, but he knows his stuff, and he's tough. I would love to see his numbers rise, too. He's got a lot of experience, and possibly the most sensible plan to get us out of Iraq.

I understand why people don't care for Biden - I've seen him far too many times speak eloquently and passionately about an issue, and then vote the opposite way, but I really do think he is probably the best choice experience-wise, and he seems very genuine and very likeable.

I'm not so sure he wouldn't accept a VP slot - I wouldn't mind an Obama/Biden ticket, if his numbers never go up, just for the foreign policy experience.