OpEdNews » Time to Unify Behind a John Edwards Candidacy

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Tag(s): 2008 Election Presidential; 2008 Elections; Democrats Progressive; Edwards John; Health Care Universal - Single Payer; Liberalism; Progressive Values - Issues; USA United States Of America
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March 22, 2007 at 14:47:03

Time to Unify Behind a John Edwards Candidacy

by Michael Martin Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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By this time next year, after the first Iowa caucus, New Hampshire primary and now delegate-rich Super Tuesday, the Democratic nominee for president will be apparent, and that nominee absolutely should be former Senator John Edwards. With all due respect to the other Democratic nominees, none of them have the comprehensive policy platforms and overall vision for the country that Edwards has demonstrated, and there is good reason that he is receiving incredibly favorable reviews for his forthrightness on the campaign trail, his inspirational speeches and policy statements, and his ability to catalyze national days of action amongst his supporters. Sen. Edwards is the candidate whom the Democrats need to restore dignified leadership to the White House and deserves to carry the mantle for the Democratic Party in the next presidential election.

On the policy issues that differentiate those candidates who emphasize rhetoric over substance, Edwards is making comprehensive domestic and foreign policy initiatives the benchmarks of his campaign. In particular, Edwards’ universal health care proposal, which would require employers to provide health care if employees were lacking and creates diversified, savings-rich health markets, is commonly-viewed as the best one offered by any Democratic candidate. On the issue of Gen. Pace’s recent unfortunate remarks on homosexuality, Edwards, unlike Obama and Clinton, directly answered that he thought that homosexuality wasn’t immoral when first asked, and this is a microcosm of his campaign thus far: He is not retreating behind a wall of advisors in order to formulate an opinion and instead is being as straightforward and honest as any politician in recent memory.

Regarding foreign policy, he’s made sharp policy speeches on Iran and calls for a regional dialogue with that country and Syria to encourage their participation in stabilizing Iraq, and he was one of the first Democratic candidates to call for an immediate withdrawal of thousands of troops from Iraq. In short, Edwards understands that a stabilized Iraq is dependent upon the U.S. withdrawing troops from that country and instead focusing on terrorist activity; his vision is long term and pays respect to the complexity of the ethnic and regional makeup in the Middle East.

Strategically speaking, without even mentioning Edwards superior oratorical skills, an Edwards candidacy would expand the electoral possibilities for Democrats in 2008, putting previously-Republican areas within play for the Democratic ticket, and this includes Florida (he’s Southern, after all, and viewed as authentic), Ohio (he has strong labor ties), North Carolina (his home state), and Arkansas (would return to B. Clinton allegiance with an Edwards candidacy). Edwards represents arguably the greatest chance for Democrats to retake the White House and consistently polls better against top Republicans – including a recent Rasmussen poll that had him +28 over Mitt Romney – than any other Democrat. His appeal is broad and far-reaching, and having Edwards serve as the nominee would give Democrats a very good chance of winning the White House.

http://otherspaces.blogspot.com

The author lives in Haddonfield, N.J., and is a graduate student in the English department at Temple University.

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6 comments

Tim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site.

Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.

Former Chairman of the Liberal ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Timothy V. GattoTim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site.

Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.

Former Chairman of the Liberal ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Isn't it a Little Early?

I refuse to "get behind" any candidate that takes the focus off of what should be done in the here and now...not tomorrow. I'm so tired of waiting for tomorrow. Wake up man and start working for today. Why don't you lobby your senators and congressman and try to get things right TODAY instead of waiting for a tomorrow that probably won't be any different.

by Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 6:43:26 PM

Graduate of MIT and Stevens; 50 years as systems engineer on cutting edge projects, civilian and military; Fifth Air Force, WWII; sworn defender of the Constitution
abacusGraduate of MIT and Stevens; 50 years as systems engineer on cutting edge projects, civilian and military; Fifth Air Force, WWII; sworn defender of the Constitution

Worry about Edwards

Edwards has often displayed a populist slant which I certainly think deserves encouragement.

[Btw, however, I incline more to Kuchinich.]

But just recently reports have appeared on a speech made by Edwards which have some truly worrisome points.

Edwards:

"...To ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons, we need to keep ALL options on the table, Let me reiterate - ALL options must remain on the table.

"...The vast majority of people are concerned about what is going on in Iraq. This will make the American people reticent toward going for Iran. But I think the American people are smart if they are told the truth, and if they trust their president. So Americans can be educated to come along with what needs to be done with Iran."

Source: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Edwards_Iran_must_know_world_wont_0123.html

=This speech was given at a meeting in Israel.

First: I will not support any candidate who seems to be willing to entertain ideas of a pre-emptive strike against Iran - or any other country.

Second: the speech and its setting suggests something like pandering for votes...

And, third, I don't care for the flavor of "...Americans can be educated to come along with what needs to be done with Iran."

I'm willing to listen and to be informed but no one is going to "educate" me about what needs to be done...nor am I ready to "trust" a president...

by abacus (2 articles, 2 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 58 comments) on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 1:01:01 AM

blue collar worker/activist
mike wygantblue collar worker/activist

EVER WONDER?

why the MSM is pushing clinton and obama out there, and making it appear as though it's between those two? the corp. bosses that own the media don't think they can win, that's why. you never see anything from edwards or kucinich, because they fear them. we are being munipulated once again! it really doesn't matter who's in the white house, they answer to the same corp. masters. until corp. influence is taken out of the political process, things won't change much.

by mike wygant (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 287 comments) on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 5:13:23 AM

Bob Trowbridge is a former Presbyterian minister with 40 years experience as a spiritual counselor. He has also been a counselor and assistant manager in residential facilities for mentally ill adults. Bob is a spiritual teacher with dozens of articles mostly on spiritual topics. His first book is "The Hidden Meaning of Illness" from the A.R.E. Press.
Bob TrowbridgeBob Trowbridge is a former Presbyterian minister with 40 years experience as a spiritual counselor. He has also been a counselor and assistant manager in residential facilities for mentally ill adults. Bob is a spiritual teacher with dozens of articles mostly on spiritual topics. His first book is "The Hidden Meaning of Illness" from the A.R.E. Press.

John Edwards

John Edwards voted to go to war with Iraq. I will not vote for anyone who voted to commit a war crime no matter what their current excuse may be. Those who voted for the war are either too dumb to be president because they couldn't see what was obvious to many or chose to do the expedient political thing.

John Edwards, along with Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi, also has his lips firmly planted on AIWAC's ass. I will not vote for any candidate who is pimping for Israel and even contemplating war with Iran.

by Bob Trowbridge (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 38 comments) on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 5:59:01 PM

Don'pigeon hole me or sterotype me
pratliff94Don'pigeon hole me or sterotype me

Blind Hate for Israel

It isn't amazing how those who hate Israel try to create hate for Israel even in articles which have nothing to do with Israel.

by pratliff94 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 962 comments) on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 10:34:41 PM

The author lives in Haddonfield, N.J., and is a graduate student in the English department at Temple University.
MartinThe author lives in Haddonfield, N.J., and is a graduate student in the English department at Temple University.

Edwards

When I wrote this article, Elizabeth Edwards had not been diagnosed with her returning cancer, and that moment of poise, determination and grace from the Edwards family makes me admire both of them even more.

Edwards is not hawkish on Iran in the least and in fact clarified those comments in later reports; he realizes Iraq is a disaster and favors no unilateral invasion of Iran. Regarding the Iraq War, he is arguably the most strident critic of that terrible decision; while he did vote for it, he has apologized for said vote and done more than enough to convince me he is firmly in the anti-war corner.

by Martin (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 2:01:26 PM