HuffPost: In Defense of John Edwards

[waiting for hope]

Wendy Button
Posted June 18, 2007 | 03:42 PM (EST)

For three decades, Bob Shrum put words together for some of our greatest leaders. He understands the power behind a word, a phrase, and a story. That is what makes his statements about former Senator John Edwards in his new tell-all book, No Excuses: Confessions of a Serial Campaigner so upsetting. And in Washington D.C., if you don't say that a story is false right away, then the fiction becomes fact in an instant.

For three years I helped write speeches for Senator Edwards. The criticism about his haircut, his house, and his work at a hedge fund is all fair. The press and the chattering class want to paint him as a hypocrite, claiming that a rich man -- a man who earned every penny -- can't be a champion for the poor. It's politics. It's fair. But, it's nonsense.

Thousands of wealthy men and women give back and have worked to end poverty in America and around the world. Let's name drop for a bit: Bill Gates, Warren Buffett Bono, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, President Franklin Roosevelt, The Rockefellers, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Their work and their commitment aren't diminished because of their bank accounts, estates, or where they might go to get a haircut.

Senator Edwards has always talked about his rise from nothing into the land of blessings. That history is with him always and his effort to end poverty in 30 years isn't a political issue for him; it's part of his soul. He's not perfect. He's made some mistakes. He's human and that's why people like him. Politics is a blood sport. It can get nasty and I have done some bad things myself and most of those stories will go with me to my grave. But at some point, the criticism stops being fair, stops being politics, and crosses the line.

~Snip~

What makes this so difficult is that Shrum is a good writer. He cares deeply about his country. He hired me to be apart of Senator John Kerry's speechwriting team after Senator Edwards withdrew from the race in 2004. We worked well together, especially that long week when he trusted me to put together the possible vice presidential announcement speeches. We worked over the phone on many drafts, for different people, but we both shared our hope that Senator Kerry would choose Senator Edwards.

To Shrum's credit, he certainly says some nice things about Senator Edwards in the book, but these two stories have over-powered that kindness.

But, Senator Edwards is an optimist. He's probably thinking, "If that crowd in DC doesn't like me, then that's a good thing because most of America doesn't like that crowd in DC." And unlike other leaders who might crawl into a corner from these incorrect stories, he'll keep working. He'll keep talking about tomorrow because he did say goodbye to his son. He'll keep working for equality because he did watch young African American children get sent upstairs at the movie theater. And he'll keep fighting poverty and fighting for economic justice with his great haircut because until everyone has the same chances that he's had, "the dream shall never die."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-button/in-defense-of-john-edward_b_52662.html

This is the candidate I want as my President, he's genuine, can unite this country and stands on principled issues...This country needs this kind of leadership.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :patriot:

[dk2]

1. Good article

Thanks for sharing the link.

[seashorelady]

2. I agree, Edwards is the candidate I want for my president

too. Go John Go.

[Dhalgren]

3. Good article. It goes right to the point of not necessarily believing

what is passed off as gospel - especially coming from someone like Shrum...

[waiting for hope]

6. Agreed - I loved Elizabeth's comeback to

the book - she was dignified and poised.

Here's the link to the youtube of the interview:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x32933

[Seedersandleechers]

4. Edwards is my choice for the nomination

That is if Gore doesn't run. My dream ticket Gore/Edwards

[nan]

5. Wendy did good!

I'm glad someone did!

[ultraist]

7. K&R

:kick:

[Carolina Voice]

8. Mainstream America

I am not sure that mainstream America ever stops to weigh what they want in a President. In fact, until the 'rein' of Bush, I'm not sure that most Americans really believed that who is president 'really' matters. If they aren't convinced now, they never will be convinced. Giving the devil his dues, George Bush showed Americans that who is president really matters. The way he showed us is something we could have lived without, but he did in fact show us.

Now, I am wondering if Americans have every stopped to ask what traits they want. This is the man or woman who will lead us back to greatness or down the path of doom and gloom. I for one have had my fill of doom and gloom in the last 7 years and I am read for greatness. America is better than this! America IS better than this. Where is the greatness of the America we grew up knowing? Where is the America that would have stood up if a neighbor had been ill and the insurance company ran a fast one on them or they even couldn't have afforded insurance? Where is the America where people had jobs and if someone was out of work due to illness or whatever they had enough extra to 'pound them' (give them groceries or grocery money). Where is the America that said no one should be hungry or sleep on the streets? Where is the America where smoking pot was frowned on and one rarely heard of heroine or cocaine addictions? Where is that America! I want my country back and I want it back now! Where is the America when soldiers went to war knowing they were going for a good reason? Where is it! Let's take back America!

I know without a shadow of a doubt that John Edwards is the man to achieve this formidable goal! He has faced other formidable tasks and won, why would we not trust him to win. I know first hand that he is a man of character. He was my Senator and he made me proud. As my President he will make me proud too. I want John Edwards as my President and I want my America back.

[ashlarah]

9. I'm happy Wendy chose to speak out

in defense of Sen. Edwards.

I like this paragraph in Wendy's HuffPo piece:

To suggest that Senator Edwards has had an evolution on how he views the rights of any American is incorrect. Senator Edwards' core principle has been and will always be: we are all equal, no matter where you were born, the color of your skin, or who you love. We all have the same worth.

This is the man I trust to lead our country and to be commander in chief of the military in which my son serves. Bob Shrum, on the other hand, is not someone I would even want to be in the same room with one of my children.

I disagree with the statement that Bob Shrum "cares deeply about his country." I think Bob Shrum cares so much about Bob Shrum that the best interests of the country are twisted in his mind to conform to the best interests of Bob Shrum. At the moment, that means making headlines and selling books.

[GeorgeGist]

10. Greed is a social disease ...

it needs to be eradicated not encouraged.

For three years I helped write speeches for Senator Edwards. The criticism about his haircut, his house, and his work at a hedge fund is all fair. The press and the chattering class want to paint him as a hypocrite, claiming that a rich man -- a man who earned every penny -- can't be a champion for the poor. It's politics. It's fair.