Anxiety in Candidate Edwards's North Carolina (NY Times)

[CityDem]

Senator John Edwards's fifth annual walk along the beach lasted only about a quarter-mile, what with a hot sun beating down and a horde of journalists in tow. But at every other step, it seemed, his constituents hit him with another complaint.

Why didn't he support the troops? asked one soldier's mother. "I did," Mr. Edwards, a Democrat, assured her. Why didn't he do something about the economy? asked an out-of-work man. Mr. Edwards steered him to an aide who promised to help him find a job.

Then there were those who had a more pointed concern: where on earth did Mr. Edwards, a freshman senator, get off running for the Democratic nomination for president?

"He just needs to stay in North Carolina more instead of running around the country," said Paul Stout, 51, a businessman from Asheboro. "He ought to stay at home like Elizabeth Dole for awhile, then test the waters. There's too many Democrats out there now anyway."

For Mr. Edwards, 50, his home state may not be the coziest place now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/08/politics/campaigns/08EDWA.html

In my opinion, Edwards needs to make a decision now about his senate seat. He should run for president and let someone else campaign full time for the senate seat, or drop his prez bid now. Dems cannot afford to lose North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia in 2004 and expect to regain control of the senate.

[trumad]

1. Ya gotta love the NYT

The hit piece parade has begun and the NYT is off and running... So a couple of er NC'ers ask him questions and the NYT automatically assumes they're Edwards supporters... Did it ever occur to the NYT that they might be repukes in Dems clothing...

[AnnabelLee]

3. Did it ever occur to the NYT

that they might be repukes in Dem clothing...

If it didn't, this should have given them a clue: "There's too many Democrats out there now anyway."

[GainesT1958]

2. He's started to give indications that he'll make his "final decision"...

Around Labor day, or shortly thereafter--more than soon enough for him to ratchet up his preisdential quest, or to give it up and concentrate on getting re-elected. And soon enough for anybody else who wants to run--read Erskine Bowles or Dan Blue--to begin their own campaigns. And next year, they'll have time to run after the primary--the primary WILL be held in early May, and not put off until September as it was in 2002.

But he DOES need to go ahead and make up his mind, before possible opponents--either the Democratic field, or Congressman Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, his probable Repub opponent next year--start to use it against him. The good news is, if he ran for a second term as senator, he'd beat Burr by 11-12 points in the latest polls. And John Edwards has proven, at least in a North Carolina election, that he DOES have both "come-back" and "staying" power when he works at it.

B-)

[CMT]

6. I agree

if he makes the decision soon enough he can survive. But a 10-12 point lead is not insurmountable and his re-elect number is under 50% a number which we have all been excited about George W. Bush having. If he begins to see movement in polls in places like Iowa and South CArolina my betting is that he will pull out of the senate race and concentrate on a presidential race--if not he will pull out of the presidential race.

[Abigale Applewhite]

4. To understand North Carolina, you must live there

John Edwards has took care of State business, he has only 
missed votes, 18 percent of the time,never on an important
vote or a vote where his one vote would determine how the vote
would go.

Rememer Jesse Helms,  carried this state every term , with out
much work, that is because at least half of the citizens of
North Carolina, are much like Jesse in their beleifs. Many of
the people in the state would vote republican if God was on
the democrat ticket. Some vote they way their fathers did,even
though old dad has been in his grave for 60 years.

Trying to paint Edwards as neglecting his state, is exactly
what the Republicans have in mind, and since many of the
people only listen to T.V. and radio and do very little
reading, they will beleive any thing  they hear.


And the gentleman ask , why he wasn't helping to get jobs, bet
it never occured to him, that the Bush economy is the real
reason behind the jobs losses in North Carolina , as well as
the state have to struggle to stay in the black.

It is my opinion and has been my opinion since Edwards frist
started campaiging for the senate,  he would be an excellent
president, and he will be someday.

As for Mrs Dole, she might stay home, but her actions are
exacrly what Mr. Bush,suggest her to do.

Please don't judge Edwards on what you hear comming from North
Carolina, this state has most always been hard on Democratic
Presidents.

[Abigale Applewhite]

5. Correctina a word

My second time here , a little anxious, Should read has (taken care)