Challenge to Edwards supporters: What was John Edwards biggest accomplishment as a Senator?

[rinsd]

Now I kid Edwards supporters regularly that he pretends his Senate career never happened but I am curious as to which legislation Edwards advocated that makes you think he is ready for the big job.

[Kelly Rupert]

1. *crickets*

...the IWR?

[rinsd]

2. No, I wish to be fair.

I hate it when people post an anti-Hillary thread then call out Hillary supporters as nonresponsive then ignore replies by Hillary supporters claiming they don't want real debate.

That's chickenshit.

[Kelly Rupert]

3. Not an Edwards supporter, but the only one I've heard of is

the Spyware Control and Privacy act.

[rinsd]

4. I think I am going to do one for each of the candidates.

But while we're here, what drew you to Gov. Richardson?

[Cameron27]

11. Great idea,

I'd like to hear from all the supporters too.

K&R

[rinsd]

12. I think I will do one each day so the thread will get some exposure.

[Kelly Rupert]

13. That incredible resume.

Looking for experience in Congress? He has fourteen years in the House.

Hungry for level-headed foreign policy? Ambassador to the United Nations and led successful diplomatic missions to Sudan, Iraq, Cuba, and North Korea (and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for each mission).

Want someone with a solid grasp of technology and infrastructure? Secretary of Energy fits the ticket.

Looking for someone with experience running an economy and working with a legislature? He's been an extremely successful governor with high approval ratings--he won his second term with 68% of the vote, a state record.

And in each of his previous jobs, I can give you a dozen solid successes he can point to.

[rinsd]

19. He certainly has the resume!

Keep your eyes peeled for a Richardson supporters thread in the next few days so you can repost this info.

[surfermaw]

5. He won a Senate seat in Jesse Helms country

[rinsd]

7. While an electoral accomplishment (and an impressive one at that), I was going for legislative

[ChenZhen]

6. The legislation he voted for that had the biggest impact on our nation: IWR

"But everyone knew Iraq had WMDs"

[rinsd]

10. We're looking for accomplishments from supporters here.

I have no desire for this thread to be a pile on Edwards.

[ChenZhen]

14. Accomplishments can be positive or negative

This is more important than the Spyware act IMHO, and had far more impact on our nation, its reputation and our treasury.

[rinsd]

16. True.

But this was meant to be a positive thread, everyone here is well aware of Edwards support of IWR.

[SteppingRazor]

8. Edwards is about my third or fourth choice, but...

since none of his supporters seem to be around, I will say that I was really happy that a senator from a largely Republican state had the balls to try to end mandatory minimum sentencing for nonviolent offenders. Admittedly, his attempt crashed and burned in committee, so it's not really an accomplishment, per se.

[surfermaw]

9. He can beat any republican in the Gen.Election

That is what is on my minde these days, he and Biden are going to be the democrat ticket. Ask another question , Which candidate is getting republican money, to try to stop Hillary and split the democrat party, it not Edwards, so who is it?

[Cameron27]

15. That's not the question though,

you might want to start your own thread to discuss that POV.

[Clark2008]

17. The Democrat Party?

Who are they?

[zalinda]

18. It doesn't matter, what his record was

he was representing his state, which should take precedent over his own views. When he was elected, he made a promise to represent his state, not force his views on the people of his state. That is why I don't understand why people rag on dems who are voting conservative, when they come from conservative states.

The are REPRESENTATIVES, what part of that don't you get. Now, if they vote against what people put him in office for, then there are problems.

I like his message. He is now talking about HIS beliefs, not what he believes his state wants.......big difference. For me, Obama rambles and doesn't seem to have a plan, except hope. I was impressed by his speech at the dem convention, but since then, leaves me cold. Clinton, seems too cock sure, like she has this all sewn up, so doesn't go the extra mile. The others running seem to not be serious, like it is a hobby. But Edwards, seems to be working his butt off to get this thankless job. He seems to be spending his money wisely, and has solid plans. I think he wants it more than anyone else, and acts like it.

zalinda

[Kelly Rupert]

21. So, how did he represent the state?

I think the problem with Edwards' time in the Senate isn't so much his lack of progressive legislation, but rather the fact that one can't really find much of any interest with his name on it.

[slick8790]

20. I admire his work on Clinton's defense team.

I also think he wrote the sunset provision for the Patriot Act, but I could be wrong. Overall, he had a generally solid voting record, with some big slip ups. My support for him has come more from recent years with his work with poverty, and also his previous work as a lawyer standing up against corporations.

[sir_captain]

22. Leading Clinton's defense against impeachment

was probably his best moment in a short senate career. Hard for a freshman senator to get a lot done, as evidenced, really, by all 3 of the top dem nominees. I'm a New Yorker, and voted for Hillary for senate twice but I can't say I feel like she's done a whole lot for me or the rest of her constituents. I'll give Obama a bit of a pass since he's so early in his senate career.

[Adelante]

23. He didn't lead Clinton's defense against impeachment

As I recall it, he deposed Monica Lewinsky.

[sir_captain]

24. On further reflection I believe you are correct

though I believe he also deposed Vernon Jordan. In any case, being heavily involved in Clinton's defense is something I still admire.

[Adelante]

31. He was one of the Senators who gave speeches before the vote

I never thought much of the speech as a defense, but that's probably because I never accepted that an impeachment was called for in the first place and it made me very angry. But Edwards did receive a lot of recognition for that speech. Credit for leading the defense would go to Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, by the way.

[shraby]

25. After careful deliberation, he was chosen to run as

John Kerry's vp. That tells me that Kerry thought he was capable.

[elfin]

26. Who cares? He's really, really cute.

And he has good hair. Shouldn't that be enough????

But I do support him for many other reasons than his time in the Senate - he has seasoned experience in the "real world" fighting for those hurt by the power structure via his law career and his anti-poverty work just to name two - plus he is really really hot.

[jillan]

27. I ask the same of Hillary and Obama supporters.

[Cameron27]

28. I think rinsed is going to start a thread for each of them.

Great idea IMO.

[goodgd_yall]

33. And how about all the other Dem candidates?

[Cameron27]

35. That's what I thought he was going to do.

[rinsd]

40. I plan on doing one each day so each candidate will get their time in the sun.

[Beaverhausen]

34. If someone started them, they sank like a stone

of course, I would like to see this answered by Obama and clinton supporters as well. But I won't hold my breath.

[Cameron27]

36. I would too,

also Biden Dodd Richardson & Kucinich.

[rinsd]

41. I was gonna do one each day so it will be the focus.

As opposed to putting up 8 threads that mostly will be ignored.

[Snotcicles]

29. What did JFK accomplish as a Senator? nt

[FrenchieCat]

30. Edwards is no JFK, so I'm not sure what you are implying.....but here's some info,

understanding that JFK was not only a Senator, he was also a War Hero, and a two term congressman BEFORE he ran and won his senate seat.

In 1946 he became a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from the Massachusetts eleventh congressional district.
<>
Kennedy won the primary, the fall election, and reelection to the House in 1948 and in 1950. He kept his campaign pledges to work for broader social welfare programs, particularly in the area of low-cost public housing. Kennedy was a staunch friend of labor. In 1949 he became a member of the Joint Committee on Labor-Management Relations. He battled unsuccessfully against the Taft-Hartley Bill and later supported bills that sought to modify its restrictive provisions. Although Kennedy supported President Harry Truman's social welfare programs, progressive taxation, and regulation of business, he did not follow administration policies in foreign relations. He opposed the fighting in Korea "or any other place in Asia where we cannot hold our defenses."

In 1951 Kennedy spent 6 weeks traveling in Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia, and West Germany. On his return he advised the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that he believed defending Western Europe was strategically important to the United States but that he felt Western Europeans should do more on their own behalf and not rely so strongly on the United States. That autumn he traveled around the world. His visits to the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Indochina, Malaya, and Korea caused him to reverse a previous position and support Point Four aid for the Middle East. He also urged that France get out of Algeria.
<>
Taking his seat in the Senate in January 1953, Kennedy served on the Labor and Public Welfare Committee, the Government Operations Committee, the Select Committee on Labor-Management Relations, the Foreign Relations Committee, and the Joint Economic Committee. He secured passage of several bills to aid the Massachusetts fishing and textile industries and fought to ameliorate New England's economic problems. In 1954 he voted to extend the president's powers under the reciprocal trade program.

During the next years he opposed reform in the electoral college, favored American aid to help India stabilize its economy, and became a strong advocate of civil rights legislation. Social welfare legislation was of primary concern. The Kennedy-Douglas-Ives Bill (1957) required full disclosure and accounting of all employee pension and welfare funds. The Kennedy-Byrd-Payne Bill was a budgeting and accounting bill that placed the financial structure of the government on an annual accrued expenditure basis. Kennedy also sponsored bills for providing Federal financial aid to education and for relaxing United States immigration laws.
http://www.answers.com/topic/john-f-kennedy?cat=entertainment

[goodgd_yall]

32. I'm not sure about biggest accomplishment

But in 2003, in a close vote, he voted against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the bill did not pass. Unfortunately, it passed in 2005 when he was no longer in the Senate.

He voted against Ashcroft. You can't even say that about Russ Feingold. No win there, but at least he recognized a disaster.

[Quixote1818]

37. Kerry didn't do much either nt

[Lucinda]

38. Wiki says:

"...Edwards served on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary."

"During his Senate term Edwards cosponsored 203 bills..."


So he was evildently there from time to time.
I didn't know that he was rumored to have been on Gores 2000 short list. With Kerry. And we got Joe?

What I like about Edwards is where he is now.

[cascadiance]

39. John Edwards more strongly supported Ned Lamont vs. Lieberman

... than either Clinton or Obama did.

http://mickelehsoap.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-edwards-campaigned-for-lamont-in.html

And I don't think you can minimize this. It is CRITICAL that we are able to get rid of the bad corporate Democrats that have created the messes lately that keep us from gaining REAL control over congress and doing the people's will instead of corporate will!

[SaveElmer]

43. He wasn't a Senator at the t ime...nt

[rinsd]

44. I can certainly minimize it. Edwards only had a part time job at Fortress so he was avail.

:evilgrin:

[rinsd]

42. Kick and thanks to Edwards supporters for participating (nt)