I don't understand people clamoring for Gore to run; we already have the ideal candidate in EDWARDS

[brentspeak]

I'm not knocking Gore, but people are acting as if he's the only possible substantial candidate.

Repeat after me:

John.

Edwards.

[janx]

1. Gore is not a candidate at all at this point,

but the two can hardly be compared.

[rinsd]

2. Edwards isn't even in the same zip code as Gore.

I don't consider a 1 term Senator who now pretends that those 6 years never happened as substantial.

[brentspeak]

7. Spoken like a Hillary supporter.

How many $$$ has she accepted from outsourcing firms, again?

[rinsd]

19. By all means, buy the magic beans from John.

I think this makes him Edwards version 3.0 based on how he has run his various campaigns pretending the previous one never happened.

[brentspeak]

21. Has Hillary outsourced her campaign staff yet?

[rinsd]

25. You'd have to ask the campaign though my money says no.

But hey since she had such a great fundraising quarter maytbe she will.

Ya know unlike John who after a poor showing meekly claimed to be the champion of public financing rendering himself unelectable.

[Mutineer]

11. I like Edwards but he ain't no Al Gore.

:shrug:

[silverojo]

24. Thank God for that

Edwards wants to HELP the poor, while Gore and Bill Clinton patted each other on the backs for taking welfare and a good chunk of the safety net AWAY from the poor.

[saracat]

3. I love John Edwards, and yes, he is a fabulous candidate.

But the Hillary/Murdoch Noise machinre is drowning him out. The only thing about Gore is they coundn't drown him out.But I support Edwards!

[Tennessee Gal]

4. I really like John Edwards, but ..........................

are you really comparing his experience to that of Al Gore, a Congressman, Senator, Vice-President, and Nobel Prize winner?

Come on.

If Gore stays out, it will be Edwards for me, but please be realistic.

[Snotcicles]

34. JE live Sat. 12:15pm est. NH town hall on c-span. nt

[TornadoTN]

5. I want to like Edwards, I really do

But I just can't seem to latch onto the guy. His ideas, in general, are sound and admirable but I just don't feel I can trust him when he speaks. Yes, he's passionate but there's just something about the way he comes across that strikes me as not being genuine. I wish I didn't feel this way but there's something keeping me from jumping over onto his bandwagon, almost like a gut feeling.

At any rate, I would still pull for the guy, vote and volunteer for him should he be the nominee. But if Gore jumped into the race, well, Mr. President would get my support 110%!

[brentspeak]

6. Well, your profile says you are an "economic conservative"

So maybe that explains your gut feeling; Edwards is an economic liberal.

on edit: I'm glad you're willing to support Edwards if he's the nominee. Hope to see you on the front lines! :thumbsup:

[TornadoTN]

12. I'm not sure about that

I've posted a lot lately about what exactly that means - it doesn't mean that I don't want to spend money on programs, infrastructure, etc. I merely want the government to do a better job eliminating the wasteful spending that is so prevalent in our society today. Iraq, corporate welfare, etc. I honestly feel that we could eliminate a lot of our current spending on waste and pet project and implement real social and infrastructure programs to help the people of this nation.

So maybe that does make me an economic conservative, perhaps it doesn't. However, it doesn't mean I wouldn't support the vast majority of Edward's proposals.

[Toots]

60. Why would you possibly support Edwards over Kucinich?

Do you recall at all his time in the Senate, and his adamant support of the IWR. I know he now says he has changed his mind but he was a fucking co-sponsor of the damn thing. He is one the key reasons so many Democrats supported it in the first place. All of a sudden he has gained wisdom?? I don't buy it. His thumb is in the air and which ever way the wind blows he will follow. IMO

[madmunchie]

73. JE supporters don't care that JE was the co-sponsor of the IWR

and that he passionately argued for going into Iraq against many Democratics like Kennedy, Feingold, Kucinich, Byrd, Scowcroft, Gore and millions of protestors. No, JE went with Bush, and then took 2+ years to admit that it was a mistake. (kind of slow on the uptake, isn't he?) I knew that it was a mistake before they voted, why didn't JE? Why didn't JE realize what a mistake it was sooner than 2+ years into the war?????? Because he is a total political animal above all else. Integrity, sound judgement don't enter into his realm. Too bad so many on this board don't see thru the BS. Too bad so many don't use facts to make their decisions.

[gateley]

8. I have the same reaction to him, and I can't explain it. I didn't care for him

when he was running before and went into this round not liking him, but I found myself thawing and being impressed by some of his statements. But the more I watched the more I just kept getting this hinky feeling that he was a bit too aware of how he was coming across at all times and not as spontaneous as I would like a candidate to be.

I think he's a good man and his heart is in the right place, but there's just that something...

Like you, I will happily support him in every way if he receives the nomination.

[youthere]

33. Ditto that 100%..

I don't get the Edwards appeal...I was lukewarm to cold on him in 2004, and I haven't warmed much to him now...BUT I will support him should he get the nomination.

[LisaM]

9. Where do you get exposure to Edwards?

He is my first choice, but other than at debates (where he does well) he is getting almost zip exposure.

The only thing I don't like is his southern accent, but I have learned to live with it.

[brentspeak]

10. ????

What's wrong with his accent?

[Der Blaue Engel]

16. I'd like to know, too

Serious :wtf: moment.

[gateley]

13. Ha! I have the same complaint about my candidate! Edwards was getting

more coverage but it seems to have fallen off. It's odd, isn't it? I'm at a loss how that happens, but I understand your frustration. Hang in there!

[TornadoTN]

17. Most of my exposure to Edwards is via Internet and NC coverage

Being here in Eastern Tennessee, there's a pretty good base of support for Edwards left over from his Presidential/VP run last time around. Not to say I don't like his positions, it's just his demeanor - to me, as a southerner, he comes across as coached to the extreme and almost acting a part. Maybe its just me, but its my feeling nonetheless - right or wrong.

[LisaM]

23. I'm just tired of presidents with southern accents

I loved listening to John Kerry's New England accent. But most of the Presidents in my lifetime that I can remember, starting with LBJ, have had a bit of a twang - LBC, Carter, Clinton, this Bush. Reagan had that horrible folksy way of talking, and the other Bush had an accent from Mars. The only one with a relatively unaccented voice was Gerald Ford.

[pioneer111]

28. Democrats DO nominate northerners

Humphrey, Mondale, Dukakis, McGovern, Kerry.
But they WIN with southerners - LBJ, Carter, Clinton, (and yes Gore).

This election is too important to make a point that may lose us the election.
And Edwards is the most progressive of our candidates.
This is so unusual that we need to take advantage of this even with his accent.

[goodgd_yall]

32. His accent

I'm like you probably when it comes to southern accents. But I've grown to like J.E.'s. It's one of those soft southern accents. Not too deep south and not Texas.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

58. I Like His Southern Accent

Living in Florida you never hear one anymore...

And Gore's southern accent is arguably stronger...

[emilyg]

18. Same here.

[Der Blaue Engel]

20. That's funny, my gut feeling is the opposite

He seems so much genuine to me than anyone else (and I'm not at all saying the others aren't genuine).

:shrug:

[Virginia Dare]

29. Funny, that's about the way I felt about Gore back in 2000...n/t

[goodgd_yall]

37. I don't think campaigning brings out the most genuine self

in most people. I kind of get what you mean, but how I interpret it as something to do with public persona and not the real person. I think Obama has a genuineness about him that some of the other candidates don't, but I don't interpret that as he being the most truthful and trustworthy person. I guess what I'm saying is that my usual antennae for trustworthiness doesn't really work when it comes to politicians because their whole business is about selling themselves to people. when they are campaigning.

[halobeam]

43. I think I've pinned down what the missing piece was for me

I'm looking very hard at him right now, learning everything I can.. that said;

What I don't get from him is a "vision" that I feel a presidential candidate should have, or that I'd really love to see in one of these candidates. What drew me into looking further into him was hearing about new workers, "green collar" workers I believe he called them. I think there is some platform there that may have some real visionary promise, but I have to dig deeper for the answers with this (along with a lot more to learn about him).

I considered his public "persona" as the thing that bugged me, but I don't really need some smooth talking, bedside manner so to speak, heck.. I really liked Kerry. Many ppl found him to heal insomnia, and I was fascinated by him LOL.. so I kind of nixed the idea that it was his public manner of speaking getting at me, or NOT getting me, actually.

I'm appreciating this thread. No flames, well, not much.. and I'm seeing more information here that is helpful. I'd love to see more discussion on Edwards plans here.

[patrice]

46. If you listen to Thom Hartman on Air America Radio, he supports

Edwards, and Hartman is one of the most Progressive people I know. He avoids endorsing a candidate, especially before the nomination is decided, but he does say positive things about Edwards.

[halobeam]

49. Thank you very much

I also will watch Edwards tomorrow...12:15 on cspan.


:)

[sandnsea]

14. Feingold, Gore, Kerry, Clark

We do have potential substantial candidates. Edwards isn't one of them, although he's certainly as good as anyone running.

[Pastiche423]

15. The ideal candidate?

[tammywammy]

40. ditto

[silverojo]

22. Edwards is my top choice, too

Because the nation's top priority is the working class and poverty. We need to bring jobs back to America, instead of outsourcing and importing lead-tainted crap from China. You can't keep a country running, if the middle class is killed off and the poor become ever poorer.

And of course, any Democrat who becomes President will bring an end to cowboy diplomacy, which means there won't be war on every side of us any more.

Gore is doing what he does best--being a strong voice for making people aware of the global warming crisis. If he's distracted by the daily duties of the Presidency, who will be able to fill his shoes in terms of creating awareness of such an urgent matter?

[Catchawave]

26. Love Al, but Edwards is my choice for President.

Congratulations Al, and keep on fighting the good fight, the whole world has your back now :toast:

[Yael]

64. You speak for me on this

Why people would want to see Gore's influence diluted by having to go 40 directions to Sunday as opposed to focusing on where he is making a difference is simply beyond my understanding.

[loudsue]

27. K & R I'm for Kucinich & Edwards....either one...

Edwards is a great candidate, and I think come primary time he'll do pretty darned well.

:kick:

[Virginia Dare]

30. Agreed, Edwards is every bit as good as Gore...n/t

[Crunchy Frog]

31. You're kidding, right? n/t

[LWolf]

35. Dennis. Kucinich. n/t

[patrice]

36. Edwards and Obama.

Edwards and Boxer
Edwards and Sebelius
Edwards and Gore
Edwards and Kucinich
Edwards and Richardson
Edwards and ...

[halobeam]

44. I don't know..

if any of the ones you listed would pull his ticket up... remember the balance. I think more people would go for Edwards with Clark, considering we are at war. JMO

I just checked again and saw Gore there LMAO... we'll have to switch to Gore Edwards and I'd bite. Gore wouldn't run for VP, I'd be a monkey's uncle... or MONKEYFUNK'S for that matter.. cuz then at least the "totally wrong" aspect would be in the genes.

[patrice]

45. Yeah, Edwards and Clark; another good one!

I'm sure there are more, but that one does have particularly good implications for our Military who are in such dire need now.

[NCarolinawoman]

38. Edwards has the WORST environmental record of any of the candidates out there. n/t

[halobeam]

41. I heard he has great ideas for the "green collar" worker?

I'm just really learning about him, so it's just a question.

[Blackhatjack]

47. Instead of smearing Edwards -- read some facts. He was endorsed by the Sierra Club LINK

Just because you prefer another candidate for President is no reason to try and smear John Edwards' record on protecting the environment. The only sources of this kind of smear provide no evidence to back up their 'rating' of Edwards on the environment. Here are some FACTS for you --I prefer to rely upon the Sierra Club's endorsement.

http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/edwards_endorsement.htm

ENDORSEMENT

Edwards Praised by Sierra Club for Environmental Leadership


Washington, DC: John Edwards is a leader on protecting Americans' health and safety. In a 2003 Earth Day release Edwards stated, "our country needs real leadership on many critical issues: safeguarding the water our children drink, preserving our national parks and forests, and achieving energy independence while addressing dangerous climate changes are just a few." In the Senate, Edwards has built a strong record on these and other environmental issues:

* In 2003, Edwards led the Senate in protecting clean air by countering the Bush Administration's attempts to weaken the Clean Air Act (S20030012).

* He voted to increase funding for environmental programs and enforcement funding (S20030096).

* Edwards is a co-sponsor of the Clean Power Act, designed to require utilities to control multiple pollutants - carbon dioxide, mercury,
sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

* Senator Edwards has consistently voted to protect the Arctic Refuge and to defend America's public lands, national monuments, and coastal areas from damaging oil and gas drilling (S20020071, S20000058, S20010229, S20010231).

* In 2000, Edwards supported an amendment to the Agriculture appropriations bill to increase protections for public lands from the toxic pollution that results from mining operations (S20000224).

* Senator Edwards supported the Clinton Administration's Roadless Rule and took votes to reduce harmful subsidies for commercial logging, to reduce overgrazing on public lands, and against weakening public lands protections in 2000 and 2001 (S20000207, S20000175, S20000208).

* Edwards voted in 2001 to prevent the weakening of Endangered Species Act protections for salmon and other threatened fish species in California's Klamath Basin (S20010232) and voted in 1999 to increase funding for Forest Service fish and wildlife programs.

* In 2000, he supported an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill to improve water flows and wildlife habitat on the Missouri River (S20000232).

"At a time that the Bush Administration has made unprecedented attacks on environmental protections, Senator Edwards consistently stands up to preserve and strengthen the laws that keep Americans' air, water and public land clean and safe," said Debbie Sease, Sierra Club's Legislative Director. "John Edwards will make an excellent Vice President."

[ecstatic]

39. Because only a white male can win?

:shrug: :sarcasm:

[kster]

42. In 2000 Gore stood up to "Corporate" vote counting machines ON TV,

No other politician has done that. If Gore does not run Kucinich came close to Gore he stood up to "Corporate" vote counting machines, but I believe it was ONLINE only.

Edwards and all the others want your vote, but don't give a rats ass how it will be counted, because they are "corporate" lap dogs (period)

[earth mom]

48. I like Edwards-but he's gotta commit to end the war ASAP-not in 5 yrs or whatever.

He must separate himself from Hillary and Obama or it's just more of the same shit, different day.

That said, I am encouraged by some of what I've seen in his campaign...but I'm holding out for Gore right now.

[Solar_Power]

50. Ditto

[Blackhatjack]

52. He already did that.... his position on ending the War in Iraq has been distorted

He said as clearly as he could that the war needs to be ended NOW, not after we swear in a new President.

When asked if he would 'guarantee' all the US troops would be out of of Iraq by the end of his first term as President, Edwards said he would pull ALL of the COMBAT TROOPS out of Iraq starting with 50,000 immediately, and he would END ALL COMBAT MISSIONS IMMEDIATELY.

WHere people are being confused by pundits is that Edwards explained that if we are going to maintain a US Embassy in Iraq we will have to maintain troops there to protect Embassy personnel, and the same goes for protecting humanitarian relief workers. Which is exactly the SAME POLICY we implement at Embassies all over the world today, and in relief of humanitarians today.

EDWARDS is the one Democratic Candidate who WILL END THE WAR.

[earth mom]

55. Thanks for letting me know that. I'd heard he was in agreement w/ Hillary. nt

[Nutmegger]

51. R&K ...

... For Edwards.

:thumbsup::kick:

[w4rma]

53. Gore / Edwards = 16 continuous years of progressive Democratic Presidents. (nt)

[Gravel2008]

54. Well, Al Gore is NOT going to run

so let them clamor all they want, it won't do any good.

[bklyncowgirl]

56. Sorry not buying it. Edwards lacks experience. The presidency is not an entry level job.

I like Edward's position on the issues for the most part but nowhere in the man's background is there any indication that he's particularly good at running things. The same goes for Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton,aided by her husband's loyalists, may be capable of running the country but I'm not sure I like the places she'd take it. Her judgment on the Iraq war and her recent vote on Iran lead me to question her judgment.

The next president is going to have to clean up one of the biggest messes in our history. I want someone who's shown a knack for administration as well as the vision to turn things around in a manner that benefits the majority of the people in this country, begins our transition to a sustainable future and restores our standing in the world. He or she would also have to be electable.

I'm currently supporting Bill Richardson but have been disappointed in his apparent lack of ability to come across well on TV--a must for a presidential candidaate. He may be the best qualified guy out there but unless things change in the next couple of months, he's not going to be the nominee.

Al Gore is the complete package of vision, ability and judgment. He has private as well as public service experience. His ability to see beyond the immediate pressing issues is inspiring.

[ShortnFiery]

57. Yes, although my preference is Obama, I'm voting for Edwards to ward off an HRC slim win. n/t

[rodeodance]

59. it will be Edwards or Richardson for me in the primaries. I say-let Al do what he is

good at----trying to save the planet

[Triana]

61. I agree. I love Al but Edwards is my choice if there's no Al (n/t)

[Le Taz Hot]

62. "Clean Coal" Edwards?

Please.

[Blackhatjack]

65. Let's see ...take 'Clean Coal' from Drudge, add Edwards name and ? = Ridiculous Smear. n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

63. i think gore would make a better president though i have warmed upto edwards.

[krkaufman]

66. Simple enough to understand.

300 million citizens... and the Bell Curve. Opinions will differ.

[dysfunctional press]

67. if gore entered the race, overnight he'd have 5 times the support edwards has.

that's why.

[madmunchie]

68. Repeat after me: Over my dead body

JE the same JE that:

JE was in the Senate for 6 short years and spent close to half of that time campaigning for POTUS, therefore not really serving his constituents and doing his homework on some of the disasterous bills he voted for.

John Edwards talked about poverty, but he co-sponsored a massive increase in H-1b Visas

JE co-sponsored the IWR and then voted for it, to stood by it a year later, and then finally said that he was sorry after the polls turned, three years and one failed election later. Slow on the uptake I'd say - way too slow for the demands of POTUS

Edwards DID NOT generate or champion any poverty legislation during his 6 years in the senate (while he co sponsored the IWR?????) real humanitarian and champion of the poor huh.

Edwards literally bed down in Iowa and New Hampshire for a couple of years while he nervously wavered because he didn't know if he was gonna run since his wife was sick!!!! He could have stayed in the Senate to help clean up a mess that he helped create. Somebody with a conscince would have done that. But wait a minute, JE probably wouldn't have been re -elected as a Senator in his own state......why is that?

John Edwards (D-NC) took aim at Iran, warning that the "world won't back down." .....John Edwards, who poses as a peace candidate, declares that we will go to war with Iran before we'll let them break Israel's nuclear monopoly in the Middle East, that should tell us that he didn't seem to learn from his disasterous Iraq vote, ya think?

JE voted YES to free trade with China

JE voted YES on the 2001 bankruptcy bill Yeah, a real bleeding heart for the poor.

JE voted against the 2002 amendment for voting rights to be reinstated to convicted criminals

You've got to be kidding.....no person looking at this dismal disasterous record of JE's judgements while holding a public office would EVER consider voting for this guy.

[brentspeak]

69. Are you like a professional Edwards denigrator?

Doing a search on your posts, I found that 90% of them involve spamming Edwards threads with anti-Edwards propaganda.

[madmunchie]

71. It would be nice to be paid, but alas, I am a volunteer

Spamming? Propaganda? I call it FACTS - go ahead dispute them. The one about JE supporters is that they don't care about FACTS of their chosens dismal record while in the Senate. THEY buy into his rhetoric just like the Bush supporters ignored facts and bought into Bush's rhetoric. Oh, how people wailed saying "How could they believe him? Look at what he is doing." (Bush that is) Yet here on DU (of all places) I find the same blind allegiance. Thankfully it looks like most people aren't buying his BS,since he is doing pretty badly in the polls considering that he has just about been living in Iowa & New Hampshire campaigning while other candidates have actually been doing the "people's work".

Yes as long as JE is out there trying to be elected POTUS I will respond to posters that like to ignore the facts that make up JE. If you don't like my responses, put me on ignore, like I am sure others have.

[Swamp Rat]

70. I think Edwards would make a fine president,

and an even better vice-president. :D

[otohara]

72. Gore Does Have a Better, Bigger

more awesome resume!!! But alas, he's not running. I wish Edwards would have stayed in the senate, 4 years just isn't that much

Al Gore’s resumé

Son of a great senator.

Harvard graduate, with honors.

Vietnam veteran.

Award-winning investigative journalist.

Congressman.

Senator.

Vice President.

Winner of the popular vote for President of the United States.

Best-selling author.

Environmental activist.

Academy Award winner.

And, now, Nobel Peace Prize winner http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/12/4486/