Taking Offense at Edwards: Corporate Media couldn’t forgive his anti-establishment rhetoric

[jackson_dem]

-snip-

One media trend remained remarkably steady, though: the press corps’ hostility to the John Edwards campaign.

Edwards’ anti-corporate rhetoric was clearly off-putting to many pundits and reporters, who were shocked that the sunny optimist they covered in 2004 transformed into a serious critic of money-driven politics who talked passionately about poverty. Rather than engage his arguments about corporate control over the political system, the media caricatured Edwards for having a large house, a brief stint working for a hedge fund, and his expensive haircuts (the “three Hs,” as they would become known in the mainstream press--see Extra!, 11–12/07).

-snip-

Excluding Edwards was a strange decision, since on the very issue the poll was measuring Edwards generally does better than Clinton or Obama. In a CNN survey of December 6–9, 2007, Edwards beat Romney by 11 points more than Clinton and 9 points more than Obama. He beat Huckabee by 15 points more than Clinton and 10 points more than Obama. Clinton lost to McCain in this polling by 2 points while Obama and McCain were tied, but Edwards beat him by 6. If it’s true, as USA Today’s article reported, that “Democratic voters increasingly are focused on nominating the most electable presidential candidate,” then the paper did those voters a real disservice by leaving Edwards out of the equation.

-snip-

Perhaps Balz mistyped the sentence; it would be more accurate to say that reporters and pundits are the ones most “offended” by Edwards’ stubborn insistence on running for president.

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3297

[OHdem10]

1. It was obvious. How many Media and Bloggers called for

Edwards to get out of the race because he was a White man standing
in the way of a Black Man becoming President.

Even this past Sunday, Russert threw this at Nader. Not defending
Nader but citing how the Media use this line .

[saracat]

8. No kidding.

[Donnachaidh]

18. thank you!

He was in the way of the entrenched Dems placing their own sockpuppet in the White House. It's easier to maintain the status quo when the candidate is an empty suit. :sarcasm:

[Warpy]

2. Edwards didn't quit, he was forced out

I read a story just three days before he quit about how his fundraising was picking up and he was about to launch a new ad campaign.

Some dirty dealing was done behind closed doors and he was out.

However, his candidacy redefined the other two by forcing them to focus more on kitchen table issues. For that, I will be grateful to him.

[AnneD]

5. That smell was blowing downwind, Warpy...

I got aa whiff of it too. I early voted yesterday....For Edwards.

I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees. I think time will again prove us right.

[Warpy]

6. I stubbornly voted for him on Super Tuesday, along with 2500

other people in NM. The party needs to know that we're out here and we're paying attention and those two DLC bozos out in front just aren't doing it for us.

No, there's no way I'll vote GOP or third party and no way I'll sit this election out. I will vote for whichever DLC drone gets the nod.

Just don't expect me to be particularly happy about it unless Edwards is either on the ticket or being vetted for a Cabinet post.

[earth mom]

10. Ted Kennedy or Bill Clinton pushed Edwards out. It was posted here on DU at the time. nt

[karynnj]

12. It was conjecture then and conjecture now

Edwards was facing SuperTuesday without enough money to compete effectively. What were his choices? After Iowa, he had not done well anywhere and he knew where he was polling in the 20 plus states in SuperTuesday. Which of these makes most sense?

- Put his own money in for what was not a likely gain.
- Continue and get few delegates - pushing himself and his family
- Make a dignified exit.

[earth mom]

14. Sorry, but you are SO wrong, so VERY WRONG. nt

[karynnj]

15. What is your source?

I will concede I'm wrong when I see anything that proves it. The most obvious solution is usually correct.

[Donnachaidh]

17. you first dear -- what is YOUR source?

You claim he was out of money -- source the bloviation.

[dmosh42]

3. The point of your post is right -on.

He was the only one suggesting that the corruption in Wash. is blocking anything from being accomplished. Whoever becomes President will quickly find out the 'swamp' is deeper than ever! But I believe all our candidates now are in never-never land, and winning is the only objective.

[deminks]

4. There are still decisions being made in the smoke filled rooms

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/deminks/128

Chamber of Commerce CEO

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-chamber8jan08,0,4301350.story?coll=la-home-center





or founder of DLC, Al From:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/15/172352/445/940/437405


http://journals.democraticunderground.com/deminks/124



http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/12/13/14220/862

Donahue is really smart, and the Chamber isn't going away. If you read the full article, you'll see that he hired Al From, head of the DLC, to make sure that right-wing policies succeed in both parties.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A64725-2005Feb4?language=printer

The chamber has hired the Swiss Guard of paid consultants from both political parties. Several showed up at a recent dinner hosted by Donohue at the chamber, including Al From, chief executive of the Democratic Leadership Council; Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, who was White House chief of staff in the Clinton administration; and Scott W. Reed, who was Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign manager.

[waiting for hope]

7. Most happy to kick and rec -

I hate the media and the pundits, how dare they be offended. I wonder how many of them would have their lives made better by policies put forth by a President Edwards? Assholes.

[Mezzo]

9. This is the absolute truth.

If we are to be completely with ourselves and each other, we have to admit that the two remaining candidates for president on the Democratic side are the ones who acted the most like Republicans.

[iris5426]

11. It is so frustrating

that this was allowed to happen. The stupid media, which is supposed to be a "free press" :rofl: cost us the best candidate we had. It's not something I'm going to get over anytime soon, if ever. :mad:

[Greylyn58]

13. Happy to K&R for Edwards

He should have been our candidate. It still hurts.

[Mythsaje]

16. Just another reason to despise the corporate media...

Oh, whoops. I used that terrible "despise" word again.

Oh, wait. I don't give a fuck.