<p>There was a CC poll done a while back that showed Edwards was the most popular candidate for members of this forum. Would any of you care to explain why Edwards did not catch on?</p>
<p>My opinion is that Edwards came across as being so angry at corporations. I like corporations. They provide people with food (McDonalds), transportation (Ford), and entertainment (United Artists).</p>
<p>Edwards, by far, had the most detailed and viable plans on all the issues. If people actually bothered to learn about the issues, they’d see that. He was also, by far, the best debater. I think he is also the most trustworthy; I believe he means what he says.</p>
<p>I think he didn’t “catch on,” because Obama and Clinton were media darlings and made for big news. A 50+ white man competing against a woman and a black man for president just isn’t newsworthy. So, in large part, I blame the media for mostly ignoring him. I also blame early primaries that basically make the decision for the rest of us. </p>
<p>As I’ve said before, if you haven’t been angry over the direction this country has gone since Bush took office, then you haven’t been paying attention.</p>
<p>I’m so disappointed as I really think he was/is the best candidate out there. Hopefully, he’s made a deal and will join the candidate who can win, and will ultimately have influence in the White House.</p>
<p>I think he had two major hurdles to overcome:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>For at least 2 years prior to the NH primary, the Democratic machine , through the media, had already crowned Queen Hillary as the party’s nominee.</p></li>
<li><p>I think his decision to run as the VP candidate (in the last presidential election) with John Kerry really hurt him. Unfortunately Kerry is seen as a negative by many voters. Kerry is a loser, (in the sense that he lost the last election.)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The more I think about it, though, the more I think that Edwards has made a deal with Clinton, not Obama. I feel sure she will ultimately win the nomination.</p>
<p>OpieofMaybery2: Yeah, that’s because the media does their best to control how we think and how we will ultimately vote. [Most] of us follow along like pod people, never looking at the issues, never really listening to what the candidates are saying.</p>
<p>1sokkermom: Well, that’s my thinking. I have read (and heard) some interesting comments that Bill has made about Edwards, and he pretty much thinks he’s brilliant. He has consistently said not to underestimate him, back when the media had pretty much written him off. There’s that rumor, too, that she met with Edwards behind closed doors a week or so ago, though no one knows what they discussed.</p>
<p>It’s clear she’s gonna win this nomination; of that, I have no doubt. I honestly cannot imagine why he would drop out less than a week before Feb 5, unless one of them offered him an amazing deal. My best guess is that it was Hillary. I suspect she was in the best position to do so. Of course, my best guess has been repeatedly proved wrong . . .</p>
<p>agreed, janie. However, it is not my opinion that overall he [Edwards] was “angry.” (in reference to others’ comments).</p>
<p>The media is pathetic. They shouldn’t like Obama “because” he’s black. They should like him/find him “newsworthy” because his youth, energy, freshness inspires a large electorate to get involved in their government – for possibly the first time since JFK. Thousands of people from all demographic strata have stated that an Obama nomination will get them to vote for the first time in 30 or more years.</p>
<p>And btw, the difference between Obama & HC, in terms of “typing,” is that Obama has not positioned himself as “the black candidate,” whereas HC has positioned herself, and allowed herself to be positioned, as “the female candidate.” Thank you: we know you have ovaries. And your point is?</p>
<p>I hope that you are not right…but I fear you are…Billary is the deal-maker…and we are all part of thier plan…he (clinton) owes her big-time…We are all still voting for Obama…he is our only hope against thier corruption and power broking. I hope young women don’t look to hil-bil for inspiration…for Hillary, the end justifies the means…Edwards and his family are a class act. We all wish them the best of luck and peace.</p>
<p>“OpieofMaybery2: Yeah, that’s because the media does their best to control how we think and how we will ultimately vote. [Most] of us follow along like pod people,”</p>
<p>yup. Many people feels that more they shove Obama down our throat, more love fest they have with him, more we will reject him.</p>
<p>in reference to post #6, I would be surprised if Edwards would consider the VP position a good step for him, & would prematurely consider that. I would hope that he would wait for Obama, not Hillary, to perhaps offer him a cabinet position before announcing support.</p>
<p>epiphany: No, I don’t see him taking a VP position; I do see him taking a fairly influential and visible cabinet position, though. Again, I really don’t understand why he would drop out before Feb 5-- what is that, 6 days from now-- unless he was offered something big. I just think that would have to be the person who stands to win this nomination, and at this point, for better or worse, that person appears to be Hillary.</p>
<p>(Apparently, rumor has it that he’s been in talks with her for the last several days.)</p>
<p>Big media is in the hands of gigantic corporations, so of course they didn’t like Edwards’ message and wouldn’t cover him. It’s scary.</p>
<p>I think Obama is smart and has integrity and good values. He’s definitely inspirational to our young people and getting scads of young people interested in politics would be something really valuable.</p>
<p>Well, as usual, Edwards gave a great speech. Very sad. He didn’t endorse anyone, but after his speech, the political folks on the news said that the longer he doesn’t endorse anyone, the better it is for Hillary.</p>
<p>I like Edwards too- I always liked him much more than say Kerry actually.</p>
<p>I don’t like corporations- they have little connection to their customer- if you assume their customer is the person keeping them in business and not their stockholders.</p>
<p>1sokkermom: I think the political people say that the longer he waits to endorse anyone, the better it is for Hillary, is simply because Edwards never got the black vote, but it did get a big chunk of white voters. Many people think that those votes would now go to Hillary (especially since she’s been all about universal health care, too-- and Obama really isn’t for universal health care, if you consider that his plan leaves out ~15 million people). On the other hand, some other folks say that his supporters will probably be split evenly between the two, but I suspect that’s wishful thinking.</p>
<p>I just heard Mudcat Saunders speak-- and he said he’d do everything in his power to ensure Edwards supports Obama. So-- who knows. I did think it was notable that Edwards chose to speak at the same time Obama chose to speak in Denver. I don’t know how or why that might be significant, but I suspect it wasn’t just coincidence. Obama spoke eloquently about Edwards then, and asked for applause from everyone-- so that either just says that he wants Edwards’ voters, or they’ve got a plan. Hillary was interviewed, and it was short and sweet, but nothing special. So . . . I’m thinking that Edwards dropping out will help Hillary more than Obama, if you just look at how the voting has gone. I still think it’s just bizarre that he has dropped out before Feb 5 and before another debate tomorrow night (it is tomorrow, right?).</p>
<p>No matter who wins, I want to see John Edwards as Attorney General. He’d bring decency and honor back to the Justice Dept and there’d be no more ‘I don’t recall’ and ‘Quaint Geneva Convention’ or "Waterboarding’s just like a day at the spa’ nonsense.</p>