This post
I did way back in July says it all about the John Edwards factor:
… .. John Edwards is different. He talks of poverty, peace and something
beyond perpetual war, which completely flummoxes Republicans. The truth is
that the reason Republicans want Edwards gone is that they can’t attack his
message, because they don’t understand it, are even scared of it, dread facing
it. The haircut is easier to ridicule, as they hope to capitalize on the juvenile
mind set of the average American voter who is too busy working two jobs and
is willing to hate anyone so rich, good looking and who has succeeded where
they have failed. Edwards is a wealthy man who came from nothing who is now
making his life’s work the poor; people to whom Republicans can’t relate,
but to whom they continually sell their policy propaganda to, but which will
never set them free. Nothing is scarier than the thought of the poor rising
up and realizing that the talk of the American dream through Republican policies
(and the cheerleading of talk radio) will never reach that far down to them.
If the truth be told to the masses, Republicans would never win another election
and wingnut radio hypocrisy would be finished forever. That’s why Edwards
must not only be defeated, but destroyed; like Kerry the veteran turned against
war had to not only be stopped, but the symbol he represented obliterated
and neutralized. Antithetical notions to Republican thinking are not allowed
to thrive in the American dialogue, and the messenger will not survie to sell
his story.… .. Ironically, John Edwards has lived the life Republicans tout they
believe can be for everyone. The life Rush and Sean and all the wingnut blowhards
on radio say is the Republican dream, the American ideal. A boy who grew up
poor and pulled himself up by his own initiative to become wealthy, happy
and successful; but also faced adversity and came out the other end stronger
and unbowed, even in the face of crushing loss and personal tragedy he continues
to live through each day. Unfortunately, he is also a Democrat. So they hate
him for who he was, has become and wants to be, because he’s lived the Republican
dream, but disavows their beliefs, because they inherently leave the poor
behind. Something John Edwards has experienced first hand. Edwards is the
embodiment of Republican self reliance. That he turned into a Democrat is
his burden. It’s why Republicans can’t have him win. … ..
What I pointed out last July is something the traditional media, at long last,
finally caught up with just last week, though they framed the John Edwards factor as a threat:
Ask corporate lobbyists which presidential contender is most feared by their
clients and the answer is almost always the same — Democrat John Edwards.
… .. But beyond his profession, Edwards’ tone and language on the campaign
trail have increased business antipathy toward him. His stump speeches are
peppered with attacks on “corporate greed” and warnings of “the
destruction of the middle class.” … .. read
on…
Tonight’s debate is very important and not just for the Nevada caucuses coming
up on Saturday.
One and one and coming off a bruising battle finally being waged
on the issues, Clinton and Obama will likely walk into tonight ready to tangle.
However, they better be ready for someone who is getting a lot of attention
here, John Edwards. Now I’m not going to cite the polls, because they mean nothing,
absolutely positively nothing in Nevada, because nobody knows who will turn
out for the caucuses. But one thing is clear, it’s that as badly as people seem
to want Edwards out of the primary race, he’s very much in it; not to be confused
with the perpetual presidential ego candidacy of Dennis it’s all about me
Kucinich, who represents the outer space contingent of the Democratic party.
The reality about Edwards finally getting some attention, though way too
late to launch him into the nomination lead, is that he’s the anti Hillary, which
is why aligning himself with Obama has been so devastating to his own candidacy,
not to mention his harsh personal attacks on Clinton doing far more harm to him than good.
Frankly, I hope Edwards stays in the race. I think the issues he raises are
not only real and important, but he’s actually making the case for a huge contingent
of the Democratic party while also challenging moneyed interests, regardless of the fact that I believe all top three candidates are still insiders otherwise they wouldn’t be in the top tier. But Edwards is clearly the angry man fighting against corporate interests, which is why he’s likely had so much trouble getting traction. After all, it’s corporations who cover politics.
… .. According to the nonpartisan Project for Excellence in Journalism,
Edwards has long faced a media blackout – one that at least some honest media
brokers like Keith Olbermann have noted. As I said a long time ago, that Edwards
has even been able to compete in such a hostile environment is a testament
to the power of his message.The question we should ask is what the hostility and media blackout is really
all about? I’d say the media’s behavior is motivated by the same impulses
that moves lobbyists to whine and cry to Reuters and self-important bloviators
like O’Donnell to publicly burst a blood vessel on the Huffington Post – the
people who have gotten used to the status quo are truly terrified by any candidates
who they really believe will change things and threaten their power and status.
Edwards is just such a candidate – one who threatens to muck up what the media
and political elite want to be a race between two “nonthreatening,”
Wall Street-approved candidates. Obviously, it’s a three-way race at this
very moment – whether the Establishment likes that or not. … ..
So what will we see play out tonight at the MSNBC debate, which begins at
9:00 eastern – 6:00 p.m. pacific? Obama needs to be on his game, which I have no doubt he will be, because I suspect
Clinton will sharpen her attack even further using some of the same talking
points she made on “Meet the Press” last Sunday, possibly also drawing
him out on his “present” votes, which remain a big problem for him. If she continues hitting him on his Iraq no action reality in the U.S. Senate, I expect a planned for quip or two, scripted and ready to unfurl.
As for Edwards, he needs to quit propping up Obama if he wants to stand out
and actually have a chance of winning a caucus, however large a long shot that
is right now. The question is will he? I have my doubts.
Oh, and by the way, I also think John Edwards was stabbed in the back by the Nevada unions endorsing Mr. Obama. But that’s the craven nature of union politics in the Silver State. That they picked Obama over Edwards is not only an insult, but a joke.
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