Paper's Endorsement Heartens Edwards

[chimpymustgo]

Des Moines Register Says That 'Time Is Now' for Surprised Freshman Senator

By Vanessa Williams
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 12, 2004; Page A04


DES MOINES, Jan. 11 -- Sen. John Edwards said Sunday that the endorsement of his presidential bid by Iowa's largest newspaper came as a "complete surprise," and the delight clearly shone on his face as he kicked off the final week of campaigning before next Monday's caucuses.


"This is a huge moment in this campaign -- we have extraordinary momentum," the North Carolina senator told a standing-room-only crowd at the Heartland Senior Services Center in Ames. "On January 19, we're gonna shock the world."

Edwards's smile was a little wider, his voice a little louder, as he greeted larger-than-usual crowds, including many Iowans who said they had been drawn to attend his rallies after reading the upbeat editorial in Sunday's Des Moines Register.

-snip-

Ed Braun, 53, a professor at Iowa State University, said he was not concerned about Edwards's lack of experience.

"I think he's bright enough to surround himself with experienced people," said Braun, who said he had just come around to supporting Edwards within the past week. Braun, who lives in Ames, marked the Jan. 4 Iowa debate as the turning point. Like many Iowans interviewed during the past two days, Braun said he was impressed that Edwards had run a relatively positive campaign and that he thinks the high-road approach would serve Edwards well in a campaign against President Bush.

"He seems to be able to keep his cool, and against Bush, that's going to be important," Braun said.

-snip-

Edwards stuck with his basic speech Sunday, but he was more energetic, pumping his fists and beaming as he told cheering crowds, "You give me a shot at George W. Bush, and I will give you the White House."


 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8426-2004Jan11.html

*****
Edwards has Big Mo. His debate performances, the Register endorsement , his nice-guy clean campaign persona is sticking. I'm so happy his campaign is getting a much-deserved infusion of energy and attention.

[rumguy]

1. Yes, Edwards is surging right now - it's about time his campaign caught

fire - he's a great guy and an awesome candidate!

[citizen snips]

4. Yes.

Edwards is an awesome candidate.

[citizen snips]

2. Edwards is a great candidate.

The Des Monies Register endorsement is giving the Edwards campaign a boost.

[blm]

3. I am very glad for his surge.

Edwards is one of my favorite Democrats.

But one thing I must say is that he and Clark benefitted from not being targeted by the Dean machine for most of last year.

They are mean and ruthless and Gephardt and Kerry got to the point that they HAD to reciprocate.

Edwards and Clark might not be in the position of surging if Kerry and Gephardt hadn't opened more eyes in regard to who Dean really is.

I'm sorry that they had to do it. But, thanks to a lazy or complicit media who refused to expose Dean's actual record which does not match his pandering rhetoric, did they really have a choice?

[chimpymustgo]

5. blm, you may well be right about that.

No question, Dean attacked Kerry 24/7 for 6 months. But look what's happening now. Kerry and Edwards are both surging. It ain't over.

[blm]

8. I know...and for that I am glad.

They are truly high quality candidates that any Dem can be proud of.

[Dookus]

6. good for Edwards...

I like him a lot. I'm sorry he's giving up his senate seat, because I think he has a great political future, but he'll need a seat to launch it from.

I don't think he's likely to win the presidency this time, but I'd hope he'd get a cabinet position (AG? I'd prefer Eliot Spizer, though) in a Dem administration. There are probably other good cabinet positions for him. Any ideas?

[spooky3]

7. thanks, chimpymustgo, just what I needed on a blue Monday.

[chimpymustgo]

9. Hey spooky3. This should also cheer you up.

www.johnedwards2004.com.

Feel better.

[spooky3]

11. oh, yes, I am a frequent visitor there already.

[jsw_81]

10. A boost? Actually it might be the kiss of death

I read somewhere that candidate endorsed by the Register has never won. Last time they endorsed Bradley.

[arewethereyet]

12. and Gore didn't even win his home county, much less state

probably should have gone with Bradley

[DjTj]

14. never won Iowa or never won the nomination?

...because I don't really think Edwards is going to win Iowa, but coming in 3rd would give him some big mo going into NH and SC.

[arewethereyet]

13. "He seems to be able to keep his cool..."

"...and against Bush, that's going to be important," Braun said.

How right you are Mr Braun and thanks for stating the obvious as some of us dems just don't seem to understand how regular people think.