I think we should all start getting to know John Edwards well.

[Renew Deal]

The attention he is getting is sky rocketing. His poll numbers in NH are going up. The press seems to love him. The attacks are starting to fly in. Today a flimsy one came in from Drudge. Also, I am going to look at how this race might play out soon. I have a feeling that this may be a Clark-Edwards race. We shall see.



Edit: Also the amount of Edwards avatar on DU has gone up. BTW, I am still in the Clark camp.

[Cena]

1. I like Edwards.

I would like to see an Edwards-Kucinich race myself. I don't think that'll happen, though. :(

[returnable]

2. Press attention? Yes.

NH numbers? Not so much.

I was kinda surprised to see the latest ARG numbers. I would've expected Edwards to get more of a bounce considering all the positive media attention this week.

Of course, all of that could change in a New Hampshire minute :hi:

[AP]

10. From 6-11 in two days (+83%) -- that's how Iowa started.

[returnable]

17. I was referring to the ARG numbers...

...where he's gone from 8% to 9%.

But I agree that Edwards is on the move - I'm just surprised there hasn't been a bigger reflection of that in the daily tracking poll.

[AP]

22. He's at 10 on today's ARG, and wasn't he at 5 last week?

[Buffler]

3. I don't trust him

I think he is a phony fraud. I live in NC and while he was running for the Senate he regularly attended services at our church and attended church functions often. We had never seen him prior to his run for senate. And we havent seen him again in 6 years. Not once.

He gained a large amount of support from us through his visits. And all of it has disappeared over the last 6 years through his lack of a single visit to even say thank you.

[tryanhas]

4. It's YOUR opinion

It doesn't change the earth.

Besides, Edwards has been to NC plenty of times, and I am from NC as well.

For people to complain about someone running for president going other places where he needs to win is just plain dumb, and completely orchestrated by the GOP machine. They are keeping ignorant statments like that alive.

[Buffler]

13. Presidential run

Not once did I mention his traveling for his presidential run. You inserted it to try and make your argument work. Sorry. Doesn't wash.

And yes, it is my opinion.

And regarding the presidential run, being from NC you should be well aware that currently Bush would crush Edwards here according to all polls that have been published. Thats a frightening thing.

[tryanhas]

26. Incorrect.

Elections are all about one thing and one thing alone, and that's TURNOUT!

Listen people, Don't ever bring up a stupid poll to me, because they don't mean anything.

Elections are about turnout.

Republicans like SMALL turnouts.

Democrats like LARGE TURNOUTS.

If Edwards is the nominee, you will have the highest voter turnout EVER in North Carolina and SC and that bodes well for the Democrats.

There are not more Republicans in SC or NC than there are Democratic voters, they are just more active! Dems in the south are not usually as active as Republicans are, but if Edwards is the nominee that will change, so no, nothing is scary at all to me, because I think things out and I don't put all of my faith in polls or pundits!

I know what I know, and the fact of the matter is the most important thing for Democrats in the south is to have a candidate that will energize people who generally vote Democrat to turnout.

Edwards was born in SC, lived in Georgia, was raised in NC where he went to school, then he lived in TN for a short time, before he settled back in NC. Edwards has ties to those four southern states, and he is the type of appealing candidate to take advantage of it, unlike Al Gore was.

Edwards will cause a great turnout, A LARGE TURNOUT, in the south and that's good for the Democrats because they win in large turnouts, and you know what, NO POLL is going to show that fact!

[leyton]

46. Edwards will energize both parties.

Democrats outnumber Republicans by registration but not like we used to. The parties are reaching parity, and even if Dems out number GOPers, obviously it hasn't helped in past years.

Edwards will have a hard time carrying North Carolina, there are so many people that resent him running for Pres.

[HFishbine]

16. "Edwards has been to NC plenty of times"

That's quite an accomplishment for the state's senior senator.

[tryanhas]

27. Exactly

So I wish that all of those North Carolinians who try to act like he hasn't would get over it, just like you should.

[GR]

9. I Hope He's An Atheist...

I think that would show he is a deep thinker...

[cryofan]

36. That would be great!

An atheist president would be nice.

Also, Dean appears to be somewhat atheistic. But as I have shown before here on DU, he is antagonistic to the welfare state, and so I just cannot bring myself to support him.

[AP]

37. Now there's an attitude with its finger on the pulse of America.

[AP]

11. Did he stop representing your interests? Or did you really just need that

symbol of him showing up in church?

[AP]

14. Did he stop representing your interests? Or did you really just need that

symbol of him showing up to church?

[beaconess]

19. This argument is a hoot

When Senators stay in Washington, they're criticized for not being in their home state "representing the people."

Yet, when they spend too much time in their home state, they're criticized for not being in Washington, "doing their jobs."

If this is the best they can come up with, he's in good shape.

[yaledem]

18. 1st senator in NC history to visit every county in the state.

Plus, hosting weekly town hall meetings in DC for constituents where they can ask him anything. Doesn't sound like abandonment to me.

[AP]

20. Sounds like he would have better off to skip Buffler's, who thinks that

because he showed up at all, he should have kept showing up, and becuase he didn't, he doesn't care about Buffler (without any indication of whether, as a Senator, he stopped representing Buffler's interests).

[spooky3]

23. A simple question

Is it possible he now attends another church? One in Washington or elsewhere in NC? I understand that people do sometimes change their churches, especially if they change primary residences.

[mmonk]

5. Yes, you all should

in order to make up your minds and not to pick the flavor of the month. This is true with all the candidates as things ebb and flow in different directions. I plan to examine them all if they seem to have support.

[tryanhas]

6. Edwards against Kerry or Clark and Edwards easily wins

Clark just doesn't have the DEPTH to beat Edwards and Kerry doesn't have the national appeal.

I can't see Kerry placing well in SC no matter whether he wins NH or not! When the race shifts south, Kerry will struggle.

Once Edwards passes Clark in NH which will all but be guaranteed after tonight's debate, Clark is going to be in serious trouble. Clark is running on his four stars, and nothing else.

If the debate tonight is not focused on Foreign policy he is as good as lost...

[Kahuna]

7. Sorry but, Kerry + Edwards = Clark.

Kerry = War Hero
Edwards = Charismatic Southerner
Clark = Both

[tryanhas]

30. Clark is neither charismatic or a southerner

He doesn't even have a southern accent.

Clinton was from Arkansas and look at how he sounded. Where's the proof of Clark's "southerness"?

As for charismatic, Clark is not AT ALL. Have you seen Clark? Have you? The guy is always agitated, like he is about to snap or something. It's not a bash, it's just the truth. He has this defensive personality that he acts like everyone is out to get him. The other night after the caucuses he was about to snap on someone on CNN for a question that was not even the least insulting, and they had to cut him off to go to commercial because he was about to get really loud.

Clark needs serious anger management classes.

He is not charismatic at all.

[KittyWampus]

35. You're Not A Southerner Unless You SOUND Like One?

give it up.

and maybe you haven't seen any of Clark's TH meetings.

[abburdlen]

40. Clark doesn't have Depth?!?

ummm didn't Josh Marshall say Edwards was like Chinese food;filling at the time, but a few hours later you’re hungry again.

I like Edwards and voted for him here in NC but just don't see the nation seeing him ready for POTUS

TPM article
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_01_18.html#002463

[mmonk]

41. Clark has loads of depth

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. No Thanks.

He's on the bottom of my list of candidates. He also "retained" General Shelton as an advisor. I see that as a slap in Clark's face. In a subtle kind of, clean, no verbal bashing, kinda way.

[Renew Deal]

12. I think you miss what I am saying.

Maybe I didn't explain it right. I mean Edwards is becoming a big player now. Not that you should support him.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. I understood

your point. Thanks. :)

[AP]

21. Don't worry. You're not THAT subtle.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Now AP,

I was trying to be as nice as I possibly could without coming right out and giving my real opinion of Edwards. I thought it was a fair post.

[AP]

38. I was responding to Bleacher, not you.

Nonetheless, feel free to let it rip. Just be honest.

[DjTj]

24. The Shelton issue...

...from what I understand Edwards and Shelton went to school together and Shelton was advising Edwards before Clark entered the race.

Should he have fired Shelton after Clark entered the race?

If Shelton starts giving stump speeches bashing Clark, I'll be upset, but until then, it just seems like the logical thing to do. I don't think Edwards knows a whole lot of other high-ranking generals to advise him on foreign policy/military matters.

[KittyWampus]

39. Shelton Came Out Against Paul O'Neill Last Week

indicating what side of the Neo-Con fence he is on.

If Edwards gets his advice from a General who would publically come out as supporting the GOP he has bad judgement... and it matters little if they went to school together.

[beaconess]

25. How is it a slap in Clark's face to seek advice from someone he's known

long before Clark had even thought of getting in the race?

Would you think better of Edwards if he jettisoned an old friend and adviser because a political opponent might take offense at his continued communication with him?

And, since when should Edwards or any candidate determine who they will consult with based upon whether another candidate likes that person?

I'm sorry, but your argument about this is bogus.

[spooky3]

28. it will affect my view of Edwards if and only if

Edwards himself make unprovoked, vague, unsubstantiated smears on someone's character.

Somehow I do not see that happening.

[redqueen]

29. Wow

If a nasty campaign document, his method of speechifyin to jurors, his church visits, and his advisors are the biggest gripes against Edwards... he just may be as good as his supporters say he is. :)

[spooky3]

31. good point, redqueen!

[cryofan]

34. People have accused me of smearing him on his legal tactics, but

I agree with you. If this is all there, is, then on with Edwards show...

[absyntheNsugar]

32. When I first read of Edwards

I knew he would be a contender - if not now, later. I wondered why he didn't have the numbers a few months ago - but now I see the strategy. Just like running a marathon - let the ego driven runners duke it out at first, then let your second wind kick in when theyre good and tired.

I still support Clark 1st, then Dean...and have serious issues with Edwards' stance on the IWR (he voted in favor of it - never forget that) but I do think he could beat Bush.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

42. His vote for the IWR is all I need to know. Thanks anyway.

[citizen snips]

43. I changed my avator to Edwards.

n/t.

[mmonk]

44. Two things to think about

In NC, Edwards doesn't poll over bush (which if he's going to win "anywhere and everywhere", you would expect him to at least poll neck and neck in NC).

Next, I was talking to an independent (in NC) telling him that he should vote for the democratic nominee over bush. He agrees and says he would vote for any of them over bush except Edwards. Both of these may be anomalies (especially the voter I was talking about), but I'm having a hard time ignoring them.

[genius]

45. The one area I think he needs to improve in is the

environmental area. He's much better than Dean. In fact, compared to Dean, he looks like an environmental activist. However, that doesn't say much since Dean has the worst environmental record of all the candidates. Does anyone connected with his campaign know whether he's re-thinking his positions on anything in this area?

[TexasSissy]

47. He has the lowest lifetime environmental score of all the candidates,

according to the League of Conservation Voters.

http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/scorecardmain.cfm

He's also cute & sexy. He also didn't vote much of the time he was in the Senate. He also is a self-made man who worked hard to put himself through college and law school. He's also one of the best stump speakers I've ever seen - inspirational almost. He also voted for the Patriot Act and the IWR. He also seems to care deeply about the average, middle class American. He also seems to care about the very poor, which is admirable, considering it doesn't help him politically.

Like most people, he is a contradiction at times, and is neither all good nor all bad.

He would not be my first choice, but I would run, not walk, to the polls to vote for him, should he become the nominee.