Why not Edwards?

[Killarney]

I watched Edwards on 60 minutes last night and I'll admit I haven't paid much attention to him. I've been focused on Dean, Clark, and Kerry myself. But, now after seeing him speak 2-3 times, I'm wondering why he's not doing better in the polls.

Why do you think he's lagging in the polls?

[maddezmom]

1. he's under the radar right now

and I think it's part of his strategy to not get caught up in all the back and forth that's going on right now. I watched him on CSPAN last night and he mentioned all the attack ads. He's staying focused on bush*.

[swittersnc]

3. because he has the least experience

of any of the candidates 1/2 term as a senator does not a president make. he has not built a solid record in any direction to use as a platform for running. but most importantly is that his personal ambition to be president this soon into his career has created a situation here in north carolina where it is virtually a given that we will lose another senate seat to the republicans.
i have to say, however, that he has the presence and ability to engage that would make him an amazing candidate if he'd just done his job for north carolina long enough to prove that a) he is actually concerned with making life better for his constituents and b)he has what it takes to truly lead, he'd be at the top of my list.

[OBXNCarolina]

6. Least Experience?

Compared to the other Democratic candidates? There are other candidates without elected political experience. I believe John Edwards has the best plan for getting the US back on track after the * derailment. Scary thought, but if years of experience counts more than quality of service, * is the only one with Presidential experience. I'm not voting for a President based on that.

[spooky3]

9. Good point!

[newyawker99]

15. Hi OBXNCarolina!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[spooky3]

8. One more time--he is 50 years old. He has a long career

of success representing families against big corporations that have harmed them. If you are arguing that only experience as an elected office holder should "count", then a lot of Clark and Sharpton supporters are going to disagree with you, and, I would hope, many other people as well.

I agree that effective service in public office is relevant too. But Edwards has been influential during his short time in office. And, it is not the only thing that matters.

I think the issue is more one of appearance than reality. Edwards looks younger than he is.

[HFishbine]

17. Ummm

Welcome to DU swittersnc.

A couple of things. I'm not 100% delighted with Edwards' performance as our senator but, you realize, of course, that he has in fact completed five years of a six year term.

Also I don't see how you come to the conclusion that is is "virtually given" that NC will elect a republican to replace Edwards. Democrat Bowles garnerd 47% of the vote in his senate race against Dole, while republican Burr has no state-wide recongntion and problems telling the truth. I'd say the odds are NC WILL have another democratic senator.

[spooky3]

10. I think that's smart and classy.

It is much more impressive than Kerry's and Lieberman's approach, and probably more effective.

[kanrok]

2. I like Edwards a lot

More importantly he likes me: http://veepers01.budlight.com/service/RetrieveCard?id=D60B65A0-33F1-11D8-AFA6-E3635E514682

[NJCher]

5. Hah!

Is that really you?


Cher

[kanrok]

7. Yes

I'm going to sue my tux maker. He said black was "slimming"

[PAMod]

4. If Brutus et. al. somehow take down Dean by sundry means...

you will see a mass migration to the John Edwards camp, IMO, so long as he stays out of the attacks.

Just a hunch.

[Monte Carlo]

11. IMHO, he's not done yet, put him back in.

I think he should have stayed on as a NC Senator for a bit longer than he has before making a run at the Oval Office. He's a good guy, and certainly has the look and experience necessary for the job, but he just doesn't seem to be ready yet. I think he should run again for Senator in NC, instead.

[TexasSissy]

12. He's not ready. Maybe in the future.

He isn't terribly young, but he looks young. He voted for the congressional resolution, which is a problem this time around. I just get the impression that he isn't ready for the national stage, but is a promising candidate for the future. Very conservative candidate, that is.

There are just too many candidates this time around for him to stand out. Don't know what he was thinking in staying in the race, when it was evident early on that he wouldn't make it.

[YNGW]

13. I'm from NC

And if Edwards was running I wouldn't vote for him. I'd rather have Harvey Gantt or Erskine Bowles than Edwards. I have no sympathy for trial lawyers. Good thing he's not running, otherwise he might get beat, and that's one reason he probably chose not to run. That Senate seat changes every election.

[jmaier]

16. Do you think Bowles

has a fighting chance to capture the senate seat Edwards is going to vacate or is a definite loss to the Rethugs?

[AP]

14. Because, like you, not enough people know his story and his policies.

He's engaged in retail-level campaigning, because Clinton and McCain told him that's how to do it -- do well enough in NH that people pay attention, win SC, and roll.

[killbotfactory]

18. He's just run a typical campaign...

Like some of the other candidates. It's a run of the mill (pun not intended) campaign. He relies too much on being the son of a millworker and he's usually too cheesy for his own good. The only thing that really stands out about him is that he's a southerner.

[poskonig]

19. Edwards voted for the war

and voted for a few bad bills. The only thing he offers in public are stories about his father, who worked as a millworker, and his mother, who worked in a post office. Did I mention his father worked in a mill?