Moved from undecided to Edwards. Here's your chance to talk me out of it.

[cheezus]

I saw his stump speech on CSPAN this morning and finally made up my mind. He's a brilliant speaker who I thought was really able to take the complexities of what's wrong with our country and put it in a way that everyone can understand and relate to.

What really speaks to me is his message that there are two Americas - always with one system for the rich and powerful and another crappier one for the rest of us, and that we ought to have one great America for everyone.

He comes off as very honest and likable. He smiles really big and talks in a cheezy southern accent. He can compete everywhere in the country. I was concerned about his electablity until I saw him speak. He's been the underdog time and again, and won. He sounds articulate and intelligent and would <b>demolish<b> bush in a debate.

Of course, there are some downsides

He's a bit to the right of me, but I think that's okay for the general public, considering how far to the left I am.

He's inexperienced. I don't buy the outsider is better argument, but he did run a successful underdog campaign to win the senate seat, and he does have a half-decade in the senate. And it's obvious that he's smart enough to be President of the United States.

The patriot act. He does support getting rid of parts of it, but he's for a lot of it. I don't exactly know the specifics of this, but he does pay lip service at least to civil liberties

So there you go. I've been wanting to be involved in the election, but there are many good canidates and until now none of them had risen above the rest.

My wife and I are now planning on doing work for Edwards, so please take this opportunity to talk me out of it. I'd like to hear the opposition so I make sure I'm picking the right guy.

[leyton]

1. I came to the same conclusion you did.

I used to be fond of Dean and Clark... but I eventually decided that Edwards is just awesome.

[jenk]

2. good choice!

:)

welcome to a surging campaign full of hope, optimism, and determination. Don't let them talk you out of it!!! :)

[cheezus]

5. who's that in the pic?

the guy on the right looks like John :)

[jenk]

7. it is john!

That's John Edwards, his wife Elizabeth, and John's brother in law Jim in 1978, John was 25 in this picture

[mlawson]

28. Tilt.

Ka-ching, whatever!!! It isn't fair; NO ONE should get to look like that!!!

He really, really needs to use that photo in the Fall campaign.

[curse10]

3. Won't be talking you out of anything!

I think Edwards is a great choice!

[mikehiggins]

4. Nah, no argument here. I'm still 100% for Clark but if anyone else should

get the nomination I hope its Edwards.

[elfin]

6. Still with Clark - but like Edwards alot

Remain with Wes because I think national and international security will be the headline issue for the GE - even though it SHOULD be other things like joblessness, enviromment etc.

Edwards has everything BUT long experience in security. He must parlay his Intelligence Committee work into something more substantive to allay the fears stoked by Dumbya in Nov.

However, go for it - he is a good choice. And if you must choose again, consider Wes.

[cheezus]

12. Security - good point

But then again Bush was able to solve all of his incompetence problems by saying he'd surround himself by smart people. I'm sure if Edwards got the nomination he'd have a lot of strong military and security people around him. But I do agree that he'd have a liability in the GE.

Sadly, the only thing I like about Clark is that he can win. I'm very dubious of his credentials as anything other than a military hero. It seems like someone should have to be a proven democrat before we make them the nominee of our party.

[surfermaw]

18. Bill Clinton & connections to intelligent people

Bill Clinton,used his list of intelligent people, he had connected with through the years to select cabinet members...such as Rubin..I would assume Edwards would be able to do the same if he is lacking in an area.

[quinnox]

8. Edwards is a great candidate

And I would never think of trying to talk anyone out of backing him.
If my boy Kerry doesn't get the nod, I'm with Edwards all the way.

[spooky3]

9. I think you are right to do this work for Edwards. Re: Patriot Act

On Wolfie today, he specified some examples:

1) A good part is that it updated existing law for new technology. For example, investigators could get suspects' phone messages, but not voice mail, because prior law was written before voice mail existed. (I've heard this is also true about email messages--even if there was every reason to believe the suspect was dangerous, email could not be seized because there was no specific authority to seize email because it didn't exist at the time the law was written)

2) A bad part is the "sneak and peek" where investigators could come into your home while you were out and not tell you they had done so.

He named other parts he would change, and more info is on his website, johnedwards2004.com.

[Liberal_Andy]

10. You're making the right choice!

Hopefully, these will reinforce your decision.

http://www.roadwomen.com/Articles_Archive/ananswer-edwards.htm

http://edwards.senate.gov/speeches/2003/MLK_01-20.html

http://edwards.senate.gov/press/2003/0115-pr.html

[cheezus]

17. wow. a REAL christian

I'm not a christian myself, and it's really annoying when politicians invoke god. but at least Edwards seems to act the way a christian is supposed to act.

[lovedems]

11. Clark is my #1, Edwards is my #2.

But in all honesty, I think they all kick ass (minus Joe).

[Lex]

13. Many people feel the same as you

I think many people are undergoing the same trasformation that you have undergone. There are good and valid reasons for that--some of them you outlined.

No reason to argue with you or all the other people who are coming to the same conclusion.

Go Edwards!

[BlueStateGirl]

14. I like Edwards. If Clark wasn't in the race, I think Edwards would be

my guy.

[tryanhas]

15. I'm not going to try to talk you out of it

Go here:

http://www.blog.johnedwards2004.com

and ask them why you made the right decision, lol.

Peace...

[AP]

16. The most liberal thing you can be for is the

downward and outward flow of political, economic and cultural power.

Edwards stands far to the left of almost every other candidate in this way.

I know, I know. He LOOKS and SOUNDS and comes from a state, like he's a DLC'er or close to center. I can't tell you how FORTUNATE that is for Democrats who want to win the general election.

The fact is, however, there's a good reason Kucinich calls him a friend, and it has to do with how they feel about power, and who should have it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. Clark has the guts and the standing to take on Bush...

On all of the biggest issues, the absolute crimes and virtually impeachable offenses being committed by his regime. Dean comes close to Clark in this regard, but Clark by far goes furthest. Clark has fought life and death struggles, and given his lifetime to defending this country. He sees that just about everything he honors most about this country is being undermined by Bush, and he will not be silent. Clark can not be intimidated. He has not studied the political craft of compromise to preserve your standing for the next political fight. Clark is laying it all on the line NOW, and now is when the fight must be fought.

I like Edwards a lot, but to be honest, he is scoring all of his best points at the free point foul line. He is making the populist case against the Millionaire's Administration. God knows the case needs to be made, and Edwards is eloquent on it, but it is relatively easy pickings really. Clark is going after the dark heart of the menace confronting us. No one else can do it as well. We need him now.

[leyton]

23. I don't think Edwards will be afraid

to challenge Bush on any issue where they disagree. Edwards is smart, he's staying on message, which is smart politics. But I think that if he goes one on one with Bush, he'll strike the necessary balance between staying on message (Two Americas) and slapping Dubya around.

[Tom Rinaldo]

25. Maybe, but Clark is doing it now.

I know Clark can do it, because he already is. I am not waiting around to see if someone else can rise to the occasion, it might be too late then.

[DjTj]

20. Doesn't look like a lot of people are talking you out of it...

...and I'm not going to do it either.

The Patriot Act issue is way more complicated than I feel like anybody talks about significantly on DU, but I think the best short-term solution is really to get Ashcroft out of there.

The inexperience is a concern, but he has been incredibly successful at everything he has done, and he's done it by working his ass off. I have full faith in his ability to lead this country.

And if you want to hear more, I wrote this essay:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/01/19_edwards.html

[chimpymustgo]

21. Get your smiles ready. You'll be doing a lot of that.

Edwards is such a joy to watch and listen to. Hope, optimism, passion. It feels good.

[K8-EEE]

22. He's Got Smarts, Charisma and Mojo

I ain't talking you out of anything. He could kick shrubby's butt. I would LOVE to see it!

[anti-NAFTA]

24. I'll talk you out of it.

"Free trade" has finally started taking its toll on America. It has cost the American manufacturing sector, agriculture, and telecommunications services dearly. The job losses that we've seen since Chimpy took office were the result of NAFTA and free trade, pure and simple. Don't nominate a man who's going to continue to ram bullshit about comparative advantage down your throat. Vote Kucinich or write in Gephardt if you can.

[DjTj]

27. From his website:

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/economy-create.asp

Some in Washington are pushing tax proposals that could encourage corporations to move overseas at the same time as they protect tax cuts for corporations that renounce their U.S. citizenship.

Edwards believes that at a time when we have lost more than 2 million manufacturing jobs, we should keep jobs here at home.

He will give a 10 percent tax cut to corporations that produce goods here and keep jobs at home. Edwards will stop corporations from getting tax cuts for renouncing their citizenship.

[JohnLocke]

26. Thank you so much.

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