John Edwards aces Hannity & Colmes appearance (Video here!)

[JohnLocke]

VIDEO HERE
----
From Newshounds:

I have to admit that when I heard John Edwards would be coming on Hannity & Colmes last night (1/23/07) to discuss Bush’s State of the Union speech, I was a little concerned he might not be prepared for Hannity’s bullyboy bravado. I was wrong. Edwards’ straight-talking, humanitarian attitude quickly laid to rest Hannity’s gotcha questions. It didn’t hurt that Hannity was less of a blowhard than usual. With video.
Edwards was refreshingly candid but also more politic rather than partisan. He diplomatically pointed out where he agreed with President Bush yet still managed to damn him with elegantly faint praise. For example, Edwards said he welcomed Bush’s energy and health proposals but called them “small, baby steps” instead of the “transformational” actions he thought necessary.
(...)
Hannity asked, “Would you take a no new tax pledge? …Do you think Americans are overtaxed or undertaxed?”
Rather than tapdance around the questions, Edwards said right away that he would not make that pledge because the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy have created “huge problems.” Edwards continued by saying that the question of being overtaxed or undertaxed is not black and white, that some people are overtaxed, like the middle class, but that top earners, like himself, are not.
Hannity trotted out his well-worn statistics that "the bottom 50% of wagearners only pay 3.8 % of the federal tax bill. The top... 10% pay nearly 70% of the tax bill."
Rather than attack Hannity’s stingy, blame-the-poor attitude, Edwards said that he took advantage of America and what it has to offer. “I think those of us who have done extraordinarily well” have more of a responsibililty to give back.
Hannity had no answer for that.

The rest and video of the appearance here.

[lancdem]

1. Edwards is a trial lawyer

No one can outflank him. He's too sharp.

[wain]

2. A trial lawyer as president

And a one-time senator refusing to stand for re-election. Interesting. I wonder what it would be like. I'll bet different. What the heck. Look at what we've had lately.

:-)

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Didn't most of our presidents have a law degree?

[fuzzyball]

11. Big difference between a trial lawyer who has to think on his feet

and a corporate/real-estate/tax/divorce/wills & trust/government lawyers
who can sit in an office and prepare their case.

[BlueStater]

3. Edwards is a lawyer

He could certainly handle a putz like Hannity.

[Clarkie1]

4. What, Edwards is on FOX news!

What is the world coming to?

Seriously though, I thought Edwards did alright; I doubt any Dem will be making any sort of ridiculous "no new taxes" pledge. He correctly picked up on the growing discrepancy between the classes, as I was also pleased Webb did in his SOTU message.

Hannity was certainly uncharacteristically throwing softballs, but Edwards still responded to the quetions well. It will be interesting to see how Democratic candidates differentiate themselves, as I think there is likely to be a lot of agreement on tax and economic policy, as well as the need for universal healthcare.

[karynnj]

5. One negative -

"Edwards said he welcomed Bush’s energy and health proposals "

I haven't looked at Bush's energy policy, but the health on is a mess.
-It will tax anyone who gets insurance paid for by an employer. Than money funds providing health care for those that don't have it.
-This is done via tax deductions. A deduction is useless if you make too little to pay much in taxes.

I assume this will not get out of the Senate Finances Heathcare subcommittee - which I assume the place the tax law will be written.

[JDPriestly]

6. He answered wisely.

His response demonstrates diplomatic skill and civility. That is just what we need to counter the blustering, foolish right that is now in power. His genuine willingness to listen and debate will completely disarm the extremists.

He has the personality to bring the country together. And his accent is genuine and very down home sounding.

Plus his message rings so true. No one can deny what he says about the economic injustice in our society.

[Clarkie1]

7. I agree with Edwards economic message.

And I would like to add, I was very glad to hear Webb hitting the same themes Tuesday night. Its not just Edwards message, its the position of most Democrats.

[fuzzyball]

12. Not exactly....only the golden health coverage by employers costing

more than $15,000 per year get taxed. I have nothing to worry.
My employer pays less than $8000/employee.

[JohnLocke]

9. Kick (nt).

[hijinx87]

10. it is just so impressive

how much more polished and knowledgeable edwards
is now than he was in 2004.