Edwards is the most progressive candidate with a chance...

[DjTj]

...according to the Madison Capital Times, Wisconsin's Progressive Newspaper:

http://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/editorial/68084.php


* * *

Among the five Democrats who are still competing for their party's presidential nomination, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards is the candidate who offers the best combination of electability and vision. And it is that combination that makes him uniquely able not merely to replace Bush but to place America on a radically different, and better, course.

* * *

In contrast to Democratic front-runner John Kerry, Edwards has a record of opposing the corporate free trade agenda, which has cost America more than 2 million manufacturing jobs - 70,000 of them in Wisconsin - since Bush took office in 2001. In Wisconsin, Edwards has made trade issues central to his campaign. And his message has begun to resonate with voters in Janesville, Racine, La Crosse and other communities that have been devastated by the failed economic policies of an administration that cares more about Wall Street than Main Street.

* * *

In the tradition of Robert M. La Follette and the Wisconsin progressives of old, Edwards has been a passionate critic of war profiteering by corporations such as Halliburton. Of all the candidates, Edwards has the most detailed plan for ending the distribution of contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq to politically connected firms. While he has not been as consistent a critic of the U.S. occupation of Iraq as Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-chairman Dennis Kucinich, Edwards supports turning over responsibility for the reconstruction of that country to the United Nations. And he is explicit about his commitment to renew and revitalize U.S. relations with international allies.

* * *

But we do not endorse Edwards simply to keep a healthy Democratic debate going. We believe he is the most progressive candidate with a chance of securing his party's nomination this year. And we are certain that, if he wins Wisconsin and gains the momentum that is required to become the Democratic nominee, Edwards will give Bush a rougher race than any of the other contenders. Edwards likes to tell audiences that, if Democrats give him a chance to take on Bush, he will give them the White House. That's a big promise, but we would not support John Edwards if we did not think he could keep it. With his campaigning in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and, now, Wisconsin, Edwards has convinced us. He is ready to take on the president and, if he gets the chance, John Edwards will replace George W. Bush.


(edited to 4 paragraphs)

[eileen_d]

1. That is a great endorsement for Edwards!

I liked this quote a lot:
Indeed, Edwards is such a resolute foe of negative politics that he says, "If you're looking for the candidate who can do the best job at petty sniping against other Democrats, I'm not your guy."

Thanks for posting - also you should know that DU rules request that you limit posting of copyrighted materials to 4 paragraphs, so you might need to edit.

[Baconfoot]

2. Talk about your ringing endorsements. I wish people read these. n/t

[DemBones DemBones]

26. I'm only one person, but I read it.

:hi:

[DjTj]

3. kick

:kick: Come on - this is good news here!

[Syrinx]

yep

Edwards is the guy. Kerry doesn't stand much of a chance in November, unless the Bush machine completely implodes. (Hopefully, it will, but let's not stake the future of the country on that prospect.)

[Padraig18]

4. That's why he's my #2 choice now.

He will become my #1, if Gov. Dean drops out after Tuesday.

[PurityOfEssence]

6. Thanks for the reconsideration

If Dean doesn't drop after pulling low numbers, I hope you'll consider switching.

We've tangled on this subject a few times, and I'm glad that you, unlike many others, are willing to see Edwards' merits.

He's a good guy, and can truly be a nexus of conciliation within the party, within the country and between us and the rest of the world we've so sorely mistreated of late.

Nice of you to pipe up with this.

[Padraig18]

7. I'm not a 'single issue' voter.

The IWR vote was not a deal-breaker for me, although I prefer to support a candidate who didn't support it, like Gov. Dean. That said, I am a yellow-dog Democrat and a populist, and I deeply believe John Kerry is NOT the best candidate we can field against * in November. If Gov. Dean withdraws, I'm on board!

:hi:

[spooky3]

5. That's fantastic! I only wish Madison had the # of voters that

Milwaukee does.

[KFC]

8. Besides Kerry

The most liberal of the bunch, save DK.

[jpgpenn]

9. you're kidding right?

[Padraig18]

11. Nope, he isn't.

And neither am I. I will give money and support to whoever is still standing in opposition to John Kerry up until the night they vote at the convention in Boston.

[AP]

14. Give through the link in my sig!!

[Padraig18]

16. I would have, but I already sent $100 this morning.

Did it through his website.

[AP]

20. What was the breakthrough moment for you?

(by the way)

[Padraig18]

21. When I heard Howard say he'd go to Vermont Wednesday

If he doesn't win tuesday, he's going back to Burlington to 'evaluate'. I know what that means, and I've been preparing for it since NH, emotionally. I looked around at who would be left, and Sen. Edwards stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

[Paulie]

12. It's called talking yourself into something

I'd be scared of the buyers remorse if Edwards got the nod. Progressive? Edwards? OMG!!! :D :D :D

[DjTj]

15. He is very progressive on taxes...

...which I believe is the fundamental basis for implementing progressive policies. The Reagan/Bush structure fundamentally handicapped the progressive agenda and the Clinton policies created a climate where the environment and health care could truly be considered.

He also has the most specific poilcy proposals for going after lobbyists and cleaning up Washington, which is also a fundmental prerequisite for progressive politics.

I strongly believe that Edwards would promote the greatest progress towards the progressive agenda even if he wouldn't actually implement all of the policies.

[AP]

There are two ways Republicans transfer wealth to the wealthy: (1) they...

...do it by stealing the one thing most people have to sell -- their labor -- by undervaluing it, and (2) by shifting the tax burden onto what little income you do have.

This shift in wealth is THE story of politics today, and Edwards (along with DK) is the most progressive candidate by this measure, and if you're pretending that there is any other relevant measure of one's progressivism, you are fooling yourself.

[leyton]

10. Alright Edwards!

I think he also got the endorsement of the mayor of Wisconsin, no? I hope he wins by a margin of fifteen points or more!

[DjTj]

13. Yeah, the mayor of Madison also endorsed him.

From the same newspaper:

http://www.madison.com/captimes/election2004/president/68083.php

[Tweed]

17. A small chance

[DjTj]

18. I bet you crack yourself up Tweed. (nt)

[Tweed]

23. All the time

Edwards 1 for 20 primaries record cracks me up too!

[JohnLocke]

31. By the way, I'm alerting on your sig line.

[JohnLocke]

19. On the contrary, a very large chance.

[Tweed]

24. LOL, how does Edwards have a very large chance?

He has only won 1 primary. He is polling less then 15% in every single state. He will probably lose the North Carolina primary as well. His campaign was based around him claiming he could win the south and he hasn't won a single southern state yet. Now Edwards has a very large chance how?

[DjTj]

25. It might not be a *large* chance, but you have to admit...

...he has a larger chance than anyone except for Kerry.

His 1 primary was a southern state, so you sorta contradicted yourself when you said, "he hasn't won a single southern state yet."

He has a chance, and we'll know if it's large or not after Wisconsin.

...I think I may have asked you this before, but I can't find it now. Why are you ABE?

[SangamonTaylor]

22. Edwards seems to do well after news papers endorse him.

That's encouraging.

Hope for the best in WI!

I hope my letters made it!

[Killarney]

27. Great article!

[Digit]

28. Now that is saying something!

[DjTj]

30. Welcome to DU!

Hi Digit! :hi:

[rhino47]

32. Welcome to DU Digit

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[newyawker99]

34. Hi Digit!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

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[genius]

33. If he wants to do well in CA, he needs to come out against Yucca Mtn.

Californians are strong environmentalists and did not appreciate the votes for Yucca Mtn. If you are on his campaign, talk to hiim about it. I like Edwards and that is his weakness here.