Wayne Madsen: Can John Edwards win his party's nomination?

[Bluebear]

Edwards could not only wrap up the nomination but begin his plans to move back to Washington as president -- one who would likely bring real and hopeful change to a depressed nation.


YES: Former senator possesses an ability to cultivate the grass roots

John Edwards has something Hillary Clinton doesn't: an army of union members and progressive activists who have been cultivating the nation's grass roots on behalf of the former senator and vice presidential candidate.

With 130 paid staffers in Iowa and an army of enthusiastic volunteers, Edwards stands a good chance of derailing Clinton's juggernaut of big-money donors and machine politicians. Endorsements from the Service Employees International Union and the Postal Workers Union will help Edwards in a state where organized labor remains surprisingly strong.

If Edwards wins the Iowa caucuses or even ties in a three-way race with Clinton and Barack Obama, the folksy North Carolinian will be in a good position to trump Clinton in New Hampshire. Backers of Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden will begin to look for another candidate to take on Clinton. While some may opt for Obama, a sizable move by these political free agents to Edwards will put him in a better position to win in New Hampshire....

Edwards' strong populist appeal has won him the backing of some of America's largest unions, including the steelworkers, the mine workers, the transport workers, the carpenters and joiners, and several state chapters of the SEIU, including New Hampshire's....MORE

http://www.charlotte.com/409/story/388829.html

[saltpoint]

1. Recommended.

[Bluebear]

3. 'real and hopeful change to a depressed nation' - Ain't it the sad truth?

America "wanted a beer" with George Bush. They got the crushing hangover with none of the carefree tipsy.

[saltpoint]

5. It's the truth and it's sad both, yes. Great piece on John Edwards, Bluebear.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. So... Edwards supporters are depressed?

:shrug:
I'm very optimistic. Maybe that's why I "don't get" Edwards.

[Demeter]

2. Not to Mention the Otherwise Unaffiliated, Who Want A Smart, Fair

and warm President who supports the Constitution and ends the illegal occupation.

[Bluebear]

4. 'This kind of thing ALWAYS has a loophole.'

Thanks for the memories!

[Demeter]

6. That's Precious!

Thanks for the smile!

[cali]

7. This assumes too much

First of all, it basically dismisses Obama as a factor. Secondly, the author assumes that none of Biden's, Richardson's or Dodd's supporters will go to Clinton. That's to be seen. There's no guarantee that a substantial number of these supporters will move to Edwards. Thirdly, the grassroots were in Dean's camp in 2004 and we all know that that didn't cut it. Same for SEIU and other unions. Lastly, what the heck is the point of this??

"New Hampshire is also unkind to front runners like Hillary Clinton. In the 1992 primary, Bill Clinton lost New Hampshire to Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tsongas, another enterprising senator who, like Edwards, spoke on behalf of the working class."

Well, yeah, but Tsongas was from the neighboring state of MA, and Clinton won the nomination.


Edwards can win, but I think he needs to win Iowa to go on and get the nomination.

[yodermon]

10. Wayne Madsen is a kook

When the hell did he start writing for McClatchy? Weird.

[Bluebear]

11. What's kooky about the article?

[yodermon]

12. Nothing.

I'm just surprised to see wayne madsen writing for mcclatchy.

[robbedvoter]

13. It says he writes for Online Journal - under his name

[MethuenProgressive]

8. From the Charlotte Observer? What state is Charlotte in?

:puffpiece:
They're drooling over the thought of Camp Edwards becoming The Summer White House.
Somebody hand the Observer a napkin, will ya?