John Edwards...it is just not his time.

[Raven]

I have already declared myself for Kerry so there is my bias. But I was really pretty opened- minded. I loved Howard Dean but knew in my heart of hearts that he could not sustain the momentum and he probably could not beat Bush. I have loved Edward's message about two Americas because there are two Americas and we must fix that, but, here are my concerns about John Edwards:

He is too new... not to the Senate necessarily or to public office...but to us. He sounds to me too much like a litigator... he is almost too good at tugging at the jury's heart strings, "geting the win". In some ways I sense that the win is more important to him than what he wins, how he wins and what he would do with the win. All of his ads talk about "they said I couldn't do this and they said I couldn't do that... but I did." I admire that but this election isn't a push-up competition.

I don't think he really has done anything substantive in the Senate...not that he should have so early in his career...he is very new to that august body. He needs the time to make his name.

John Edwards is running because he is attractive (very!) and ambitious and he has some very good ideas for this country but it is too soon for him. He lacks the substance of a statesman. He will acquire it, I am sure, but it just is not there for me now...in the face of the evil we face.

[Dookus]

1. I tend to agree

I like him, but I think not running for his senate seat again was a huge mistake. Another term in the senate and he would've been VERY well-positioned for a future presidential run. Now his only hope is for Kerry to win and give him either the VP slot or a prominent cabinet position.

[Padraig18]

2. Or run for Governor of NC.

That could serve him very well in '08 or '12.

[KC21304]

12. When would that race be ? If it works out that would be good.

Who is running for his seat ?

[DjTj]

15. Easley is running for reelection this fall...

...the seat will be open in '08 I believe.

[bamir]

5. We need to look ahead

If we win in Nov, any differences these two may be developing need to be set aside ...and focus on the bigger picture. We need to groom any/all candidates for the future and Edwards is the future of the Dems. Edwards hasd a future and we would be crazy not to let him develop it in a high-profile position.

[DjTj]

7. Welcome to DU!

:hi: I've made like 200 calls to Buffalo for Edwards. It seems like we have very good support there.

[bamir]

8. thanks

haven't lived in Buffalo for many years....now in Binghamton area, but I get back often.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi bamir!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[jus_the_facts]

3. So similar to a virtually unknown Gov. from Arkansas...Bill Clinton....

...back in 1992...

[tryanhas]

4. That's because Democrats don't know how to do anything but...

...lose elections, and criticize the media, while letting it manipulate them.

[DjTj]

6. You talk about Edwards like his career is politics...

...and I don't think it has ever been about that.

Edwards ran for President this time because he saw how bad George Bush was for the country, and he didn't see another candidate that could take on Bush; someone that could challenge him in the South and challenge his likeability.

I actually think the opposite of what you say about "getting the win," because he has refused to go negative in these two weeks leading up to Super Tuesday, and it seems like how he wins is very important.

Soem of his earlier ads talked more about his policies, but he's now fighting against a media-backed inevitability for Kerry, so his campaign has shifted somewhat into rebuttal mode.

He has his name on a bigger bill than anything Kerry passed in 19 years in the Senate - the Patient's Bill of Rights.

I'm not sure what the substance of a statesman is, but I fear that includes some equivocating and a loss of clear, unadulterated vision. An impression I get from Edwards is that he didn't like a lot of what he saw when he was in the Senate. He has a real disdain for "Washington lobbyists" and the influence of money in a "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" kind of way.

I wish we could put someone like that in the White House instead of the same old politician, but it seems like fear is pushing people towards the familiar. I still believe though, and I hope and pray that John Edwards' time is now.

[Raven]

9. I respect what you have said and I agree

with a great deal of what you have said and I see this guy as our hope for the future...I don't know what he will do after the primaries...I don't think he will be VP and he is out of the running for the Senate...he has some challenges ahead of him. :-)

[Justice]

10. Edwards Has a Great Future Ahead of Him

whether in 2004 or after.

Personally, I would love to see him as Attorney General (I know some Edwards supporters don't want to count him out and I don't mean to do so). I just relish the thought of him taking down the velvet curtains at Justice.

[bearfartinthewoods]

11. gee...the eve of another primary day and again with the

wistful declarations that edwards isn't the one.

perhaps the time might be better spent pushing kerry? convince us that a man who's spent decades in dc is what we need? a man who's been named aS THE MOST LIBERAL SENATOR. not that i think that's a bad thi9ng but it sure will be easy fixin's for rove.

i prefer a man who's trying to make it our time instead of one who expects it because it's his turn......

[PurityOfEssence]

14. The parallels to 1956 are striking

The green and vibrant young politician is smothered by the weight of the stultifying many in favor of the dry and unexciting figurehead.

Let's hope it's not true. Let's hope Edwards is still standing after today and he can turn around and sweep next Tuesday.