For Obama & Edwards Supporters

[H2O Man]

The idea of John Edwards serving as Attorney General if Barack Obama wins the democratic nomination (and thus the general election) has been put out there today. I believe in the power of symbols to communicate ideas. This brings to mind RFK serving as the Attorney General under JFK.

One of the concerns that I have heard from Edwards supporters is that Obama is too conservative. Yet if he were to put John Edwards in as Attorney General, wouldn't that suggest that he recognized that in many areas, this nation needs a person with Edwards' integrity and passion for justice?

At a time when there is a potential for dangerous divisions in the party, I think that this is a good sign. I do not intend this as implying that Barack Obama will be the nominee; rather, that it is an expression on Obama's part of the willingness to embrace unity should he be nominated.

While I have not endorsed any of the three democratic candidates, I freely admit to thinking very highly of The Thousand Days.

I am curious what you folks think about this.

[patrice]

1. Edwards or Un-Committed ALL of the Way!!! nt

[Fovea]

6. Hey, I thnk it will be Edwards in a brokered convention

And I dread it because I thnk fear will be bloody outside and in.

But H2Oman has a right to post a hypothetical, right?

[patrice]

18. Of course he does. And Obama would make an absolutely fantastic

Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Solidarity, realpolitik!

[robbedvoter]

2. So much thought - based on a Novak rumor? from you??? Wow!

[H2O Man]

12. Nope.

It's not just a Novak rumor. Tim Russert is also talking about it. In prison, a rumor twice repeated is accepted as fact.

On a more serious note, I am talking about the concept, and had asked Obama and Edwards supports for their ideas. In the context of DU, I think that the Obama and Edwards supporters seem more open to the concept of unity. I'm not sure why that is, considering that there will be a definite need for unity no matter who wins.

[Fovea]

19. I think I can hazard a guess about your assertion

Ms. Clinton represents the wing of the Democratic party that styles itself the Donkey equivalent of the neo-cons.

The pro-Enron, pro Iraqi occupation wing of the party does not see the need for cooperation, if and when they think they need unity, they will extort or buy it.

That's the corporatist way.

[H2O Man]

25. Well, I was talking

about the Clinton supporters on DU, and I am not convinced that they are representative of non-DU Clinton supporters. But I will say that I think of DU at its best as a progressive-to-liberal site, and that a lot of the vocal Clinton supporters here are more moderate-to-conservative democrats.

I have a high opinion of Senator Clinton. I'm a NY resident, and I have been impressed with some of her environmental advocacy. It has benefited the common, rural folks, and help protect them from energy corporation's interests. I know that her environmental record is the reason that RFK Jr. supports her at this time, and I respect his judgement.

[robbedvoter]

27. So, two Plamegate people..I thought you knew THAT game.

Seems to me seeking "unity" while voting is going on is a bit less noble than it seems.

[H2O Man]

30. A good many

journalists were involved in the Plame affair. I'm familiar enough that I can say that Novak was one of the problems, and Russert played an important role in helping Mr. Fitzgerald expose Libby's role. Despite that positive activity, I have a low opinion of Russert.

I'm also aware that in a discussion about finding unity among two of the three democratic candidates, supporters of the third might try to divert attention by focusing on non-issues such as Novak and Russert. Wouldn't that same energy be better invested in seeking to find common ground with other democrats on serious issues?

[Fovea]

3. Do you think at this point he would offer

Hillary a position as SoS?

[H2O Man]

13. If these three

can find a way to unite, everyone benefits. I'm not sure if it will happen, but the very idea has power. And I think it can happen no matter which one is nominated.

[usregimechange]

4. Obama is more progressive by some measures, i.e. ACLU scorecard

[gateley]

5. Your idealism is touching,

but the nominee will choose his/her VP based on who can bring in the most votes. I hate that I feel that way. :(

[Fovea]

14. Well then, Obama would want someone

from the south.

[gateley]

15. I think JE would be a WONDERFUL AG!

So it's a good thing he IS from the South!

[Garbo 2004]

20. OP is about AG rumor, not VP choice. n/t

[eleny]

7. I've been hearing this "AG Edwards" for a couple of days now

It appeals to me greatly. I like both gentlemen.

Being a Kucinich supporter, I now need to decide who I will vote for in our caucus. But regarding the AG issue, I believe that people around you can pull you with reason arguments. And I have a lot of faith in Edwards' ability to be able to see certain issues as critical. Voter disenfranchisement must be close to JE's heart among others. Oh yeah, I'm sure it is.

[fooj]

8. Do we know FACTUALLY that Obama would consider Edwards as AG?

I don't trust these pundits. They spend hours (ad nauseum) projecting new and exciting storylines. I think John would make a fine AG...however, he isn't running for AG. He's running for President. Perhaps Obama would consider an AG position.

It's all speculation at this point, isn't it? You are one of the posters that I admire most on this site, H20 Man. Your input is always welcome as far as I'm concerned. :hi:

[Snotcicles]

9. I just think it's premature. nt

[More Than A Feeling]

10. I'd like to see Obama on the Supreme Court.

With all those reactionaries, the moderates will still be outnumbered (unless Kennedy leaves next). Obama would be easily confirmable (as a well-liked senator), he'd be at least as liberal as current four moderates (and maybe more-so), he has legal experience (teaching constitutional law), he's young, his rhetoric is effective on Republicans, and he'd be a nice counterpoint to Bush's white guy appointments. He'd be perfect.

[H2O Man]

28. Interesting idea.

I would agree with you 100%

[Kucinich4America]

11. Ask me again on August 29.

I've been forced to switch candidates, and move to the right once already this week. I'm not doing so again, just two days later.

[H2O Man]

23. Fair enough!

I hope the Kucinich supporters stay involved, in a vocal way, because we need their influence on the party plank come convention time.

[Fovea]

31. I agree with you 98% of the time.

and i am paranoid, but I cannot help but think that the insurance industries and the eisenhowerstat gruppen
have blessed Hillary in a way that no one substantially to her left have been. Not because what they were saying was not well recieved
with involved voters like Edwards got in Iowa, but because they were not toeing the corporatist line.

That is the 500lb elephant in the sitting room. And I am certain in my bones that the media will do a giant mea culpa in 2009.

But in essence, I see the committed and vocal progressives being elbowed out before the convention so that it can be
a duel, followed by an annointing.

Where will the single payer universal healthcare debate go? Down the media memory hole until the samizdat insurance company
orgy fails manifestly to provide universal health care, or anything like it.

Where will the Iraq debate go? See the above, until we manage to get our tit caught in the wringer of a regional civil/holy war. Again, prolly 2009.
We will be told by Steny and Rahm to sit down and shut up. That we are being taken care of, because they wear a donkey pin. Meantime, same imperialist war for the oil, and probably no contract bids to Dem corporate supporters. That is the paradigm, and I don't see either of the two current Dem faves as able or perhaps even willing to kick the apple cart.

That is my take, and I respect that you see it differently.

[Triana]

16. Obama even THINKING about who would be his AG when he hasn't even won...

...the nom yet - much less the election suggests to me that he is arrogant and full of himself and/or that he or his supporters are attempting to take Edwards out of consideration for the presidency in people's minds - they're tying to create a perception of Obama as 'winner' and he HAS NOT WON yet.

It suggests attempted manipulation of public perception at best and unmitigated arrogance at worst.

Neither surprises me coming from him or his supporters.

EDIT: Sure. It could happen. But H E L L O O O O! The primaries aren't even over yet and Mr. Himself hasn't won a damn thing yet and he's planning his cabinet? Seems VERY premature at this point.

That man - Obama - needs to get over himself.

[OneGrassRoot]

17. I hear what you are saying, H20 Man...

I don't have an opinion as to this hypothetical idea says about Obama, if it's true.

But as a general question, given integrity within an administration (unlike B*shco), I've often wondered which positions hold the most potential to great affect a sea change in the country.

It's probably different with each administration and with the given conditions of the country and world at large as to which position merits the most power.

I've often that thought, in certain administrations, the president isn't the most powerful position in the administration. As for changing the real "meat and potatoes" of our nation back to adhering to The Constitution, given the right circumstances the Attorney General position may end up being the most significant position of all with the next administration. In such a scenario, I think I'd be happy with JRE being AG.

Of course, if he were President, I'd feel just as confident, knowing he'll have an AG who will do the same.

Just my musings.

[zalinda]

21. Absolutely NO...............I don't like Obama

I don't like how he communicates, and I don't like him or his supporters (well, at least the more vocal ones). I think he is a gas bag, all air no substance. Edwards is in this for the people, Obama is in this for his ego. If Obama gets the nod, he will lose, that's simple. If he miraculously gets elected, his agenda will make me invisible again. He has absolutely no idea what it is like being poor. NONE! He may have observed it from his lofty lawyer position, but he is and never was involved in it. The poor will be back stabbed again, just like they were in the Clinton years, and he may even cause worse damage. No, thank you.

zalinda

[Seabiscuit]

22. Edwards would kick ass as an AG, but I think if it comes down to it the Supreme Court for me. nt

[H2O Man]

24. Interesting thought.

I think that John Edwards will be a very positive influence, no matter what his role is in the federal government. The idea of him on the USSC is outstanding, with obvious long-term benefits. I also think that an honest Attorney General could make a serious contribution to repairing the damage this Bush-Cheney group has done to our Constitutional democracy.

[Flarney]

26. As an Edwards supporter, I'd rather have him as AG than VP...

...so I would wholeheartedly support that if it came to pass. I think Edwards could accomplish much of his platform from that position. It would just be so nice to have an AG that was "the people's attorney" instead of the President's personal ass-coverer.

[mod mom]

29. I would go along with that. I have hope that Obama would seize the importance of the moment

and join in the fight against corporatism. John would make a great AG.

My biggest fear is getting a corporatist in the presidency (it doesn't matter which party). I think the American people are angry and would back a president who is willing to fight for the working man. Although Edwards is my first choice, I could back this ticket (and hope).

[DemReadingDU]

32. I think that would be a good sign too.

I would hope that whoever gets the nomination, would find a high visible position for all the candidates.

I don't see Edwards as the VP though. He would be a fine AG.

[Tatiana]

33. Important topic. n/t

[KoKo]

34. I would hope that John Edwards is not running to be Obama's Attorney General...

because that would indeed be very disconcerting.

I don't believe "unity" is possible. I hear from Obama about the same I hear from Speaker Pelosi about "Bi-Partisan"..."Bi-Partisan" ....BiPartisan....and it seems our noted Senate Leader Harry Reid has the same Mantra that he abides by.

We elected Nancy and Harry for "Hope and Change." They've not delivered. I would hope that supporting Candidate Edwards would not be that he would want to be either Obama or Hillary's Attorney General, and that's the reason he is running. It would be a great afront to his supporters and a weird thing than he'd put his family and wife on a bus for four years (with his wife having serious cancer) and his children being very young ...to end up as an Attorney General for either... "Attorney General du jour"...if you will. Ready to serve whichever candidate wins.

:shrug: my 2 cents.