How Would Edwards' Economic Background Play With Kerry's?

[DrFunkenstein]

It's an angle I hadn't really thought through, but could a narrative be made about how poor Edwards was, while Kerry grew up privileged? And would that benefit Kerry?

I'm thinking it would, and it would yet again provide a balance through contrast, the way Teresa's vivaciousness balances Kerry's sobriety.

Would Edwards - the son of a you-know-what - help the ticket "connect" with voters?

Policy wonk meets populist dreamboat? Would Americans go for it?

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. I think

it would show the Democratic Party includes and appeals to all sorts of people. Personally, I'm either for Clark or Edwards. And I hope that if he is not our new VP that clark is named Sec. of Defense and he goes into the Pentagon with a broom and steel-toed boots for kicking reactionary ass.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. I think

it would show the Democratic Party includes and appeals to all sorts of people. Personally, I'm either for Clark or Edwards. And I hope that if he is not our new VP that Clark is named Sec. of Defense and he goes into the Pentagon with a broom and steel-toed boots for kicking reactionary ass.

[JI7]

3. Edwards made it up himself unlike Bush, Kerry grew up with priveledge but

he did something to give back like serving in vietnam.

[Auntie Bush]

4. Who looks more presidential.? I rest my case.

[Warpy]

5. Kerry desperately needs Edwards.

Edwards would balance the ticket in terms of class and geography, but it's more than that. Kerry is no orator. Edwards is a magnificent orator.

One would also hope that Edwards would help moderate some of Kerry's more procorporate and antilabor views, although that's a long shot.

Kerry will probably win with a dustball on the other half of the ticket. If he wants to win in 2008, he's going to have to start to address the class issues the Democrats have ignored for nearly 36 years.

It's the only way to get the base to stop voting for the illusion of tax cuts from the GOP.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

7. well put

One more thing: can you imagine Dr. Evil trying to debate Edwards, with his lawyer's skill, sense of humor and optimism? Edwards would eat him while smiling.

[connecticut yankee]

8. Charisma

Edwards has loads of it, while Kerry, unfortunately does not.

So many people in this country vote based on their reaction to sound bites. It's not good, but it's what it is. And Edwards would bring in voters who can't warm up to Kerry. They care more for style over substance. I don't mean that Edwards has no substance -- it's just that his style is outstanding.

Clark is a good man, but I really don't think he'd hold up too well in a debate, while Edwards would decimate Cheney.

I'd like to see Clark as Secretary of Defense and Dean as Sec'y of Health, Education and Welfare.

[Dinger]

12. bu$h Desperately Needs Edwards

to run as VP. Period.

[Darkamber]

6. I don't know if I would call Edwards's family poor.

Perhaps lower middle class and moved into upper middle class. If you want to see a dramatic story of different backgrounds then look no further then Dennis K. His background is mind blowing and quite inspiring, but then I like Dennis. Don't agree on his policy, but I'm really impressed with the man and I always smile when I think of him.

But...Edwards does have more of that 'middle America' feel. He didn't go to Yale, but to a State University. He even worked his way through University. His plan for College education was one of the primary reasons why I supported him in the primaries.

In many ways, he represents the American dream. A kid from a mill town with little hope for change who wanted to even as child to be a lawyer and change things. His father moved up to the ladder to management, but was outsourced himself when the higher ups wanted only those will college degrees to be in management positions.

He is able to make that connection with middle America because he grew up like so many of them. His believe that America is stronger with a stronger middle class is also part of the message that he brings.

[upperleftedge]

10. Edwards works for me.

As a Dean supporter, I think Edwards is a fine choice for VP on any ticket.

[Still_Loves_John]

9. What I'm secretly hoping for...

(and this is assuming that Edwards wins VP) is that they don't mention Edwards' background at first. Since he is now the richest of the people being vetted, I would love to see some GOP ad attacking him for being rich, trying to tie it in to their "Kerry is rich and out of touch" theme. Then we could quickly rebut the charge, and return with a "now lets look at how President Bush earned his money..."

Of course, right after I posted this, I was reminded of how, by the end of the primaries, I told myself that if I heard about Edwards' mill worker farmer one more time I would have to shoot myself. ;)

[Darkamber]

13. He was taken to task for that during the primaries

I can't remember which question/answer session is was but the moderated hit Edwards with the "how can you claim to connected because you are so rich" line. Edwards counted it with that he lived the American dream. He didn't marry his money. He didn't inherit his money. He didn't make it off a Enron type deal in the Corp. backrooms. He made his money representing victims in lawsuits and his own hard work and skill. Isn't that what America is all about? Certainly the Republicans can't attack him for that.

And if Kerry picks Edwards, this is one of things I would suggest that he tells Edwards. "Ok...the One America theme was fine for you, but now you are working for me. Change the stump speech and focus on these issues this week and then these issues this week. And I don't care if you have to look at a paper instead of having it memorize. Change the speech."

Ok...maybe that is harsh, but I've heard Edwards in question answer periods and he's really good. And I think he would need to change to focus more on Kerry's message and getting the word out the way Kerry wants it to be brought you.

[robbedvoter]

11. uh, Edwards voted for the bankruptcy law...