In hind sight if you could change our nominee to Edwards, would you do it?

[CalebHayes]

Poll question: In hind sight if you could change our nominee to Edwards, would you do it?

[boxster]

1. This should be interesting.

n/t

[bhunt70]

2. no but I still miss clark.

[taxidriver]

3. for goodness sake, yes.

edwards was young, positive sounding, upbeat, had a set platform of ideas, and could have carried the south. even JK is borrowing his stump speeches now.

[CalebHayes]

5. I agree.

[olddem43]

4. You have to stay with the horse that will get you there

[cosmokramer]

6. HELL NO!

Kerry was always my #2 choice over Clark, and there is no way in hell I would have ever voted for Edwards in my primary over Kerry.

[funky_bug]

7. No - Kerry has proven himself more than I could have imagined

I'm in awe of the way he has handled things thus far, and I'm enamored by Teresa. Edwards, while nice enough, is a little green yet. I fear the GOP would have eaten him for lunch on that idea alone. I can hear the adds now, "One Term Senator with no FP thinks he can run a war office? Bush - when you need a leader with experience."

That TOTALLY grossed me out. I need a shower now.

[leyton]

45. Same here.

After Kerry won Iowa, I thought to myself, well, I suppose Edwards may just come out on top after all. I thought that Kerry had a lucky break but that people would figure out that the lanky, bland Senator from Massachusetts wouldn't stand a chance against Bush. Well, I was wrong. I have been quite impressed with Kerry's abilities as a politician and I have faith that when things kick into high gear in the fall, Kerry will show his stuff and pull ahead for good. I like Edwards in my heart, but I doubt that he'd be in as good a position today as Kerry.

[Doosh]

8. Yes

not that Kerry has done a bad job, but Edwards impressed me the most. And if Edwards was the nominee, I'd be pulling for Kerry as VP.

[PoliticsSportsMusic]

9. Seeing a young Kerry before ...what a congressional commission...

I guess you'ld call it...telling the awful truth about our military was the most heroic thing I've ever witnessed. First and foremost I am a citizen of the world...my US citizenship is secondary. We have an obligation to be good stewards of our power....as Kerry has stated,
"Just because you live in the biggest house on the block doesn't mean you don't have to be a good neighbor". I'm impressed with his voting against useless and wasteful military applications...tells me he still has his head in the right place. Of course, the repugs tried to slander him as unpatriotic for voting against these give away programs for military contractors. Go Kerry....never lose the dignity and honor you showed as a young man...make the US a good neighbor again. Having said that....please make Edwards your VP

[Radical Activist]

20. Too bad he doesn't talk like that anymore

I would be very impressed if he did. How did he forget that the government always lies about war when he voted for the war in Iraq?

[IndianaGreen]

28. Many of the 1960s idealists have become Establishment

and are repeating the same mistakes their elders did during 'Nam.

Never trust anyone over thirty is as true today as it was then.

[Lefta Dissenter]

26. Hey, Pol

though I disagree on your VP opinion there, I MUST agree with what you say about seeing Kerry's appearances in the early 70's. What a courageous and bright young man he was, and look at the years of experience he has added on top of that.

If you haven't already, please find the opportunity to watch the Dick Cavett Show from that same time frame in which Kerry was on discussing the war. C-SPAN aired that about a month ago, and it gave me great confidence in the capabilities of this man as our candidate and our president.

Now, when he makes that decision of Clark as his VP, I'll know that he's absolutely BRILLIANT!!! :D

[flaminbats]

10. Edwards would become a stronger candidate as Kerry's running mate..

but he has neither the message or the experience which John Kerry brings to the ticket. Edwards was the primary candidate I liked least, even Lieberman gave me more reasons to consider voting for him than did Edwards!

Changing Kerry for Edwards would be like switching a moderate with a popular message, for a moderate with no message. It would be like suggesting that launching an expensive rocket without a payload is better than launching one that transports a payload into orbit. A better approach would make Kerry's message the rocket, while using its momentum to send Kerry and Edwards to the White House.

[LandOLincoln]

27. You know, learning on the job is all well and good,

but this is not the time.

When will some of you get it through your heads that this is not a normal election? That this is not '92, or '76, or '84 or even 2000?

Besides, Kerry himself has said he wants someone as VP who can step into the presidency without missing a beat if it should come to that.

Folks, he's talking about Wes Clark. No one else has Wes's combination of executive, diplomatic and foreign policy experience. No one else has held head of state status and dealt with Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac, Gerhardt Shroeder et al as an equal. No one else has held together a fractious 19-nation coalition and fought his own damned Pentagon while prosecuting a war against a genocidal dictator--and won with no allied casualties and a minimum of "collateral damage."

And while he was doing all that he was also CinC of the U.S. European command and "governor" of a "state" that included 42 African nations, 49 European nations, and Israel.

http://www.eucom.mil/AOR/index.htm?http://www.eucom.mil/Navigation_Frames/AOR_nf.htm&1

Not to mention he's drop-dead gorgeous (y'all should see him in person), sexy as hell, and plays a mean game of pool--or so I hear.

And you want to put a trial lawyer and first-term senator with no cheekbones up against that?? Please...

Rest assured, Johnny Sunshine will have his day. This just ain't it.




Edited to add the cheekbones crack.

[cosmokramer]

51. Ditto!

Especially that part about the drop-dead gorgeous...

[MoonRiver]

11. No way.

I always favored Kerry over Edwards.

[quinnox]

12. Not me

And this from someone who liked Edwards early, before I got to know the other candidates more in depth. I think Edwards needs some more seasoning and to add to his political resume, and whether as VP or a top level cabinet slot in a future/potential Kerry administration (personally I think this is a done deal, what else is Edwards gonna do without being a senator in terms of politics for the next few years) then he can run as president in 2012 when he will still only be 59 years old, still young enough to run for president.

[leyton]

46. Yes, he must have a position in the administration.

I don't think Edwards could really pull off another win in NC for Senate or Governor, but having a place in the administration is the perfect launching pad for his 2012 run.

Does anyone know if it's customary for cabinet members to run for President? I know that in the early days of the republic, the Secretary of State was a shoo-in, but I can't think of any recent person to make the jump from cabinet to Presidential nominee. Hoover may have been in the Coolidge administration, can't think of any others.

[MontecitoDem]

13. Kerry was probably my number 2 pick

for most of the primary season.

He's done a great job so far and it's only going to get better!

[DaveSZ]

14. Hmm

Kerry is the second most left-wing guy after Kucinich, so I'd rather have Kerry.

He helped found the first Earth Day as well.

:)

[MontecitoDem]

15. Good point!

Except for IWR issues, I feel great about voting for Kerry. He is 100% the best candidate for the environment - and boy is there work to be done after this Bush admin. is done!

Kucinich has had an impact, I think, on a lot of people in their own communities whether they voted for him or not. I believe we are seeing the beginning of major changes in our society and K. is a reflection of that. Eventually, the progressives will filter up, filling more places in the Dem party establishment. Then issues like the environment will take center stage, as I believe they should.

Or maybe I'm just a dreamer?

[JohnKleeb]

24. this is what I felt too

Kerry always gets a bum rap for IWR but other than that hes great.

[malachibk]

16. Edwards gives me the creeps

Too slick. Always "on" and 4 seconds ahead of himself. He talks like a weatherman. Just have a negative gut reaction to the guy.

[PurityOfEssence]

17. I still say we threw away the best candidate we've had in 40 years

Regardless of what one thinks of LBJ, he was unstoppable in '64, and we haven't enjoyed anywhere near that advantage since.

There is virtually no demographic Kerry wins that Edwards wouldn't also take (except perhaps for some veterans) and Edwards has areas of support Kerry doesn't. Sadly, much of the South is just too rankled to ever have truck with a Massachusetts Liberal, but they'd cozy up to a backwoods boy like Edwards with no problem. Much of this is just "what the neighbors see me doing", rather than policy issues; Edwards is pretty damned liberal, after all. This guy beat Kerry in rural Georgia with an avowed platform of civil rights and affirmative action; hell, that's newsworthy.

For sheer prettiness and facile appeal, the guy just radiates charisma. He's married to an older woman, and has been all of his adult life. He's a Methodist, but not a bible thumper. He can slip by the gun nuts without engendering fear, yet he's never owned one. He is as close to the Horatio Alger dream as one can get, and this keeps the dream alive.

People are willing to end some of the partisan ugliness, and he's a very approachable guy.

Literally NOBODY improved during the course of the primaries (after Iowa) except him. Kerry kept steady, Edwards improved, and all of the others fell off. Even with a concerted opposition by a well funded and well loved opponent, he still did well in a crowded field.

Whatever.

Kerry's a great man, and he's got a lot of appeal in a low-key way that may just ring true to many people weary of the glitz and bullshit of the Republicans. I feel calmed and reassured by him, and my four year-old daughter picked him from the lineup of the candidates well before the primaries started, so that says something too. Kerry talks like my Dad, and I have a great Dad.

Still...mistake. (Boo-hoo)

Must remove Junior, must remove Junior, must remove Junior.

[Doosh]

18. well said

[Skwmom]

22. I wouldn't worry.

There are still plenty of personal injury attorneys with great oratory skills that the Democrats can pick from in the future. Just open the phone-book (there's a slew of them listed).

I always thought the Democrats favored candidates of substance (Clinton/Gore for example). This primary process has been a real eye opener to say the least. I think one of the aftermaths of this election is that there is going to be a rise in independent and swing voters because so many more people are paying attention to the political process this year and seeing the political process (and the political parties) in a whole new light.

I also think the one thing that people are failing to consider (well really there are several) is that once Rove is finished introducing people to Edwards the person (vs Edwards the image he and the corporate media have tried to create) people are going to look at Edwards in a whole new light. What once seemed so charismatic now comes across as phony and slick (get use to words like snake-oil salesman if Edwards is tapped for VP).

[Scoopie]

35. Just a note

My (at the time) 4-year-old son picked Clark.
Want to know why?
Because he had the kindest face.
I said, "Well, that's sweet, but why would that matter?"
"He'd take care of me."

Now, that said... my son LOVES Kerry - much more than I do, as a matter of fact. He thinks Kerry is the next best thing to Clark on garlic bread (OK... my son has this thing about garlic bread - he adores it). My son thinks Bill Clinton is tops.

You have to understand that, as an Independent, I point out Republicans I like to my son, too. I'm not a party-liner.

So, I called my son a Democrat today and he cried. I was appalled. I said, "What's wrong with being a Democrat, dear? Kerry's a Democrat. Clark's a Democrat. Clinton's a Democrat."

He didn't answer. I really don't know what the problem is. He's not in school, so it's not the environment (I live in Republican central). My Mom watches him and she makes me look like a right-winger (just kidding - but my Mom is more liberal than me. AND, she was also a Clarkie).

OK... I've rattled on. I just wanted you to know that not all kids look at Edwards and see the same thing. Not all kids look at ANYTHING and see the same thing! LOL!

P.S. This whole little solioquy reminded me of something: in 1980, my Dad turned into a Reagan Democrat, my Mom stuck with Carter. I, in my little school elections, went for Anderson. I guess that's where my penchant for the Independents started. LOL! :D

[surfermaw]

40. Hate yo break your bubble

Edwards isn't a backwood bubble

[wjsander]

19. I like Edwards...

But after 9/11, I think a Kerry or Clark would have been best for the presidential slot. Bush would be pumping that fear crap down everyone's throats so much, by November a lot of easily-manipulated moderates would pull the Bush lever as opposed to the young-looking Edwards.

That said, Edwards VP selection has seemed like a given from before the primaries even started. And with Kerry, he's a perfect fit.

I think Kerry is either toying with us, or waiting for Edwards to slip up or someone else to shine. He knows it'll be Edwards and will say so when the time comes.

[Radical Activist]

21. A guy who can get support from Kucinich voters and moderates both...

Umm...yeah that sounds like a better nominee than this boring guy we've got who used to be liberal 10 years ago. Edwards was my choice in the primary after Kucinich started losing. Kerry was my 5th choice.

[mmonk]

23. No

[JohnKleeb]

25. no but its not because I dont like Edwards, I like Kerry better

However, Edwards is my pick for VP, the man really has impressed me.

[ArkySue]

29. HAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

As long as we're changing the election, why don't we go back to 2000? Please!!

[newyawker99]

55. Hi SueZQ!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Auntie Bush]

30. Kerry's a good overall candidate. Edwards FAILS in FP.

Never would he have won a GE. People want somebody with executive experience and foreign policy experience. That's why they didn't pick Dean. If that wasn't true Dean would be there now. It wasn't the Dean scream...it was his lack of FP experience. Same for Edwards.
I laugh at the thoughts of him as commander-in-chief! How could he be in charge of the military? No way!

[Scoopie]

31. Why the hell would I do something idiotic like that?

EOM

[PatrioticOhioLiberal]

32. Absolutely NOT!

Kerry may not have been my first choice, but Edwards wasn't even on the radar screen.

[Hippo_Tron]

33. Edwards has very little campaigning experience...

Kerry has a history of kicking Republicans' asses. I think that we are better off with Kerry.

[Crunchy Frog]

34. Definitely prefer Kerry

to Edwards, although I still wish Wes had gotten the nomination.

[PeaceProgProsp]

36. Toss up. I think these were the only two who could win.

It'd be two different races, but I think either kind of race could have won.

I don't think there's any chance Kerry couldn't have won the primary though, making this question kind of moot. If enough people would have voted for Edwards so that he was close or ahead at any point, Kerry would have done something to get even more votes.

Does that make sense?

[Awsi Dooger]

37. Hindsight baloney, Edwards was always the superior choice

Our strategic nod to John Kerry was nothing different than I have seen in Nevada sportsbooks for 15+ years, lousy handicapping by guys who go broke and leave town within six months.

We are trying to unseat an incumbent, one who survives based on personal likability alone. That should have been focus #1 thru #1000. Since WW II, just Reagan and Clinton have ousted an incumbent. Only John Edwards combined anything close to Reagan/Clinton level in optimism, speaking ability, populist message and charisma. He lacks Kerry's height, otherwise the critical dosage index factors all favor Edwards.

Regardless of his military background, Kerry will lose the swing vote among those who consider national security the most vital issue. We learned that lesson in 2002. The DUers who constantly harp on foreign policy are caving in to current conventional wisdom, which is undeniably flawed. I have studied election results and opinion studies extensively, admittedly for wagering advantage. Domestic issues dominate then and now, come national ballot time. Even during WW II, it's incredible how many Americans considered homeland issues the most important. Like Gore dodging Clinton in 2000, we downplay the here and now at our own peril.

In a no-budge 50/50 era you need a thief. Edwards would have held serve among Democrats as well as Kerry, and charmed swing voters to our side much more than Kerry. It's absolutely hysterical that on DU we constantly berate the middleroaders who overreact to current events and teeter Bush's approval rating up and down, then somehow doubt the same simpleton crowd wouldn't be influenced by John Edwards' boyish and positive natural appeal.

Once the convention speech and the fall debates begin, we are suddenly depending on a lackluster, awkward, laundry list speaker. That will be the nightly reality for 3+ months, and there will be no Howard Dean to implode or William Weld to flick aside. As my sister says, John Kerry is very impressive, like the car you consider but never buy.

[AP]

38. Those are all the arguments I made during the primary, but I still think

Kerry has a plan. His speeches the last four days have been outstandign.

It's very possible that they're roping the dopes. He gave them "boring" to swing hard at and in a late round he's going to turn up the heat.

I wouldn't count Kerry out yet.

[surfermaw]

41. Following campaigns since Hoover & Roosevelt

I do have to agree with your assessment of Edwards...he has what it takes, but sometime things happen for the best...Edwards can learn from Kerry...Kerry is what we need at this time, if he has Edwards at his side, this bull about him not being able to take over as President if Kerry should die, is more bull , he has a herd in the audience that would advise...Clinton 8 years as president, 8 years as Governor, and Gore with all his government experience...what more does a party need...They are winners come November.

[surfermaw]

39. I am a Edwards supporter

I have from day one been a Edwards supporter...but I am very much pleased with a Kerry/Edwards ticket...Reason why...John Kerry is older more experienced, knows his way around Washington and at this time he is needed to head this ticket...John Edwards is a promising down the road candidate for President...standing beside Kerry for four years will give us the opportunity to have this young intelligent achieving man around for 16 years instead of 4 to 8 years.. I say this will be a winning team come November 2004.

[AP]

42. Edwards's favorite president: Truman.

I wondered why he didn't say FDR when I heard him asked the question. He is almost the reincarnation of everything FDR believed in. But now I get it. It's hard to be a better FDR, but all American presidents can try to be better Trumans.

Kerry can set Edwards up to be the president who really gets America back to its progressive roots. Edwards can be the second act to Kerry and FDR.

[robbedvoter]

50. The guy who dropped the H bomb on Japan? Thanks for the insight!

Now I really don't want him anywhere near the footbal.

[WI_DEM]

43. No, I'd change it to Dean

Afterall I thought then and still think he would be the best.

[in_cog_ni_to]

44. No way.

My preferred Prez candidate would be Wes Clark.

[x_y_no]

48. Kerry is a stronger candidate than I expected him to be ...

I wasn't too impressed in the early part of the campaign, but I'm warming to him.

I would still have preferred Clark, but I'm happy with the candidate we've got.

[sangha]

47. Useless and divisive poll

For all practical purposes, the primaries are over.

[robbedvoter]

49. Still deaming in Chuckyworld? Ha!ha!ha! hell, no!

Osama, Iraq, disastruous image in the world - yeah, let's get the lawyer who would have started the war himself and made a bundle on it! Ha!ha!ha!

[cosmokramer]

52. For some...

...the Kool-aid overfloweth. No way in hell 'Mr. Sunshine' makes the cut--now or anytime in the near future.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Darkamber]

56. What is it with Clark supporters calling Edwards Chucky?

I understand that is the name that Clark supporters use to call Edwards on the Clark blog. I have no ideal what insult you guys are coming up with when you call Edwards Chucky.

I'm also not sure what good you are trying to do to attack a man who is working hard to help get Kerry elected as well as getting other Democrats in the Senate and House elected.

53. one word -Why? /NT

[bklyncowgirl]

54. No experience matters

Not that I don't like Edwards, mind you, but I just think he's a bit light on the experience scale.