Edwards defending Dean? Wow.

[dkf]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/mgrind.day.wed/index.html

Dean and Edwards play nice

Finally today, we'd like to close by pointing out how nicely Dean and John Edwards are playing these days. We're not sure exactly why, or at least we can't confirm it, but we're not the only ones who've noticed.

First there was Dean's heartfelt bouquet to Edwards during the Des Moines debate on Sunday, apologizing again for attacking the senator last year.

Then came Edwards's plea Monday for reporters to stop badgering Dean with questions about his sealed gubernatorial records. Yesterday, asked to comment on other Democrats' criticisms of Dean, Edwards had this to say about the man he has to beat if he wants to be president:

"You know this is part of the back and fourth between campaigns. I'll let Gov. Dean defend what he did and didn't do in the state of Vermont. What I believe is we are going to bring change to this country. We don't need somebody who has been through politics for 20 years or been in Washington for decades. Which is what I offer."

[jcgadfly]

1. Trying to get on Dean's VP list?

.

[TrueAmerican]

4. He's already on the list

Dean likes to dangle the VP spot to others for support of his campaign. I hope it doesn't back fire on him.

[RetroLounge]

24. Give me proof that he's dangled it anywhere?

Can't.

[TrueAmerican]

39. Well, he already offered it to Clark

According to the General. That's good enuf for me.

[xultar]

2. Edwards wants to be Dean's VeeP n/t

[Lindsey]

3. I think it'd be a good ticket

Dean/Edwards - at least it may reign in some of the south.

[Cheswick2.0]

5. it would make a lot of people happy

I would prefer a minority candidate or a woman. But I will be happy with Dean at the top of the ticket.

[seventhson]

6. I am 100% behind a Dean Edwards ticket

NOT Clark or Kerry or Lieberman at all!

I'd Like Moseley-Braun too, but I think Edwards would be a stronger choice in this election. Maybe she can veep for Edwards in 2012!!!

[dansolo]

23. Clark used to be my second choice

But ever since the debate last week I have changed my assessment of Edwards, and he has moved up to my number 2 preference. I am also listening to the Kucinich people who say that we shouldn't use "electability" as our criteria--however, they might be disappointed to know that my preference is Carol over Dennis. She is now my third choice. As long as Edwards tries to work with us "Northerners", I'll be happy to support him.

[Zinnola]

27. I agree

Clark has slipped in my opinion from second to fourth or fifth. I really like Edwards from what I saw of the debates and he now is my second choice to Dr. Dean

[edzontar]

35. Edwards has been good in all the debates....

And I like his background as a "Trial Lawyer" too--the Pukes HATE that shit!!!

Go Dean/Edwards!!!!

Join the "Stop Clark Movement"?

[ozone_man]

47. I could go for that too.

I suppose it's a politically smart choice and Edwards seems pretty decent. I'd prefer to see Kucinich as VP, but I don't think will happen.

[heidler]

14. Dean Edwards sounds like a winning ticket.

I'd vote for it.

[HFishbine]

16. Remember

Edwards was on Gore's final three list for running mates. Gore might or might not offer some VP advice to Dean, but if he does, I doubt if it will be a recommendation for Lieberman.

[BuelahWitch]

25. Dean better not put Lieberman on the ticket!

I'll still vote for him but his campaign will get an earful from me and lots of my friends. :grr:

[jsw_81]

45. I'd prefer Dean/Graham or Dean/Clark

Do we really want to have a freshman senator debating Dick Cheney this fall? I don't.

[adamrsilva]

Edwards is just tried of the BS about Dean

He has figured out it doesn't work and you have to offer your own positive message for Democrats to win. Now, I think Dean probably does see him as a good candidate, and Edwards I think, would accept.

[bearfartinthewoods]

18. he has rarely attacked anyone but bush

i saw a poll of pol-reporters who gave him the "nice-guy" award.

i know...nice guys finish last...it's not like i haven't thought about it...

don't take John's natural demeanor as sucking up to dean. btw...has anyone considered that if dean hadn't rerun his well publicized apology to Edwards during that debate, he would have had to actually admit to some other error?

come on people...keep your thinking caps on!

[Jerseycoa]

7. This is the proper tack

"I'll let Gov. Dean defend what he did and didn't do in the state of Vermont."

Hardly a defense, though, just good and clean campaigning.

[Demobrat]

8. Even if he doesn't end up VP

Edwards will need a job next year. Sounds like he knows who's going to be handing them out.

[JNelson6563]

12. that is for sure

I wouldn't mind seeing him as VP and I sure would loike to see him as Attorney General!!

Julie

[shivaji]

9. Dean/Edwards is grrrrrreat!!! Dean/Clark would be a nightmare

since Clark's towering ego would clash with Dean on a daily basis.

[Walt Starr]

15. I'm with you

The man in the Speedo has got to go.

[edzontar]

34. I am moving to a more anti-Clark postion...

Thanks to "supporters" like RATM and others--I want him to LOSE . . . so that THEY will lose...

It's pitiful, really....

[QC]

49. That works both ways, you know.

I used to be a big fan of Dean, but a year spent listening to a nasty minority of his supporters here at DU has given me an aversion to the guy that I'm not necessarily proud of, but can't help.

It's time for supporters of all the candidates to realize that being a gaping anus to everyone else does not help their candidates.

[w13rd0]

10. I find it hard not to like Edwards...

...he seems like a genuinely nice guy, and his "kicking off" his campaign on the Daily Show, as well as his consistent good humor, really gives him some high positive marks. I don't know about a VP spot, but if he doesn't get the nomination or place on the ticket, and taking into consideration his desire to "fight for us", I'd LOVE to see him as Attorney General in the DOJ.

[spooky3]

29. he's a Steel Magnolia!

[AntiCoup2K4]

11. Good for John!

It's good to see at least one of the other candidates focusing more on promoting himself than attacking Dean. Edwards was someone I was seriously considering early on in the campaign. Now I'm sure that wasn't a bad choice. And if he ends up as Dean's VP, that's fine with me. He would also probably make a decent attorney general as well.

[Hep]

13. Good for Edwards, good for Dean.

Bad for Edwards supporters who constantly oppose Dean. Will they follow their leader's lead? I can't wait to see!

[PurityOfEssence]

17. The man is just inherently decent

It shows in everything he does: he's honorable and sincerely believes in the covenant of society. Unfortunately, this is often taken for weakness (by thugs) or inexperience (by mean people).

He has a personality that will truly "play" around the country and the world, which is just what we need in such divisive and rancorous times. Ya know what the kicker is? The kicker is that he's really like that, right down to the bone.

He's got a solidity that's positively frightening to an opponent.

I wouldn't mind an Edwards/Dean ticket too much; that might be the best of both worlds: galvanize moderates and crossovers while still riding the wave of the new supporters. Let's not forget, either: EDWARDS IS MUCH MORE TO THE LEFT THAN DEAN; people on this board SHOULD like him more for his policies.

[spooky3]

31. Elizabeth, nice of you to stop by! :-) just kidding

[cthrumatrix]

19. good on edwards

[efront]

20. It's not that he wants the VP, it's just that

he can actually offer ideas and discuss issues rather than throw attacks around left and right. I highly doubt Dean would offer Edwards anyway, b/c pundits would label the ticket way too light on foreign experience, regardless whether that label has any merit.

[newyawker99]

21. Hi efront!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bearfartinthewoods]

37. you look new here...

you should understand that this talk of Edwards as dean's VP is just a snarky way to minimize any success that he is currently enjoying.

[TexasSissy]

22. Has Dean asked Edwards to be his VP? Rumors I've heard.

Dean needs a southerner and military for a running mate. Edwards fits one-half of that bill.

Of course, it's for naught since Dean won't win the nomination. :)

[Zomby Woof]

26. jockeying for VP

Plus, Dean would need a southerner on the ticket due to the demogrpahic/electoral college realities of the US.

Edwards voted for IWR, which would make Dean's claim to be the anti-Iraq war candidate a bit more diluted and false.

[MODemocrat]

28. Edwards is a class act

I'll have no problem whatsoever if he is the nominee, and my word, he's so good looking. Wouldn't that be refreshing after what we've had for the last three years?

[spooky3]

30. contrast their IQs and integrity for a REALLY refreshing change

[zulchzulu]

32. That quote doesn't exactly defend Dean

"You know this is part of the back and forth between campaigns. I'll let Gov. Dean defend what he did and didn't do in the state of Vermont. What I believe is we are going to bring change to this country. We don't need somebody who has been through politics for 20 years or been in Washington for decades. Which is what I offer."

If that's defending Dean, it's pretty weak. He looks like he's sideswiping the others more and projecting himself as a DC outsider. Except that he was a Senator... can a Senator declare himself a DC outsider?

[bearfartinthewoods]

36. you have to understand...EVERYTHING is always about dean

no one exists unless they serve dean.

[arewethereyet]

52. apparantly that is thought to sell papers

and anchor salaries and Lord knows what all else.

I'm about down to only looking at the ball scores and Non Sequiter in the local rag. And I pretty much only watch Food TV.

[edzontar]

33. I support Edwards for Dean's VP.

Good record. From the south. Not a late-comer Dem.

[mlawson]

38. Edwards/Dean or Dean/Edwards has been my 'team' for a long time.

But then there is Clark. I dont want to leave him out....

IMO, those are the three who can beat bush. The others? I doubt it.

[_seachange]

41. ...

There is the issue of Edwards' inexperience in general (he has only served one term in the Senate), but particularly his of lack foreign policy experience (especially if Dean is the nominee... Edwards may not work as a VP because he needs to create the perception of a ticket strong on FP). I think that there is a fairly good chance of the VP not coming of out of the presidential candidate group...

[anti-bush]

43. Don't forget

He is in his 6th year as the a US Senator (the senior Senator from NC) serving on many important comittees, including the Senate Intelligence Comittee. He has more foreign policy experience than Dean does, as he has actually visited (as a Senator) places like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other political hotspots.

Don't disount the experience he does have.

[KaraokeKarlton]

50. Dean's been to over 50 countries, including the ones you mentioned

I wouldn't mind Edwards being Dean's VP, but I honestly think Edwards would be a perfect fit for Attorney General. With Edwards' record and views, he'd be the best AG ever. I think the VP role wouldn't allow him to really use his best attributes or shine and prepare for his turn in the oval office. I think he's definitely going to be president one day, just not this time. Attorney General should go to Edwards, no matter who the nominee is.

[Forkboy]

40. Edwards seems like a pretty good guy

and I think he's positioning himself for 2008 as much as 2004.He's someone to keep an eye on.

[arewethereyet]

42. not a defense so much as a clean getaway from that line of Q's

he wants to talk about HIS vision, he does not want to talk about anything else. If you don't play ball, they have to stop.

its just more political savy and statesmanship and the ability to steer things the way YOU want.

Its so odd as there are no others who are willing and less who are able.

[jsw_81]

44. Edwards wants the vice presidency

What else does he have to look forward to in '05? Practicing law back in Raleigh?

[arewethereyet]

46. does Dr Dean still have his medical licence ? he'll be needing it

and you probably didn't read but Edwareds has already indicated that he does not wish to be veep.

[jsw_81]

48. President Dean won't have time to practice medicine

And if you believe Edwards when he says he doesn't want to be veep, then you really have a lot to learn about American politics. They ALWAYS deny that they're interested in the vice presidency (Quayle said it, Bentsen said it, Gore said it, Johnson said it etc.), but when the call comes they say yes 99 percent of the time, unless the campaign is a disaster like McGovern's was back in '72. That was the only time in recent history when several prominent Democrats declined the chance to be vice president; it's extremely unlikely that we'll see that kind of situation this summer.

[bitchkitty]

51. John Edwards is a gentleman.

Funny, I notice that his supporters are usually pretty polite too. Wish we could say the same about Clark supporters.