Is Edwards too charming?

[jcrew2001]

Is it possible that Edwards has too much Southern charm? Is that why scary-anne went on to attack him?

I personally think Edwards will win the primary and the election, based on his prince charming personality.

Bush, Clinton, and Reagan won based on their personalities. I think Edwards has a better shot than Hillary; and he'll win the general now that mccain is slowly wilting away.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

1. I think he's creepy, personally

I don't find him charming at all.

He seems to have that glassy eyed "charisma" common to televangelists and used car salesman.

On edit: I should note that I did vote for Edwards and Kerry in '04 and that I did not find Mr. Edwards creepy back then either. He seems...different than he used to.

[Mojorabbit]

7. That is exactly the way I feel about him

Something about him just creeps me out. His wife though, I adore her.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

12. Wow

I'm surprised to find someone that agrees with me.

I figured I'd get attacked pretty heavily for saying that.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

16. I'm relatively new to NC, but what I hear is...

unanimous support of Elizabeth (even from the little 'ol wingnut ladies in the 'hood - the ones who hope Gingrich wins in 2008), but very mixed reactions to JE. Personally, she seems very "real," and he seems very "slick."

[jcrew2001]

21. JE vs. Romney

IF its Edwards vs. Romney, I doubt they'll vote for Romney - who is more slick and less authentic w/o the southern charm.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

32. The little 'ol wingnut ladies are holding out for Newt. (n/t)

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. "Scary-anne" attacks everyone - Southern charm or not.

She particularly doesn't like certain women from Jersey. Anyone from San Francisco. Shall I go on?

[etherealtruth]

3. she attacked because she's an attention mongering ass

As for his charm ... I like it and find him very charismatic.

[Bluebear]

4. You ask if he's too charming, but he will win based on his charming personality...

...so you answered your own question :shrug:

[jcrew2001]

6. too good looking

can he be really really really good looking?

[NYCGirl]

56. He's not that good looking. NT

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

35. It's interesting, how birds of a feather flock together on threads...

[jcrew2001]

40. obv

Obviously it was a rhetorical question since imo you can't be too charming or too goodlooking, but it makes scum like scary-anne call people gay.

Derek Zoolander said it was okay to be really really good looking.

[MADem]

5. If you still are around when the election takes place, then you will have a chance

to either crow or eat crow on your prediction.

Bush didn't win based on his personality. He had the election handed to him by cheating bastards in Fl, Katherine Harris, and the Supreme Court. Al Gore actually won that contest.

Short memories!!

[jcrew2001]

8. but

But why was 2000 so close - Gore should have won handily with some extra states.

[MADem]

13. Uh, he DID win handily....or is your memory REALLY that short?

NT

[jcrew2001]

26. you're right

you're right

[leomcgarrysghost]

9. Is that like being too lucky?

think Coulter just went after him because he looks after his hair.

[AndyA]

10. I think there's more to Edwards than meets the eye, and as the campaign

continues, more of it will be exposed.

I believe he's a good man, and would make an excellent President. I also believe he's strong enough to fix the mess Bush will dump in his lap.

[jcrew2001]

14. exactly

Exactly, I think his Prince Charming persona, and the Southern charm will help him in the general.

Hillary is weak and there is a strong anti-hillary faction in the DNC, plus Dean hates carville. Edwards will collect the anti-Hillary faction.

It'll be Edwards/Bayh vs. Romney/Bush with Edwards winning by a landslide.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

17. Edwards/Bayh by a landslide? Good one.

And where do Obama, and possibly Gore and Clark fit into your little scenario?

[jcrew2001]

20. nowhere

Clark does not want VP - maybe under Hillary.

Gore is not running unless everyone drops out.

Is Obama ready for VP, i don't think so - he's a good speaker, but i think its a bit pompous of him to run so soon.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

27. We'll see.

You're leaving out the possibility of Clark running as Prez. And when did Gore state that he'd run only if "everyone drops out"? Do you have a direct quote?

Obama ready for "VP"? We're a little beyond that, wouldn't you say? You seem to support Edwards, who had one Senate term under his belt. Not really much of a difference than Obama, a first-termer. That makes Obama "a bit pompous" by how much?

[jcrew2001]

41. gore

Imo, gore is not running unless a meteor crushes all the other candidates dem and rep.
Maybe he'll throw his hat in the ring in the fall, but i highly doubt it.

Apparently Clark feels that 2004's late start was such a good idea that he wants to repeat every mistake he made. This makes me doubt his intelligence. He's waiting for Hillary to fall, there isn't much support for him now as many people are choosing sides. Obama is the new grassroots candidate.

Obama is more pompous by 4 years, at least Edwards finished his first term, and I didn't support Edwards in 2004, but I do now.

[NDP]

38. I haven't decided, but I think Edwards should pick someone who basically mirrors his

political philosophy. If he picks someone like Bayh, the bigs may want to replace him with Bayh, if you get my drift.

[jcrew2001]

42. Bayh

Bayh will win him Indiana and Ohio.

Clinton as veep won't win anything, neither will Obama (2 newbies on the same ticket). Clark doesn't want veep.

Bayh is a 2 term governor and senator - he'll be the "dick cheney" of the ticket.

[Pithy Cherub]

11. No amount of charm will make up for a lack of authenticity.

In California right now, Edwards is an afterthought and only two names are mentioned.

[MADem]

15. Gary Hart. Ed Muskie.

Unbeatable frontrunners. Once upon a time...

It's early days yet. The games are just beginning.

[jcrew2001]

44. so hillary is beatable?

n/t

[MADem]

51. EVERYONE is 'beatable'--to include Hillary, Obama, Edwards, and the rest of the crew

For all we know, this race could end up being RICHARDSON v. HUCKABEE. All you have to do is look to history.

[jcrew2001]

54. just joking

I know hill's beatable, i was joking - but she has the money, connections, and the clinton name. She's got a big target on her.

[oldtime dfl_er]

18. Lack of authenticity?

Afterthought? Like Hillary, John Edwards is someone you really must experience (preferably in person) to fully appreciate. I think he'd be a very strong choice for a presidential candidate, and (depending on who he chooses for VP) has a darn good chance to win.

That said, I would LOVE Gore/Edwards.

[Marie26]

48. He's ahead in Iowa

and is campaigning non-stop. People might be surprised by how well he does in the first primary states.

[PurityOfEssence]

49. Edwards haters unite!

The more rabid wing of Clark supporters just won't let go.

Bummer.

Here in California, he's loved and very well-positioned.

Fantasy. Bitterness. Tiresomeness.

[LaPera]

19. For republicans he is, they despise him and are afraid he may get the nomination...

The republicans will do everything and anything to see that it doesn't happen.

[jcrew2001]

25. they know

They know he will beat Romney or Rudy or old man mccain.

I'm surprised Brownback isn't moving up, at least he can claim the torch passing from Bob Dole's senate seat to the Nom - hahaha, great comparison!

[peace13]

22. I know this sounds petty but...

I wish he would roll his shirt sleeves up just one more roll. It does not look authentic the way they just flop around. I loved him in 2004 and now have cooled with his stance on Iraq. I think I have heard rumblings regarding Iran from him as well. Those are the negatives for me. Setting Man Coulter straight has been a plus for me. Keep swinging John all is not lost. Peace, Kim

[trumad]

23. Oh Jesus fucking H. Christ

this has got to be one of the stupidest threads in DU history.

[jcrew2001]

24. bill

Is Bill Clinton more or less charming than Edwards? or Gore or Bush Jr.?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

31. How does one measure charm?

Many think W is charming and he just may well be - in a snake-oil salesman kinda way.

[jcrew2001]

43. chicks

I think much of it has to do with the women vote, Bush won over the security moms in 2004. If someone speaks to you in a un-patronizing way.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

45. He won them over by scaring the shit out of them.

Boo! Many of them finally faced reality, or some degree of it, during the mid-terms.

And who might you be referring to with the "un-patronizing" comment? I've lost track of the slightly veiled wingnut talking points in this thread, but there's one more.

[jcrew2001]

46. i meant

I meant to have the common touch with folks and not sound patronizing like other ex-nominees.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

28. on a trailer hitch!

[MADem]

29. Gee, thanks for saying that

It's nice not to be ALONE in an opinion!!!!

Cheers!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

36. This thread has really brought 'em out, LOL.

[AlCzervik]

30. the shirt sleeve thing--literally or figuratively?

[Fresh_Start]

33. sounds like blaming the victim

how about ho-ann coulter has no effective arguments and must use smears.

[jcrew2001]

55. i know

I was joking when i said he is too charming, you can never be too charming, haha.

[librechik]

34. The Right think he's a winner--therefore they must "kill" him, soon.

one way or the other.

[NDP]

37. Only one Republican could win in 2008 against John Edwards

That is Chuck Hagel. If he doesn't run, Edwards wouldn't have any trouble winning the General. Hillary and Obama would have a much harder time.

[jcrew2001]

39. i agree

I agree that Edwards will do better in the general than Hillary or Obama; especially now that Mccain is done.

[barb162]

47. He's charming and he's fine with me.

[Clarkie1]

50. What you call "Southern charm" is what turns me off to him.

It's slick lawyer-esque and strikes me as fake. I just don't see in him what some others apparently do.

I get exactly the opposite impression from Obama, who strikes me as real, genuine, unassuming, and truly sincere.

[jcrew2001]

52. getting things done

I think Edwards will use his lawyer skills to get things done with Congress and in convincing voters on his policies.

Obama is a great speaker, but will he be effective? Would Clark be an effective in legislation? Can Hillary get elected?

I think Edwards is aware of all the angles and won't make "people/ego bruising mistakes" and can implement his agenda effectively and gain widespread support.

As a lawyer, you're always thinking about worse case scenarios and the other side. I don't know if the other candidates have the diplomacy needed for domestic policy.

[NYCGirl]

57. Obama is also a lawyer — he was the first African-American President of the

Harvard Law Review in its 104 year history. He worked as a Civil Rights lawyer and taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School.

[jcrew2001]

58. jury

But Edwards is skilled at winning over juries. I don't think Obama tries cases. John will be able to convince repubs to support his policies if necessary, as well as the american public. It may seem like he's a salesman, but you need to be a strong people person to succeed in DC.

I think Obama's competent, I'm just not ready to support him this year.

I think Hillary will have difficulty working with republicans.

Clark's never passed legislation, but from what i've read here, he's not interested in that stuff.

[NYCGirl]

59. Obama was also has a B.A. in Political Science, specializing in International Relations.

He also worked as a community organizer and directed voter registration drives. He has plenty of fine, human experience.

[NDP]

61. That must be serving him well on the Foreign Relations Committee, LOL

[NYCGirl]

63. It'll serve him well as President, as will all of his qualifications.

LOL indeed.

Edited to add: At least Barack Obama didn't co-sponsor the IWR, LOL.

[jcrew2001]

66. rw

i'm sure rw senators will fall over themselves trying to please obama. Edwards can connect with the opposition if needed.

[NYCGirl]

68. Edwards co-sponsored the IWR along with those rw senators, so don't be so sure.

[mdmc]

53. he could use less charm and more charisma

I like his whole anti-poverty deal-i-o.

I wish he was the real deal. That would be way too cool...

[NDP]

60. The charm is working today on Hardball

[spanone]

65. He was very good on Hardball today. Maybe the best I've seen him.

[Rosemary2205]

62. I disagree that Clinton won on pure charm.

Oh I agree he's got an abundance of it, but I think that is only one of the factors that got him to the WH.

[jcrew2001]

67. perot

Actually, Perot charmed the pants of America, he gave clinton the win.

[antonialee839]

64. I know this sounds petty, and it is, but I hate

that thing he does with his thumb, when trying to get a talking point across. I really wish
he would stop it.

[napi21]

69. I like Edwards but I think is IS being too damn nice to his critics.

Lawyers are very good at one line slams, and he IS a very successful lawyer. He needs to pull some of those one liners out of his tool kit and smack his opposition.

If you don't understand what I mean,let me put it this way.

A successful debater can tell his opponent to go straight to hell and make him happy he's going!