Edwards Seem Fake?

[champt10]

I know a lot of people here seem to like him, but I was wondering If anybody agrees with me that he seems a little fake? I dont know what it is, but I just get a bad vibe from him, that the smile that is plastered on his face all for his image. Anybody else get that vibe?

[Justice]

1. I get a bad vibe all right and it is not from Edwards

[Sydnie]

6. It keeps smelling too

like something in the fridge ... that you just can't seem to find. You add the baking soda box and it seems to be less offensive, but it never completely goes away ... then it comes back and you search around for what is causing it again.

Maddening, isn't it? ;)

[Bucky]

20. Oops, sorry. That was left over lasagna.

I'll throw it out tonight.

[IChing]

21. I find that it usually a certain pizza

they are not as good as DeGernio

[wicket]

110. LOL

;)

[Midlodemocrat]

120. Old refried beans stink to high heaven.

Like death, actually. I think that's what I smell.

[wicket]

109. Yup

:D

[Fresh_Start]

2. He's a politician - fake by definition

all of them

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[Erika]

19. I find your post terribly offensive to the Edwards family

Terribly offensive expecially at this time.

[Fresh_Start]

25. The GOPers thought Bush was authentic

you think Obama is authentic.

Its far safer for Democracy if we all consider every single one of them as politicians which almost by definition includes a level of gameplaying and deception.

[Lex]

35. You show how exceedingly little you know about Edwards

if you think he's just a photo-op guy.

Do a little actual research on him (life, education, career, family) for pity's sake.

[cali]

88. Perhaps it's because you don't know

shit about Edwards. In fact, I'm sure that's it. BTW, they all have advisors feeding them information.

[champt10]

89. Maybe

Maybe thats what it is. But you seem to have made up your mind about me already so there is no point in me trying to defend myself.

[cali]

90. None. I have made up my mind about you.

If you're a liberal, I'm Queen Elizabeth- either I or II, take your pick.

[Colobo]

3. In 04, maybe, but not now

I think he has matured a lot in the last 3 years... he seems to be a man on a mission now. He does want to serve, to help the country.

[ourbluenation]

5. nope.

[rwenos]

7. I Like John, But . . .

. . . there are politicians who can project a folksy image, and those who can't. Hillary can't, IMO. John Edwards is a KICK-ASS trial lawyer (like 70+ million-dollar verdicts to his credit), but can't seem to project the gut-real believability the Big Dog could, and still can.

I don't know what it is. Another way of looking at it -- why does Al Gore look so much more charismatic and attractive now than he did in 2000? In 2000 he was uptight. Now he's doin' what he loves.

Abraham Lincoln once said "After 40, every man is responsible for his own face."

[SeattleGirl]

9. I like that saying by Lincoln. n/t

[SeattleGirl]

8. I have never had that sense about him.

Perception is an individual thing.

[Name removed]

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[TOhioLiberal]

13. Heh...

...me too. not very nuanced either.

[Name removed]

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[Lars39]

17. Your timing sucks.

[Cooley Hurd]

93. BIG TIME!

:grr:

[Erika]

15. A lot here tonight n/t

[Erika]

11. His dedication to his family and wife is beautiful

And the sorrow for his dead son. He touched me.

[niyad]

12. so what do you think of bush?

[donheld]

108. He's honest, genuine and real. A man who cares

He's honestly a genuine real piece of shit who cares only for his rich base and the profits of the wealthy.

[Benhurst]

16. This is not a good evening to be asking such a question.

[Bucky]

18. Fake is far far too strong a phrase for me. I'd say slick. But I know lotsa lawyers w/that same vibe

I don't "get" folksy pols or folksy public speakers. I don't get why so many people find that slick appearance convincing. I find it a bit of a turn off. But based on experience, I have to conclude that most people really do like that type of ethos and presentation. It must've worked because Edwards is an incredibly successful lawyer. Juries are not stupid; juries tend to be made up of people who can issue a sound judgment given enough facts and a clear enough presentation.

So it's just my prejudice; my personal taste in how I want to hear a public speaker. I like 'em wonky and most people don't. So I don't care for his style, but on substance he seems to be rock solid and right more often than wrong. In the end, I suspect he's a sincere man acting sincere, or rather consciously conveying his sincerity through his words and tone of voice. But a lot of lawyers act like Edwards; it's not a unique phenom or the indication of him being a confidence man.

If your memory goes back that far, think about Gore's speaking style in 1988. I was initially attracted to him for his stand on the issues, but he talked like fucking Barney the Dinosaur. I found his slow paced, elementary presentation, his dumbed-down language about political issues, a real turn off. Speaking styles evolve, particularly for bright guys struggling to convey complex ideas to large groups of voters. Few are able to be full on wonky like Bill Clinton and still seem genuine on the stump.

My gut says Edwards is on the level.

[Connie_Corleone]

22. You sure do have terrible timing. nt

[InvisibleTouch]

23. Isn't it odd...

...how Kucinich is dismissed as being "geeky-looking" and Edwards is dismissed as being "too handsome." Talk about the superficial society we've become! I happen to love them both.

[BlooInBloo]

24. Moot question. He's apparently about to drop out to help his wife.

[Erika]

29. Newt divorced his wife when she was fighting cancer

Rudy had multiple wives and his children won't campaign with him.

But you question Edward's as being shallow?

[BlooInBloo]

37. Most insane response ever.

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2007/03/open-thread_8632.html

EDIT: Link added in the (likely unfruitful) hopes of staving off future insanity. How EXACTLY am I questioning "Edward's (sic) as being shallow?"

[Erika]

46. Who are you addressing? n/t

[BlooInBloo]

60. I'm addressing your claim that I "question Edward's (sic) as being shallow".

[LaPera]

26. Edwards is the real deal...

Don't let television make up your mind...make up your own.

Edwards is who the republicans fear most...they want to downplay him get him out of the race...much like Dean in 2004.

Read Edwards excellent platform.

http://johnedwards.com/about/john/

[Lex]

27. The freepers said Clinton was fake when he wiped tears during

the ceremony for those killed in the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing.

So you're in good company.

[Sabriel]

28. Thread seem fake. n/t

[Lex]

30. LOL.

I caught that too.

:rofl:

[barb162]

31. Not at all

He seems like a genuinely nice guy

[Name removed]

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[donheld]

115. Champt10 I don't know if you're a troll or not, but

You will never be a real part of DU until you have been called a troll and a freeper at least once.:banghead: We all go through it.:hi: :toast::donut:

[donheld]

125. champt10 If you're not a troll

You sure seem to be asking troll like questions.

[Rockholm]

137. By the way you are defining yourself......

I'd have to say.....TROLL. Not capitalizing DEMOCRAT. Stating matter of factly that you are a "liberal democrat." Hell, I'M not even a liberal Democrat. And you capitalized the "War".

[Name removed]

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[Erika]

36. If you don't know what's going on with Elizabeth

that's your fault and lack of keeping up on things. We love the Edwards even if we wouldn't vote for John. We're far different than those who are GOP.

[Lex]

41. He also thinks all there is to Edwards is that he is handsome.

There's a woeful lack of bothering to stay informed, imho.

[Name removed]

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[Erika]

52. Who are you to address me?

Yuk.

[Name removed]

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[Erika]

58. I don't wish it from you. Thanks. n/t

[Sydnie]

45. and Elizabeth is a DU member too

Perhaps the OP needs to know that as well.

[Erika]

49. and we love her n/t

[Sydnie]

51. yes we do

Stay well Elizabeth ... we need you now more than ever!

[BlooInBloo]

62. Apparently you didn't get the memo - "attacking" anyone's Favorite Candidate AUTOMATICALLY....

... makes you a republican operative. Duh.

DUers lose what little intelligence, rationality, and grip on reality they had when it comes to primary time and their favorite candidates.

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2006_12_17_atrios_archive.html#116645724148144035

1) Your favorite candidate is the only one who can win.

2) Your favorite candidate is the only one who will truly get behind a progressive agenda.

3) Other candidates are part of some nefarious conspiracy to destroy your candidate.

4) Supporters of other candidates are motivated by groupthink.

5) Supporters of other candidates are operating in bad faith and arguing dishonestly.

6) "Powerful" bloggers shouldn't be "biased."

7) Primary season is the silliest season of all.

[Erika]

68. Have you heard about party loyalty

especially in sickness? We're not the Newt type.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

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[Erika]

72. You can use the caucus for that purpose

Why here?

[champt10]

74. Because

I want to know what fellow dems think.

[BlooInBloo]

83. Um, because it's DEMOCRATIC Underground, not Erika's Favorite Democrat Underground. Duh.

EDIT: Sub "it's" for "it".

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

96. Well when you post threads attacking a Dem candidate based solely on a

nebulous subjective concept like "seems fake", and are a non contributing board newb to boot, you deserve all the flames and alerts.

Any thread running down a Dem candidate should at least have some substantive criticism such as of policy etc.

[Name removed]

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[amitten]

34. Yes, and we all hate Keith Olbermann, too.

Enjoy your stay here at Free Republic! :hi:

[champt10]

40. Actually

Im watching his rerun right now so I can watch him again.

[southerncrone]

38. He is a very hansome man, he knows it & he uses it to his advantage. He can't help it that he is

so good-looking. I think some men are sort of threatened by that.

I feel he is sincere in his beliefs & his devotion to family.

So far the Rethugs haven't seemed to find anything dirty on him, which says a lot, because you know they are trying their best. That's why Anne Coulter had to call him a faggot--make up something if you can't find any dirt.

[AzDar]

39. Yes. We all hate KO and John Edwards...we hate all erudite , charming,

honest and upstanding people here at DU...
(this should save you the trouble of starting another thread full of faux concern , Mr. Limbaugh.)

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

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[MzNov]

43. Why is this here??

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

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[Erika]

64. Why don't you attack the GOP rather than Dems

The curious want to know.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

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[Radical Activist]

44. This is why Bush intentionally talks like an idiot.

If someone is a polished speaker, people will question his sincerity.

[champt10]

50. I do not question Obama

[GreenTea]

47. Edwards is a great candidate, I can vote for him easily...

And I will, if he's the nominee....

[pnwmom]

55. No. No. No. Would you think that if he weren't so good looking?

I'm leaning toward Obama right now, but I'd have no problems with Edwards as the nominee. He pulled himself up from poverty, and he wants an America where that can happen for more and more people. I believe him.

And Elizabeth is wonderful.

[Nutmegger]

56. I stand with John Edwards

The vitriol about his house was utter crap as is this topic.

[Trajan]

57. Maybe you are completely wrong about Edwards ....

And your 'feelings' are SO far from the truth that even you would be extremely embarassed, if you had the ability to see through the cynicism .....

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

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[peacetalksforall]

59. champt10. Edwards was a successful lawyer - he may have found

that smiling when making a case to a jury was more beneficial than something else. Look at what he says. Consider if he really cares. I think you'll say yes - he's genuine.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

61. champt10 Seem Concerned?

Anybody else get that vibe?

[Lex]

63. Oh, very concerned. About so many people.

Quite touching, isn't it?

[Bluebear]

92. Troubled, too, I bet. nt

[champt10]

65. Nope

Not really concerned. I see that people disagree with me. I understand that others have different opinions.

[alittlelark]

71. sigh.....

[aananny7]

70. the repubs say he will be "The First Women President"

[Lex]

73. Wow, an infestation.

nt

[NanceGreggs]

75. Jesus and Ann Coulter?

Interesting choice of 'my heroes' in your DU profile.

[Lex]

76. And it lives in the "unitted states of america unde"

Where ever the hell that is. Somewhere in Alabama apparently.

[Erika]

78. The GOP are getting rabid and frantic as they lose power

They can't stand being in the minority. They are really quite amusing.

[NanceGreggs]

82. You're right, Erika ...

... they are quite amusing!!!

[Kool Kitty]

77. Which of your "heros" said that?

I'm guessing it was Ann.

[Lex]

79. No, I bet it was Jesus! You know how he liked to say "faggot"

and words like that.


(Man, these people are waaaay crazy, aren't they?)

[Erika]

80. And Jesus absolutely hated the poor

He fed the manna, fish, and wine to the GOP rich elites.

[Torgo Johnson]

81. Vile Scumbag

[Pastiche423]

84. The word I would use is

insincere. Moreover, I believe he has read the how-to book, How To Fool People That You Are Presidential Material way too many times.


P.S. I wish only the very best to his wife, Elizabeth.

[champt10]

85. As you can tell

Ive caught a lot of flak for what i have said, so be prepared, but it looks like you missed the onslaught.

[Pastiche423]

86. No worries

I was here at DU during the '04 primary.

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

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[trumad]

100. Actually you've been accused of being ignorant

which fits you perfectly. What a stupid fucking thread.

[FuzzyDicePHL]

104. That's fucked up

Such a shame that someone is accused of attacking a candidate because the OP made a statement about their own opinion.

This thread sure does look like a Freep thread, wherein someone is jumped-upon for straying from the group-think.

[Bluebear]

117. The group think is we wish Elizabeth well. She IS a member here you know.

We'll try to get their nasty cancer news over with though so people can make their "opinions" again without being "attacked".

[FuzzyDicePHL]

127. Reads to me like

everybody's attacking this poor guy b/c his opinion is that he finds Edwards fake. If he insulted Elizabeth, I missed it so I apologise. Once I make it to work I will re-read the thread for that.

[Rockholm]

138. Onslaught? Tremble tremble.

[Bluebear]

91. Well hopefully there will be bad medical news today so he doesn't smile for you.

Honest to god, what is wrong with you?

[Cooley Hurd]

94. Really!

I've alerted on this thread.:thumbsdown:

[Bluebear]

97. Holy trolly, batman!

:thumbsdown: is right.

[Robeson]

98. You haven't figured it out yet?....

...;-)

[Perky]

95. Actually I suspect what you sense is...

a very nuanced similiaity to a young charismatic southern baptist minister you might see on local television in the south.

That is not meant to be derorgatory either to edwrds or to even to Southern Baptists but the vibe is there

[bklyncowgirl]

99. There is that touch of Elmer Gantry about him.

There's something about Edwards that puts me off. Maybe it's his face--far to0 young looking for a man in his fifties. I remember thinking when he debated Cheney that it was like Opie battling Darth Vader.

On the other hand I absolutely love Elizabeth. The fact that he's married to this very real and unglamorous, hard working woman makes me think that could be wrong about him.

I will admit that it takes me a long time to warm up to southern politicians. It's a prejudice.

I did not like Jimmy Carter when he was in office. I was clearly wrong about him although I do believe that he was too good a man to be a good president.

I did not like Bill Clinton. I changed my mind about him when the Republicans went after him on every thing they could find public or personal, real or imagined. I now admire him although I do not agree with every one of his policies--he was a good president.

If Edwards get the nomination, I could vote for the guy.

[H2O Man]

101. No.

It's not Edwards who seems fake to me.

[Berry Cool]

103. Edwards is probably going to hold a press conference today

in which what he has to say is going to be anything but "fake." We will probably only WISH it was "fake." Because I have a premonition the news is not going to be good.

[sellitman]

102. MODS: LOCK THIS THREAD

It's vile and disgusting.

Note I am a Kucinich Supporter too.

[FuzzyDicePHL]

106. Just wondering,

what's vile & disgusting about it?

[Bluebear]

111. He and his wife are making an announcement at noon today about her health.

If you hadn't heard, that's why the timing of this thread is a disgrace. Even if the poster didn't know it when he made it, he knew it later and kept on with it. Terrible timing.

[FuzzyDicePHL]

128. I still don't see how

that makes him so horrible for thinking Edwards comes off as fake to him... As in my other reply, I'll re-read when I get to work.

[sellitman]

132. I think others here have answered your question.

Read a newspaper occasionally.

[whistle]

105. Maybe taking a laxative twice a day for two weeks followed with

...a regular high-colonic enema my relieve your tension champ10. If you still have bias judgment repeat the process until you are able to tell the difference between fake republicans and genuine democrats. Once relief is achieved maintain a balanced healthy diet and avoid RW pundits and reThuglican koolaid. Have a wonder-filled day! :yoiks:

[liberalnurse]

107. I tend to sense it's not John Edward s

who is Fake at all....on the contrary.....

[MonkeyFunk]

112. Hey!

Baseless, silly attacks are only allowed against Hillary Clinton here! Get with the program!

[Bluebear]

114. Is Hillary battling cancer too?

Is she making an announcement today as well?

[MonkeyFunk]

116. Nope

and neither is John Edwards.

And you're speculating about what today's announcement will be.

Sorry, unless the admins impose an illness-moratorium on candidates and their families, I think the outrage is overdone.

[Bluebear]

119. You're all heart. nt

[MonkeyFunk]

121. I'm extremely

sympathetic to Elizabeth Edwards. I love her.

But come on, saying Edwards "seems" fake.... compare that to the 50 posts a day wherein people come out call Hillary a two-faced lying harpie... EVERY DAY.

This is mild, and the thread has nothing to do with Elizabeth.

[Bluebear]

122. Well we have different ideas of respect then, we'll leave it at that. nt

[Old and In the Way]

113. You seem a little slow champt10

Do you agree with me? I'm not sure why, it might be the simplistic words that you've strung together on this post. Or maybe it is the simplistic, monotone that you seem to type it. Anyone else get that impression?

[EV_Ares]

118. Bull Shit, you think his caring for his wife with her cancer is fake. N/T

[matcom]

123. I don't personally agree Champt10 but you have EVERY RIGHT to your opinion

you stayed within the DU rules, didn't personally attack any posters and broke no DU laws as I see it.

again, don't agree with your assesment but i'll be damned if i'm going to blindly trash you for it.

[Bluebear]

124. It's about respect and timing.

I guess I see things differently from a few people. I would personally think I could wait until after the noon press conference to just have to put my opinion in print under the circumstances but whatever.

[matcom]

130. he may not have known about the press conference

and maybe he did but I really don't see how it is germane to the topic.

a better reponse to him from some here would be to cite examples of his sincerity on different topics.

he didn't personally attack anyone but there are a hell of a lot of responses that should be removed

[Bluebear]

133. well he was certainly told.

A gentleman would have said "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. This conversation can wait at least until tomorrow." At least that's what I would do.

[matcom]

134. again. not germane to his topic

not at all

[Bluebear]

136. Wow.

[hlthe2b]

126. You know, a lot of us could deal with such a nonsensical post

at another time, but good God, how ugly to do so when Elizabeth Edwards' is facing such a health crisis and one that by its nature may force them to leave the race? Are you really that insensitive?

Your post makes no substantive comment on the man, but that we could normally handle with discussion about Edward's background and work-- which I gather you know little about.:shrug:

But really, why bother? It strikes me as futile as trying to teach a pig manners... ( and no, I'm not equating you to the pig}.

If, by some slight chance you didn't know about Elizabeth and what is going on with the campaign as a result (despite countless threads today on the issue), why not just apologize as some have suggested and continue this discussion at a much later date? You've been given every opportunity by many posters, it seems...:shrug:

[Bluebear]

131. Holy canolli, and the people piling on to defend it!

As if waiting perchance a few hours to see what the news is and if Edwards will even BE a candidate would kill people.

I guess I grew up in a different time, when you didn't have to blurt out what you're goddamn thinking just because it's your "right" to.

[murloc]

129. All Politicians have a carefully couffed image

that can at times appear fake if they are not 100% on their game (and we ALL have off days)

Heck most all us wear a slightly different persona depending on whether we are interacting with family, cowokers, a boss, your children etc. I assure you that I project my authority very differently when dealing with my boss, versus my children.

All that aside, even if the "image" is fake (and Im not saying that it is), what matters is when the rubber hit the road.

What matters is what policies they support, the work that they do and the people they influence to futher that work and policies.

Edwards has a couffed image just like all the rest....he just has nice hair to go with it :) (we should all be so lucky)

[salin]

135. this go primary go round - I am taking a new tact

regarding not letting my bloodpressure climb due to gratuitious intra-party mudslinging. Early on note which posters are likely to slam a particular candidate with no issue being raised (issue per policy) and just stop reading that poster if/when they start threads about that particular candidate in the future. This OP is an example. You may have *great* and thought provoking posts/threads about other issues and other candidates and I will continue to read those - but per future Edwards threads? I'll pass - a big ole discussion about a smile - just doesn't inform me all that much.

[LaurenG]

139. Locking

Flamebait. This poster is no longer with us.