Edwards is finished. Just built new 30,000 sq foot home.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

This won't fly. 30,000 square fuckin feet for someone who talks about eating at Wendys? He's done and probably a good thing because buying this house now is the stupidest political move he could make.

http://www.carolinajournal.com/

[liberalnurse]

1. I don't really care.

He can afford it so why not? He can still eat at Wendys.

[skipos]

82. I think it is easier to sell yourself as a champion of the poor

and a friend of the environment when you don't live in a 30,000 sq ft house.

[flpoljunkie]

124. Building Southern White House with media facilities, Secret Service hdqs. in Recreational Bldg.?

[Judi Lynn]

209. Not as "pretty," however, as Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham's Rancho Santa Fe.

[Judi Lynn]

218. Or the Bush compound in Kennebunkport.

or their home in Houston, or in the Florida Keys.

[flpoljunkie]

221. No, particularly with the way they are connected with all the odd shaped rooms.

[Bluebear]

474. Tell me that's not a Texas flag hanging there. nt

[Ignacio Upton]

235. That's it?

The house itself is only 10,000 sf, with the barn-like building and garage making up most of the other 20,000. It still looks pretty modest compared to the Dukester's property or any of Bush's.

[Leopolds Ghost]

282. I love how they cut down all those trees just to have a big lawn in back

Which they'll need lots of poor people to maintain, most likely non-unionized immigrant labor, running around on gas-guzzling riding mowers and gas-powered trimmers,

And clear-cut a 200-foot path for a dedicated private 3-lane asphalt road.

[Dover]

422. Sure seems like he's anticipating some BIG changes in lifestyle

What's the pricetag on this puppy? A major investment, no doubt. Guess he assumes his future is VERY bright, indeed.

Wonder what his 'old' place looked like?

Bush started building his 'southern white house' while still governor. Guess he anticipated big changes too. The irony is that Bush's ranch is actually VERY sustainably built. But that may have been a ploy to appease the big environmentalist lobby in Texas and ease concerns about the rumors that he was listening to proponents who wanted to auction off/privatize our park systems to the highest bidder.

[Reterr]

262. No kidding

But poverty and environmental impact are boring....Don't talk about such things :spank:

He has a cuuuute smile and says like stuff about poverty and stuff and like totally gets it about like the whole 2 Americas thing..

God I hope Al Gore runs.

[Broderick]

303. oh well

"about like the whole 2 Americas thing"







I sit perched on the lower rung. Maybe I can sweep the 3 lane driveway.

[Dems Will Win]

427. Doesn;t Gore have a big mansion too in TN?

[Lurking Dem]

439. It's a 6 or 7,000 square foot house.

Looks like a mini White House, has a pool in the back. It's not that much bigger than my own house and I have a bigger yard.

[RiverStone]

258. Al Gore cares...

NOT about JE's house in particular - I understand why you may not care about that.

But ask Al what anybody's BIG house and associated extra energy use has to do with Global Warming-

more words from Al here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5441976


* * * * *

Yes, I'd vote for John in a heartbeat if he was our party's nominee; and no I'd never chose to live in a huge house. Yet, I hope most people will come to see that driving, consuming, and building LESS big - hence conserving earth's limited resources - as a valid question to ponder for the health of our planet (be one a politician or not). :eyes:

Agree? :shrug:

[Zorra]

410. Yep, I agree. Good post. n/t

[benny05]

455. Energy Star Home

The new house is considered an energy star house, which means it is very energy efficient.

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/1/26/15303/2358

[trumad]

2. It's a good thing John Kennedy lived in a small log cabin

he would have never been elected?

[AlCzervik]

5. lol!

excellent!

[saltpoint]

7. ...and who isn't moved by those photos of Jackie, in rags, with that butter churn

by the hearth?

[CatWoman]

17. STOP IT!!! STOP IT!!!

:rofl:

[AlCzervik]

22. rofl.

you guys are killin me today!

[nadinbrzezinski]

87. You forget the two kids

with rags on their feet, they could not afford shoes

[saltpoint]

95. Yep. Poor Caroline and John-John. Skeletal waifs, begging in the

alleyways for scraps of food...

I'm weeping as I type this...

Forgive me!

[blm]

105. That's not Caroline - it's Maria Shriver, the visiting skeletal cousin.

.

[saltpoint]

110. By god you're right. It's the kind of near-starvation that finally

drove the poor girl into the arms of a retarded body-builder.

[Mnemosyne]

156. "retarded body-builder"

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

So true!

[laundry_queen]

184. OMG, you so owe me a new keyboard! n/t

[saltpoint]

193. Send the bill to John Edwards! If that goddam John Edwards can afford

a big house, then he can buy you a new keyboard!

[Lisa]

245. and a new monitor for me! I was so convulsed by laughter ...

... that I just bumped my head against the screen! (I'm not worried about the sore spot on my head because I'm in Canada and already have public health insurance ... but if my monitor goes on the blink, I want another one!)

Thanks to you and trumad for brightening up this thread. Funniest thing I've seen this week.

[saltpoint]

252. Trumad started the fire. Trumad's the holder of the recipe and

the genius of its contagion. When he put that image of the log cabin for JFK in this thread, I was howling like a wild animal on the floor.

[Lisa]

384. speaking of which, my co-workers want John Edwards to buy earplugs for them

They claim that my laughter reminds them of "a small woodland creature being tormented with sticks", and that it's distracting them from work. A blatant exaggeration -- after all, I've seen these guys, and nothing gets done around here on Fridays anyway.

p.s. All it's going to take to set me off from now on are two words: butter churn. You're a twisted genius, you know that?

[CoffeeCat]

390. Man, you guys are killing tonight!

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.

This is truly some good stuff!

You guys could write comedy for the networks!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

395. I don't think they will have us

[racaulk]

195. HA HA HA HA HA!!! You're so wrong for that!!!

OMFG, this entire Kennedy subthread is killing me!

Can't...stop...laughing...

:rofl: :spray:

[KoKo]

250. OFGS! That's Cruel....but I wonder why John & Elizabeth need 600 sq. ft. Bedroom!

:shrug: The only room in the house that's not on the one level. :eyes:

[seashorelady]

429. Secret Service detail

[Hoping4Change]

93. LOLOLOL.

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

96. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[JNelson6563]

99. OMG! I love DU humor!

:toast:

[ronnykmarshall]

283. Remember her standing in front of the stove ...

cutting up hot dogs and mixing them in the mac & cheese?

That Jackie, she could sure could stretch a food dollar.

[tabasco]

297. That actually sounds pretty good.

I thought I had tried every form of bachelor food imaginable but I can't recall dogs in mac. My bachelor cooking theory is that if you take good-tasting things and mix them together - - it's gotta taste good!

OOOhhhhh. .. now I have a craving!

[Nabia2004]

306. Have you tried dogs and hash-browns?

Use to be one of my favorites, slice up a big spud and hot-dogs, fry golden brown and smother in ketchup. yum

I haven't dogs and mac since I was a kid.

[Clarkie1]

323. O.K....I laughed, but I really don't think that's the point.

He ought to show some more environmental awareness, at the very least. All great leaders lead by example, and as Gore and others have said, to save the planet we all must make real changes in the way we live our lives on an individual basis.

[CoffeeCat]

389. LOLOL!!!

Tears in my eyes.

Oh, that was terrific.

Definitely made my "top 10 DU posts".

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Laurab]

440. butter churn!!!!!11111

:rofl:

I bet they couldn't even AFFORD to eat at Wendy's - of course I don't think Wendy's was around back then, but even if it was, it would have been too expensive for them. Bread and churned butter!!!!

[treestar]

457. When Bill Clinton ate fast food, he got hell for eating

unhealthy stuff! But Edwards HAS to eat fast food!

:rofl:

If Edwards doesn't go around without shoes in winter, he doesn't care about the poor!


:sarcasm:

[CatWoman]

9. lolololololo

:rofl:

[underpants]

10. and the Bush family has the old family place in Texas

:eyes:

I think Edwards can pull of the "man of the people" thing seeing as how he actually was one once.

[JohnLocke]

11. Best. Post. Ever.

:thumbsup:

[Exultant Democracy]

247. Ever. Ever.

[Rosemary2205]

21. Busting out laughing :) nt

[Proud2BAmurkin]

36. JFK was known entity. And Edwards is no JFK

different era, different candidate

[trumad]

52. Nice rationalization

Not!

[yellowdogintexas]

435. honestly, JFK wasn't that well known outside Mass before he

started running for pres. That was a very hard fought nomination that required several ballots at the convention.

[WI_DEM]

453. And a lot of help from the Pop and his money. Old Harry Truman said, "It's not the pope I fear, it'

the pop. Joe Kennedy is one of the biggest crooks this country ever had."

[Fenris]

41. Old Joe Kennedy, the legend goes, used to catch fish with his bare hands.

He was a hearty mountain man, who ate raw eggs for breakfast and drank moonshine for dinner. He use to travel around the countryside with his blue ox, sympathizing with Nazis wherever he went.

[CatWoman]

73. LOL

Ole Pa Kennedy was a noodler?

[davekriss]

352. I caught a catfish

about a foot longer than that (55 lbs) on 4 lb test about 4 years ago. On a spinner while bass fishing.

[Forrest Greene]

113. It's So Sad, Too

...how he died several years before his kids were born.

[LSK]

48. look, a newly found pic of the Kennedy complex

:rofl:

[SoCalDem]

63. and when the family took to the road?

[Wiley50]

361. Man, I Would Have KILLED For That Bus Back In My Hippie Daze n/t

[Hoping4Change]

107. LOLOLOL

[AlCzervik]

119. is that their summer place?

:rofl:

this thread is making my sides hurt from laughing so much.

[wicket]

65. hahahahahaha!!!

:rofl: :rofl:

[happydreams]

66. I thought that was Lincoln...

:rofl:

[karynnj]

153. Have you been to Hyanisport in Cape Cod?

not a log cabin, but not a 30,000 sq ft McMansion.

Edwards is a multimillionaire and he's had a house built that is consistent with that. It is his money and it is his right.

[hashibabba]

169. Been there. Pretty nice little summer cottage! I agree, its

Edward's right. He's earned it. Of course, you can imagine what the rw media will do to that story.

[ulysses]

238. hell, think of all the years Roosevelt put in

working the assembly line! Thank God for it, New Dealers!

[Reterr]

260. I didn't know that most progressives liked the Kennedys for their wealth?

But, going by how most here seem to think, I am guessing it was Jackie Kennedy's wardrobe that really impressed them :eyes:...

[KoKo]

270. No...many are seeing John Edwards and Obama as the NEW KENNEDY'S.

It's a fanstasy born out of "American Idol" and "other stuff" and old documentaries about past American Presidents. :shrug:

[Reterr]

294. Very true

OMG -they are so totally like hot like...:eyes:

Obama and Edwards are both horrible on environmental issues...

[treestar]

458. No but the point is you can be rich and liberal

What about all those Hollywood liberals?

In fact, thank God there are some rich ones. If you think the media shills for the right wing now -

[Califooyah Operative]

417. hehehe. nt

[iconoclastic cat]

3. Sure, write the obit.

:eyes:

[saltpoint]

4. The polls in Iowa say otherwise.

Edwards is a contender.

A strong one.

And he has the classiest wife around.

[Nimrod2005]

6. Calm down please.....nt

[emulatorloo]

8. Sounds like material for a Rush Limbaugh show, but won't bother most voters EOM

[Rosemary2205]

12. John Kerry survived after his $1,000 hair cut. (typo sorry)

And Nancy Pelosi is still here after her $7000 dress..........

[blm]

24. John Kerry's haircut was 75.00. That's a normal going rate in big cities.

.

[Rosemary2205]

45. Well it was actually $1000 not $75.

Sorry for my typo saying $10,000. There was that $1000 haircut where he was stuck out on the west coast, needed a haircut, flew out his stylist to the west coast. I have no idea if it's true or was just "scuttlebutt" but it was EVERYWHERE and Kerry certainly survived the notion that's he's so rich and so conceited he can spend $1000 on a haircut.

[On the Road]

77. Actually, You Could Argue That He DIDN"T Survive

not politically at least. That haircut was unfortunately part of the mix of impressions that caused him not to be president today.

[LSK]

79. I guess you missed the threads about the election workers convicted in Ohio

You might want to hang out in the election forum a little.

BTW Kerry was nearly broke in the 80s.

[On the Road]

210. I'm Glad the Election Workers Were Convicted

and I realize Ken Blackwell did everything he could get away with to suppress Democratic votes, some of which may have been illegal.

Having said that, I don't think there's a very good case that the outcome in Ohio was changed by fraud (unlike Florida, where it was). The prediction of exit poll deviations in electronic precincts was not fulfilled -- rural paper precincts had the highest deviation, suggesting that response variables and other factors in the polling itself were responsible.

In any case, there was a limit to any Republican malfeasance. Kerry would be president today if he had more effectively combatted the rich liberal elitist image. Personally, I think he was so close to it that it was difficult for him to see. And I really do not want the same thing to happen to any Democratic candidate next time around.

[blm]

81. There's only ONE Reason Kerry isn't in the WH - Terry McAuliffe never did his job

that he promised when he opened up the Office of Voter Integrity, and never did his job of strengthening the party infrastructure.

He oversaw the collapse of the party infrastructure in every red and swing state so he could conserve the DNC money and keep most of it in DC for a new building and spread it around to bolster the DC centric elite.

He did nothing to secure the election process in 2000, 2002 and 2004. All the RNC's tactics to suppress votes and purge voter rolls and control the count of the electronic machines went UNCOUNTERED by Terry's DNC.

That's why Dean has worked his ass off the last two years working to rebuild those party infrastructures in the states where they had been so long neglected and collapsed.

[LSK]

84. Kenneth Blackwell

[wisteria]

392. Yep, that slim too. n/t

[flpoljunkie]

188. He had the audacity to end an interview recently with comment re his concern about voting machines!

What chutzpah!

[karynnj]

192. Also McAuliffe was the genius who set the date for an early convention

Likely because neither he or his staff caught the ramification of the date in the new McCain/Feingold law. This meant Bush could still use limitless primary money in August, while Kerry had to start using federal money only. This meant he could spend $75 million over 13 weeks, while Bush had the same amount over 8 weeks. (Kerry had to spend money in August, so he had less money to spend per week through Sept and Oct.

That is a HUGE difference and was a major reason Kerry avoided spending a lot of money on anti SBVT ads. they thought they had the truth out. (Consider that had he done that, he would have had even less money in the fall. It might be the argument would be that Kerry, was so vain about his medals that he wasted too much money and he didn't get his message out)

[On the Road]

194. I Realize There Were Other Factors

and I was not happy with McAuliffe's leadership, either.

However, the fact remains that one reason Kerry isn't president today is the public image created by the Republican attack ads and smear campaign. The thousand-dollar haircut was part of that. To a certain extent, those things stuck to Kerry.

Edwards has a very good shot at the nomination. In January 2009, I really don't want to be talking about how Edwards was the victim of character assassination a la Kerry and Gore. It's not fair and it's not a killer but it is a legitimate concern and the Democratic nominee has to attend to it more effectively this time.

[blm]

213. Ever hear Bush defend himself? No. He had an RNC and RW media machine to do it

all for him. And every GOP lawmaker with a big name would come out and support him with more enthusiasm for the lies than most Dems would muster to defend the TRUTH about their nominee.

It's a peculiar thing that the Dem party never bothered to create a machine the way the GOP did so many years ago. They claim they want to emulate the GOPs on the viciousness of the campaign, but never chose to emulate what was actually working for the GOPs - their RNC organization and RW media machine.

And all the DNC had to do was work for four years to COUNTER whatever vote suppression tactic the RNC threw at them in every state. They chose to ignore it. I believe McAuliffe ignored it in 2002 and 2004 DELIBERATELY.

[Leopolds Ghost]

291. Yes, and Kerry and Edwards don't. Also, Edwards & Clintons refused to serve as Kerry's attack dog.

Wake up, liberals do not own the global corporate media. The global neo-fascists do.

The ones who publish shows on the Discovery channel saying "in the future, you'll be monitored 24-7. But the holographic pets will make up for it."

[Leopolds Ghost]

289. Terry McC and the Clintons deliberately sabotaged the Kerry campaign and will fire Dean if they win

in 2008.

Anyone out there don't believe me?

[wisteria]

391. You are absolutely right! n/t

[karynnj]

176. No, it wasn't

The Harris (ABC) book relates the entire story. The truth was Kerry has a $75 hair cut. No news and as BLM says that is the going rate at better places in cities.

Drudge made up a story - fabricated quotes and all - even speaking of styling and highlighting Kerry's hair. None of it was true.

The genuinely sad thing is that Harris included this to praise Drudge! He glowingly spoke of how Drudge took a Kerry asset - his thick hair - and tried to make a story about how vain he was about it.

(Frankly, I voted for the brain under that mass of hair)

[Leopolds Ghost]

293. $75 is too much. Kerry would have done better to engage in belt-tightening measures.

$75 is fine if you are a member of the commercial upper class, OR if you are a middle-class woman. It is not considered socially acceptable for a male public figure working for a non-profit institution such as the US Government, however. Ask Ms. Manners, she will say "get a $20 haircut from a non-wealthy hairstylist, and leave a 20% tip."

[karynnj]

473. As Kerry's hair cut was not paid for by the non-profit,

your comment makes no sense. He can easilly afford $75. Isn't it sexist to say a woman can pay $75?

If he had a $20 haircut, you would complain that given the amount of hair he has he cheated the hairstylist.

[treestar]

459. You know what kills me

Why are Repukes never taken to task for this stuff? You can be sure that Chimpy's haircuts are expensive, so are his suits - every perk of being rich is surely part of the Bush family lifestyle.

[Rosemary2205]

464. Are smirk's suits custom?

They look like hell on him. My husband looks better in his suit and it's from Sears. No kidding.

[treestar]

465. It's hard to imagine what outfit would look good on Chimpy

Maybe he ought to try out the Moran guy's look!

[AngryAmish]

207. I live in a big city and my haircut is $15.00

[Leopolds Ghost]

287. No it's not. I like Kerry, but anyone who wants to mingle with the middle class

Will not put themselves out getting a decent $20 hair-cut.

In DC the best places to go are run by Italian or Hispanic immigrants.

Immigrants in this country are very image-conscious.

You want to know why the foreign underclass has a leg up on the domestic underclass in advancing out of underclass labor into service industry, it is because most of them have a Sunday suit neat and pressed stashed away at all times. Even if they are homeless.

Our upper-class white oligarchy could learn a thing or two about how to save money and still look good.

[yellowdogintexas]

437. don't forget the perfectly starched and pressed jeans and shirts

as well.

[Maddy McCall]

399. It was Bill Clinton who had the fru-fru haircut.

I believe that it was his that cost $1000.

Besides, who cares?

[NotGivingUp]

441. i love your frog!

[karynnj]

160. Except he didn't have a $1000 hair cut

Not sure of the exact amount (I think $75) but it was used in Harris' book where he praised Drudge for FABRICATING STORIES.

[KoKo]

296. Edwarda was born with "Very Nice Hair" and many would be

envious of his hair....But, the point is NOT HIS HAIR...but HIS HOUSE! His Hair will be gone in a few years...grey and patchy ..(he is approaching Mid-50 even if he doesn't look it) but his HOUSE is causing huge concerns. And, it's a valid point that people would wonder if he doesn't seem sort of YUPPIE-ish.

It's a valid criticism and we Dems need to criticize our OWN and not give a Pass so we don't EVER END UP WITH ANOTHER BUSH!

[galadrium]

13. Look at all those trees he cut down too....

Why does Edwards hate the environment?

[graywarrior]

14. Mitt Romney lives in a pink house.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

20. LOL

no shit?

[graywarrior]

33. Yeah, shit. He got in trouble about illegals a few months ago

and the Boston Globe printed a photo of his pink house.

[Blue Belle]

382. Funny how you never hear about that on Reich wing radio....

They scewer Dick Durbin for wearing a pink tie... yet Mitt Romney can live in a Pink Mans. :eyes:

[RegimeChange2008]

466. Well ain't that America?

Little Pink Houses for you and me.... and carpetbagger Mormon Repuke fascist governors.

[MrSlayer]

15. Should he live in a hovel?

Because he is rich and is able to have a house like that doesn't mean he won't fight for what's right for those that can't. Anyone who reads my posts knows I'm no Edwards supporter but this is kind of silly.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

No, 10,000 maybe. Even 12,000.

not 30000

[Warpy]

35. Check out the article

"Knight approved the building plans that showed the Edwards home totaling 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet."

[Proud2BAmurkin]

47. 10,000 house, 15,000 "recreation building"

:wtf:

[Chiyo-chichi]

83. I heard he plans to grow weed in the "recreation bldg."

:rofl:

[AlCzervik]

130. woohoo! bring your own bong party!!!

[Warren DeMontague]

275. The house isn't in Wisconsin, is it?

[KoKo]

261. Yeah...but isn't it kind of "tacky" to add a Security/Rec Building in anticipation

that one might need lots of space for Press or Dignitaries? Caveat...he is the head of the Edwards Foundation for Poverty and he probably was figuring he needed the "extra space" to get "High Rollers" to come and spend weekends so he could "hit them up" for donations to do good works for the poor.

It's the way it works when one is rich...that one needs to provide security and privacy to those who might want to come and listen to lectures (the two auditoriums mentioned in the Carolina Journal article) and the recreation facilities and TOWER of the additional structure would lend itself to a person working for a his own "Foundation."

I'm trying to be fair here. *COUGH...******COUGH....GASP... Hey...I'm a Populist Progressive...so the hypocracy of the Edwards Ranch sort of *gacks" me...But, I do understand the rationale of PLANNING.

And, I'm trying to be *cough* FAIR TO EDWARDS! (PS ...I LOVE ELIZABETH EDWARDS)

[havocmom]

290. I know a rich guy who is building a bunker bigger than that

He has no political aspirations, just figures the society is about to collapse and he wants to make sure his wife and kids are secure. He has the resources to do it, so he is doing it.

Same could be said about Edwards' compound. Keeping things safe and handy is probably a good idea for a man who is running for President AND has a wife and family to look after.

I like the guy, adore his wife, but he is not my candidate. Still, I don't begrudge him as safe and comfy a home as he can afford.

[MrSlayer]

What's the difference?

He could have a friggin castle and it wouldn't change the fact that he is deeply concerned about the poor and middle class workers of the country and would work to benefit them.

[Forrest Greene]

117. And You Know What Happens

...when you start being silly!

[MrSlayer]

219. Yep. This guy shows up.

[RiverStone]

166. A question for you...

Forget about Edward's house in particular; it's clear that most folks could not give a damn what he lives in when one considers his electibility.

Al Gore has been talking up (rightly so IMHO) a zero carbon footprint and the effects of excessive energy use on our global climate as a whole. Do you think following a lifestyle which promotes conservation of energy as a good thing for anybody (in politics or not)? :shrug:


Asked the same thing with a little more detail here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=48026&mesg_id=48684

[MrSlayer]

191. Yes.

A lifestyle that promotes the conservation of energy is good for everyone.

[Leopolds Ghost]

298. Because he is rich is WHY he is considered a credible candidate by the MSM.

Anyone who is not rich will be dismissed as a gadfly by the MSM, regardless of their politics, and will be questioned "why in heck
are you even running?" The DLC will give them no money.

The Clintons are mega-rich BECAUSE of private industry rewards for
their public service.

They made hundreds of billions of dollars for industry ceding large chunks of American infrastructure to a handful of Wall Street insiders.

They were warned that if the Telecom bill passed, the MSM would
use it against future Democratic candidates, including Al Gore.

The Clintons could not believe that their "friends" in the tech
community would ever be so duplicitous as to vote their pocketbooks
instead of their "social values" such as preserving funding for the arts
(which anyone who listens to public radio in a major metro area knows
the tech babies DON'T do... they don't listen to anything that makes them feel dumb or unknowledgeable, they want to be reassured in what they already know because they are masters of the universe).

[quinnox]

16. It is not 30,000 square feet for the house alone

That number includes a Barn and other buildings. The house is 10,400 square feet according to the article.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

28. He needs to make that clear if 20,000 of it is barn.

and soon

[ClassWarrior]

34. Didn't you even read the article you posted??

:eyes:

NGU.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

42. wait, another 15000 is "recreation building" not a barn. WTF?

that's almost worse

[RaleighNCDUer]

111. Squash court, indoor swimming pool -

not uncommon for the wealthy, and would eat up a lot of that square footage.

[ShortnFiery]

18. You forgot ...

That it will contain a brand new playstation 2, thanks to his wife and one of his staffers. :P :yoiks:

Nope, showing off your wealth is not in vogue if you wish to be a humble servant of "the people."

Good-bye John Edwards, we hardly knew thee. The Right Wingers would have played the "evil trial lawyer" meme from here to eternity so it's just as well. :shrug:

[LisaM]

19. Heck, Bush built his fake ranch so it would be ready the summer of 2000

If we didn't care about that, why would we care about this?

[femrap]

264. And that ranch has ALL the pro-environment

devices that exist. Well, maybe not composting toilets. I wonder if Edwards utilized energy conservation techniques.

Where the hell is Edwards getting all his money??? After what he said in Israel, I figured it was AIPAC.

I don't like this show of materialism on his part one bit...and he preaches against poverty??? Another fucking hypocrit. Sorry...I don't care how much people like his smile....this is the 3rd strike: Bildenberg, Israel attacking Iran, and now this huge house. Nope.

[druidity33]

324. if they were there...

we would see the solar panels. I have about 20 panels on my roof (my home is a modest 1,250 sq ft, 3 bed, 1.5 bath) and you can see them from pretty far away.

He's got no excuse really, we should see a large bank of PV panels, and i would hope lots of new plantings in that ridiculously large clearcut. Really he should hire a Permaculture designer...

[femrap]

394. Maybe he's going to have a

golf course....no, I know.....polo ponies! Isn't that a mental picture...Edwards on a polo pony....just like Ralph Lauren!

What is he? Another Clinton...? Another poor boy who makes it big and keeps giving to the Corporations and those running the Federal Reserve?

Makes ya wonder.

[druidity33]

421. yup

we'll just have to wait and see.
:shrug:

[truthseeker1]

333. Do you mean Bilderberg?

Did he go to Bilderberg?

[femrap]

393. Yes....I never spell it correctly.

Must be because I'm not elistist enough. lol.

The write-up talked of the great secrecy surrounding this event. And what was strange is that Edwards got huge applause....and applause is really not allowed at this place. But the article, of course, said nothing of what he discussed. But that really bothered me....Edwards at Bilderberg. Then his speech in Israel just a couple of weeks ago regarding Iran...and now this outlandish 'house.'

I'm not easily persuaded by a pretty smile.

[truthseeker1]

414. Yes the bit about Bilderburg is disturbing, very much

It means he's either part of the elite or he's been accepted into the fold. This is much more disturbing than the house.

[KoKo]

348. But...should we Compare John Edwards (Two America's) House to Georg the II's Fake Pig Farm Ranch

created to look like Ronnie Reagon's California Spread? Bush's "Ranch" was Pig Farm "converted" for his 2000 Run for P-Resident.

The Edwards started to build their Estate in NC after the 2004 Selection when they Won but they Lost because of the Crap Voting Machines.

:shrug:

[terisan]

23. More Like a Large House with Outbuilding with covered connector n/t

[Hoping4Change]

133. Hi Terisan

Welome to DU. Glad you're here.:hi:

[flpoljunkie]

197. What's with all the various sized, shaped rooms that connect the buildings? Weird!

[MilesColtrane]

268. Well, at least one of them is the "money room", where he rolls around on...

big piles of money, naked, and laughing maniacally.

I'm guessing the other rooms are the jewelry vault, art gallery, bowling alley, endangered species menagerie, and indoor water slide.

[nonconformist]

383. .....

:spray:

[ClassWarrior]

25. Thank you for your concern.

NGU.

[Beaverhausen]

26. Who needs the right wing media when we have DU?

Jesus christ- some of you just can't help always finding the glass half empty, can you?

[Proud2BAmurkin]

It's not glass half empty but you have to know a DEM can't have 30000 spread

no way

[flamingyouth]

44. OK, what exactly is the maximum square footage for Democrats?

I'm curious, just in case I happen to win the lottery. I don't want to overstep party building regulations.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

50. well it's NOT to build 30,000 sq ft right after they announce candidacy of "two americas"

that's just stupid

[pnwmom]

74. What's wrong with having a wealthy candidate who actually cares about

the "other America"? Most candidates are well off. Edwards, unlike many, understands the obstacles faced by poor and working families, and wants to help them succeed.

[KoKo]

256. Problem is that Edwards sort of did an "IN YOUR FACE" building this House thinking he will be

President that he needs that much security and "outbuildings." No matter how it can be spun...he doesn't look good in this. And, I'm a NC'linian and knew he and Elizabeth sold their house in Raleigh and were building this one...but I had NO IDEA they would build something like this that would be so OPEN TO CRITICISM.

That's worrysome....no matter how much we try to give this a pass.. :shrug: it's just too IN YOUR FACE not to turn off many who thought he really had some understanding about what's going on in America.

[lumberjack_jeff]

379. Nobless oblige is not a new concept.

FDR was born to wealth, it didn't dissuade him from helping the poor.

[treestar]

460. In fact, it's a good example

If you're rich, giving back to the community, the old fashioned virtue of noblesse oblige is better than the new-money greedmeisters. Bush and Cheney would have every luxury too, it's their philosophy saying they earned it and they deserve it and too bad if other people suffer - at least Edwards and other rich Democrats don't have that attitude.

The rich will always be with us, and will always run for President - let's pick the ones who care.

And Perot never got all that crap and he must have lived in an even bigger mansion!

[LisaM]

53. Ha ha ha

Good one.

[AlCzervik]

56. the cardboard box refrigerators come in.

:D

[madrchsod]

78. it`s a recyclable!

but a bit cold in the north...

[madrchsod]

75. lets see......

for an individual-400 sg foot. bath,kitchen,living room,and bedroom....

[Lex]

80. Here, let me check the Restrictive Covenants attached

to your Democratic Membership card!

Also, we'll need to review the color you paint your house.

:hi:

[PA Democrat]

127. Mandatory Home of the Democratic Nominee:

[Rosemary2205]

233. Hey! It's the Clinton Library!

:evilgrin:

[treestar]

461. This thread is killing me!

My sides hurt from laughing!

:spray:

[Boojatta]

182. It's some number less than 53,000

See this thread for details:

U.S. home to set world price record at $155 million

WI_DEM:

that is just plain obscene for anybody to live in a house for that kind of money

Morereason:

This outlines the absurd amounts of money the rich have. It's wrong! I am sorry,
But spending that kind of money on a dwelling when others in the world are without places to sleep is just plain inhuman.

AX10:

And look at this! The builder, Tim Blixseth is a REPUBLICAN!

Tierra_y_Libertad:

To add perspective: Six million children under the age of 5 die every year as a result of hunger.
Sleep well in your monument to ostentation Mr. Blixseth.

[pnwmom]

68. Why not? Aren't Democrats allowed to be rich and successful?

[RiverStone]

128. Yes - of course, but I give extra credit to someone.....

Who strives to leave a zero carbon footprint, as Al Gore so rightly has been talking up the past few years.

http://www.gocarbonzero.com/

I'm not advocating establishing square footage police for DEMS; and granted JE has advocated greatly for the less fortunate in society.

Yet I do believe believe any living space that is excessively large - and all the associated costs of building/heating/landscaping - wastes our precious earth's resources just like driving an SUV does vs an economy car.

People may not give a damn what JE lives in when one considers his electibility. But beyond Edwards's house in particular - in a general sense, whether one is a political candidate or not, being sensitive to the connection between excess (in gas use/driving, building, heating etc) is a valid consideration for us ALL who share the planet.

Would you agree? :shrug:

[Reterr]

259. Thank you Riverstone for injecting some sense into this thread

This libertarian idiocy and love of consumption will surely destroy our planet if it goes unchecked. I hope those amused by the lame "jokes" in this thread realize some day that the embrace of the over-consuming American lifestyle is not at all healthy or intelligent.

[RiverStone]

305. Good we hear the same music...

I'm grateful a few on this thread understand it's not about JE's house - but the planet that houses us all; that we are all connected in our actions which either contribute to or reduce Global Warming.

Thanks for the kind words and wise perspective as well Reterr.

peace~ :)

[Hoping4Change]

112. Are you for real? What's with the notion that a dem can't own a

large home?

[brentspeak]

331. I was thinking the same thing

[roguevalley]

402. living in alaska, watching global warming happen right under my

feet and noting that the dems want to lay down arguments about it and poverty and all the rest of the crap, none of us having a glass half full. we are all staring into the abyss. I don't think if I won a lottery that I would do this, given that half of the refugees of Darfur could camp in my 'barn'. you either do what you believe or not. obviously, edwards, et all, haven't given this enough thought in light of the way it looks, did think about it and don't give a damn or consider us all retarded. Not good no matter how you look at it.

I'm sure that people ekking out an existence in Mississippi and other places where poverty is the only way of life that exists would have their own ideas about this. when someone is wrong, they are wrong. No one gets a pass in our world today.

[Midlodemocrat]

27. Nope. Have you see the Bush spread at Kennebunkport?

I don't believe will hold it against Edwards for being wealthy, especially since he and Elizabeth are self made.

[AndyA]

29. They ALL have big homes/estates/multiple houses, etc.

If you're going to disqualify candidates for that fact alone, very few of them would still be eligible.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

30. I don't necessarily agree.

Americans admire people who have gone from rags to riches, especially if they perceive them to be deserving of the success. Edwards, I believe, made his money filing lawsuits on behalf of people injured due to the negligence of others, including big corporations. I think lots of people (excluding the RW nuts who want to cut off access to legal redress for injured persons) will say, "good for him - he earned it."

[Warpy]

31. The house itself is roughly the same size as the

hillbilly chateau in Crawford. Since we have no clue about how many outbuildings there are stuffed with accommodations for Secret Service agents and electronics, we don't know the total square footage of the pig farm's residence.

It will come in handy if he actually wins. It will probably be on the market if the doesn't.

[Mass]

32. That is the least of my worries about Edwards.

We all know he is rich. So what? So is Ted Kennedy.

His error is that he talks about eating at Wendy's as something significative, rather than something he does for sentimental reasons.

[KoKo]

284. Do you want to know the difference between Kennedy Money and Edwards Money?

Does it matter how they got it? Does it matter that Teddy Kennedy's FATHER made that money way, way back and that the family has a totally different perspective and heritage about that money as opposed to Edwards "NEW MONEY?" His oldest daughter would be the equivalent to the Kennedy Boys Legacy...but his younger kids only will see "THE NEW MONEY," from a different time when Paris Hilton and Donald Trump are the NEW AMERICA and not what the very ageing Kennedy Family (the few who are left after assassinations and plane crashes) were thinking about doing for SERVICE in their own times during WWII and AFTER.

Just my humble opinion...here...

[Rex]

37. Oh no! He bought a big house!

Should I add him to the 'rich and evil' list? :crazy:

'Knight approved the building plans that showed the Edwards home totaling 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.'

Edit for clarity.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

46. I'd vote for him if he's nominated. But this shows POLITICAL STUPIDITY so I hope he isn't

.

[Rex]

57. I disagree, it's not like he built a house just for show.

Like the Crawford ranch. If he has the money then what is wrong with building a massive house? Why do you consider it political stupidity?

[KoKo]

341. No...it's not for SHOW...it houses 3 people and Guests of his Foundation...

It's a very "practical and low key ESTATE." :shrug:

[trumad]

61. Ya ever feel that you're all alone in a thread?

I think in this one, you pretty much are.

[Forrest Greene]

122. Nope

I think it was politically stupid, too.

[trumad]

165. That makes tow of you...

who's your candidate?

[Forrest Greene]

174. A Bit Early To Be Deciding

...I think.

[RiverStone]

196. Ah, though what of Al Gore's words...

Which has been to try and reduce each of our daily activities of living to a "zero carbon footprint"?

Granted - the issue of JE's house size as a prereq to get elected seems silly to most here - so forgetting about JE's house in particular - I wonder:

If living less BIG(i.e. less consumption of materials and energy) and driving less BIG (i.e. SUV's vs economy cars) = less waste of precious resources which = less global warming:

Is that not a noble goal for ANYBODY -in politics or not? :shrug:

[Blue Belle]

385. I understand your point...

and you keep bringing up Al Gore's words... with which I completely agree. But, does anyone know the size of Al Gore's home? Is it environmentally friendly? I'm just curious, because I have never seen any articles on his home.

[blondeatlast]

183. Would it have made you feel better if he'd built it after he was nominated?

Actually, I see it as a pretty shrewd move on many levels to do it now.

This is one of the most ridiculous "purity" arguments I've read yet--and that takes some doing. Congratulations.

[KoKo]

280. Good Point! and the answer is: "YES, I WOULD!!...n/t

[flamingyouth]

38. According to the article it's "one of the largest homes in the county"

So, it's not even *the* largest home in the county. Which, to me, makes this a total non-story.

[RiverStone]

152. Though in a general sense....

Do you feel that trying to live a lifestyle that reflects environmental ethics is a good goal for us all?

I posed the same - w/more detail here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=48026&mesg_id=48684

[KoKo]

300. Hey...I'm in NC and know the area...IT's BIG and Impressive!

whatever you think the "spin" is. I'm a DU'er been here a long time...and I know the area...IT'S BIG and COSTLY and took alot of HISPANIC LABOR TO BUILD.

Peace...not looking to be antagonistic..but I LIVE HERE!

[flamingyouth]

315. Hey, I'm a DUer and have been here a long time too (?)

I'm also aware of size and spatial relationships and realize that 30,000 sq. ft. is rather large. I just think this is being totally blown out of proportion.

[KoKo]

316. No Problem....it's good to see Long Time DU'ers..but this guy is a Presidential Candidate

and how is it blown "out of proportion" that he's building a "Presidential Estate with two Theaters and Rec Facilities in a Compound and he's running around the US talking about "Two America's and Poverty?"

It's the HYPOCRACY that galls me about this.

But, Peace to You..believe me...I wouldn't be here for so long and neither would you even being a "Mod" if we didn't enjoy and believe in DISCUSSION!

PEACE! It's the DISCUSSION that keeps DU VIBRANT! (or as the Bushies new TP term is ...ROBUST :D)

[The Stranger]

39. Oh, and he is also pushing for another illegal war, this time against Iran.

[dogday]

40. Holy Living Quarters Batman

This man has made a successful career for himself, but his wealth should not be the story here.. He has seen both sides of the spectrum so he can understand what trying to pay the bills feels like, and he also knows what having money feels like... What's wrong with that? :shrug:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

43. It's more about the stupidity of the timing given his pitch (two americas)

and "we go to wendys"

[Rex]

59. Ah.

Now that is true, the timing is really bad.

[Hoping4Change]

120. I don't agree, if anything his owning a large home simply shows he knows

firsthand what it means to be rich. And given his childhood he knows firsthand what it means to be poor.

[dogday]

60. I would rather he be honest than two-faced

yes he speaks of two Americas caused he has experienced both...

So now we judge our candidates by their houses? Nuts, just fucking nuts...

[BuyingThyme]

49. If that's the deal breaker, he's a shoo-in.

[KoKo]

334. Yep...a Shoe In...In BIG AMERICA ONE NEEDS BIG BUCKS TO

SHOW OFF...One's CODPIECE! :eyes:

[Botany]

51. #1 it is not 30,000 square ft.

John Edwards had done nothing but help people, work for the
poor, fight for people's rights as a trial lawyer (and trust me those
attorneys fight for the little guy a lot), and worked his ass off
as Veep Candidate only to have it stolen.

He and his wife also lost a son too.

If this house makes him happy .... good for him.

Betya a bunch of contractors in N.C. and their employees
like him too.

BTW 20,000 ft is the barn.

[LSK]

54. "The main house is 10,400 square feet "

The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.

[Buzz Clik]

432. Dumbest thread ever.

And the competition was stiff.

[oahubob]

55. So what?

He just sold off a $5million house in DC, so it's not like a $6million home is out of the ordinary. Also, how much do you think W's little pig farm in TX goes for? Or how about Papi Bush's little spread in Kennebunk?

Just because the guy has a hell of a house doesn't negate his work on behalf of the poor and middle class. Having money doesn't mean you're incapable of caring about those who don't, unless you're Republican.

Once upon a time, at the turn of the last century, there was an idea called "noblesse oblige" (I think I spelled it right), where those who had the great fortune of great fortunes had the obligation to do good for those who didn't, to share the wealth, hence the great proliferation of the great philanthropists, a la Carnegie.

So, John Edwards having a big house, a non-issue. I've seen John Kerry's little bungalow here in Boston, and although it isn't anywhere near 30K sq ft, it has to be close to $6million.

[JNelson6563]

108. Exactly right! Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Hoping4Change]

123. Well said.

Welcome to DU oahubob. Glad you're here.:hi:

[blondeatlast]

185. Welcome to DU. Rational thought is a rarity in GD and I heartily welcome it!

Have a brew on me! :toast:

[RiverStone]

243. It's not a non-issue to Al Gore...

Just don't want folks to lose the forest for the trees here.

FORGET about JE's BIG house for a sec! I would not chose to live extravagantly, but I sure as hell would vote for him should he be our nominee.

The larger question is don't we all who care about the Global Warming crisis recognize that in general (not giving a shit if one is in politics or not) that trying to live less BIG, drive less BIG, use energy less BIG, and consume less BIG is a valid goal for anybody???

You may say SO WHAT to the JE house question - I understand that.

But we all better say YES WHAT to all the f'ing over building, SUV driving, and wasteful use of resources. I think to question how we ALL can live less BIG is very valid one to ponder on this one planet earth.

Agree? :shrug:


More from Al here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5441976

[NewInNewJ.]

58. Doesn't Hillary have a couple of very large, fine homes?

Does that disqualify her as a Democrat?

[Nimrod2005]

62. Many very rich people REALLY CARE for the poor....nt

[pnwmom]

64. In much of the country, a $6 million dollar property will not be considered

a huge deal. It's not as if he's asking the government to pay for it.

Yes, he's made a lot of money, and everybody knows that. Part of the reason he's running for President is that he wants to help other people succeed, as he did.

I doubt that this will hurt him.

[davidwparker]

67. Clearly your not an Edwards supporter, who do you support?

That said, I don't care about his new house.

My opinion is that those who are wealthy have every right to spend their money. As long as everyone can live a dignified life with equal opportunities to work, education, health care, food, I don't care if Edwards has someone to make a 24k bathtub to go into his new house.

He came from nothing, worked hard, and now should be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

[HoneyBee]

69. Seriously the "stupidest political move he could make" ?

Come on... there are a billion "stupider" things he could do!

Be creative!!!

He could:
Get caught buying meth from a pregnant prostitute

[Botany]

92. Honey Bee, did I ever tell you that you are my Fav?

Get caught buying meth from a pregnant prostitute :rofl:

I always buy my meth from the same hooker and her tubes
have been tied ..... so I am O.K.?

[HoneyBee]

94. I am tempted to start a whole new thread.

What *IS* the stupidest political move Edwards could *REALLY* make?

* Protesting with the "God Hates Fags" group
* Throwing eggs at patients in front of an abortion clinic
* Breaking bread with OBL
* Shopping at WalMart
* Driving an H2

it could be interesting...

[roguevalley]

404. mitigating his actions, inlight of his choice of themes, is too bad. it

mocks those who have no resources. i really worry about this 'he can do no wrong' vibe.

[Hoping4Change]

131. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

That is way tooo funny. Welcome to DU Honeybee.:hi:

[blondeatlast]

189. Or, hmm, start an illegal war maybe?

Or, say, identify a covert agent?

[ebayfool]

230. .

:spray:







Welcome!
I think I'm gonna enjoy your posts!

[burythehatchet]

70. Word has it

that he is no longer going to get around on his roller skates either. He buying a very expensive pair of roller blades.

[Generator]

71. No rich people for president

The sheeple really HATE that. LOL. Oh yeah. They like 'em poor. The Left might attack him, he still came out against the war. He still acutally mentions the poor. He's rich! He's rich! I hate him. Naw. I care what he's going to do. Kerry was rich too and Teresa got trashed for it, remember? Damn those rich liberals. Now, if we could just have only poor candidates we'd really rule the country!

Are the pubs gonna come out against wealth now? That it's BAD to be rich? No, what the lower classes that vote Republican have is massive envy and the false idea that if they just work hard as little Georgie Bush (two oxymorons in one sentence!) that they will be rich too. But they never will because they keep voting Republican-whose only interest is the really really rich.

Maybe Edwards is really really rich. But George Bush rich? Naw. Probably nowhere Teresa Heinz Kerry rich. But he earned it. He didn't inherit it. He also didn't marry a president and then think he deserved to become one because he put up with his spouse's infidelities. Just for starters.

[marions ghost]

72. Real estate investment

If he wins the presidency it'll accommodate all those secret service people and visitors and etc (since it's not in an urban area). He would have to have lots of security on site obviously.

If he doesn't win, it could become a conference center or something to house some project or venture. Very saleable.

In America you have to be rich to win unfortunately. It's not too surprising.

[Marnieworld]

76. sounds completely irrelevant to me

Only rich people can run for President and America has always been ok with this. D'uh.

Should he live like a poor person in order to help them? I don't see the connection.

[H2O Man]

85. And he ate at SubWay.

And here he talks about Wendys.

[Lex]

88. H2O Man, it's worse than that. I heard he ate at *Olive Garden*

:evilgrin:

[H2O Man]

91. Sue him.

How dare he?

[Swamp Rat]

97. This thread is hilarious!

:rofl:

No offense Proud2BAmurkin. :hug:

[dogday]

98. And asked for more salad and bread cause it

is all you can eat.. Imagine John Edwards eating all you can eat... The nerve of him really :sarcasm:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

102. And while children are starving in this country

He has no shame!

[H2O Man]

126. He took the

table scraps off their tiny plates.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

206. Proof he's not fit to be the leader of the United States!

Case closed. Next?

[H2O Man]

138. In fact, I am

missing three croutons from my 6.0 oz (170g) bag of Rothbury Farms' Buttery Garlic croutons. I blame Edwards. The package has a still-unopened reclosable seal .... only a wealthy lawyer could do this.

[dogday]

157. And then call it "The Two Croutons" and try to

run on a platform of croutons if you know what I mean....

[Tatiana]

329. AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am DYING here!

:rofl:

[kohodog]

202. Yep, You definately need to sue him.

I think there's a conservative court in Virginia that will take the case.

[bobbolink]

246. Off With His Head!!!

Can't sue a TRIAL LAWYER, donchaknow.

OK, who's hoarding all the feathers?

I got the tar....

[CatWoman]

159. CatWoman just let out a giant scream here

:rofl:

[LSK]

100. I knew he was a DINO

:grr:




:rofl:

[H2O Man]

129. No other way

to explain him living in a house. A house! What a fucking loser!

[Hoping4Change]

141. LOLOLOL

[Lex]

86. Only Republicans are allowed to be rich and have ranches and yachts

and also become president?

Is that it?

You can't be rich like the Kennedys *and* advocate for the poor, and give to charities, etc?

:wtf:

[nadinbrzezinski]

89. You know what? He is a SELF MADE MAN

and yes, he is RICH, he worked for it... bnt I guess only Publicans can do those things, aka live high on the hog!

By the way, you have NO IDEA how he made his money, do you?

[Midlodemocrat]

104. That doesn't matter. His house is too big.

:sarcasm:

I swear, this type of thread is so ridiculous. It smacks of blatant jealousy.

[Catchawave]

125. Indeedy....twice as big as my house

oh, the humanity! :rofl:

[ecstatic]

212. Well for me it's not jealousy

I just think he should stop using poor folks and minorities in photo-ops because there is no way he can relate to them at this point. He can't run on poverty or the war, so he needs something entirely... irrelevant(??) to run on.

[nadinbrzezinski]

397. See above and the Kennedy thread

I am sure poor John couldn't identify with the poor either, hell the host of ring of fire, same family, can't either.

:sarcasm:

[Reterr]

266. Jealousy

Yes...that can be the only reason :rofl:

You are a class act..Yeah thats the truth- I also feel very jealous when I see country music stars here in TN wearing diamonds on every finger and letting people know just how much they spent on their shoes :(...


Who says classism is dead among Democrats? I can't even call the people on this thread liberals or progressives. Mostly just people who vote for Democrats and probably throw a check at some charity every now and then...

[ThomCat]

338. You're a bit new to be insulting people.

You're insulting some people (and one in particular) who have some definite progresive credentials. What do you have?
:shrug:

[Reterr]

345. Sorry I don't build mine up on a message board. NT

[ThomCat]

349. Neither did the other people here.

Again, you jump to conclusions, and get insulting about it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

368. Oh please...

My husband and I do very well, because we WORK hard. I also pound on doors, campaigning for local and national candidates. I have donated time and money to help many causes and individuals. Working a week of overnights in a shelter isn't exactly throwing a check, eh?

I can't even call you a liberal or a progressive because true liberals and progressives aren't caught up in judging people for what they have...or have not.

Thank you.

[Puglover]

428. You're painting with a very broad brush there Sparky.

You "can't even call the people on this thread liberals or progressives." I suggest you spend abit more time on this board or maybe even donate before you start slinging generalizations like that shit around.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

443. You are right about something.

Midlo IS a class act. You're a bit new around here, so perhaps you should actually know who you're talking to before you start slinging shit around.

Midlo certainly puts her money where her mouth is, and is hardly a classist individual. She does a lot of good. A lot more things than she even brings up on the board.

Her liberal/progressive creds are certainly VERY solid. I'm not quite so sure about yours.

[nadinbrzezinski]

396. BLING. BLING< BLING,

you got the damn price

And envy is oh so dangerous

[Clarkie1]

He made it by trial lawyering, and was way overpaid. nt

[JohnLocke]

359. Hey Clarkie, I don't think Valerie Lakey thinks so.

Here are the basic facts: On June 24, 1993, Valerie Lakey was playing in a wading pool at the Medfield Area Recreation Club in Wake County, NC (a few miles down the road from where I live in Raleigh). The drain cover on the only suction outlet in the pool had been removed sometime previously, probably by other children earlier that day. When Valerie approached the uncovered outlet, the suction was strong enough to pull her down and suck 80% of her small intestine and 50-70% of her large intestine out through her anus. Four adults could not free her until the pool's pumps had been turned off. It sounds like some kind of urban legend but it's not. It's happened multiple times, actually.
Valerie survived, but has to spend 12 -14 hours (often 7pm to 7am) being fed by a tube in her chest dripping nutrients into her body. The expensive procedure will probably be required for the rest of her life, among other medical treatment. Her parents sued the club, the county, the maker of the pool's circulation pump and Sta-Rite, the manufacturer of the missing drain cover, with the help of John Edwards and his partner David Kirby. The first three defendants settled before trial for a total of $5.9 million. Sta-Rite, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Energy Corporation, offered $100,000. The Lakeys declined and the case went to a jury. Here's how the Washington Monthly described what happened next:
... discovered that 12 other children had suffered similar injuries from Sta-Rite drains. The company raised its offer to $1.25 million. Two weeks into the trial, they upped the figure to $8.5 million. Edwards declined the offer and asked for their insurance policy limit of $22.5 million. The day before the trial resumed from Christmas break, Sta-Rite countered with $17.5 million. Again, Edwards said no...the jury found Sta-Rite guilty and liable for $25 million in economic damages (by state law, punitive damages could have tripled that amount). The company immediately settled for $25 million, the largest verdict in state history.
The Lakeys accepted the settlement in January 1997, giving up the potentially massive punitive damages the jury could have awarded in exchange for Sta-Rite's waiving of appeals that could have gone on for years.

http://www.monkeytime.org/lakey.html
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0110.green.html

[philosophie_en_rose]

425. Nonsense. He earned every penny.

You have no idea what it takes to win a lawsuit.

[Cleita]

90. So how does that fit in with Hillary's two palatial homes, or

John Kerry's many palatial properties et al? I really think where they live is a non-issue unless they are employing slaves to work in them.

[RiverStone]

317. Good question! Ask Al Gore....

I understand Cleita that most on this thread could not care less how big JE's house is; and though I would not live in such a huge house, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if he was our party's nominee.

You asked "how does it fit in with HRC's homes, or JK's"?

What seems to be lost here is IT ALL matters. Al Gore has been speaking to the effects of over building or over consuming or over driving and how it relates to Global Warming for several years now. Far bigger then John Edward's house in particular is this:

Most things we do, including building a BIG or small house either makes Global Warming worse, or limits it's impact. IMHO, I think no matter whether we are in politics or not - we should all be concerned with living a life which conserves our limited environmental resources.

Al Gore would say it matters whoever you are. We are all connected, big houses or small. And anything we can do to preserve this one planet earth, is relevant to us all as well.

Do you agree? :shrug:


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5441976



peace~

[Cleita]

328. There is a fix for that but I don't think any legislator will touch

it with a ten foot pole. People who over consume with their luxurious homes need to be taxed accordingly. I mean if you have ten bathrooms in your house and they are being used regularly, you are using more water and other resources than the average family does and you should be taxed accordingly for the extra city utilities that you are using, like the water, power and the sewage treatment plant.

High property taxes for homes that are more than just single family homes would also lessen the number of mansion type homes that even the rich would buy. They would be more inclined to scale down then. It's just a suggestion. I also think the proceeds from those taxes should be used for low income housing in an attempt to get the homeless off the streets permanently.

[treestar]

462. Not a bad idea really

The British once had the "window tax."

I'm always for the rich paying more taxes because they use everything more. I've tried that argument on freepers when they go on and on about how awful it is to progressively tax the "most productive" members of society, blah, blah, blah, but they still never get it and insist a flat tax is fairer.

[Cleita]

467. Freepers always seem to like to defend those who are shooting

them in the foot. I never understood it except that maybe they imagine that one of these days they too might be rich and benefit from the welfare for the rich program our government seems to have as a policy.

[Raydawg1234]

101. Who cares? Why do some harbor this "anti-rich" sentiment.

Who cares about being rich, as long as you earn your money honestly. That is what the American dream is all about. Success and ingenuity is rewarded. It inspires people to create new and innovative products. We would not be talking on DU without this dream, because computers would not have been invented. The spirit of entrepreneurship drives technology and a better standard of living, advances in medicine. Without the dream of being rich, America would be....boring and lazy.

To the poster of this thread, I suppose you have never bought a powerball ticket in your lifetime?

[Pastiche423]

103. Combine his new pad with...

Edwards: Iran Threat Serious

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x33466

[Clark2008]

143. That bothers me more than where he lives.

But, we ARE dealing with the media we have, not the media we want or wish we could have.

See - Rummy CAN come in handy.

[Pastiche423]

167. I seem not to be up to speed today

What does his war mongering have to do w/the media?

[Old and In the Way]

106. If only he had kept it to 7500sf or less.

I would have voted for him. Guess I'll vote Republican this time.

[Raydawg1234]

109. Also.........Houses in North Carolina are cheaper to build than in many other

parts of the country. I live in Connecticut, and with the money it takes to build an average house up here, you could build a huge house down in North Carolina.

[KoKo]

267. Yes...he built that Ranch for $400.000....How many of you know the Prices for Homes

in NC? You think the Research Triangle Area is like Rural Mississippi or Alabama? You've gotta be kidding. :eyes:

[RB TexLa]

114. Building a house is not a political move. n/t

[Forrest Greene]

134. I Disagree

If you are running for President, everything is a political move, whether you want it to be, or not. It has to be, because right or wrong, you will be under intense scrutiny for the symbolism of every step you take. To ignore or to miss that calls into question your managerial competence.

[Hoping4Change]

148. If he can afford that setup it looks to me that his managerial

competence is far exceeding okey-dokey.

[Forrest Greene]

190. Money

...is a very poor indicator of quality. Managerial competence includes — in the case of public figures, demands — an understanding of & skill at managing one's public image. The size of Edwards' house, when contrasted with his message, leaves him open to charges of hypocrisy, baseless or not. Leaving one's self open to charges of hypocrisy is not a competent choice for a politician to make.

[Hoping4Change]

215. In the land of the American Dream what is hypocritical about

having money and spending it? Besides a 10,400 sq ft home is not by any means a massive home. If he had built a huge McMansion that would be one thing but 10,400 sq ft doesn't come close to mcmansion sizes. Furthermore many people have summer homes where they go to relax, it looks to me that they decided to combine the two. I really can't see any hypocrisy.

[Forrest Greene]

356. There Need Not Be Any Genuine Hypocrisy

Simply the vague appearance can hurt his chances, especially if seized upon by opponents for swift boating. To allow that would be poor management.

Re the American Dream, it's called that because you have to be asleep to believe in it. (With thanks to George Carlin.)

[RB TexLa]

155. I just couldn't think it's any of my concern

[blondeatlast]

198. Tell me how in God's name the RW Noise Machine can even broach the subject.

Especially in his home state.

Ever hear of the "Kennebunkport Kowboy"?

Puh-leeze.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

277. "They don't care about the poor any more than we do so...."

"let's move on to things WE have an advantage on"

[roguevalley]

405. they swift boat him. they did kerry in. they will do him in. it doesn't

matter about the pugs and their mcmansions. they don't give a fuck about the poor and environment. but the dems claim to. that is how they do it.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

274. Ding. WELL SAID

WELL PUT

[bling bling]

115. I agree with you.

It's not going to reflect well when the GOP have a field day with talking points about the trial lawyer with the 2nd biggest house in america. Heck it's already started.

He has a right to live like that but personally I would prefer he had bought a more humble house considering how much I constantly hear how Edwards is the champion of the poor. It would be one thing if he already had this house but to buy it while campaigning was a bad decision.

It's going to be a joke and the swing and independent voters are going to be laughing at the Democrats when we talk about being the party of the middle class while all they see on t.v. is the aerial view of 30,000 square feet of Edwards personal residence.

Talk about handing the GOP talking points on a golden platter.

[mondo joe]

118. 2nd biggest house in America? Are you on crack or something?

[bling bling]

121. Very funny. Tell you what. Why don't you use that to rebut the GOP.

"TWO AMERICAS: John Edwards New Home Largest in County, 28,200-square-foot; Also Most Valuable... "

www.drudgereport.com


Carolina Journal Exclusives
Edwards Home County's Largest
By Don Carrington


RALEIGH - Presidential candidate John Edwards and his family recently moved into what county tax officials say is the most valuable home in Orange County. The house, which includes a recreational building attached to the main living quarters, also is probably the largest in the county.

www.carolinajournal.com

[dogday]

132. No wonder you see it that way....

that explains everything.... He has a 20,000 ft barn his house is a little over 10,000 ft...

Man you need to watch where you get your news, drudge? Uh yuck.....

[bling bling]

137. I wouldn't be worried about ME if I were you. That is if you support Edwards. n/t

[dogday]

140. I support truth and drudge gets it wrong nt

[bling bling]

146. Drudge is easy enough to discredit. But can the Carolina Journal be debunked?

Carolina Journal Exclusives
Edwards Home County's Largest
By Don Carrington


RALEIGH - Presidential candidate John Edwards and his family recently moved into what county tax officials say is the most valuable home in Orange County. The house, which includes a recreational building attached to the main living quarters, also is probably the largest in the county.

www.carolinajournal.com

[dogday]

154. Did you read the breakdown of it:?

Nobody is doubting the CJ... What is being said is that 20,000 feet of that space is for an outside area (barn) and 10,000 ft has been allocated for the home itself... I wrote this in my previous post.

[bling bling]

158. No. And apparently I can't read at all today. I RETRACT ALL PREVIOUS POSTS.

I read the word "county" as "countRy". That changes everything. My mistake and my apologies.

[mondo joe]

163. Jesus Christ, did you even read it? COUNTY. Not COUNTRY.

From the story: Don Knight, Orange County building plans examiner, told CJ that, including the recreational building, the Edwardses' home would be one of the largest in Orange County.

COUNTY. Not COUNTRY.

[bling bling]

175. I read it.

But apparently this crack makes me read too fast and I read it wrong.

I retracted all my other posts.

[blondeatlast]

211. HAH! That's hysterical!

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I was wondering where that "2nd most expensive" house came from; ity didn't make sense to me at all.

[trumad]

172. The house is 10000 square feet.

10,000.

[bling bling]

181. That was from Drudge.

And I only linked to him as evidence that the GOP talking points were already starting.

Thanks for pointing out the facts though so I can debunk the dittohead types if/when need be when they start parrotting the talking point about his 30,000 sq. ft. house.

[blondeatlast]

203. Drudge is a nonentity lately.

But if that's where your objective, analytical news reporting comes from, more power to you. You are in a teensy-weensy minority nowadays and therefore not a threat. :eyes:

[bling bling]

226. Do you feel better about yourself now? Good.

I see I'm not the ONLY one around here today who didn't bother to read before posting.:eyes:

[Hoping4Change]

151. The house is 10,400 sq ft! Read the article.

[blondeatlast]

199. Let 'em bring it up--and hit 'em back with the Kennebunkport Kowboy.

My mama said:

"When in anger, fear, or doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout."

She was being sarcastic...

[Kerrytravelers]

116. I didn't realize that all Democrats had to be poor.

[Catchawave]

135. They certainly couldn't run for President if they were !

The Edwards' worked hard for that money, and they give back ten fold.

[Kerrytravelers]

242. I understand the initial response of the OP, but there is a difference between

those who are rich and hoard (sp?) and those who are rich and give back- and hell, Edwards throughly acknowledges the poor with his Two Americas. And the Edwards family gives back a lot.

I know people who are of great wealth who are very giving of their home to Dem groups to meet and hold fundraisers. They do all kinds of good work through the use of their home. Having a huge home or property isn't an automatic sign of selfishness.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

136. CALL CONGRESS.

RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

:rofl:

[Luckyduck]

139. I think the fact that he wants to bomb Iran is a bigger problem

:shrug:

[Just-plain-Kathy]

208. Yes , you're right...that came out of left field.

Here we're fighting against a surge, and he wants into expand the war to another country.

Maybe the last few years turned me into a cynic... I don't like the fact that, here we have a canidate who lost the '04 primaries ...couldn't bring us more votes as a VP candidate so we could've had an unquestionable win (like in '06). ...I can't believe he's the #3 front runner.

Why is he backing bombing Iran? ...It seems out of character.

[stanwyck]

142. Not sure where you live

but in the suburbs of Atlanta, this is the size of house most people have. Yes, it's excessive. Not really needed for small families with one or two children. But people aren't building bungalows anymore.
The new houses are huge. Just take a drive and you'll see.
Looks like the Edwards are right in line with the rest of Middle America.

[bling bling]

149. Are you kidding? This is middle america?

Oh my oh my.

[stanwyck]

372. The main house is 10,400 sq. feet

go to Roswell, Alpharetta, Rockdale, Sugarloaf, Smokerise, even my neighborhood in Tucker and you'll find houses that size. Drive around. The houses being built now for the middle-class are enormous. Minimum of four bedrooms with individual baths, huge kitchens, and great rooms. And, yes, middle-class people buy these homes. And this is around Atlanta, not in North Carolina where housing costs are less.

[Clark2008]

161. Are you kidding?

Middle America can't afford houses like that!

You mean upper class America, don't you?

I'm Middle America with two kids (well, one on the way) and it's all we can do to afford a $150,000 home with 2,400 square feet!

[demrabble]

144. How Does He Heat It?

What kind of power does he use to heat his house?

Is he using a fossil fuel?

How about air conditioning?

[SoyCat]

257. You win for *best* question.

[KoKo]

336. We have to think he is using Solar and Wind and Low Energy Light Bulbs

and maybe he's going to grown corn on the estate once he cuts down more trees so he can use Bio-Energy and use Con-Agra to buy it. :shrug:

[JohnLocke]

364. Here.

Educate youself.

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/1/26/15303/2358

[skygazer]

145. How dare he?!

The most a Dem candidate should have is a double-wide trailer. And the lot should NOT be landscaped. :grr:

[nam78_two]

147. That wouldn't keep him from getting elected-conspicuous consumption is an American value

They are all like this though honestly.
Even Gore and Kerry whom I like-actually I am not sure how much they are like that come to think of it. I was just guessing based on the fact that most Americans seem to love to splash their wealth about.

We want the biggest cars, the biggest houses, the largest portion sizes ...screw the environmental consequences...

Looking up thread its obvious that conspicuous consumption is really not considered unhealthy at all in America, even within the progressive community. Any dislike of it is attributed to, of all things, stuff like jealousy. The environmental consequences of our libertarian attitudes will come back to bite us in the ass some day.

[RaleighNCDUer]

150. More than half of it is the rec building, and you havta consider,

he's not likely to be going down to Gold's Gym anytime soon.

One thing not mentioned, which I'm curious about, is how green is it? I didn't see any solar panels in the photo, and there's a LOT of roof space for them. Is the pool heated by passive solar? THAT would be good PR.

[Hoping4Change]

162. Have you ever read Thomas Frank? He writes about the poor supporting

Bush. The following article is the The New Statesmen.


Bush, the working class hero by Thomas Frank 30 August 2004

Thomas Frank on the extraordinary story of how poor Americans were persuaded to vote for right-wing conservatives, in defiance of their own economic interests.


So, proud2BAmurkin, how do you explain Bush getting the poor vote?


http://www.newstatesman.com/200408300012

[SoCalDem]

164. An Amish man will never be preisdent. They also have big houses AND land

[blondeatlast]

227. And those funny bearsds. And just imagine how the press will handle the wife's wardrobe... nt

[SoCalDem]

236. The beard.. "Who does he think he is?" I KNEW Abe Lincoln you sir, are NO abe lincoln

Ahh the little woman.. Who dresses her? Laura Bush's designer?

[Annces]

168. I think a person's extreme wealth is an issue

You can't have that much money unless you have bought into corporate America IMO. Maybe he will be generous and leave to his children.

[Hoping4Change]

171. How than can you explain Warren Buffet's vocal opposition to

Bush's tax cuts?

[Annces]

200. You don't have to buy in all the way

It is not black and white.

[Hoping4Change]

217. The thing is that poor people and middle class people are often

the ones most guilty of buying into corporate America.

[Lurking Dem]

179. I can't be a Democrat because I'm rich?

[Annces]

204. If you are rich, you are likely benefiting from corporate America

I don't have a definition of a democrat based on how rich they are.

[Lurking Dem]

214. Of course I'm *benefiting*

So are the thousands of people employed by the company my husband helped found. And the thousands upon thousands who have benefited from the company's service. And the providers of computer equipment and logistical services the company has used. Etc., etc.

[Hardrada]

415. In actual fact, one can be wealthy and also aristocratic

and support liberalism. And go beyond that. John Reed was from a privileged background and supported the Bolshevik Revolution and the nascent USSR. Bertrand Russell was a wealthy aristocrat who was a pacifist and a socialist. Kropotkin and Bakunin were anarchists who were from the tsarist nobility as was Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. A number of my radical and antiwar friends are from very privileged backgrounds.

[mondo joe]

187. Were you expecting a national candidate who hasn't "bought into

Corporate America"?

[Annces]

205. In the best possible world

Which is not the case.

[KoKo]

337. YES! and I will keep at it until I FIND ONE! n/t

[Annces]

237. Eye of a needle

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

[KoKo]

339. Edwardscan go through "Eye of Needle" he just didn't need to build

a huge Palace of Fabric trying to go through it with a "needle and thread" or at least positing it to his supporters as a small "needle and thread" leaving OUT the "whole cloth." :shrug:

[mondo joe]

340. I don't see what bible quotes have to do with anything.

He's not running for Pope.

[Annces]

358. It is a simple point that if you have a lot of money

you are likely making that a priority, and other things become smaller priorities.

[mondo joe]

360. Which poor presidential candidate do you prefer?

[Annces]

367. I have not decided who I will vote for

However millionaire lawyers are not at the top of my list. I like Kucinich, but if Obama or Hillary are the choices, I will vote for one of them.

I don't think someone should be poor. I think POVERTY SUCKS. However I don't think corporate lawyer mentality is good for leadership of our country.

[mondo joe]

369. Did you vote in the last election?

If so, for whom?

[Annces]

373. Kerry - but I felt he was not progressive enough

We need universal healthcare, and he was taking baby steps with healthcare for children.

[mondo joe]

375. I guess you're willing to compromise on wealth in your vote.

Okay.

Thanks.

[karynnj]

475. Not true - Kerry's Kids First was introduced as

legislation in 2005 after he lost as something he hoped he could get Republican support for. His 2004 plan did cover almost everyone. It was considered the best plan in 2004.

[Deja Q]

170. Maybe he'll put up an olive garden branch in his foyer, with Rachel Ray showing us

how she makes her cupcakes... :9

[Kerrytravelers]

272. Yum-O!

[Rowdyboy]

173. As if anyone who might possibly vote for Edwards gave a damn about his house size....

Big freaking deal.

[Pacifist Patriot]

177. It's not the fact that a rich man can afford an expensive house that bothers me...

it's the environmental footprint. That's a mighty big imprint to be choosing as your abode when we're in ecological crisis.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

178. The Only People He'll Lose Are The Falsely Self-Righteous Nose Lifters Who Can't Mind Their Business

As far as I'm concerned, he can buy whatever house he wants. I hope he and his family enjoy it.

[IronLionZion]

180. And W. has it pretty rough working out there on his ranch

in the heartland. Those Bushes are real salt of the earth common folks you know. :eyes:

Who gives a shit about Edwards' house? And your article says it's 10,400 ft not 30,000.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

186. I dont give a flying fuck.

[RiverStone]

220. Al Gore does....

Not about JE's house in particular --- forget that!!!

But Al Gore does give a HUGE flying fuck about conserving energy in general. Building less BIG and driving less BIG or consuming less BIG all contibute to reducing carbon emissions and hence, reducing global warming.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5441976

Just hope folks don't miss the forest for the trees here.

So John lives in a big house; not my choice, but if he makes the nomination I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. A far more compelling question: Is living a life paying attention to environmental concerns a valid goal for anybody? I think so...

Would you agree? :shrug:

[Lurking Dem]

224. Gore's house is hardly a template

for energy conservation although it is smaller than Edward's. I'd guess it is in the 6,500-7,500 square feet (unless there is a finished basement I am unaware of).

[RiverStone]

231. Back to my question...

Is living a life paying attention to environmental concerns a valid goal for anybody (in politics or not)?

Agree? :shrug:



And yea, I sure hope Al walks his talk - or like many of us, is trying to decrease his use of energy.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5441976

[Lurking Dem]

239. I think it's a valid goal, sure.

But no one here knows for sure if either Gore (who I would assume is) or Edwards are doing anything to neutralize their carbon production. For all I know, Edwards planted 3 forests worth of trees to offset this project.

Do you think they should shout from the rooftops if they DO? Maybe they should. Maybe of they did, others would follow suit. But I don't know. Politically, I don't see how advertising your concerns and proactive choices about the environment could hurt.

[RiverStone]

249. As a matter of fact....

You said:

Do you think they should shout from the rooftops if they DO? Maybe they should. Maybe of they did, others would follow suit.

Yes I do. :)

As should we all.....

Thanks Lurking Dem.

[nam78_two]

244. The environmental aspect of this kind of consumption doesn't seem to register with most

people I guess :shrug:
The true blue American attitude -"I want this, I will have it-its my money. Fuck the planet, fuck the resources..Its my right to do whatever I want." As long as a Democrat does it I guess anything is fine :shrug:...


You have right to consume as much as you want with your money, but you aren't doing future generations, other living things sharing this planet with you any favors with that sort of attitude. But then, thats all American too...

No wonder they call us the ugly Americans...

[RiverStone]

265. That's a bummer...

Though on balance, I agree with you.

Folks like Al Gore (run AL pleeeeze!) are fronting the environmental aspect of it all. I wish more people would pay attention to him - DEM or rethug, we all share the planet and Global Warming will be hot all over.

Outside of ending this tragic fucked up war and booting Shrub from power, there is no issue I'm more passionate about than Global Warming.

For the sake of my two kids and their kids and ALL the future generations!

Thanks for sharing nam78_two. :)


peace~

[A-Schwarzenegger]

310. If I were going to care about something of this scope,

I would care first about whether he was a vegetarian,
and saved animals rather than energy or trees. I dont
base my vote or support on either, or I would support
Kucinich. So, yes, I overstated it with the "dont give
a flying fuck," which was aimed not at Edwards' house or
energy usage, but at those who would try to undercut his
overall worthiness as a candidate based on the square feet
of his pad.

[ecstatic]

201. I'd say, no more photo ops with the *truly* poor

It just won't resonate. 30,000 sqft is HUGE... hell, a 10k sq ft home is HUGE. I can't even imagine how big 30K is. I'm sure he'll have plenty of maids on hand to help keep the house clean though, so no worries. He lost my vote anyway with his sponsorship of the IWR, so this doesn't really matter.

[Bunny]

216. DU I bow to your greatness! This is the fucking funniest thread I've seen here

in ages! :rofl: :applause: :thumbsup:

[saltpoint]

222. Hey. I'm headin' out to Wendy's for a bite. Can I bring anybody

back anything?

[mondo joe]

225. Get me a Frosty in a Swarovski Crystal goblet please.

[SoCalDem]

232. With a diamond on top

:P:

[saltpoint]

234. LOL! You got it. Back in a jiffy.

[mondo joe]

223. Because there's nothing Americans hate like people spending money.

]

[zulchzulu]

228. Wow...if it's ranch style...that's enough reason right there to...

...see how it's laid out.

Any solar? Any green roof? What about the pool? I'm gonna have to stay there annd kick back with some Mint Juleps and see if there's a bidet...mmmm...bidet...

[Pastiche423]

229. Wow! Just Wow!

An Iraq and Iran warmongerer that has built a 30,000 sf home while global warning is upon us, is a good Democratic candidate?

What happened to the Democratic Party's values?

[2Design]

240. could be 660 acres in crawford texas and how big are the buildings there n/t

[samsingh]

241. good rich Democrats are needed to fight evil repug ones

Edwards is a good guy.

[KoKo]

248. No! the house & adjacent building is only 28,200 square feet !

That's quite a difference from what you stated in your post. ;-)'s

[KoKo]

251. BTW...the Red Barnlike structures with theater and squash courts are for Entertaining the

donors to the Edwards Poverty Center. And, he's an important person and can't be expected to have guests that could donate for American and Darfur Poverty come and stay at the Carolina Inn, can he?

He's an important person and they do need room to work on issues they care about and space to entertain these folks. I have mixed feelings about this...but have to say...he really did a "boo boo" with this house and knowing that the Media would pick up on it and show the (what some would think) hypocracy of his touting his humble roots while building something like this.

If Edwards was a Kennedy...one might expect this...but he always goes on about how humble his beginnings were and those of us here in NC know that all his money came to him because he was a very successful trial lawyer with a couple of huge wins. He's obviously been successful in investing since 2000 because the "Dot Com Bust" would have wiped him out if he didn't have some good Financial Planning Managers.

[xultar]

253. OH Fuckin please say you are kidding.

[Redstone]

254. Somebody misplaced a decimal point. His house CANNOT be 30K square feet.

That's the footage of a medium-size factory.

I'll bet anything that it's 3,000 square feet.

Redstone

[progressivebydesign]

273. It's not. There's a very large barn.

I would imagine the barn is for horse type activities, or something of that nature. 10k house is not that big of a deal in the area I live in, and where I come from. People build those things all the time up here near Seattle... it's a ridiculous amount of space, but the guy has done so much to help others, that I'm not going to tell him how to spend his money.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

279. them's some big ass horses

!

[Redstone]

288. And hey, he's a Senator, and we're not. We don't have the kind of social obligations

he does, do we?

Redstone

[bling bling]

299. Are you talking about Edwards? He isn't a Senator. n/t

[Redstone]

326. Oops.

Redstone

[XemaSab]

365. It's not a barn

It's got a swimming pool, two home theaters, and a bunch of other shit.

But it's NOT part of the house. :eyes:

[Reterr]

255. DUers are truly ignorant about environmental impact

This thread is real proof...Yes all "good" Democrats luuurve "An inconvenient truth", but fail to realize the eco-foot print of this type of monster house. Yes, all our candidates do it, but we don't have to love everything they do.

The big spenders in this country are really fucking over this planet, but I doubt that most so-called progressives are actually environmentally-minded...:eyes:

Oh well mother nature will get the last laugh and our arrogance won't fix that. I wish people around here had better clue about finite nature of the planet's resources, but then there is one upthread who I think actually thinks global warming is a quirky myth, so I am not too hopeful...

[KoKo]

269. The Edwards have Solar Power and "Low Wattage Lightbulbs" in their home and

they have a "Rain Barrel" which will serve to do daily washing and a "greywater facility" for all the rest.

[XemaSab]

366. He's sequestering carbon!

;)

[crispini]

378. Yes, it's unfortunate.

I for one will reserve judgement until I see whether or not Mr. Edwards has chosen to mitigate the environmental effects of his house, but I'm going to be thinking about that when I am thinking about who to support.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

263. Yeah but think of all the jobs that provided

'prolly half of NC!!! ;)
and as long as he didn't employ any illegals, he's good!

[KoKo]

278. Most of the building in the "TriState Area of NC is done by Hispanics

whether "legal or illegal." They do the building and do the "killing" in the Smithfield Agrin-business plants here in NC.

Good Carpenters are hard to find. One would'nt think so given that our Furniture Business went to the Far East years ago...but the basic GRUNT LABOR is all Hispanic/South American.

It's like that all over America...but I live where I can see the tremendous Boom in the SOUTH ...and particularly North Carolina.

[Imagevision]

271. You gotta admit, some-things DUer's say blow the repugs out of the bldg.

[slackmaster]

276. Wow - Diane Feinstein's place is only 9,504 square feet

I say if he can afford it, more power to him.

[progressivebydesign]

281. My house is new, and 3k sq ft. Do I have to quit DU now?

Ooh.. and I'm in a gated community!!! Am I tombstoned? Or are Dems allowed to have nice things now?

Seriously. The headline of this thread NEEDS to be changed. Edwards does not have a 30k house. He has a 10k house, which is pretty small/standard for wealthy/famous folks. Shit.. there's tons of them around where I live and people build them all the time.

No one really knows if they have environmentally responsible energy systems, reclaimed materials, etc.

But one thing I WILL say is that I finally understand why so many famous people build or buy these compounds. You get to a point where you cannot just drop over to the Y, or to a movie theatre, when you're well-known, you cannot get a lot of peace, especially if you have kids. You have to create a little compound where your kids can be safe, you can have friends over, and do the things you'd like to do if you weren't targeted by fans and crazies when you tried to live like everyone else.

[ronnykmarshall]

285. Oh no ..

We hired a housekeeper. Do I have to join the Log Cabin now?

[blondeatlast]

301. Does she have a green card? Oh, hell--nevermind on that one cuz you're damned if she

does and damned if she doesn't... :rofl:

[KoKo]

286. Hey....I might live like you...but I sure don't have YOUR VIEWS!

and that's why it's good to have a Forum like DU where all of us have a VOICE!

[natrat]

292. what a stupid premise. He buys a nice house and that hurts his career.

sure whatever you say buddy,,real intelligent----not

[KoKo]

295. No...he didn't BUY IT...HE BUILT IT.....that's the Point!

:shrug:

[mayflower]

302. Nice Crib n/t

[L84TEA]

304. Why? do you care what he spends his money on?

Why would it make him not worthy?
Also, if you are a true democrat... anyone is better then what we currently have or COULD have.
I will support the democratic runner... if he has 16 kids and lives in a shoe.

please.
Lets not pick apart our own party.

[roguevalley]

403. you either talk big or you live your values. he's talking big. he is

educated on poverty and how little it takes to eleviate it, how we ALL have to help, yet he does this. it undercuts his sincerity. either we are clear on our candidates or we are republicans. people say on many threads not to rag on the candidates. isn't that how digshit got the white house in 2000 and 2004? Please. I will say what I think. You don't have to agree. He blew it here. Run on something else, John Edwards -who I loved and am now shocked about- but not poverty or the environment.

[zbdent]

307. And how many sq. ft. was that stadium built on the backs of

the "eminent domained" people in Texas?

[july302001]

308. I was thinking about Edwards, but now...

I live in North Carolina. I was thinking about supporting John Edwards, but this estate is too in-your-face. He's lost my support, which is really too bad because he *was* one of maybe three contenders whom I like.

The people who are being sarcastic about living in a shack are missing the point altogether.

The guy has a right to a very nice home with a more modest square footage - say 3,500 for the home and another 2,000 or so for the Rec buildings. That's still a mini-mansion.

Remember, this is the largest house in the state. Not even the bank CEO's in Charlotte live this large.

All the Dems will be running on environmental issues because of Al Gore's leadership and the situation we're in with global warming. Edwards should have used some of his assets to install some environmental features in that house - at least a large bank of south-facing windows for energy efficiency. Better yet to put some solar panels on that big roof, since he obviously can afford the the up-front cost. $55,000 would cut the utility bill way back on a mansion like that.

Pools are massive energy hogs.

Again, I'm not saying he should live in a Katrina house, but just something less in-your-face if he wants to walk the walk when he talks about those of us who've had to live on $7.00 an hour. He should have built a nice $2.5 million place with ~$750,000 of the price going into household technology, energy conservation, etc.

I know I'm new here, but this is in my home state, so you long-timers go easy, ok?

[nam78_two]

313. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I agree with you:

The people who are being sarcastic about living in a shack are missing the point altogether.

The guy has a right to a very nice home with a more modest square footage - say 3,500 for the home and another 2,000 or so for the Rec buildings. That's still a mini-mansion.

Apparently there is no medium between a super duper McMansion and living in a box on the side ofthe street (which incidentally is also what a lot of people have to resort to and yet homelessness and poverty are not particularly popular topics in this community either-they would be entirely missing if it weren't for a few dedicated posters like Sapphire Blue and Bobbolink).

Unfortunately, Americans still have a very shallow view of environmental issues and therefore the sarcasm etc. etc. about something that is a very serious issue-the issue of how much we consume. There is a poster on here JCrowley-look out for his/her posts on sustainability, energy efficiency etc. Flamefests like this are just a waste of time.

[july302001]

319. Thanks!

I'm mostly a lurker and I like reading the E & E forum.

:toast:

[Clarkie1]

320. The points you make about the hypocrisy of a candidate in this size of a house

being pro-environment are important.

All great leaders lead by example.

[july302001]

332. Thanks!

Hi Clarkie1! Thanks! Your man has been one of my picks for quite a while!

:hi:

[katsy]

325. Welcome july!

There were tons of threads here on DU slamming the energy hogs of cars (the HUMMER).

Now, had Edwards owned this house before global warming was really studied or known... I would not care. That would be his business.

But now, I'm with you. I'd feel a lot better if he plans to go green with alternate energy on this property. If he cares about the environment, he'll make it right and lead (as a Presidential hopeful) the fight against global warming BY EXAMPLE.

Go alternative energy Mr. Edwards or you're no different than Hummer owners x 1000 to me!

[Tom Rinaldo]

330. "Remember, this is the largest house in the state."

Is that literally true? Or are you saying that in a metaphoric kind of way? If in fact John Edwards really did just build the biggest house in the State of North Carolina, that could rub some people the wrong way if it was pointed out to them.

Unless you have some back up documentation for that comment I will take it as a metaphor though. I mean there are some pretty rich people in the world with pretty lavish tastes. It's not easy to claim the title of having the biggest house in any Stae.

[july302001]

346. I misspoke - it's the largest home in Orange County NC

OK I misspoke.

Link at Carolina Journal says it's the largest home in Orange County, which is one of NC's most prosperous counties. Orange County is where Chapel Hill is and is close to Durham and sorta close to Raleigh. There are about 10 wealthy urban counties in this state and the rest of the rural and small-town counties have seen a lot of mfg. jobs go overseas. Factory wages have been *stagnant* since the late 1980s.

Overdevelopment with mini-mansions is a big problem in the mountains where I'm at. We have a lot of wealthy retirees moving in here from Florida. I can understand why, but the influx is too much, especially since our wages are totally *not* keeping up with housing costs.

Funny thing is most people I know in N. Carolina are trying to pull together the mortgage, power, and gas bills and some are working 2 or 3 jobs in order to do it. I'm talking about folks working white-collar jobs and going to school to better themselves.

[yardwork]

342. The article said that this might be the largest house in Orange County

The article did not say that this is the largest house in the state. I don't know whether it is or not.

The article said nothing about environmental features one way or the other. Maybe it does have solar panels. I don't know. Do you know?

I live in North Carolina, too, and I'm very concerned about the environment. I'm not defending Edwards - I'm just asking about the facts.

[Lorien]

409. Agreed, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[aikoaiko]

309. I recommend this thread for silliest of the night.

He built a big house with other structures connected?

You actually think people will care?

[XOKCowboy]

311. I second that motion

Whatever happened to The American Dream? It's not like the outbuildings are slave quarters. Get over it. Anybody in the media or on the other side that criticizes him will need to explain their own expansive digs.

[noamnety]

381. The American Dream

shouldn't be based on materialism - I think that's part of the problem here. It speaks to his values.

You can't have that large of an impact on the environment without other people sacrificing in some way. That's just the facts. He's got this luxury thing going on which is extravagant by nearly any standard, and others will sacrifice as a result, which is part of the two Americas - the rich feel they are entitled to use whatever resources they can afford, rather than thinking in terms of their fair share.

[liberalhistorian]

312. What that hypocritical sanctimonious idiot

should be finished for is his recent speech in Israel that whipped up a frenzy in favor of attacking Iran. THAT is what he should be finished for.

And anyone who didn't know he was a hypocrite in the extreme when it came to his crafted public persona as opposed to his real actions has been sleeping under a rock too long. He talks out of both sides of his mouth, he always has. He should never have been the VP nominee in the first place.

[Nutmegger]

314. TERRA! TERRA!! TERRA!!!

TERRA!

TERRA!!

TERRA!!!

TERRA!!!

TERRA!!

TERRA!!

[Schema Thing]

318. Hey, a man's gotta clear brush *somewhere*.

[NastyRiffraff]

321. New candidate disclosure rules:

1. Square footage of primary home
2. Acreage of land where primary home rests
3. Number of bedroooms, baths
4. Finished basement, if any
5. Cost of landscaping
6. Number, make model of car(s)
7. Disclose all of the above for secondary home(s) if any

Failure to comply may result in severe penalties, including loss of party membership, endless media snark, and revolt in the streets.

Naturally, this disclosure ONLY applies to Democrats.

[AX10]

322. What about Duke Cunningham's estate Cali?

The Bush Compound in Maine?

Oh, that's right...it only matters when a DEMOCRAT has a large house. Republicans can be criminals and murder US Soldiers, but Heaven forbid, one Democrat has a large house.

[Hippo_Tron]

327. Not that I give a shit, but he should be spending the money on his campaign

If he's serious about becoming President then buying $6 million houses shouldn't be a priority. He should spend as much of that as possible on his campaign.

[mondo joe]

343. I don't think the point of a campaign is to break yourself

Personal investments still matter.

[brentspeak]

335. Is this democraticunderground.com....or freerepublic.com????

[XOKCowboy]

370. No kidding!

I see a lot of envy and jealousy in some of these posts. It's not pretty.

[roguevalley]

407. i do believe its du because there are two opinions going here. if

du ever enforces going down one road like the fuckers at fr, then buh-bye. since WHEN IS IT FREEPING to express your opinion?!

[upi402]

344. so what???? he's a succesful lawyer. I don't get it...

Let the guy build his ass a mega-house. So friggin' what???

[brentspeak]

347. Hey, I couldn't help but notice that after you created this flamebait thread, you disappeared

Where'd you run off to? Chuckling at the discord you sowed?

[KoKo]

351. It doesn't matter...Edwards built the house and the link to the article

and photo's are there if one clicks the link. Whether it's a Freeper Post or not...the Issue of the "Overbuilding" is kind of important for a Democratic Candidate running on "Two Americas: the Rich and the Poor." Wouldn't 'ya think? :shrug:

[brentspeak]

355. I understand your point

and it would be a bad idea for Edwards to make himself fodder for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". But unless he's seen yachting around or tooling around in a Mercedes, I don't think the size of his house is enough to turn people off from a populist message -- as long as his proposals make sense and have teeth to them.

[SharonH]

350. I'm sure that if I had his money I would live in a one bedroom apartment

in a low rent area.


not.

[samplegirl]

353. His two america speeches

is just not going to cut it.

[Lurking Dem]

357. But his speeches were about opportunity.

He wants fair opportunities for everybody so they can be as successful as he was. Nothing wrong with that and nothing hypocritical in that message.

[mondo joe]

362. The point of Two Americas isn't to make everyone poor. It's to give everyone

opportunity.

[pstans]

354. How big is Bush's house in Crawford?

[Lurking Dem]

363. 10,000 square feet, passive solar.

[chknltl]

371. Ya but Jimmy Carter built more than 30 homes...

...you don't hear HIM bragging about it do ya?

[KoKo]

374. Oh...Habitat for Humanity has built more than 30 Homes...

it's Much More!

[chknltl]

377. Exactly nt

[w4rma]

376. I'm just posting here to say how dumb the premise of this thread is.

The premise of this thread is one of the dumbest ever.

[Inspired]

380. No kidding.

Who cares about this?

[upi402]

386. What's the difference between liberals and cannibals?

Cannibals don't eat their own

[Wapsie B]

387. Good freaking god, is that what this fuss is about?

Talk about a red f*cking herring. So he's got a huge house that looks like a bunch of Hookies built it. So what? Is that all his detractors have?

:yawn:

[guruoo]

388. Don't know what made me think of this....

"I should say this—that Pat doesn't have a mink coat.
But she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XatkKzjV90w

[Maddy McCall]

398. Finally. The most ridiculous thread EVER at DU.

No, he should not have a big house. He should take the vow of poverty that all Democratic statesmen and women take. He should disavow anything at all the even slightly hints of his wealth.

He should wear Walmart sweatsuits and tennis shoes when campaigning. He should get his hair cut and styled at SuperCuts. He should eat ramen noodles and pinto beans. And drive a Kia.

His career in politics is over. DAMN HIM! :cry:

[janx]

400. Point taken, Maddy, but--TWO AMERICAS?

It does not jive.

[mondo joe]

401. Two Americas is about everyone having an opportunity to succeed.

Not about living like a monk.

[hfojvt]

420. then it is total bullsh*t

"earth supplies enough for everyone's need, not enough for everyone's greed" Gandhi

Where is that William James quote again?

Ah, there it is, thank you google

"The moral flabbiness born of the exclusive worship of the b*tch-goddess SUCCESS. That—with the squalid cash interpretation put on the word success—is our national disease."

There is also a hugh difference between 'living like a monk' and owning a medieval fu$%ing estate. There's never gonna be enough pie as long as some people think they should have 10,000,000 slices for themself.

[Shakespeare]

406. Goddamnit, I was just about to post that.

Dumbest. Thread. Ever.

[roguevalley]

408. i guess i think like a campaign worker. even the appearance of

hypocracy, even if it doesn't exist, makes for disaster. besides, this smells. Sure he can build the taj mahal. he just can't speak without getting hammered about the issues it ignores. that is the way the campaigns work in this country, like it or not.

[Shakespeare]

411. He won't get hammered for it.

Because:

1. Edwards' wealth is earned, not inherited, and

2. Even if you find it obscene, that house represents the big, gaudy American Dream.

He won't get hammered.

[roguevalley]

412. he should.

[Lorien]

413. Well, there is a middle way

I believe that the average sized home for a middle class family of four (regardless of party affiliation) is 2,500 square feet. I don't think that many people honestly believe that a Democratic politician should live like Mother Theresa or Gandhi...I just think that most Americans-especially left leaning Americans- would prefer their leaders to lead by example when it comes to the environment and "Affluenza".

Down here in Florida speed boat owners always talk about their right to their "personal freedom" when asked to drive slowly in no wake zones so that they won't kill or maim the endangered manatees. "It's our RIGHT to drive as quickly as we like", they argue "It's our PERSONAL CHOICE".

Hummer drivers use the same rational; personal choice, personal freedom. But every major choice we make has an impact on others, and an estate of that size will have more of a negative impact on the environment than a standard 4,000-5,000 square foot mansion. After the success of Gore's film last year, and the coming heat waves I believe that the environment will (and should) top our list of concerns. IMHO this purchase is a political blunder.

[RiverStone]

447. hearing the same music....

As you Lorien.

Particularly appreciate that every major choice we make has an impact on others. Yes!

You refer to Al Gore's film and I have wondered how so many folks at DU support his Global Warming views, but seem to not have an issue with building a very huge house (???) - be one in politics or not.

I pondered that question here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x57317


Thank you for sharing a perspective that reflects a global perspective:)

Say hi to all those wonderful manatees! :hi:




peace~

[Bluebear]

418. He's FINISHED!!! He's DONE!!!!!111111

:crazy:

[Homer Wells]

416. So?

nt

[earth mom]

419. Why don't you take this b.s. rethuglican meme to freeperville where it belongs?!

:puke:

[Tace]

423. Live Simply, So That Others May Simply Live

: )

[philosophie_en_rose]

424. Just like the Kennedys were done, right?

:eyes:

[Dover]

426. Edwards seems to be anticipating a very bright future indeed!

It seems to me an indication that he's anticipating BIG changes for himself...a very bright future indeed. It looks like a compound, not unlike Bush's Crawford ranch. And Bush began plans for his 'southern white house' while still governor, also seeming to anticipate big changes for himself.
I know several N. Carolinians (Edwards supporters) who are very disappointed about all this. I think we all need to pay attention to someone's actions as well as their words to see if they match up. I don't think Edwards will be able to sell himself as a Wendy's kinda guy after this. Nor an environmentalist.
If that seems strange to some people, well sorry. But there is a dissonance that is created when people say one thing and do another. People make note of it, and these things change perceptions.
To what degree it changes them is variable.

And the real irony, from an environmentalist point of view, is that Bush's ranch was built much more sustainably than Edward's, as far as I can tell. But that may have been a ploy by Bush to co-opt the strong environmentalist lobby, or at least ease their minds. I think there may have been some rumors flying at about the same time (which were quickly squashed) that Bush had been entertaining proponents of privatization of national parks which had sent up big alarms in the environmental community. But nothing a little rain catchment system couldn't quell.

[watercolors]

430. If he can afford it , so what!

Such drivel and nonsense. he earned it! We worked hard for our home we built, 25 years saving for it. I am enjoying every moment in it. Give a guy a break!

[ellie]

431. You should go

on usenet where I frequent. A liberal poster wrote something about the $155 million house some idiot is building and this conservative idiot defended the rich guy saying think about all of the jobs this builder is creating!

[DesertRat]

433. Any idea why a recreation room would have two stages?

:shrug:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

442. Doesn't yours?

:shrug:

[yellowdogintexas]

434. the presidents who did most for the poor in this nation came

from wealth, think about the Roosevelts (both of them), LBJ, JFK and the compounds and homes they had.

Don't think it will make much difference.

Besides, if they sold another home and made a big windfall, and had other income boosts, best way to minimize capital gains is to roll it into another property. Happens all the time.


having a big spread does NOT change the man's basic goals, attitude, or desire for change.

[citizen snips]

436. Do you think he will let us party in that house?

[RetroLounge]

438. Wow! Stupidest. Thread. Evah.

You do the Freepers proud...

RL

[lostnotforgotten]

444. Yep - He's Through - The Shortest Presidential Campaign In History

eom

[benny05]

468. Maybe your version of it is eom

[Egalitariat]

445. Do you think he used all those trees to build it?****

nm

[ima_sinnic]

446. that is tacky and I am sooo NOT impressed.

It just shows that he and I do NOT share the same values. Ostentatious, excessively resource-hogging, tacky McMansions in the middle of a major clearcut just don't do it for me.

Somehow I think Al Gore or even Wesley Clark at least has better taste and an appreciation for the value of taking only your share and leaving a minimal footprint.

[treestar]

463. We need reports on their houses before we conclude that

But I don't expect people to live a lifestyle that society is not accomodating. IOW, I don't quit driving, I need to. But I would like society to make it more possible not to drive as much and thereby save the environment.

We can work to make society into what we want it to be without shooting ourselves in the foot trying to live a lifestyle that cannot be lived yet.

[TankLV]

448. Unless you're a monk and live on the streets, with NO possessions,

your logic is STUPID.

GOOD FOR EDWARDS! Congratulations for his and his family's SUCCESS!

These posts are ridiculuous...

It's what a person DOES with what he HAS

Edwards versus bush*

Kennedy versus raygun

Clinton versus cheney

IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

get a clue - your posts is ridiculuous at best...

[rodeodance]

449. he did not build it he bought it. No problem from me.

[Seabiscuit]

450. Seriously, this isn't going to change my opinon of him or his candidacy

The man earned "his" money and he's spending "his" money ...so fucking what. At least he isn't living like Trump :puke: or the Sultan of Brunei
:crazy:

How he relates to me as a potential voter and what he plans to do for this country is what counts. His stance on Iraq war, healthcare, stem cell research, minimum wage and much more is what I'll be looking at.

Here's a thought, could it be possible that he will use his home as a headquarters for his campaign? Is that even possible? It will lessen the overhead for the campaign to be able to spend the funds on commercials, newsprint etc. You know a campaign can be run via the internet, you-tube, satellite etc. This will keep him home hopefully more often for the kids? And if he doesn't get the vote, then he can use the extra space for his foundation and any events him and his wife want to hold. They seem to have been involved for a very long time with various charities and projects.

This whole Edwards house is bigger than yours is just crap. All I want is for the next president to have a big "D" after their name so let's keep the eye on the prize. GO DEMS!

:dem:

[guidoo]

451. And the source for all this ???

The John Locke Foundation.....nuff said....

[Nutmegger]

471. Welcome to DU

:toast:

And Drudge ran the story yesterday. Figures.

[Tactical Progressive]

452. What a politically dumb thing to do, Johnny

At least Bush had the political awareness to build his phony 'ranch' to get elected. That kind of thing is more than enough to impress at least one-third of the electorate; to add points for any of the mindless Murkins who believe in Murka and John Wayne and don't ever really want to understand much more than that about the world.

Here, instead, the guy talking about - not just talking about but making the focal point of his campaign - the unfair poverty of the "two Americas", goes out and buys the biggest house and property in the region as he's starting to run for office. Unreal. Could anyone be more politically tone deaf?

Now, you know and I know that leftists have every right to be rich. And we all know historically that Roosevelt and Kennedys are wealthy and were good people. To me that is almost a test: if you can be or become wealthy and not lose your humanity - it's actually a good thing. And we know that you pretty much have to be well off to some degree to seriously entertain winning the Presidency in today's world. We understand all of that stuff. We know reality, and we have no problem with it.

Unfortunately, understanding reality lies somewhere between insufficient and counterproductive in America. We KNEW that George W was a total charlatan with his phony ranch from the start. That was reality too and it was beyond obvious. Yet, there's the media, as often as they could, showing Georgie boy clearing brush for all the hard-workin' Murkins.

Now, who are all those Murkins gonna believe, some 'libberals' or their own lyin' eyes?

Buy a clue, Johnny. I'm not a big Edwards proponent, but does the guy even HAVE political advisors? Maybe he should have spent some money on them instead.

And as an aside, now that he's already got the house, do something with it. It looks both ridiculous and ugly with its string of ramshackle sheds connecting to his 'recreational barn'. Don't discount the negative value of that either. At least if you're going to go upper-crust, do it with some taste and style.

[melm00se]

454. nice house

wish I could afford it...

[treestar]

456. RICH MAN BUYS MANSION!!!!

This is hugh!!!11 I'm series!!!11 Film at 11!

[Skwmom]

469. Must be pretty assured of the nomination or a Clinton/Edwards

ticket. He needs to have a place where he can have the press photograph football matches and his kids running around on the front lawn (the personal injury attorney has never shied away from using his kids as political props). I'm thinking it's most likely a Clinton/Edwards ticket. Edwards was Clinton's boy in 04 and Bill does owe him for his help on beating impeachment.

By running Edwards as a (wink, wink) non DLC, anti-war candidate(and people thought the Republicans were dumb for falling for Bush the passionate conservative) they can tap him for Hillary's VP and have the left wing fall in line.

If people would have focused on Bush's RECORD vs his rhetoric we might not be in this mess. Imagine that - focusing on what someone has actually done prior to running for president versus verbal rhetoric. Of course only in the world of politics would talking about Two Americas = being qualified to handle the tough domestic issues facing this country or being a personal injury attorney, making millions and buying million dollar homes = the second coming of Mother Theresa.

[JohnLocke]

476. Valerie Lakey might disagree

Children giggle and squeal as they churn the water in the wading pool at Medfield Area Recreation Club in Cary, but above the clamor a shriek jolts David Lakey. Standing nearby with other parents, he spots his 5-year-old daughter seemingly frozen to the bottom of the pool. He tries to scoop her up, gently tugging on the brown-haired girl, but she won’t budge. “My stomach hurts,” she whimpers.

Another parent notices she’s sitting on the pool drain and flips a switch that cuts off its powerful pump. As Lakey splashes from the pool with her in his arms, a red stain spreads behind them in the water. On the deck, he cradles her and whispers over and over, “Daddy loves you.”

Valerie Lakey will turn 18 this month, 121/2 years since a loose cover allowed the drain’s suction to disembowel her. After years of surgery and treatment, a routine — school, piano lessons, birthday parties — slowly developed in her life. But no parent wants to imagine parts of the routine — nights attached to feeding tubes, the constant risk of infections and organ failures. “She’s in a lot of pain,” her mother says. “She’s got permanent injuries that are going to affect her the rest of her life.”

Few North Carolinians would recognize her name, but most know that of her lawyer: John Edwards, the former U.S. senator and Democratic candidate for vice president in 2004. In 1997, in a product-liability lawsuit he filed, a jury decided the maker of the drain cover was at fault and awarded the Lakeys $25 million, the largest personal-injury award in state history. It included no punitive damages, only costs that experts estimated the child would incur in a lifetime of care. Unwittingly, though, her case helped fuel a struggle that pits business, industry and professions such as medicine against the legal profession. Some call it the demonization of lawyers.

www.businessnc.com/archives/2006/01/athwart_torts.html

The defining case in Edwards' legal career wrapped up that same year. In 1993, a five-year-old girl named Valerie Lakey had been playing in a Wake County, N.C., wading pool when she became caught in an uncovered drain so forcefully that the suction pulled out most of her intestines. She survived but for the rest of her life will need to be hooked up to feeding tubes for 12 hours each night. Edwards filed suit on the Lakeys' behalf against Sta-Rite Industries, the Wisconsin corporation that manufactured the drain. Attorneys describe his handling of the case as a virtuoso example of a trial layer bringing a negligent corporation to heel. Sta-Rite offered the Lakeys $100,000 to settle the case. Edwards passed. Before trial, he discovered that 12 other children had suffered similar injuries from Sta-Rite drains. The company raised its offer to $1.25 million. Two weeks into the trial, they upped the figure to $8.5 million. Edwards declined the offer and asked for their insurance policy limit of $22.5 million. The day before the trial resumed from Christmas break, Sta-Rite countered with $17.5 million. Again, Edwards said no. On January 10, 1997, lawyers from across the state packed the courtroom to hear Edwards' closing argument, "the most impressive legal performance I have ever seen," recalls Dayton. Three days later, the jury found Sta-Rite guilty and liable for $25 million in economic damages (by state law, punitive damages could have tripled that amount). The company immediately settled for $25 million, the largest verdict in state history. For their part, Edwards and Kirby earned the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's national award for public service.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0110.green.html

[derby378]

470. Oh, boy! Yet another Edwards house thread to sic the Gungeon on!

Pro-RKBA Democrats, HO!!!

[Nye Bevan]

472. Suggestion: refer to it as a "0.7 acre house"

That sounds like less than 30,000 square feet.